Fantasy Football 2024: Sleepers to Target from Texans vs. Bears Hall of Fame Game

Like the rest of the preseason, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game typically does not feature starters going at it. And many second-stringers end up sitting this game as well.

The Chicago Bears earned a 21-17 win over the Houston Texans on Thursday night, although the game was called in the middle of the third quarter due to inclement weather.

It wasn't necessarily a fantasy football gold mine of draftable players, but it did still feature some solid talent who could conceivably find a path to playing time as deep sleepers.

In that respect, some players who saw extensive playing time (and/or fared well) in the preseason-opening matchup between the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears may not be picks here, such as Houston quarterbacks Davis Mills and Case Keenum or Bears signal-caller Brett Rypien or even wideout Collin Johnson, who scored two touchdowns in the game.

But some others, in theory, may get a shot somewhere down the line. Here's a look at four potential fantasy super sleepers who saw action Thursday.

Once upon a time, Khalil Herbert looked like he was well on his way to a breakout season.

On Oct. 1, 2023, Herbert amassed 122 total yards and a touchdown in a 31-28 loss to the Denver Broncos. He then began a 40-20 win over the Washington Commanders with 76 rushing yards on 10 carries.

But then Herbert suffered an ankle sprain while trying to catch a pass against Washington, and he proceeded to miss a month-and-a-half.

Herbert got inconsistent run upon his return, but he showcased his talents over a two-week period in late December, amassing 236 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a pair of victories over the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons.

Offseason acquisition D'Andre Swift is the Bears' top running back going into this season, but it's fair to wonder if Herbert will ever get another shot. He had three 100-yard games despite having double-digit carries only six times last year. It's ultimately hard to ignore that production.

Herbert fared well in this one, totaling 35 rushing yards on just four carries.

Cam Akers went into last season as a potential breakout fantasy star after he ended the 2022 season with 408 yards and three touchdowns in three games for the Los Angeles Rams. But last season was a complete nightmare, as he and the Rams parted ways via trade to the Minnesota Vikings, where Akers never saw the field much before suffering a torn Achilles for the second time in his career.

Now Akers is looking to get back into the NFL mix. He has a long way to go.

Per the Texans' unofficial depth chart, Joe Mixon is RB1 in Houston. Dameon Pierce, who was the team's top rusher in 2022, is No. 2.

Then there's Dare Ogunbowale and Jawhar Jordan before you get to Akers at No. 5. So, on paper, Akers has a long road ahead to get playing time, let alone make the team.

But he impressed Thursday, to the point where Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Network foresaw him making the roster.

Akers finished with five carries for just 13 yards, but added two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Pierce, the team's No. 2 running back, rushed for just 2.9 yards per carry last year after leading the squad in rushing in 2022. ESPN's Matt Miller perhaps put it best.

Is there an opening for Akers to potentially be the No. 2 back and be in line for some work? Perhaps. Thursday was a good start, though, as he showed some explosiveness and got into the end zone.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus seemed to roll with a hot hand at times at running back last year. Although D'Andre Swift appears to be the lead back right now, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Khalil Herbert or Roschon Johnson get some work.

Johnson finished the first preseason game with six carries and one reception, giving him a chance to show what he can do in the offsense.

His best asset in fantasy revolves around his efforts in the pass game. The second-year pro out of Texas caught 34 passes for 209 yards on 40 targets last season.

So obviously, he could be a sleeper pick in deep point-per-reception leagues. But the main issue is competition for touches, especially with the Bears also having a talented quartet of pass-catchers in wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze as well as tight end Cole Kmet.

Johnson has also proven to be efficient on the ground, though, running for 4.35 yards per carry last year. Simply put, Johnson did well with the opportunities he was given, even if he only had 115 touches (and never more 15 in one game) on the season.

Xavier Hutchinson was the team's top receiver before the weather delay, catching five passes for 56 yards on six targets.

The former Iowa State star was a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft after a phenomenal final collegiate season (107 receptions, 1,171 yards, six touchdowns).

A quiet rookie season ensued (eight catches for 90 yards), but he did get some playoff experience after injuries to both Tank Dell and Noah Brown led to him receiving more playing time.

On the Texans' unofficial depth chart, Hutchinson currently sits three columns deep behind the starting three (Dell, Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs) and then another trio (Noah Brown, Robert Woods, John Metchie III). So there's work to be done.

But the talent is there. He's young (24 years old), capable of much improvement and impressed Thursday.

All in all, don't be surprised if he makes the team and finds his way onto the field sometime this season for meaningful reps.