Ringo's 2025 TE Sleepers

*Note- some of these calls aren’t sleepers just players I think could have a good year. It’s difficult to find a true sleeper in today’s fantasy football landscape, but I’ll do my best to uncover some longshots in larger leagues or leagues with deeper rosters.


Brock Bowers
The only concern with Bowers is the new coaching staff in Las Vegas. It’s possible they could go more run heavy with highly touted rookie RB Ashton Jeanty aboard, but it’s still hard to imagine Brock Bowers having a bad year. He showed why he was one of the most heralded TEs to come out of college. The Raiders should score more TDs, which is good news for Bowers.

I am Ringo founder of The Ringo Kwon Do Fantasy Football System. After one week at my fantasy website you’ll be prepared to draft with the strength of a grizzly, the reflexes of a puma, and the wisdom of a man. Ok I need a volunteer. You’ll do. Bow to your sensei. Bow to your sensei!!! Haha!

George Kittle
Deebo Samuel was traded and Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a torn ACL. In addition, the 49’ers defense isn’t as stout as prior years which would force the Niners to keep passing. As long as George’s worlds don’t collide, the pieces are in place for George Kittle to have a good year, if he can stay healthy. My doctor says I have Kittlespox.

Sam LaPorta
The Spanish term la puerta means door. So if opportunity knocks on your door to grab a TE on a good offense like LaPorta, Ringo thinks you should answer it.

Travis Kelce
Does Travis Kelce have anything left in the tank? That’s the million dollar question. Of course, if you don’t have a million dollars you can save by bundling your Mahomes with MaAuto at State Farm. No? Nothing? Hey, I could have put a video of Taylor Swift cheering for MaAuto here instead so quit your griping, haha!

Kelce still had 97 catches last season in what was a down year for him. That's a lot of catches in my book. The good news is that a lot of folks are writing him off in 2025. Ringo, you don't even know what a write-off is? No, but they do and they're the ones writing him off, haha!

With a current consensus ranking at TE 7, I’m willing to take a shot with Kelce, who still has one of the best in the business throwing to him in Patrick Mahomes. Best bundle in the league baby! Haha!

Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland is loved by NFL execs. One anonymous exec said, Loveland is going to catch a ton of passes. They’re are a lot of mouths to feed in Chicago, but make no mistake, Loveland will be a big part of their offense. His current consensus ranking at TE 15 is cheap enough to take a risk on a rookie who could be this year’s Sam LaPorta. The only concerns are how long it takes Loveland to assimilate into the Bears’ offense. As of this writing Cole Kmet is still in Chicago. He could be traded, but as long as he’s still there, that cuts into Loveland’s numbers, at least a little in the early part of the season. Caleb Williams also needs to take a big step. And while I don’t think Loveland is as heralded a prospect as Brock Bowers was last year, Loveland is still talented enough to make an impact if things break right.

Colston’s name reminds me of Thurston Howell III from Gilligan’s Island. And when it’s all said and done, he might be as rich as Mr. Howell & Lovey in a few years. Mr. Howell, an esteemed alum from SMU (Super Millionaires University) Mula, mula mula, haha!

Side note- how come the batteries never run out in the radio on Gilligan’s Island, but yet my batteries run out constantly in my flashlight?

Hunter Henry
If you end up waiting on TE, Hunter Henry seems like a good late round target to bet on. He’s reunited with former offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels. Back in 2021, under McDaniels, Henry had one of his best seasons 50 receptions 603 yards and 9 TDs. Henry finished as TE 9 in 2021.

McDaniels returns to Foxborough, this time under new head coach, Mike Vrabel. And with Drake Maye seemingly ready to take another step forward, the pieces seem to be in place for Henry to have a good year. Henry’s current consensus ranking at TE 17 seems cheap given the improved situation for 2025. Oh Henry- it’s like taking candy from a baby, haha!

Kyle Pitts LONGSHOT PICK
Jesus, if the Falcons owned a funeral parlor, no one would die! When it comes to feeding Pitts, these turkeys (Falcons) are totally brain dead! I guess they’re giving lectures on how to lose fantasy titles.

Last year should have worked. However, not many analysts, including myself, saw Kirk Cousins’ total collapse. He fell off a cliff last year. If Cousins played better, maybe Pitts would have had a better year.

If you’re out on Pitts, I get it. His talent coming out of college should have produced better fantasy numbers by now. I’m a glutton for punishment. He’s so cheap, that I’ll roll the dice on Kyle and hope Michael Penix can create some magic. Also, keep in mind another possiblity for tapping Pitts’ potential is a trade. The word on the street is that teams have reached out to the Falcons about Pitts. I believe one of them is the Chiefs who need a future replacement for Travis Kelce. What a dream pairing that would be- Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Kyle.

I still believe, but I’m making sure I grab another TE or two in case Atlanta keeps mucking up the works. I mean how can one team consistently screw up the fantasy outlook for so many talented players?

Zach Ertz
At age 34, Ertz isn’t the youngest pup on the block anymore. He’s no longer the go-to guy that the offense revolves around. The days of 78 receptions and 800 yards are most likely gone. However, one thing Ertz can still do is be a secondary option who catches passes. And that’s valuable on a team with the offensive firepower that Washington has. If you remember nothing else, remember this…..that after the elite tier of TEs are gone, picking a good fantasy football TE comes down to who can score TDs, and Washington figures to score a bunch of them in 2025. Jayden Daniels looks like a star and it’s usually good to have your WRs and TEs connected to stars. The Commanders beefed up their offensive line with Laremy Tunsil and rookie Josh Conerly this offseason, which should help bolster Daniels’ numbers. With a current consensus ranking at TE 20, Zach Ertz seems like a good bargain given his favorable situation, as long as your expectations are realistic for the aging veteran.


Mason Taylor LONGSHOT PICK
I’m not sure if the Jets will have enough passing yards to make Taylor a fantasy factor, at least this year. That said, if you’re looking for a talented longshot, Taylor fits the bill. His dad is former Dolphins all-pro EDGE Jason Taylor. And like his dad, Mason is very athletic. He has the speed and quickness to be a matchup nightmare for defenders to cover.

How good is Mason Taylor? Nick Saban said during the NFL Draft coverage “that not landing new Jets TE Mason Taylor was the biggest recruiting mistake we ever made” during his time at Alabama. LSU beat Saban’s Crimson Tide on the games final play, a successful two-point conversion pass from Jayden Daniels to Mason Taylor. Note that Taylor was a pure freshman at that time. Also worth mentioning, that LSU had some serious star power on their team with WRs Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. and head coach, Brian Kelly, still had the confidence to call the decisive play for Taylor.

With a consensus ranking at TE 27, there are worse dart throws to make than gambling on a talented young rookie like Mason Taylor.

Noah Fant LONGSHOT PICK
Fant was a salary cap casualty in Seattle, but that could be good news for fantasy owners. The Bengals gladly scooped him up. He’ll probably play with Mike Gesicki as opposed to being his backup. Gesicki is more of a slot WR than an actual TE, while Fant is closer to a traditional TE, although he is more of a move TE than inline one. That said, Joe Burrow is the best QB Fant has ever played with. That could make things very interesting, especially on a Cincinnati team which passes it a lot. With an ADP of TE 40, Fant is practically free in drafts. He’s talented enough to be worth a dart throw, imo.

Ringo's 2025 TE Busts

Here are some players that I don’t like in 2025. Some could be busts, while others seem overvalued with their current price tag (consensus ranking being too high). Can we get a little background music please? Aha!

