Week 6: 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 Sam Bradford, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Looking at Bradford's performances the past few weeks has to leave one wondering how he makes a super sleeper list. Over the past three weeks Sam has thrown for less than 225 yards with just 2 touchdowns while throwing 4 interceptions. Couple these bad performances with the loss of his number one target -- Danny Amendola -- and you probable think we're crazy. Even with the loss of Amendola and his poor performance the past few games, we belive this week's matchup against the Dolphins is just what Bradford needs. The last time Brandford and the Rams faced one of the league's lower ranked pass defenses (Washington) Sam threw for 310 yards with 3 touchdowns and one interception. While the Dolphins secondary is not as bad as Washington's, they're not much better. Miami comes into the weekend ranked 27th in the league, allowing more than 280 passing yards per game; while their run defense ranks 1st, allowing just over 61 yards per game. If you're looking to fill a bye week gap Bradford could be exactly who you need.
QB Russell Wilson, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
For the first time this season Wilson threw for more than 175 yards last weekend, as he completed 19 of 25 attempts for 221 yards with one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. If you're in a league which doesn't penalize for interceptions then these numbers (while still not great) could have been servicable with a few more yards or an additional touchdown. This weekend Seattle hosts New England in what could be Wilson's best chance to post respectible fantasy numbers this season. The Patriots pass defense is currently ranked 30th in the league, allowing nearly 300 yards and more than 2 touchdowns per game. While their secondary struggles, New England's run defense is ranked 9th in the league, allowing just over 82 yards a game while giving up just 2 rushing touchdowns in 5 games. If Seattle is going to win this weekend they'll need to do it with their passing game. This means if we're going to see fantasy worthy numbers from Wilson, they'll come this weekend.
RB LeGarrette Blount, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
As the season progresses, it is often times more important to look a week or two ahead and prepare now for what's to come. One example of a good pick up fantasy owners could make this week for the future is LeGarrette Blount. Through the first four games Blount has done little, so he should be available in many fantasy leagues. If he's not available, you can probably have him tossed into a trade with little thought from your opposition. The reason we like Blount is that he could easily start to take carries away from Doug Martin, especially on the goal line as was evident week 4. Not only could we see Blount more often in short yardage situations, but as the season progresses rookie backs tend to break down. Rookies are not used to playing 16 game season and their bodies are often times not ready for the abuse and thus their productions begins to decline. Couple all this with some nice matchup against some poor run defenses (see New Orleans) and Blount has the potential to be a nice fantasy addition.
RB Donald Brown, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
When you're up against one of the worst run defenses in the league, all you can hope for is a ton a carries. This week when Brown and the Colts head to New York to face the Jets, look for Donald to see the most carries he's had all season. The Jets run defense (once one of the best in the league) is now ranked 31st, allowing 172 yards per game. In addition, the Jets have allowed 8 rushing touchdowns this season which happens to also be the second most allowed this year. If you're a fantasy owner looking for a starter this week to fill a bye, you'd have to be crazy not to start Brown. The fourth year man ouf of Connecticut has no competition in the backfield, so he should see plenty of carries come Sunday. When the dust settles, Brown will likely see 18-22 carries, which should result in 100+ yards and possibly a touchdown. Until the Jets prove they can stop the run, fantasy owners have to continue starting whom ever is up against them next.
WR Michael Jenkins, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
After Percy Harvin and Kyle Rudolph, figuring out just who is going to be the next best Vikings receiver each week can be a bit of a craps shoot. Last week we saw the fifth year man Jerome Simpson leave early in the game with a leg injury. In what little time Simpson was on the field he was targeted 3 times, clearly making him the next best receiver on the team. Unfortunately it looks like Simpson will miss this weekend's game against the Redskins. His absence leaves the door open for Jenkins to step up his game and show why he should be starting opposite Harvin. Last week against Tennessee Jenkins had just 3 receptions for 35 yards, but was the second leading receiver on the team (not to mention he was only targeted 4 times). In the absence of Simpson, look to Jenkins to pick up a few more targets this weekend against the Redskins (who's secondary is the worst in the league).
WR Andre Roberts, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
When the only player on your team with more than 10 carries and an average of more than 3 yards per carry is your quarterback, you know your running game is struggling. This is exactly where the Cardinals find themselves coming into this weekend's game against the Bills. Arizona is struggling to run the ball, which in turn is forcing them to air it out. Last week's game against the Rams is a great example of what fantasy owners can expect if the Cardinals run game continues to struggle. With Kolb throwing the ball 50 times, a game fantasy owners needs to start Cardinals receivers. This week we like Andre Roberts to post good numbers against a weak Bills secondary which is allowing nearly 30 fantasy points per week to opposing receivers. If we see another 50 pass attempts from Kolb, there's a good chance Robers could see double digit targets for the second week in a row. As a fantasy owner you have to like your chances when your receiver is getting that many looks a game. If you're looking to fill a bye week gap, look no further than Roberts.
TE Jermaine Gresham, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Sure Gresham on a super sleeper list is a bit of a stretch. However, Jermaine is only owned in 75% of fantasy leagues and in those leagues he is being started by fewer than 60% of fantasy owners. Over ther past three weeks Jermaine has 5 receptions in each game for an average of nearly 60 yards. If Gresham can pull in another 5 receptions this weekend against Cleveland, we could see another 60+ yard day. Couple this performance with a touchdown and you have a nice bye week fill in.