Week 2: Super Sleepers
There's a reason we call these guys super sleepers. Often times they are filling in for a starter or we believe they'll get enough touches in garbage time to make them fantasy worthy. These guys aren't going to carry your team to the playoffs, but they could come in handy during a bye week or to fill a gap due to injury. If you're looking for someone then check these guys out. A good number of these guys are still available in many leagues.
QB Kevin Kolb, ---
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When it comes to fantasy quarterbacks, owners want someone who will throw for 300 yards a game with as many touchdowns as they can get. Wether the team he plays for wins or loses the game doesn't matter, so long as his numbers from week to week are good. In fact many times having a quarterback on a team consistently playing from behind is a good thing. This could very well be the case for Kevin Kolb this season. The Arizona offense struggled to put up points last week, scoring just 13 points through three and a half quarters with John Skelton under center. Then late in the fourth quarter Skelton was forced to leave the game due to an ankle injury. Kolb promply stepped in completing 6 or 8 pass attempts for 66 yards, culminating in what turned out to be the game winning touchdown pass to Andre Roberts with 4:59 remaining. In just one series Kolb managed to out perform Skelton's second half 3 of 11 for 25 yards. While there remains a chance Skelton could return this week, it sounds like Kolb will get his chance to prove himself Sunday when Arizona heads to New England. The Cardinals will likely be playing from behind most of the game, which in turn could mean big numbers for Kolb should he get the start this weekend for the injured Skelton.
QB Carson Palmer, ---
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We realize it was only week one and the Raiders were playing on Monday night at home, but Carson Palmer looked pretty good. When the dust settled Palmer had completed 32 of 46 for 297 yards with one touchdown and more importantly no interceptions. Just a few more yards and he would have hit that magical 300 passing yard mark. Palmer not only nearly hit 300 yards, but he did so with a depleated receiving corp. If the offensive line can continue to block well and the Raiders receivers can get healthy then Palmer could be a nice addition to many fantasy teams. Another touchdown or two to go along with 300 yards and Palmer's name has to be mentioned in starting fantasy quarterback conversations.
RB Donald Brown, ---
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Brown may not have scored a ton of fantasy points on Sunday, but his performance on the field was very respectable. On just 9 carries he rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown. That's a nice 5.3 yards per carry that could translate into some very productive games later in the season should he be able to continue down this path. Of course the big question mark here is whether Brown can stay healthy enough to be on the field every game. In addition, the Colts offense will need to keep pace with opposing offenses unlike what we say against the Bears on Sunday. In the second half of that game Indy had to abandon the run in an effort to stay close enough to win the game. With a few more carries a game, Brown's numbers could become fantasy worthy and fantasy owners looking for a bye week fill in should hold on to Brown. Against the right opponent, Donald will post fantasy worthy numbers.
WR Andrew Hawkins, ---
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Hawkins may be listed fourth on the depth chart, but his chemistry with quarterback Andy Dalton could make him a nice fantasy receiver. When Dalton was under pressure, his go-to receiver every time seemed to be Hawkins. In fact, aside from AJ Green no other receiver had more targets (9) than Hawkins. If the second year man out of Toledo continues to see that many targets, he could be a nice third receiver for many fantasy football owners.
WR Stephen Hill, ---
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In the books Hill may only be a rookie, but his performance on the field Sunday left everyone believing he is a veteran. Stephen led the Jets in receiving with 5 receptions in 6 targets for 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His two touchdown receptions in his first game as a professional have placed him in elite company with the likes of Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, Charles Rodgers and Alex Smith as the only receivers over the past 25 years with 2 touchdown receptions in their first game. If Hill follows the path of Moss and Boldin, he could become one of the league's most feared receivers. At this point in the season there's no reason not to add Hill to your roster. If he continues to post solid numbers, fantasy owners could easily find a place for him as a bye week fill-in; in larger leagues he's a regular starter. If you're at the top of your waiver wire this week, Hill may be the best available free agent in your league. If he is available, don't let this opportunity to grab him pass through your fingers.
WR Alshon Jeffery, ---
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Jeffery may not have had as great a day as fellow rookie Stephen Hill, but his performance on Sunday was nothing short of spectacular. The rookie out of South Carolina made his debut Sunday catching 3 of 5 targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. Alshon's 5 targets were no where near the 15 Brandon Marshall received, but they were the second most targets to a receiver. We all know Cutler likes to sling the ball downfield and it appears if he's not looking for Marshall, he'll be targeting Jeffery. This of course means Jeffery's performance could be hit or miss from week to week. While we'd like to suggest waiting on picking him up, we believe his upside potential is just too much to pass over. The Bears head to Green Bay this weekend to face a Packers team which just lost to the 49ers. The score in this game could easily get out of control, which in turn means big numbers for fantasy owners. If you're looking for a nice waiver wire pick up who can fill in on a bye week and potentially be a starter then Alshon Jeffery is your man.
TE Dennis Pitta, ---
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If you look at how last season played out, it was it was the Ed Dickson show for the first 10 games of the season with a little Dennis Pitta on the side. To finish off the season both tight ends had nearly the same number of receptions. Because the season ended with a time share at the tight end position, many believed this season would start much the same way. Well, fast forward to Monday night's game and what we saw was anything except an even time share. Monday's game was the Dennis Pitta show with the third year man out of BYU pulling down 5 of 9 targets for 73 yards with a touchdown. If you're looking for a tight end, it appears Pitta is the man you want from Baltimore this season.