Jonnu Smith / Pat Freiermuth

(6/30) UPDATE- Jonnu Smith has been traded to the Steelers. This lowers his value and incumbent TE Freiermuth’s, too. So, my bust call probably won’t classify as a bust after the other analysts lower their rankings of him. Smith’s consensus ranking was at TE 7 before the trade. I expect his consensus ranking to drop into the high teens or twenties. Even though Steelers’ offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, uses two TEs, Smith still had his best year in Miami. The Dolphins’ defense isn’t as good which forces Miami to pass more often. They dinked and dunked a lot of passes to Jonnu to keep Tua from getting hit. Bottom line- Jonnu Smith’s and Pat Freiermuth’s outlooks look bleak in 2025.

The fantasy football Gods are funny sometimes. For years, I had Jonnu Smith as one of my sleepers picks. He did nothing. And then the one damn year I don’t have him, like clockwork, he does great. I swear sometimes these players do this on purpose just to piss me off, haha. Because of that we asked JoBu to help Jonnu. However, someone took one of his offerings and he was traded to the Steelers, haha!

Note- how in the movie, “Major League”, Pitcher Eddie Ross, has JoBu next to him in the bullpen as he warms up at the end of the scene, haha!

Evan Engram POTENTIAL BUST
Evan Engram is a good player, but it’s hard for me to see him thriving in the Mile High City. The Broncos' defense is better than the Jaguars. The domino effect of a having good defense means they'll be less likely to pass, imo. Also, while Bo Nix is good, he's not elite. Also worth noting, Engram's best games came when the Jaguars' starting WRs went down with injuries. In addition, Engram’s hamstring issues could flare up more frequently in a cold weather city like Denver. Evan Engram is good enough to make me look foolish with this call, of course my readers would respond..."Ringo my man, that ship has sailed," haha!

David Njoku POTENTIAL BUST
Love his talent, but hate the situation. When a forty year old QB is the best QB on your team, a lot of the time, things are not good brother. And if the Browns’ season goes south, they could turn to one of their youngsters sooner rather than later. That’s usually a recipe for disaster.

The Browns have gone too far this time. Imagine an offense without a good, young QB. We (fantasy football drafters) should be provided a decent QB, not foraging for leftover fantasy point morsels, like some stranded Brazilian soccer team. I mean at least Bill from NewsRadio had sexy, redhead Beth (played by Vicki Lewis) to look at. We’ve got nothing. All I ask is that you all stand behind me when I march into Browns’ headquarters and demand better. I swear. I will not let you down. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a fantasy football article to do now. Haha!

Jake Ferguson
George Pickens joins CeeDee Lamb creating a very potent WR room. That’s good news for the Cowboys’ offense, but could be bad news for Jake Ferguson. Both Pickens are Lamb are red zone threats with their size. TE 12 seems a tad high, given the talented WRs Ferguson will have to compete with for targets. This could be the conversation drafters have with Jake after the season. This is the conversation Ringo always has with his readers after the season, haha!

Jake, you miserable slug. You think you can talk your way out this? You betrayed us.

It’s not my fault. Honest, I ran out of gas, I had a flat tire, I didn’t have enough money for cab fare, my tux didn’t come back from the cleaners, an old friend came in from out of town, someone stole my car, there was an earthquake, a terrible flood, locusts. It’s not my fault, I swear to God!!!

I'm Never, Never Gonna Give You Up

'Cause I found what this world is searching for
Here, right here
I don't have to look no more
And all my days
I've hoped and I've prayed
For someone just like you
After I watched you play

I’m never, never going to give you up
I’m never, ever gonna stop
Stop the way I feel about you
My team just can’t live without you

I’m never, ever going to quit (giving bad advice and telling my bad jokes), ‘cause
Quitting just ain’t my shtick
I’m gonna to stay right here with you
Do all of the (fantasy football analyst) things, you want me to

Whoa, I'm never gonna give you up
I'm never, ever gonna stop
All the things I feel about you
My team just can't live without you


My Untouchable List for Trades- Some of these players are too good, while others I just like more than most folks. Can we get a little Barry White music in the background please?


QB
Josh Allen- I know Josh Allen has lost Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but he’s just so talented. He’s a physical beast near the goal line. I’m not joshing when I say I’m not quitting Allen.

Jayden Daniels- If Jayden can stay healthy, he’s a fantasy force. He’s a more accurate version of Lamar Jackson, which is a scary combo. Daniels’ thin frame and injury history were the concerns I had about him coming into this year. Despite a shaky offensive line, Jayden has stayed healthy and turned into a star.


RB
Saquon Barkley- Saquon has found the fountain of fantasy greatness again. The Eagles haven’t even been at full strength on offense and Barkley has been incredible. If A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jalen Hurts can stay healthy, Saquon should do even better.

Derrick Henry- Worries from the fantasy community about King Henry’s demise from old age have been greatly exaggerated. He’s been a human tank in the Ravens’ offense, just like I thought he would. To all of the doubters, off with their heads.

David Montgomery- This past week versus Dallas, Monty showed why I thought he was ranked too low in the consensus rankings. Detroit is one of the most potent offenses in the league and he’s one of the benefactors. Fade Monty at your own peril.

Jahmyr Gibbs- Gibbs hasn’t even had a monster game yet and he’s still having a solid year. His speed allows him to gobble up yards by the truckload. Jahmyr’s ability to contribute, both, as a rusher and receiver, makes him a valuable fantasy weapon.

WR
Marvin Harrison Jr.- Marvin has shown why he’s an elite WR. A concussion last week, knocked him out, but talent wise he’s everything I had hoped for and more. If the Cardinals can give Kyler time to pass, Harrison should do well.

JaMarr Chase- Joe Burrow’s wrist has held up so far, but the concern is the Bengals’ offensive line. If Burrow can stay upright, Chase has the ability to light up the league.

Jameson Williams- Jameson has finally showed the talent he showed at Alabama. I knew the consensus rankings were way too low on him with an average ranking of WR 47. I wish he’d get more volume, but the touches he’s gotten so far have been electric.

TE
Kyle Pitts- Some analysts criticized both, Pitts and Marvin Harrison Jr., saying their separation wasn’t good enough. They were implying that neither had the talent to be successful in the NFL. I think they’re nuts. Harrison proved them wrong in week 2 after he finished as WR 1. Pitts is starting to come on. I have no concerns regarding his talent. I think he’ll continue to get better once he and Cousins get more familiar with each other, and with the new playbook.

Brock Bowers- Bowers has already shown his talent, and now with trade rumors coming from Las Vegas about Davante Adams, combined with Jakobi Meyers’ injury, I’m betting Bowers’ fantasy value could soar into the stratosphere.

Taysom Hill- Hill had a two TD game when he fractured his ribs. Those can linger, but if he comes back, Taysom could become the Saints goal line RB. And if that happens, Hill becomes an elite fantasy TE.

2024- Week 3 Ringo's Favorite Buy Low, Sell High Candidates

Who is your favorite buy-low trade candidate at this point in the season and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?

TE KYLE PITTS
Jesus, if the Falcons owned a funeral parlor, no one would die! When it comes to feeding Pitts, these turkeys are totally brain dead! Okay week two is over and business is business. The Falcons played two tough defenses to start the season in the Steelers and Eagles. Their schedule gets easier (remember they get to play Carolina and Tampa Bay twice each). In addition, Atlanta is still learning a new offense. As the season wears on, things should run more smoothly. I would trade Sam LaPorta, Mark Andrews, or Dalton Kincaid for Kyle Pitts. So when it comes to buying low, listen to Gordon Gecko Ringo, "Blue Horseshoe loves Kyle Pitts, especially while his stock his cheap. Remember, fantasy wealth is seldom lost or made, but simply transferred from one drafter to another, like magic. For example, I drafted Jameson Williams late in my draft. I could trade him today for a lot more. The illusion has become real. And the more real it becomes, the more desperate they want him."

