New stars emerge every season in the NFL more than any other league in the world, and there will undoubtedly be a handful of players who take a step forward and become superstars this season. While that will certainly benefit their teams, it could also help your fantasy football team - if you're able to outsmart your friends and land them. Here are five fantasy sleepers you should target in your draft:
Derek Carr
Carr built on an outstanding rookie season with a Pro Bowl year in 2015, passing for nearly 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. He showed a firm grasp of head coach Jack Del Rio's system, and the combination of Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree give him the ability to take chances - chances that are often rewarded with big plays. As that duo (specifically Cooper) continue to grow, so will Carr.
He finished last year as the No. 12 quarterback in fantasy rankings, but he's expected to take a big step forward in Year 2 with his offensive weapons.
Would you be willing to be against Carr approaching 4,500 passing yards and 40 touchdowns next season? His unreal arm strength, accuracy and growing understanding of NFL defenses are set to make him a superstar.
Kelvin Benjamin
Benjamin was one of the best young receivers in the league in 2014, catching 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. Carolina was expecting big things from him last year, but he tore his ACL in the preseason and missed the whole year. Now he's back and better than ever.
Cam Newton's favorite target, he's undoubtedly the top option for the Panthers in the passing game. He has incredible hands and athleticism, and his 6'6", 245-pound frame allow him to make catches over the middle with ease. Benjamin is also one of the premier red zone threats in the league.
He averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game as a rookie in 2014. He may get off to a slower start this season, but one has to think he'll only improve with more experience under his belt. 10 fantasy points per game seems to be his floor - making him a rare reliable option in your lineup.
Jeremy Langford
Langford rarely played during the first half of his rookie season, but once Matt Forte got hurt, Langford shined in the starting role - so much so that the Bears decided to let Forte walk in free agency. Langford possesses a special combination of power, speed and vision that allowed him to rush for 537 yards and six touchdowns on just 148 carries last year, and he's also a very good receiver out of the backfield, catching 22 passes for 279 yards and another score.
Chicago will use him in a Forte-like role in 2016, and Langford has shown he's ready to deliver, making him capable of being one of your two starting running backs.
Carlos Hyde
Remember when Carlos Hyde was leading the league in rushing before lackluster playcalling and nagging injuries slowed him down and ultimately cut his season short? Well, Hyde's back and 100 percent healthy - and he's the perfect weapon in Kelly's offense. It's very similar to what Hyde excelled under at Ohio State, using his quickness to shift from running east-west to running downhill in the blink of an eye - then using his 235-pound frame to break through the line and find daylight.
With major quarterback questions in San Francisco, Hyde is bound to see plenty of opportunities running the ball. Kelly has also said they plan to use Hyde a lot in the passing game as well, which means he could do wonders for your fantasy team.
Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater has shown flashes of brillance throughout his first two seasons, and now is the time for him to put it together. The natural talent is there as well as is the innate will to win, so we're only seeing big steps forward in his future during his third year under center. With a wide array of fun weapons to play with including first-round pick Laquon Treadwell and Stefon Diggs, Bridgewater's not only going to improve in 2016 -- he's going to make "The Leap" and become an elite quarterback. If he does, he's a late-round pick that could become a starter for your team.
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