We all know and love our superstar players. However, some of these stars come out of nowhere and explode into fantasy relevancy, much like Blake Bortles and Devonta Freeman last season. I call these players sleeper stars. These are the top sleeper stars at each position for the 2016 NFL season.

QB Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
Last year was supposed to be Tannehill’s breakout season. After throwing for 4,045 yards, 27 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions in 2014 while completing 66.4 percent of his passes, he looked poised to take his game to the next level. Despite some misconceptions, he didn’t regress much throwing for 4,208 yards, 24 TDs and 12 INTs. But he didn’t propel himself to the next level either.

Things are now lined up for him to surprise the league this season and catch them off guard. After being the most sacked quarterback over the past five seasons, his porous offensive line all of a sudden looks like it could become a strength. He’ll also have DeVante Parker all season in 2016 and Leonte Carroo could be the steal of the draft.
All the physical ability is there for Tannehill, he just has to put it all together. Now that he has experience, an improved supporting cast and a QB friendly coach in Adam Gase, this could be the year he takes that next step. Everyone may have just been a year early on the Dolphins’ offense in 2015.

RB Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins
Ajayi is going to take the league by storm in 2016. Despite a miserable offensive line, the Dolphins have produced a highly productive rushing attack the past two years on a per carry basis. Ajayi is now the clear-cut starter with Lamar Miller in Houston. Over the past few years they’ve now added Branden Albert, Ja’Wuan James, Laremy Tunsil and Jermon Bushrod to the offensive line, which should help immensely.

On top of an ideal situation, Ajayi is an enormously skilled player. He can be a monster between the 20s and is an exceptional short-yardage back. His skill as a pass-catcher is refined as well. Miller has more breakaway burst, but that’s the only advantage he had on Ajayi. Last year Ajayi missed more than half the season with a broken rib, however, I fully expect him to burst on to the scene this year. During his last season at Boise State he posted just under 2,400 yards from scrimmage, caught 50 passes and punched in 32 touchdowns. He could step up as an RB1 this season.

WR Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers
Leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft, Coates was projected to be a first-round pick. Then in the final week leading up to the draft, due to questions about his hands and a not-so-great combine, he slipped all the way to the third round. Nonetheless, he has excellent size, speed and performs best in the biggest games. Despite his issues, he was a steal at pick No. 87.

Martavis Bryant’s season-long ban leaves the door wide open for Coates. As of now, Markus Wheaton is penciled in as the WR2 in Pittsburgh. However, much like Bryant did, I fully expect Coates to surpass Wheaton on the depth chart by mid-season. Coates is just a superior talent. We all know Ben Roethlisberger is going to throw it up often, and he’s missing a major piece of his passing attack with Bryant gone. Coates could be just the man to fill that void.

TE Clive Walford, Oakland Raiders
I’ve been on record in believing Walford is a future star and will be an elite tight end in the near future, an All-Pro caliber player. Walford is the University of Miami’s all-time leader among tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns. And that school has had some absurdly talented tight ends come through. Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham, Jeremy Shockey, Bubba Franks and Kellen Winslow Jr. are just a few of them. On top of his receiving abilities, Walford’s blocking skills will help earn him more snaps.

Before being drafted in 2015, I ranked Walford as far and away the best and most NFL ready tight end in his class. He was and is infinitely better than every other TE in his class class including Maxx Williams. Walford is another guy that started off last season with injury being almost a complete non-factor for the first quarter of the season. He ended with 28 receptions, 329 yards and three TDs. Not eye-popping numbers, but he showed flashes of his potential upside.