Who is your favorite sell-high candidate at this point in the season and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?

WR TYREEK HILL
Tua's third concussion in less than three years was horrible to see. I'm that praying he's okay. Like it or not, the NFL season moves forward and so must Miami. The most valuable commodity I know of is information. Wouldn't you agree? And no matter how you slice it, without Tua, and with a banged up offensive line, the entire Dolphins' offense takes a major hit. So when it comes to selling fantasy stocks, listen to Gordon Gecko Ringo and sell Tyreek Hill while his name value is still high, because his actual production might not be. Fantasy football is a zero sum game pal- somebody wins, somebody loses. And if you want a friend, get a dog. But if you want a shot at the title, get Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ringo's 2024 TE Busts

Ringo’s 2024 TE Busts


Jake Ferguson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 9 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 10)
I like Jake Ferguson, but TE 10 is a little rich for me. I’d rather try for Kyle Pitts, Dalton Kincaid, or David Njoku earlier. After the elite TEs, it’s pretty much a crap shoot.

T.J. Hockenson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 15 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 48)
I don’t know what my fellow analysts are thinking and drinking with their stratospheric current consensus ranking of T.J. Hockenson at TE 15, but pour me a glass because it must be really good, haha (see video below). Hockenson is coming off major reconstructive knee surgery, which was performed January 29, 2024. At the time of this writing (June 12, 2024) it hasn’t even been five months post-surgery! There is no way T.J. will be 100%, not just for week one, but for the entire season! Even if, by some act of God, Hockenson makes a miraculous Adrian Peterson type of recovery, which I highly doubt, the Vikings will still be without QB Kirk Cousins (who left in free agency) and could very well be eliminated from the playoffs by the time he comes back, lessening the odds T.J. plays much, if at all.

Drafters might think if they wait thirty minutes in their draft, they’ll get Hockenson for free, similar to what Minnesota State Screaming Eagles’ Assistant Coach Luther Van Damme thought about his pizza delivery in the second video below. (note- start playing the second video at 1:48. Also note, unfortunately the video is blurred out, it’s just audio).

Sam LaPorta (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 1 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 5) First things first. I don’t really consider LaPorta a complete bust in 2024. He’s more in the camp of being overvalued imo. But when you factor in the fact that his current consensus ranking for him is TE 1- that’s pretty expensive. Unlike some of the players I have ranked ahead of LaPorta (Pitts, Kelce, and Kincaid), LaPorta isn’t the go-to guy on his team like they are. Like many TEs, he was pretty much dependent on TDs. The Lions definitely have one of the more potent offenses in the league, so he’s probably safer than many players are, but it’s still a risk. LaPorta lacks the speed of other TEs I like {Pitts, Kelce, Kincaid, and Njoku) which results in less big plays.

Bottom line- LaPorta is a really good player. For me, this one just comes down to preference and price. I like the other TEs better and they’re also more affordable.

Juwan Johnson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 23) Juwan Johnson suffered an injury to his foot in mid-June. He’s going to need surgery. Johnson is hoping to be back before the start of the season. I don’t like drafting guys with shaky health entering the season, especially when it comes to foot injuries. Football is a violent sport and it’s a long season. Let someone else draft him at his current consensus ranking of TE 23. That’s too risky a price even for renown riverboat gambler Mark Ringo. New Awlins’ might be The Big Easy, but if I draft Johnson at that price I just might be The Big Dummy. My readers are like, “what’s with this might be stuff?” Haha!

Dalton Schultz
Schultz isn’t really on my bust list. I’m actually close to his current consensus ranking which is at TE 14. This one is more for entertainment purposes. I had Dalton “Sergeant” Schultz ranked in my top ten TEs earlier this year. And then the Texans traded for Stefon Diggs, which forced me to lower him in my rankings. This is how it went down (see video below) haha! Remember, when it comes to sage fantasy advice and funny jokes, Mark Ringo knows nothing!!! Haha!

Ringo's 2024 TE Sleepers

Ringo’s 2024 TE Sleepers/Picks

*Note some of these calls aren’t sleepers just players I think could have a good year. It’s difficult to find a true sleeper in today’s fantasy football landscape, but I’ll do my best to uncover some longshots in larger leagues or leagues with deeper rosters.

Kyle Pitts (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 6 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 1)
The Falcons ponied up for the best QB in free agency when they went out and signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a huge deal. Admiral Kirk will be the best QB Kyle Pitts has ever played with, and the upgrade should help the Falcons' offense boldly go where no man has gone before: The end zone ha ha! Atlanta also changed the coaching staff (new head coach Raheem Morris and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson) which should lead to a more pass-oriented offense. Pitts was unstoppable in college, and, as long as he and Cousins can stay healthy, it's logical to think that Pitts will not only dominate this season, but for many years to come. "Helm, lock phasers on Kyle Pitts (one of Ringo's favorite draft targets in 2024).....Fire Mr. Sulu!"

David Njoku (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 10 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 4) Last year, here’s what I wrote about David Njoku…..

If you believe in DeShaun Watson as I do, then you should believe in David Njoku too. Njoku's biggest strength is his athleticism. He makes acrobatic catches and can flat-out fly (see his career highlights below). In addition, Watson is the best QB he's ever had. The Browns should pass it a bunch this year. There's no way they're paying Watson $230 million to hand the ball off.

Well, I was partially right. Njoku finally showed fantasy fans what he’s capable of. However, he did most of his damage last year with Joe Flacco, not DeShaun Watson. I still believe in Watson. If DeShaun’s shoulder is ok, and his doctor expects it to be 100% before the season starts, then I’m in on Njoku too. With a consensus ranking at TE 10, Njoku seems like a pretty good value given his talent and situation. I guess what Ringo is saying is if you don’t take Njoku and this pick hits, the joke is on you haha! I’ll see myself out now haha! Sleeper

Dalton Kincaid (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 5 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 3)
Prior to the start of free agency, I was the highest fantasy football analyst on Dalton Kincaid. The reason for that was I fully expect him to take another step forward this year. And then Buffalo decided to screw me, by letting Gabe Davis walk and trading Stefon Diggs. Now, plenty of analysts are on the Dalton Kincaid bandwagon- ugh! Honestly, it’s amazing how many times I get royally screwed in these ranking contests. Anyway, I digress. Where was I? Oh yeah, Kincaid is a TE in name only. He's really a WR. That's why scouts rave about him- his receiving prowess. And he has one of the best QBs in the league throwing him the rock- Josh Allen.

There's a whole lot of fantasy lovin' about what Dalton "don't call him Reuben from The Partridge Family" Kincaid is bringing. Come on get happy! You think my jokes are bad, wait until you guys hear me sing haha! I'm going to be singing "I Think I Love You" & "Come on Get Happy" all year long haha! Come on Get Happy! Come on get Happyeee! Draft some Mr. Kincaid in 2023! -Ringo Partridge

Brock Bowers (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 11)
Bowers is one of the most talented TE prospects to come in years. He’s more heralded than Sam LaPorta was. He’s known for his receiving chops and YAC (yards after catch) ability. My main concern is the Raiders’ limitations on offense (QB and the offensive line) which most likely caps his fantasy potential. That said, there are worse dart throws to gamble on when it comes to TE. Bowers seems fairly valued at his current consensus rankings at TE 11.

