Fantasy Football 2022: Top Preseason Sleepers, Funny Team Names and League Names
Maybe your fantasy football league waits until the preseason is over before holding your draft. Or perhaps your group is fine with drafting now, taking the risk of potentially losing players to season-ending injuries during the exhibition contests.
Either way, now is the time to prepare and research for the draft. Make notes to remember which players you may want to target. Construct tiers for each position and know when you'll be willing to take each player. Even begin to think of a funny team name that you'll want to see in the standings (and a league name, if yours is new for the 2022 season).
These are all critical steps to ensure that a fantasy football season is fun, competitive and successful (especially for yourself).
Here are some clever league and team names for you to consider, followed by several sleeper players to target once it's time to draft.
League Names
The No Fun League
Monday Morning Hangover
The Dirty Dozen
The League of Ordinary Gentlemen
Any Given Sunday
A League of Our Own
The League
Gridiron Greats
League of Legends
National Fantasy League
Funny Team Names
Brady Gaga
Dak Side of the Moon
Work from Mahomes
Return of the Mac
Cobra Kyler
Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood
Tuafinity and Beyond
Fresh Prince of Helaire
Catalina Wine Mixon
Zeke and Destroy
McLaurin F1
Silenced by the Lamb
Pop Lockett Drop It
I Gotta Thielen
Top Sleepers to Target
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
There were noticeable growing pains for Justin Fields as a rookie in 2021, once he finally started to get consistent playing time for the Chicago Bears. That's why his numbers weren't significant in terms of fantasy relevance: 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions through the air, with 420 yards and two scores on the ground.
But the 23-year-old could take a big step forward in 2022. And because he can use his legs to make plays, he may be in store for a breakout fantasy season.
Chicago's offense doesn't have a ton of top-tier playmakers, though some could surprise people with their performance. With Fields' potential big-play ability, he could be a great sleeper QB to stash on your bench early in the year.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
It wouldn't be a surprise if the Eagles start to spread around touches out of their backfield this season. Miles Sanders wasn't quite as productive last year, when he rushed for only 754 yards and never got into the end zone.
That could increase the opportunities for Kenneth Gainwell, who has proved he can be a strong runner and a solid receiving option. As a rookie in 2021, he rushed for 291 yards and five touchdowns and had 33 catches for 253 yards and a score.
His stats aren't a large sample size, but the 23-year-old clearly has potential. And it's always nice to have a potential breakout running back or two waiting in the wings on your fantasy roster.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons offense isn't the most exciting unit on paper heading into the 2022 season. Their starting quarterback will likely be Marcus Mariota, and their receiving corps is mostly unproven.
That could bode well for Drake London, who was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of USC. Somebody has to catch passes from Mariota this season, and the 21-year-old may quickly be near the top of the depth chart as a rookie.
London has the size (6'4", 213 pounds) and skills to develop into a strong NFL wide receiver. Don't be surprised if he gets off to a quick start, and get a leg up on your leaguemates by getting him on your roster in the draft.
Irv Smith Jr., TE, Minnesota Vikings
Some may have forgotten about Irv Smith Jr. because he missed all of the 2021 season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Now, he's been dealing with a thumb ailment that required surgery early in training camp.
But once the 23-year-old is healthy, the breakout potential is there. He showed that in 2020, when he had 365 yards and five touchdowns in his second season for the Vikings.
If Smith shows he can be ready for the start of the regular season (or at least close to it), he could be a great player to target late in drafts. Otherwise, keep an eye on him on the waiver wire early in the year.