This week, we will take a look at seven sleeper wide receivers, each of whom have worked their way into the number two receiver role on their respective teams.

All of these wideouts are young and seem to have made large improvements as of late, either at the end of last year or over the first few games this season.

While none of these guys are the primary target on their respective teams, none of them have to deal with pressure from the top cornerback on opposing teams, further heightening their value.

 

Top Wide Receivers for Week 4 Waiver Wire

Cecil Shorts III (WR, HOU) - 14% Owned

Between Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, the Texans have the most passing attempts of any team in the NFL through Week 3. That might change once Arian Foster returns, but Cecil Shorts should still see his fair share of looks. His 29 targets place him 15th among wide receivers in all of football, tied with Odell Beckham Jr., but second on his own team, behind emerging star DeAndre Hopkins. Shorts has yet to score a touchdown and hasn't come up with big yardage plays yet, but given his volume of targets, he can be a viable pickup in a deep PPR league.

 

Allen Hurns (WR, JAX) - 17% Owned

Allen Hurns has been the most efficient receiver for the Jaguars so far this season, catching 11 of his 15 targets for 198 yards. In a full slate of games, that adds up to over 1,000 yards. The Jaguars have not had a player manage 1,000 receiving yards since Jimmy Smith in 2005. Interestingly, Hurns, Jacksonville's leading receiver in 2014, is not currently atop the receiving leaders for his own team. Allen Robinson appears to be in the midst of a breakout season. However, while Robinson may take some passes away from Hurns, he should also distract the opposing team's top cornerback, leaving Hurns with lighter coverage. If Blake Bortles can play at a respectable level, Hurns should see enough targets to warrant an add in very deep leagues.

 

Rishard Matthews (WR, MIA) - 23% Owned

Over the first three weeks of the season, Rishard Matthews has emerged as a clear WR2 in Miami behind Jarvis Landry. The fourth-year wideout caught 41 passes in 2013, but only reeled in 12 passes from Ryan Tannehill last season. Through three games, Matthews already has 16 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns-- his previous single-season high was two touchdowns. He currently owns a two-game 100-yard streak, and having only reached the 100-yard mark once prior, it seems as if he is fully cemented in the fantasy-relevant category. As Tannehill's deep threat, Matthews should continue to produce, with a chance to see the end zone on a weekly basis.

 

Marvin Jones (WR, CIN) - 36% Owned

Also in his fourth season, Marvin Jones appears to have surpassed Mohamed Sanu as the second wide receiver in Cincinnati behind A.J. Green. Jones grabbed five of his eight targets on Sunday, collecting 94 yards and a touchdown in the process. If Andy Dalton continues to play as well as he did in Week against the Ravens, Jones should continue to put up big numbers. Jones was a hot commodity late in 2013 after posting 122 yards and four touchdowns in Week 8 against the Jets, but missed all of 2014 with an ankle injury and fell off the radar heading into 2015. He is in a contract season, and displayed that same talent we saw two years ago this past weekend against Baltimore.

 

Donte Moncrief (WR, IND) - 67% Owned

Donte Moncrief is another young wide receiver climbing the depth chart in recent weeks. Moncrief is currently benefitting from a struggling Andre Johnson, who put up a goose egg in the receptions column in Week 3. As the Colts' number two wideout behind T.Y. Hilton, Moncrief has racked up 200 yards and three scores in three games. In fact, his 17 receptions to date even top Hilton's 15. As Luck continues to find his rhythm and return to top form, Moncrief will reap the benefits. The second-year receiver is especially enticing in Week 4, as the Colts face a Jaguars secondary that just surrendered 358 passing yards to Tom Brady and company.

 

Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK) - 68% Owned

Michael Crabtree is the oldest receiver mentioned in this article, but like the others, he has recently emerged as a reliable fantasy option. The 28-year-old former Texas Tech standout is attempting to reinvent himself in Oakland after an erratic six-year stay across the bay with the 49ers, and was immediately thrust into the second wideout spot on the Raiders' depth chart, behind rookie Amari Cooper. Second-year signal-caller Derek Carr is coming into his own, and has shown the ability to spread the ball around-- 13 players have at least once reception this year, tied for the most in all of football. Crabtree only surpassed 1,000 receiving yards once -- in 2012 -- but is on pace to come awfully close to the milestone number in his first year with his new team.

 

Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT) - 86% Owned

Martavis Bryant is unique among this group because he had solidified himself as the WR2 in Pittsburgh last season. However, Bryant was suspended for the first four games of 2015. He should reclaim that role upon return in Week 5. The excitement surrounding his return may be diluted with the news of Ben Roethlisberger's knee injury, but that shouldn't scare fantasy owners away. Michael Vick can still be a capable passer, especially with Le'Veon Bell's ability to take pressure off of the quarterback. Bryant is an incredible deep threat, with the size, speed and separation skills to beat many top cornerbacks, let alone any team's number two defensive back. There's no reason he should be available in any league, let alone 14% of them. Pick him up immediately if he's still out there.

 

While Moncrief, Bryant and Crabtree should be rostered in every 10-team league or larger, Hurns, Shorts, Matthews and Jones are all viable options moving forward and can be rostered in 12-teamers. They all possess talent and are in ideal situations. Playing behind a top-level wide receiver, each of these wideouts have the opportunity to perform without the pressure of a top cornerback. If any of these guys are unowned in your league, be sure to scoop at least one of them up, rather than, let's say, rostering DeAngelo Williams, Darren McFadden or Duke Johnson.

 

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