So, listen to Mr. Ringo Miyagi. When it comes to your draft: stand, Bow. Make block. Left, right. Up, down. Sideline to sideline. Breathe in, breathe out. And no scare fish (other drafters who don’t follow Ringo’s Sleepers and Busts haha!)

Taysom Hill (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 20 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 9) Longshot Pick
Taysom Hill is the Rodney Dangerfield of TEs. He gets “No Respect” from the fantasy analysts in the Expert Consensus Rankings at Fantasy Pros. Well, except for Mark Ringo. But he’s not an expert. Idiot- yes. Expert-no, haha! Hill is still a major weapon in the red zone. Note, the Saints have a new offensive coordinator, Clint Kubiak. Clint is the son of former Texans head coach, Gary Kubiak. Gary used to play for Mike Shanahan in Denver, Kyle’s dad. And that’s where Clint just came from, San Francisco, coaching under Kyle Shanahan, who used Deebo Samuel in some creative ways. After my long winded paragraph, here’s the point….it would not shock me if Clint used Taysom like Deebo Samuel was used in San Francisco. And he could use Hill more often than the Saints used Hill last year.

With a current consensus ranking of TE 20, Hill is a cheap lottery ticket to grab. Remember, when you get into the late rounds of your draft, don’t try for a single. Instead, take a home run swing because if you connect, it’s a game changer. When you consider Hill's potential usage as a wildcat QB in the coveted red zone, few TEs at his current price tag offer the ceiling that The Hill has. I guess what I'm saying is this is a fantasy Hill I'm willing to die on haha!

Who dat rank The Hill so high and tell these bad jokes?

Mark Ringo dat who. Haha!! Sleeper (start video below at 2:00)

Pat Freiermuth (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 13)
UPDATE (8/23) The Steelers line has struggled in the preseason. In addition, starting center, Nate Herbig, is out with a shoulder injury for an extended length of time. Rookie backup, Zach Frazier, will take over. Frazier was a highly regarded prospect coming out of West Virginia, but it’s still never ideal when the veteran starter goes down. I’m going to bump Freiermuth down a few spots.

The current consensus ranking for Freiermuth is TE 13. He seems fairly priced in 2024. The Steelers upgraded their QB room. Kenny Pickett is gone. And now it’s Russell Wilson and Justin Fields throwing passes in the Steel City. My biggest concern is the addition of new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. Smith is known for emphasizing the running game. For that reason, I’m tempering some of my optimism.

Freiermuth, from now on, your Delta Chi name is Moth Ball. Despite Smith, Freiermuth aka “Moth Ball” is more of a WR than a TE. He is a mismatch weapon who defenders have difficulty covering. And he’s healthy this year. Hopefully, Arthur Smith will “Let Russ Cook” using the “Air Freier”. Just think of the jokes I could have at Heinz Field if Roethlisberger comes out of retirement haha! Some of you might think Moth Ball’s score with Smith calling the plays will be a zero. I myself was so obnoxious that my readers used to beat me up after my bad advice and terrible jokes every season. So this guy might make you a fantasy loser. Well, let me tell you the story of another loser……haha!)

Tyler Conklin (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 18/ Ringo’s Ranking TE 15)
Let’s try this again. Last year I wrote, Aaron Rodgers upgrades the entire Jets offense. Yeah, that went well.

Every week Tyler gave the rules that he and I decided. Gentlemen (and ladies), welcome to Sleepers and Busts Fight Club. The first rule of Sleepers and Busts Fight Club is, You do not talk about Ringo’s misses from Sleepers and Busts Fight Club! The second rule of Sleepers and Busts Fight Club is, You do not talk about Ringo’s misses from Sleepers and Busts Fight Club!!! (Actually, I don’t care as long as you’re respectful. This is just a bit, haha!) And finally, if this is your first time at Sleepers and Busts Fight Club…you have to fight (for a fantasy football title)! (see video below)

If Rodgers can stay healthy- easier said than done with this line, Conklin seems like a good bet to outperform his draft position. The only concern, which I already mentioned, is the Jets’ offensive line. It’s still shaky. That could mean Conklin has to stay in to help protect the Jets' star QB. Hopefully Rodgers doesn’t get killed. Last year was a land rush to whoever was playing QB for the Jets. However, at this reasonable price, (current ECR TE 18) Conklin is worth a shot. Hmnn….I’m predicting a TE on the Jets to do well. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s see how the Jets’ fans feel about my call (see second video below). Haha! Sleeper

Noah Fant (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 22 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 19)

UPDATE (8/07) Fant was injured in practice. I’m not sure how bad it is. Monitor this situation over the coming days.

I now know what Captain Ahab feels like. Noah Fant is my white whale when it comes to picking a sleeper TE. It seems like every year, Fant is on my sleeper list and every year he disappoints and makes me look foolish. (Yeah yeah I know…..well, make that more foolish than usual, haha). I’ve liked Fant ever since he came out of college, University of Iowa, otherwise known as TE University by Andy Behrens. Honestly, I thought Fant would make a bigger fantasy impact than his former teammate, T.J. Hockenson, but so far that hasn’t been the case. Anyway, Pete Carroll is gone and it’s Mike Macdonald and new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, who will be calling the shot. Seattle just signed Fant to a new contract while letting Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson leave in free agency. Fant should see more playing time since he’s now atop the depth chart. I guess what Mark Ringo is saying is that Noah might be a good FANTasy sleeper, haha. Look at the bright side, even if my picks suck you guys will always have Ringo’s catch of the day, his terrible puns/jokes haha!

Austin Hooper (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 58 Ringo’s Ranking 43) Even though I’m higher than the consensus on Austin Hooper, he is NOT one of my sleepers. This is just for entertainment purposes. But sometimes you just get the perfect storm when it comes to Ringo’s corny jokes/lines. Of all the teams for Hooper (aka Hoopah) to play for, it’s New England, haha! And when it comes to Ringo’s terrible jokes, you’re going to need a bigger bottle of alcohol, haha! Stop playing with yourself, Hoopah! Slow ahead, if you please.

Ringo's 2024 WR Busts

Ringo’s 2024 WR Busts

Justin Jefferson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 5 / Ringo’s Ranking WR 25) Jefferson lost his QB, Kirk Cousins, to free agency and now it's Sam Darnold throwing him the rock (*note- the most TDs Darnold has ever thrown in a season is 19!). Rookie J.J. McCarthy is out for the season after having knee surgery. Because of that, Ringo thinks taking Jefferson so early is a gambling game & far too risky even for the most loyal Vikings’ fans. (see video below) No thanks. Pencil. Haha!

Puka Nacua (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 8 Ringo’s Ranking 20)
This one could backfire on me big time, but I’m starting to hear whispers that Puka might have a PCL (knee) injury. If that’s the case, he could get off to a slow start this season. Even if he’s 100%, as long as Cooper Kupp is out there, his fantasy numbers will be somewhat depressed. In the early rounds of drafts, I would rather error on being safe. With the injury risk, Puka’s current consensus ranking at WR 8 makes Ringo’s a little nauseous.

