Fantasy Football 2022: Latest ADP for Top Sleepers and Tips to Strategize

This time of year, every fantasy football manager is eyeing potential late-round sleepers for their draft. Even the most casual members of your league are familiar with the stars. It's the back half of the draft that can put a sizable gap between the talent level of rosters.

Of course, you won't be the only person in your league waiting to scoop up potential sleeper players. And it's important not to reach too much, because many of these players aren't getting taken early because there's some type of risk associated with them.

But if you hit on a sleeper, it could be the reason you end up winning a fantasy championship come December. That's why it's important to take a late-round flier or two on these less proven players.

Here's a look at several sleepers to target and tips for when they should be drafted.

There's a talented rookie wide receiver class this year, and several could be worth late-round consideration. But if you're looking to prioritize one, go with Chris Olave.

Olave, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 11 overall pick, should quickly become a top target for quarterback Jameis Winston in the team's offense. If Michael Thomas doesn't return to his previous production, then Olave may even end up as New Orleans' top receiver by the end of the season.

On Friday, Olave flashed his potential with a 20-yard touchdown catch during the second quarter of the Saints' preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers. As he gets more reps early in the year, he should only get better and begin to fulfill the high potential he has coming out of Ohio State.

Olave's average draft position isn't until the second pick of the 11th round in 12-team PPR leagues, per Fantasy Football Calculator. He may even be worth targeting in the ninth or 10th round in that format because of his expected high floor and his tremendous upside.

So while there are several other rookie receivers worth considering, rank Olave ahead of the others.

It's nearly impossible to find a running back who may end up as his team's starter early in the season during the back half of a fantasy draft. That's what makes Dameon Pierce so appealing.

Although it isn't a sure thing that Pierce could ascend to the top of the Houston Texans' RB depth chart during the first few weeks of the 2022 campaign, it's quite possible. He'll need to prove he can outperform veterans Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead, but Pierce may just do that.

Pierce was quite impressive during Houston's first preseason game, as he led the team with 49 yards on five carries in a win over New Orleans. The rookie, who was a fourth-round pick out of Florida, should prove that he's worthy of a substantial workload moving forward.

And he's not getting taken until the ninth round of 12-team PPR leagues, per Fantasy Football Calculator. If Pierce ends up as the Texans' starter at any point, which seems quite likely, then he could be a difference-maker for fantasy managers.

Unless you land Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews within the first few rounds of the draft, it's best to wait a bit before selecting a tight end. The best strategy is probably to wait until the back half and take a chance on a potential breakout player.

Cole Kmet has strong odds of being that type of playmaker for the Chicago Bears this season. Because the Bears don't have a ton of top-tier players in their receiving corps (outside of Darnell Mooney), quarterback Justin Fields could be looking Kmet's way a good bit.

Kmet had a solid sophomore season in 2021, when he had 60 catches for 612 yards in 17 games. However, he had no touchdowns. But he could get into the end zone frequently in 2022, especially not that fellow tight end Jimmy Graham is no longer in Chicago.

With an ADP in the 11th round in 12-team PPR leagues, per Fantasy Football Calculator, Kmet is a great tight end to draft late. If you wait to pick him until the 10th or 11th round, you can build up the other positions on your roster early and then still have a safe tight end to start who also has a ton of potential for a big year.