Every week I'll dive into some sleepers beyond what we write in Start 'Em and Sit 'Em to assist some of you in deeper leagues. Some weeks will have more guys than others, but this should be helpful for those owners in 14- and 16-team leagues.
Jay Cutler (vs. CAR): Cutler's stats have actually been
surprisingly good through three games. He has two 300-yard outings and
two games with at least 21 Fantasy points. This week he has a favorable
matchup with the Panthers, who have allowed two 300-yard outings and two
games with multiple touchdown passes against Kevin Kolb and Aaron Rodgers. This is
one of those weeks where it appears safe to trust Cutler as a potential
starter.
Mark Sanchez (at BAL):
The Ravens' secondary is going to be their trouble spot all season long,
and the Jets have become a passing team. Sanchez already has six passing
touchdowns through three games and two games with at least 335 passing
yards. He will make mistakes -- he has five turnovers through three
games -- but he also is finding ways to be a productive Fantasy
quarterback. Look for Sanchez to throw at least 35 times this week, and
he should be considered a potential starter in 14-team formats.
Kevin Kolb (vs. NYG): The Giants defense had its first quality
game against an opposing quarterback last week when Michael Vick was dealing with his hand injury. Prior to that, the
Giants gave up at least 18 Fantasy points to Rex Grossman in Week 1 and Sam Bradford
last week. Kolb also has two games with at least 20 Fantasy points, and
he's coming off a bad game at Seattle. He should rebound in this matchup
where he might have to throw at least 35 times.
Jason Campbell (vs. NE): We usually just do three quarterbacks in
this spot, but Campbell is worth mentioning this week based on the
matchup. The Patriots can't stop anybody throwing the ball through three
games. They are last in the NFL in pass defense, and Chad Henne, Philip Rivers and Ryan Fitzpatrick have all passed for at least 369 yards and two
touchdowns against New England. Campbell is only worth starting in the
deepest of formats, but if you like playing the matchups then this is
the week to consider Campbell as a potential starter.
Darren Sproles (at JAC): Calling Sproles a sleeper at this
point might seem a little obvious given his production, but he's still
only being started in just over 50 percent of leagues. He has double
digits in Fantasy points in each of the past two games against Chicago
and Houston, and he's been the best running back for the Saints this
year. Jacksonville's defense has been a pleasant surprise so far this
year, but Sproles is finding a way to produce each week. He's a
must-start running back in all point per reception leagues, but Fantasy
owners in standard formats should consider using him as well.
Kendall Hunter (at PHI): If Frank Gore
(ankle) is limited or out this week then Hunter would be worth starting
in the majority of leagues. The Eagles have allowed double digits in
Fantasy points to five running backs through three games, including Cadillac Williams, Steven Jackson, Michael Turner, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. The best thing for Hunter would be if Gore is out so he
can show off his skills and potentially turn this into a time-share
situation. Hunter scored his first NFL touchdown last week and could
make it two in a row if he gets the majority of carries.
Alfonso Smith (vs. NYG): Beanie Wells
(hamstring) sat out Week 3 at Seattle, and Smith was the best running
back for the Cardinals with 17 carries for 54 yards and three catches
for 21 yards. He would be a potential starting option this week if Wells
is out again. Forget about Chester Taylor,
and LaRod Stephens-Howling is still
dealing with a hand injury. Smith would benefit with Wells out since the
Giants have allowed two running backs to reach double digits in Fantasy
points this season in Tim Hightower and LeSean McCoy.
Brandon Jacobs (at
ARI): The Cardinals have yet to allow a running back to score a
touchdown this year, but they haven't exactly faced tough running games
with Carolina, Washington and Seattle. The Giants are producing with
Bradshaw and Jacobs, and Jacobs has scored in consecutive games. He
could make it three in a row, and he has two touchdowns in two career
games against the Cardinals. In 2009 against Arizona, Jacobs had 13
carries for 76 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 11 yards.
Michael Bush (vs. NE): Darren McFadden
is the No. 1 running back in standard leagues, but he comes into this
game dealing with a slight groin injury. If you're looking for a running
back to take a flier on, then look at Bush. There could be a scenario
where McFadden doesn't finish the game against the Patriots, and Oakland
also could lean on Bush a little more to keep McFadden fresh. Bush does
have a touchdown in each of his past two games and New England has
allowed double digits in Fantasy points to three running backs this year
in Reggie Bush, Ryan Mathews and Fred Jackson.
Mike Thomas (vs. NO): Thomas is coming off his best game of
the season with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, and this week
the Jaguars could be chasing points against the Saints. Thomas has at
least eight targets in each game this year, and the Saints have allowed
five touchdowns to opposing wide receivers already this season. Thomas
should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy option in PPR leagues.
Eric Decker (at GB): The Packers can't stop anyone through the
air right now, which is surprising given their cornerbacks with Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams. So
far seven receivers have gotten at least eight Fantasy points against
the Packers through three games. I actually would rather start Decker
over Brandon Lloyd right now because
he's playing better, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Decker have the
better day. He's a nice starting option in deeper PPR formats.
David Nelson (at CIN): Nelson is a must-start for Fantasy owners
in PPR leagues because he has 16 catches in his past two games against
Oakland and New England for 167 yards and a touchdown. He also has 21
targets over that span, and he is playing with a hot quarterback right
now in Fitzpatrick. The Bengals defense hasn't exactly faced quality
pass attacks so far this year in Cleveland, Denver and San Francisco,
but the Bills will exploit this secondary. And Nelson should continue to
post quality stats for the third game in a row.
Johnny Knox (vs. CAR): The Panthers have allowed four receivers to
reach double digits in Fantasy points this season with Early Doucet, Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings and Thomas. Knox is coming off his best game of the
year in Week 3 against Green Bay with four catches for 84 yards, and he
has the chance to find the end zone this week. The Panthers lead the NFL
with four plays of 40-plus yards, and Knox could get behind this
secondary for a long touchdown catch.
Julio Jones (at SEA): Jones had his best game in Week 3 at Tampa
Bay with six catches for 115 yards, but he's still looking for his first
NFL touchdown. That could happen this week against the Seahawks, who
have allowed at least one wide receiver to score in each of the past two
games with Mike Wallace and Larry Fitzgerald. Jones has 15 targets in the past two games and
hopefully that continues, which would lead to his production starting to
rise.
Jermaine Gresham (vs. BUF): We'll give Gresham another
chance against the Bills, who just allowed Rob Gronkowski to catch seven passes for 109 yards and two
touchdowns last week. Gresham played well in Week 3 against the 49ers
with four catches for 51 yards, but he's capable of doing more. Consider
Gresham a potential starter in deeper leagues, and he's worth using as a
replacement for the injured Antonio Gates
(foot) or Aaron Hernandez (knee).
Randy McMichael (vs. MIA): It's unfortunate Gates is out this
week against the Dolphins since they have allowed the most Fantasy
points to opposing tight ends. Miami did well last week against the
Browns in limiting Evan Moore and Benjamin Watson to seven catches for 83 yards, but the Dolphins have
already allowed three tight ends to score in Hernandez, Gronkowski and Owen Daniels. McMichael has not been great in place of Gates going
back to last season, but he did have four catches for 51 yards last week
against Kansas City. If he scores a touchdown this week, which is a
strong possibility, then he would be a Top 12 option in all leagues.
Kyle Rudolph (at KC): We'll call this my Hail Mary for the week
since Rudolph has just four catches for 54 yards on the season. But the
Chiefs have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends this season and will
struggle with Eric Berry (knee) out for
the year. If you're in a deep league and need help at tight end then
take a look at Rudolph based on the matchup.
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