Davante Adams (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 11/ Ringo’s Ranking WR 18)
UPDATE (8/07) The latest news out of Vegas is that Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew have struggled mightily with interceptions in training camp. In addition, head coach Antonio Pierce, wants to focus on running the ball. But, what am I saying? You guys are Fantasy Pros Experts (shameless plug). The best. I'm sure you guys have already figured out a way for Adams (who we can agree on is one of the most talented WRs in the NFL) to be worth an ADP of WR 11, even with some of my concerns. Of course, lest we forget, the last time I checked, you're still stuck with Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell running the offense in the middle of the freakin' desert!!! Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, except for bad fantasy calls. That stuff will come home with you. Ringo has left the building. Bust

The Josh McDaniels’ era was over quicker than my stay at the Mirage a few years back. Now, it’s Antonio Pierce coaching in “The Death Star”. And when it comes to Adams’ fantasy outlook, he might be the first victim in The Death Star. Pierce wants to play physical and run the ball. An improved defensive line, could keep games tight, which equates to less garbage yards in the 4th Quarter for Adams. QB is still a concern. The Raiders brought in veteran Gardner Minshew to compete with Aidan O’Connell. Minshew (aka Uncle Rico) can throw a pigskin a quarter mile. How much do you want to bet he can throw it clear over Caesars Palace? That’s what I’m talking about. If Minshew wins the job, the Raiders will take down the title and be NFL champions. No doubt. No doubt in his mind (see video below haha), but still plenty of doubt in Uncle Ringo’s.

Bottom line- Adams is still talented, but his situation is not ideal. WR 9 is pretty expensive, at least for Mark Ringo. And if you’re wrong it will go worse than when Mr. Chow came flying out of the trunk in The Hangover haha!

Brandon Aiyuk (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 11/ Ringo’s Ranking WR 22)

(UPDATE (8/29) Aiyuk signed a 4 year contract worth $30 million a year. The threat of a holdout is off the table. I’m bumping him up my rankings, but still would need to get a discount on him. LT Trent Williams is still holding out. And there remains a lot of mouths to feed in San Francisco.

Honestly, I’m not sure where to rank Aiyuk, but the consensus ranking at WR 11 seems way too risky. Aiyuk isn’t even the top option in San Francisco. And if he gets traded, where does he wind up? Keep a close eye on this situation. Ringo thinks it’s time for drafters to Escape from Aiyukatraz.

Chris Olave (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 12 / Ringo’s Ranking WR 27) The fantasy community seems to want to will Chris Olave into being a top ten WR, but what if that never happens. Olave is a good WR, but he might not be a game changer. The Saints offensive line didn’t do him any favors. a combination of injuries and not living up to their potential has hurt the entire offense, including Olave. The porous pass protection is a huge concern given Derek Carr’s lack of mobility. And now (July 18th) Saints beat writer, Nick Underhill is reporting that arguably the Saints best linemen, OT Ryan Ramczyk is unlikely to play this season. WR 10 is too risky, even for a great riverboat gambler like Mark Ringo. Just make sure the funeral you see on the day of your draft isn’t yours.

Jordan Addison (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 46/ Ringo’s Ranking WR 72) The same note I wrote for Justin Jefferson applies to Jordan Addison, only it’s worse. Jefferson is the top dog. He’ll get peppered with targets no matter who’s at QB. I pretty much want no part of the Vikings’ offense in 2024, unless I see some magical performances in August leading up to the season. Also, note that Addison was charged with driving under the influence in July 2024 in California. Depending on the situation (whether it was alcohol or marijuana) could determine whether the league imposes a suspension on him. No thanks.

D.J. Moore (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 20/ Ringo’s Ranking WR 23) Even though I’m slightly lower than the consensus on him, D.J. is NOT on my bust list. This one is just for entertainment purposes. My competition often tries to find out the secret to Ringo’s bad jokes. That’s the price of fame folks. Anyway, let’s go back in time. Here’s how it went down when D.J. was a kid and met with some other fantasy analysts who were desperate to find out the secret to Ringo’s terrible jokes, haha!

Ringo's 2024 WR Sleepers

Ringo’s 2024 WR Sleepers/Picks

*Note- some of these calls aren’t sleepers just players I think could have a good year. It’s difficult to find a true sleeper in today’s fantasy football landscape, but I’ll do my best to uncover some longshots in larger leagues or leagues with deeper rosters.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 9 / Ringo’s Ranking WR 3)
Not all rookies, or even draft classes, are cut from the same cloth. Marvin Harrison Jr. is special. He’s big (6’4″), he’s fast (estimated 40 time- 4.39), he runs crisp routes, and gosh darn it, fantasy football analysts named Mark Ringo like him, haha! Marvin will be an impact player on day one as long as he and Kyler Murray can stay healthy, imo. Murray is the best QB Harrison has ever played with and the Cardinals figure to either be in shootouts or trailing in the 4th Qtr. and forced to pass in most games with their defense still very much a work-in-progress. There's a lot of garbage yards, receptions, and TDs there for the taking.

Ringo’s comp- Harrison Jr. is bigger and faster than his dad, who was an all-pro WR for the Colts. He reminds me of Julio Jones in his prime.

Malik Nabers (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 22)
UPDATE (8/01) The early reports out of Giants’ camp is that New York’s offense looks awful. New OL addition Jermaine Eluemunor (wait for it) hurting his ribs doesn’t help. For those reasons I’m REMOVING Nabers from from sleeper list unless I start hearing the offense starts performing much better. Much like Mark Ringo’s terrible jokes, the fear is that the Giants offense stinks worse than a pile of manure (there it is), haha!

Justin Jefferson might be the highest paid WR currently, but don’t be surprised if, someday, Malik Nabers is better. Nabers is a heat seeking missile on offense. He ran a blistering 4.35 in the forty at the NFL combine. He is one of the most explosive players in the league and a threat to take it the distance anytime he touches the rock. My only concern is the situation he’s in. The Giants have to get better protection from their line and at QB for Nabers to reach his ceiling. New York added some pieces in free agency such as guard, Jon Runyan, as well as new line coach, Carmen Bricillo. The hope is that the “combination” (wait for it) of Nabers and better pass protection from the line helps Daniel Jones reach his potential. If not, Drew Lock could come in and hope to “unlock” the offense’s potential? (There it is, haha!) Despite these concerns and terrible puns from Mark Ringo, Nabers’ talent seems fairly valued and worth the risk at his current expert consensus ranking WR 27.

Ringo’s comp- Tyreek Hill

Can we get a little Sinatra music (with The Belmont Stakes & New York City visuals in the background) please? If Ringo can make it there (with his terrible jokes), he’ll make it, anywhere. It’s up to you, New York! New York!!!

George Pickens (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 28 / Ringo’s Ranking WR 16)
Two years ago I said Diontae Johnson was getting all of the press from fantasy football fans, but it was George Pickens who was the most talented WR on the Steelers. Pickens quickly ascended from WR #3 to the Steelers' defacto WR #1 go-to guy. That wasn’t not meant as a knock-on Diontae. He's a good WR. I just think Pickens is a great one. The Steelers let Johnson go in free agency. It’s Pickens time to shine. Unfortunately, just when you think things are looking rosy, leave it to the Steelers to screw me. My concerns are: one, Pickens is apparently a handful for Coach Tomlin. The word around the league is the same reasons he fell in the draft are happening now. Hopefully, things don’t come to a boiling point. Two, Pittsburgh hired Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. Smith is known for his affinity to run the ball. Play calling could suppress some of Pickens’ numbers. However, the additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at QB figure to turn a weakness into a strength and could offset that. Even with Smith, it seems like Pickens is sitting on a career year. At least I didn’t say the Pickens are slim at WR or that he’s a steal or considering where he plays “steel” at his current consensus ranking. Actually, I guess I did. Haha! Slightly Undervalued.

Ringo's comp- A.J. Green in his prime

Side note- here’s a scene from one of my favorite movies, She’s Out of My League. Since it was shot in Pittsburgh, hail to the Steel City!

Cooper Kupp (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 24 Ringo’s Ranking WR 11).

UPDATE (8/10)- Puka’s knee injury could vault Cooper Kupp into the elite fantasy WRs group if it plagues Nacua and causes him to miss time. Keep an eye on this situation as week one approaches.

I know Puka Nacua had himself a record-breaking year. He’s getting a lot of the fantasy press, and deservedly so. But the last time I checked, Cooper Kupp is still employed by the Rams. At worst, Kupp is the WR 1A to Nacua as the 1B. The only difference is the price you’ll pay to draft each. Kupp is much cheaper with his consensus ranking at WR 24 compared to Nacua’s WR 8. The main difference between the two is the risk for injury being factored in. Last season, Kupp was coming into the season nicked up. Keep on eye on Kupp’s health in August. Barring any injury, Kupp seems like a good value……well, as long as Vince Vaughn doesn’t make his head bleed haha!. And while everyone is projecting Kupp with an injury, if something were to happen to Nacua, Kupp would vault up to one of the elite fantasy producing WRs in 2024. Even if that doesn’t happen, I think Kupp can easily outperform his ADP and finish as a solid WR 2 for most fantasy teams.

To win the Fantasy Football Cup it might help to draft Cooper Kupp. However, if you want to win The Stanley Cup, even if you live in L.A., you better take Chicago haha!

Xavier Worthy (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 40 / Ringo’s Ranking WR 40)

UPDATE (9/07) It’s looking more and more like Rashee Rice could avoid a suspension in 2024. For those reasons I’m bumping Rice up in my ranks and Worthy down a few slots. Worthy could still make an impact, but there are only so many mouths to feed in the Chiefs’ offense. This all comes down to opportunity. If Worthy gets a lot of snaps, he’s talented enough to do some damage. He’s a legit burner, who runs good routes, in a potent offense. Will he? That’s the million dollar question.

Even though the Chiefs won another Super Bowl, their offense wasn’t the same. Something was missing….speed. Well, this past offseason they addressed it two-fold. First, they signed veteran WR Hollywood Brown. Then, in April they traded up (to Buffalo of all teams) to select Xavier Worthy. How fast is Xavier? Worthy broke the record at the NFL combine in the forty with a blistering 4.21 seconds! That caught the NFL’s attention, including former Chief, Tyreek Hill who responded on Twitter aka X. But wait, there’s more. Xavier is already a good route runner, intelligent, and a hard worker, which are all vital to thrive in Andy Reid’s complex system. WR Rashee Rice could be looking at a lengthy suspension and if that happens Worthy could be one of the benefactors. I guess what I’m saying is that Xavier could be worthy of a middle round pick in your draft, haha. My readers are worthy of some good entertainment, but until that time comes they’re unfortunately stuck with Mark Ringo’s awful jokes haha!

Ringo’s comp- DeSean Jackson.

Jameson Williams (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 47 / Ringo’s Ranking WR 21) Longshot Pick Jameson Williams has star potential. He's big (6'1" 190 lbs.) and fast (4.39 in the forty). Williams torched SEC defenses, including the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs who had one of the best defenses in college history. My only concern is if the Lions’ offensive line can hold up in pass protection. But with Josh Reynolds gone, Williams should get more playing time. And I think he takes a huge step forward as well. Williams is the Lions’ most physically talented WR, imo.

NFL Senior Writer Nick Baumgardner (who is based in Michigan) reports that, "Something I heard this week more than a few times: Detroit believes Jameson Williams is going to be a dude next year. And uh, to be clear: That’s the first time I’ve heard that type of firm optimism about Williams from Lions people in honest moments since he got there."

Ringo's comp- Jameson Williams reminds me a little of Randy Moss.

Keon Coleman (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 49/ Ringo’s Ranking WR 28) Longshot Pick Well, one thing is for certain. When it comes to ranking Keon Coleman for 2024, either the consensus is way off or I am. Just an fyi- the smart money is on me being way off haha! Here’s what I’m thinking. Both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis have moved on. I mean somebody has to catch Josh Allen’s passes and TD throws. Dalton Kincaid can’t catch all of them. And there’s a lot of passing yards and TDs there for the taking folks. The Bills are one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Coleman is bigger than Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir, and I think he might be better as well. Buffalo didn’t use their first pick in the draft (#33 overall) just for their health. They obviously think highly of Coleman. And so, do I. Ringo is all in on Keon Coleman in 2024, especially at his cheap price tag (Keon is currently ranked as WR 49 by the consensus). Sleeper

Ringo’s comp- Coleman reminds me a little of Tee Higgins. He’s a big, physical WR who goes up and makes acrobatic catches.

Mack Hollins (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking WR 132 / Ringo’s Ranking WR 69) Longshot Pick If you’re looking for a real longshot, in larger leagues (12+ teams) with deep rosters, Hollins is a guy to consider. The main reason, the Bills are running out of WRs. Curtis Samuel is considered week-to week with a turf toe injury. Those tend to linger. Chase Claypool was doing well until he went down with an injury. His tenure in Buffalo came to an unfortunate end. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is also injured. Look, somebody has to catch Josh Allen’s passes. TE Dalton Kincaid figures to be the top option, along with rookie WR Keon Coleman and second year WR Khalil Shakir. Hollins is another big target who could be valuable in the red zone. He’s had some big games before for Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. Allen will be the best QB he’s ever played with. And while it’s true Hollins probably won’t challenge Tyreek Hill or CeeDee Lamb for the WR 1 in fantasy, he could still turn a profit from his bargain basement ADP (WR 138) and have some good games.

There are worst dart throws to take late in your draft, then hitching your WR wagon to one of the top QBs/offenses in the NFL. Ringo thinks you deserve a break today. Go get yourself a Big “Mack” late in your draft. You’re not from McDonald’s are you? Haha!

Ringo's 2024 RB Busts

Ringo’s 2024 RB Busts

Josh Jacobs (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 12 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 14) Jacobs is really good, but once again his consensus ranking (RB 12) is still too high for me. The Packers’ offense was up and down in 2023. They lost some members on their offensive line, so the hope is that rookie Jordan Morgan can help up front. Jacobs hamstring is acting up. The colder temperatures in Wisconsin compared to the climate-controlled temperatures he played the last few years in Vegas might irritate his hamstring more often as the season progresses.

Bottom line, Jacobs is good, but I still have my doubts about this Packers’ offense. The price tag is too rich for Mark Ringo, even if Kelso thinks the Packers winning the Super Bowl is in the bag, haha!

James Cook (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 14 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 19) James Cook is really talented, but the situation he’s in is less than ideal. Despite his talent, Cook is undersized. He loses too many TDs to Josh Allen near the goal line. Last season in nineteen games (regular season and playoffs) Cook scored a paltry two rushing TDs! In addition, Allen’s athleticism hurts Cook’s reception potential since Allen is elusive enough to escape when under duress. With a current ranking at RB 14, Ringo thinks drafters will get burned if they draft Cook at his 2024 price tag because the “steaks” are too high. I’ll see myself out now, haha!

Rhamondre Stevenson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 21 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 31) The Patriots offense was a dumpster fire last year. They brought in Jacoby Brissett and drafted Drake Maye. Hopefully, that will help, but I’m skeptical. There are a lot of moving parts here. In addition, New England signed Antonio Gibson in free agency. He’ll most likely handle the third down role.

Stevenson current ranking at RB 21 is a wicked pissah (translation- seems pretty high for a team that could struggle to score).

Matthew Berry, Andy Behrens, and Evan Silva are all rock stars in this industry, now I’ve got to show the fantasy football world what I can do.

What up fantasy football fans!! For your consideration, here comes fantasy football’s biggest up and coming star…..Mark Ringo!!! Ringo doesn’t mean to be the dunk king when it comes to Rhamondre’s 2024 outlook, but fantasy fans who draft Stevenson at his current ADP could be looking at another Boston Massacre. Do you like donuts in your lineup? How do you like them donuts? I’m sorry. I had to. Haha!

Nick Chubb (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 37 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 67)
When Nick Chubb is healthy, he’s one of the best RBs in the league. His vision and hard nosed running style in incredible. Add in Nick's natural leadership skills and he’s a tremendous asset in the locker room as well. Unfortunately, Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury last season. Folks, not all knee injuries are the same. This was a multi-ligament reconstructive knee injury which required two surgeries, the second of which was performed in November 2023, and it might be a career ending one. Make no mistake, as much as the Browns’ brass loves Chubb, they only took Chubb back this season after he lowered his salary and filled it with incentives. He won’t be ready to start the season. And even if Chubb comes back, I doubt he’ll be the same Nick Chubb we saw before. RB 37 is way too rich for a RB recovering from such a serious injury, even one as great as Nick Chubb, in my opinion.

Nick Chubb’s nickname is Old School. So, let’s end this on a funny note. Here’s a scene from the movie Old School in honor of Nick. But before you click play, I’ve got one question for you. Do you trust Mark Ringo with his fantasy sleepers and busts? Blue you’re my boy! Haha!

Austin Ekeler (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 35 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 46)
Full disclosure- the last several years I've faded Austin Ekeler and the last several years I've been burned. Now I know how Dr. Evil feels. Austin Ekeler is the snake to my mongoose. Or the mongoose to my snake? Either way, it's bad. This time it's personal haha!

This past offseason, Ekeler left the Chargers for Washington. However, they have RB Brian Robinson to do the heavy lifting in short yardage. Newly drafted rookie QB Jayden Daniels, is pretty mobile. I doubt Ekeler will get the same number of passes thrown to him in 2024 when Daniels can just takeoff and run to elude the pass rush. Austin’s fantasy outlook looks bleak. Why won’t his fantasy truthers die?

Devin Singletary (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 29 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 38) Okay, so full disclosure, I don’t consider Singletary a bust because he’s too low in the consensus rankings. And I’m writing this blurb after week one, mainly for entertainment purposes. However, the consensus rankings and my ranking listed above have stayed the same. FantasyPros locks them before the kickoff of the first game, so nothing has changed there. The reason I was down on Singletary was because I feared the Giants’ offense was going to be terrible in 2024. All the reports I heard was their offense was struggling, despite Malik Nabers being legit. That said, let’s end this on a bright note. Here are some scenes from one of my favorite movies, “She’s Out of Your League”. You’re like Yoda. You’re like the fantasy football Yoda. The Force is strong with you Ringo. Yeah! Haha!

Ringo's 2024 RB Sleepers

Ringo’s 2024 RB Sleepers/Picks

*Note some of these calls aren’t sleepers just players I think could have a good year. It’s difficult to find a true sleeper in today’s fantasy football landscape, but I’ll do my best to uncover some longshots in larger leagues or leagues with deeper rosters.

Saquon Barkley (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 6 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 2) Philadelphia aggressively went and signed their former rival in free agency. I know that Jalen Hurts running the Tush Push play and Jason Kelce’s retirement isn’t ideal when it comes to maximizing Saquon’s fantasy point total. But the last time Saquon played his home games in the state of Pennsylvania, it went pretty well. Take a look at the highlights to find out. And, unlike in New York, Saquon will actually have a formidable line blocking for him this year. This is the most talented offense Saquon has ever played on. Saquon could have a Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco type of impact season. Saquon just might be “invincible” this year after he enters the Eagles training camp. Ringo is letting it ride with Saquon in 2024!

Bijan Robinson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 3 Ringo’s Ranking RB 6)
UPDATE (8/23) It sounds like there could be more of a RBBC than Bijan fans are hoping for according to Falcons’ beat writer, Daniel Flick. Flick is predicting about a 50/50 split in the red zone between Allgeier and Bijan. For that reason, I’m bumping Bijan down a few spots and OFF my fantasy sleeper(aka picks to hit) even though I love his talent. I’ll need to see how this season goes before I can suggest taking him with such an early pick.

Bijan is no sleeper. Everyone knows that. Last year he did okay. He’s fairly priced at RB 3. He’s listed here because I think he could take another step forward. The addition of a new coaching staff, combined with free agent signing of Kirk Cousins should propel the Falcons’ offense to another level. And that includes Bijan. If the new staff gives Bijan a bell cow role, he’s one of the few RBs in the league with the talent and ability to dethrone Christian McCaffrey as the top ranked fantasy RB.

Jahmyr Gibbs / David Montgomery (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking for Monty RB 19 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 8) Just an fyi- I really like Jahmyr Gibbs. He’s sort of a Jamaal Charles/Tyreek Hill comp. He is electric and more talented than Monty, but Gibbs isn’t a sleeper. Jahmyr is fairly priced at RB 5, so I’ll talk about Montgomery. I’m not sure why Monty is still undervalued by the experts. His role is the same as last year. He’s in a RBBC and will see the bulk of the short yardage runs in one of the best offenses in the league. The only concern is the offensive line could be a little bit weaker this year, The loss of Jonah Jackson in free agency and the cumulative effect of injuries to center Frank Ragnow could slow down this high potent attack. However, even if it slows it down somewhat, the Lions still figure to score a bunch of TDs. Give me both Lions RBs and restore the roar!

Fantasy football fans, my brothers of the sword. I’d rather fight besides you than any army of thousands. Let no man forget how menacing we are. We are Lions! Do you know what’s there? Waiting…beyond that draft? Immortality. Take it! It’s yours!

Raheem Mostert (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 23 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 18) I think the best way to handle the crowded Miami backfield situation is to let someone else draft Devon Achane at his expensive price tag (consensus ranking at RB 11), and instead draft the more affordable options- Mostert (current consensus RB 23) and Wright (current consensus ranking RB 51). This call could burn me, Mostert is 32 years old. I usually don’t like relying on older RBs, but he doesn’t have a lot of tread on his tires. In addition, Mostert looked really good last year (see video below- click Watch on YouTube).

Bottom line- at RB 23, I’m not going to overthink it. That’s cheap enough for me to roll the dice on a starting RB in a potent offense. The bonus is you can get Jaylen Wright as a cheap insurance policy for practically nothing. Wright’s current consensus ranking is RB 51 because everyone is in on Achane. However, Achane isn’t big enough to handle a bell cow role imo, which means there should be a spot in Miami’s RBBC for either Mostert or Wright.

Zack Moss (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 32 Ringo’s Ranking RB 24) The Bengals replaced Joe Mixon with Zack Moss. Moss might not have the name recognition as his predecessor, but make no mistake, he’s walking into a fantasy goldmine. The Bengals have one of the most potent offenses in the league. The addition of Trent Brown and rookie Amarius Mims strengthens their offensive line, which should pay dividends in both the running and passing game. There are a lot of TDs for the taking in the Queen City and I expect Zack Moss to score a bunch of them. It’s time to Rock and Roll at the big KRP fantasy medicine cabinet with Dr. Johnny Ringo Fever!

Ezekiel Elliott (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 40 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 20)
Zeke, “Do you read the bible, Ringo?”

Mark Ringo, “Not lately.  No”

Zeke, "Well there’s this passage I’ve got memorized.  Ezekiel 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison my fantasy reputation and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord of Fantasy Football when I lay my vengeance upon you. I’ve been sayin' that stuff for years. And if you heard it, that meant your team was toast. I never really gave much thought to what it meant. I just thought it was some cold-blooded stuff to say to a dumb, know-it-all analyst before I destroyed his takes. But I saw some stuff this morning that made me think twice. See, now I'm thinkin': maybe it means you're the evil man. And I'm the righteous man. And my friend here on the offensive line, he's the shepherd protecting my righteous butt in the draft dead zone. Or it could mean, you're the righteous man and I'm the shepherd, and it's the world that's evil and selfish. Now, I'd like that. But that stuff ain't the truth. The truth is, you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin’, Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd. Go (and draft Zeke).

Translation- I expect Zeke to have a bounce-back year now that he’s back with Dallas.

(Disclaimer- this video is a scene from the movie Pulp Fiction. It’s an action movie. It’s fiction. This player note write-up on Ezekiel Elliott and the video below is for entertainment purposes only. Do NOT use guns to commit violence or illegal acts.)

Trey Benson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 44 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 45) Longshot Pick Trey Benson is another rookie I was closely watching to see where he landed in the draft. Arizona is an interesting spot. They should have an offense on the rise in 2024. James Conner is the starter, but he’s had a difficult time staying on the field. If Conner were to get nicked up, Benson is talented enough to not just fill in admirably, but to potentially unseat Conner. Benson is big enough and talented enough to handle a bell cow role if given the chance. If you’re in a deeper draft, Benson is worth a late round dart throw.

MarShawn Lloyd (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 52 Ringo’s Ranking RB 41) Longshot Pick

UPDATE (8/10) Lloyd injured his hamstring in the Packers’ first preseason game. I might have to bump him down the ranks a bit. Keep an eye on this in the coming days.

Lloyd has a good RB build 5’9” 220 lbs to handle a bell cow role if given the chance. What’s really impressive is his speed for a RB his size. Lloyd has a burst where he just runs away from defenders (see video below). He has good vision and his pass protection skills are good enough to get him on the field in passing downs, unlike many rookies. While many analysts are assuming Josh Jacobs will virtually all of the workload, I’m not so sure. It could be a RBBC with Jacobs getting more of the load, but enough to make Lloyd useful in deeper leagues. However, if anything happens to Jacobs, it’s Lloyd, not A.J. Dillon who would be the main beneficiary. It sounds like the Packers want to use Dillon as a H-Back or Fullback lead blocker for whoever is running the ball. And if that happens, Lloyd could burst onto the fantasy scene in a big way. The main concern is ball security. Lloyd had a propensity for fumbles in college. He’ll have to fix that to have any chance of lasting in the NFL. Despite that, Lloyd is definitely worth a shot later on in drafts. Sleeper.

Blake Corum (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 38 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 25) Full disclosure- two weeks ago (mid- May) I contributed to an article on FantasyPros called, “Overvalued Rookies to Avoid”. My RB pick was Blake Corum. My reasons were mainly based on Corum running a slow 40 time and being undersized at 205 lbs. to handle a bell cow role. Note- I still think he’s undersized, however, the recent news of Kyren Williams injuring his foot, after I wrote my submission, has made me rethink things. (By the way- thanks for letting me know L.A. I mean how much does it cost to give ole’ Mark Ringo a call?) Anyway, the Rams are grooming Corum to handle a full workload if Kyren can’t hold up. And with this latest news on Kyren’s foot, it’s only logical to think Williams might break down. If that happens, Corum suddenly becomes very interesting in a good offense like the Rams. Corum is about fairly priced at RB 43. I guess that makes this a “Blake or break” sleeper pick? One thing that isn’t interesting are Mark Ringo’s terrible jokes in which he shows no “deCorum” whatsoever, haha!

Jaylen Wright (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 51 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 29) Longshot Pick
Like his teammates, Mostert and Achane, Wright is electric in the open field and a home run threat every time he touches the ball. One of his best strengths is his ability to contribute in pass protection, which is critical for rookies to get on the field. I think the best way to handle the crowded Miami backfield situation is to let someone else draft Achane at his expensive price tag (consensus ranking at RB 11), and instead draft the more affordable options- Mostert (current consensus RB 25) and Wright (current consensus ranking RB 57). While both, Mostert and Achane are starters in a RBBC, both also have a history of missing games, which makes Wright one injury away from becoming a major factor in an explosive offense. I guess what I’m saying is when it comes to picking a longshot breakout player at RB 51 Jaylen just might be Mr. Right for your fantasy team, however when it comes to telling funny jokes Mark Ringo will always be Mr. Wrong haha!

Braelon Allen (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 55 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 48) Longshot Pick
Allen is mostly a lottery ticket/insurance policy depending on whether you drafted/Breece Hall or not. However, if Hall were to go down (and we never root for that to happen, but the truth is football is a violent sport and it's a long season), Allen would suddenly become very interesting on a Jets team that figures to run it a lot. If you're in league with deep rosters (12 team 20 rounds or more) there are worse dart throws to take than on a talented, backup RB (currently ranked as RB 61) who would get close to a bell cow role if the situation presented itself. However, when it comes to Ringo telling bad jokes, don't you fret because the situation always presents itself for you, his lucky readers, haha!

Roschon Johnson (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 57 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 44) Longshot Pick Many fantasy analysts have Khalil Herbert ranked ahead of Roschon Johnson, and I think that's a mistake. The word on the street is that the Bears are trying to move Khalil Herbert. And while DeAndre Swift is the lead RB in Chicago, he’s not built to handle a bell cow role. He’ll wear down. Roschon could be the thunder in the thunder and lightning RBBC. And if anything happens to Swift, Johnson is fully capable of handling a bell cow role, if given the chance. Yo, Ice Ice Ringo (aka Fantasy’s Most Wanted ya’ll) thinks the wheels are in motion for Roschon to be a sleeper, and in 2024 he’s not getting cheaper. My rhymes aren’t tight, I’m not a pro rapper, but when it comes to sleepers, I’m the king of the nappers. Word. Don’t be hatin'. Haha!

Dalvin Cook (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking RB 84 / Ringo’s Ranking RB 27) Longshot Pick

UPDATE (8/28) Dallas is signing Dalvin Cook per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero! Remember, Dallas’s new defensive coordinator, former Vikings’ head coach, Mike Zimmer, no doubt was asked his thoughts on Dalvin Cook and gave him his vote of approval.

Ok, so you want to be a fantasy analyst? I literally just finished typing my blurb for this article on how I thought Roschon Johnson was worth a shot as a late round sleeper when news breaks that the Dallas Cowboys are flying in Dalvin Cook for a tryout- ugh! I swear they do this stuff on purpose just to tick me off. Anyway, I digress, where was I? Oh yeah, while I like Roschon, I like Dalvin Cook even more, if he signs with Dallas. I still think Cook has plenty of juice left in the tank. Remember, it was only two years ago when Dallas’ RBBC with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard produced RB 19 and RB 7 respectively. I guess you could say, Ringo doesn’t think Cook will burn you, or that Cook is cooked, or that there are too many Cooks (Brandin and Dalvin) in the Cowboys’ kitchen? I’ll see myself out now, haha!