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Week 7 Deeper Sleepers: Time to Take Stefon Diggs Seriously

Welcome to our season-long segment at RotoBaller where we will be targeting players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.

Last week resulted in mixed success for those that followed along. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ben Watson, and Minnesota D/ST were excellent plays, while Willie Snead had a mediocre game and DeVante Parker was invisible (again).

Same as last week, I'll include a player from every position (including D/ST) each week - as long as the options are worthy of discussion. This week includes a few WR options while we have to dig a bit deeper for owners needing bye-week replacements at QB/TE. Let's get to it.

 

Digging Deeper - Potential Week 7 Waiver Wire Sleepers

Stefon Diggs (WR, MIN)

8% Owned in Fleaflicker

I'll take responsibility here - I bleeped up not including Diggs in the Week 6 edition. Diggs followed up his six-catch, 87-yard debut at Denver with seven catches and 129 yards on Sunday. His 19 targets in those performances have paced the Vikings receiving corps the last two weeks. On a per game basis, his 9.5 targets/game would rank 18th, ahead of the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, A.J. Green, and Jeremy Maclin.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer had a "no comment" response in regards to whether Diggs had replaced Charles Johnson in the starting lineup. That's code for "yes". Diggs, 6'0/191, was a high profile talent coming out of high school but an average career at the University of Maryland led to a 5th round selection. Mike Wallace offered up the comparison to Antonio Brown after watching Diggs in training camp, which is a mighty praise. For perspective, Brown was a 6th round pick out of Central Michigan. Kudos to Vikings GM Rick Spielman here.

The Vikings get a date with the Lions on Sunday, which should be a feast for Diggs. The Lions are 24th in passing yards allowed (1,598) and last in NY/A (Net Yards gained per pass attempt) at 8.0. You're going to have a pay for Diggs' services but in deeper leagues he's worth the investment.

FAAB: $25

Cecil Shorts III (WR, HOU)

15% Owned in Fleaflicker

Life must be tough as DeAndre Hopkins' partner in crime. Cecil Shorts III is a real-life incarnation of Robin, doing all the dirty work while Batman takes the glory. It's time we give Robin some limelight, and perhaps a place on deep fantasy rosters.

Shorts returned from a one-week absence with a dislocated shoulder to grab four catches with 63 yard at Jacksonville. He had 3-60 in the first half, but then the DeAndre Hopkins Show started which limited him to one catch. This isn't to say Shorts isn't getting opportunities. His 45 targets rank 25th overall, ahead of Amari Cooper, Vincent Jackson, and Donte Moncrief.

The Texans are going to be losing most games which will only promote the passing game more. There's no way teams can continue single-teaming DeAndre Hopkins, whose 87 targets are not only the best in the NFL but are 14 ahead of #2 (Demaryius Thomas). Shorts has a WR4 floor and WR2 ceiling and makes for a good add this week.

FAAB: $10

James Starks (RB, GB)

20% Owned in Fleaflicker

Welp, can't say you weren't warned to handcuff Eddie Lacy. Lacy was limited on Sunday versus the Chargers leading to James Starks seeing the majority of playing time, and he sure took advantage of it. Starks rushed 10 times for 112 yards, including a 65-yard scamper to make it 14-3. To top it off, he added a five-yard score from Aaron Rodgers in the passing game.

For the game Starks out-carried Lacy 10-3, and when Lacy was on the field he looked slow and lethargic. Starks on the other hand was explosive. Starks has been the better back so far in 2015, and the Packers may indeed let him get the lead-back duties when they return from their bye in Week 8. The only factor going against Starks is that bye week, as Lacy now has 14 days to recover. If you own Lacy, you should be willing to spend as much as it takes to retain Starks' services. Just remember you have no one to blame but yourself.

FAAB: $50 - Lacy Owners; $25 - RB Needy Teams

Landry Jones (QB, PIT)

0% Owned in Fleaflicker

You read that correctly. As of this writing Jones is owned in 0% of Fleaficker Leagues. That's going to change pretty fast if you need bye-week replacement (hello, Aaron Rodgers owner).

Jones was excellent filling in for Mike Vick (hamstring) versus the Cardinals, completing 8-of-12 passes for 168 yards and two scores. His 88-yard score to Martavis Bryant was more thanks to Bryant's legs, but the ability to take the top of the defense wasn't there with Vick at the helm.

Ben Roethlisberger isn't expected back for the Steelers Week 7 game at Kansas City, so Jones should get to make his NFL debut as a starter. The Chiefs have allowed 14 TD passing (2nd worst) and 277 passing yards per game (6th worst). Jones has a great chance to shine in this matchup.

FAAB: $3

Jacob Tamme (TE, ATL)

14% Owned in Fleaflicker

Since Ben Watson treated us so well last week, we'll stay in the NFC South for our Week 7 pick. Tamme wasn't able to replicate his solid Week 5 performance (shocker), but did see five targets, good for fourth on the team. Not exactly reassuring news, but keep in mind Tamme has secured a larger percentage of his targets than Leonard Hankerson. Hankerson had a couple key miscues on Thursday Night which could be just what Tamme needs to gain Matt Ryan's eye. The Titans have been a top 10 defensive unit overall, but they rank last against TE according to Football Outsiders. I like Tamme in Week 7 for TE-needy lineups.

FAAB: $4

Miami Dolphins Defense

24% Owned in Fleaflicker

The Dolphins looked like a completely different team on Sunday, routing the Titans 38-10 in Tennessee. Some of the credit goes to new head coach Dan Campbell, sure, but it needs to be noted how dominant a D/ST unit can be with Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh in your front four. The Dolphins paced all D/ST units in Week 6, totaling six sacks and two picks, one going for six. This week they get Brian Hoyer and the Houston Texans in a home outing. Hoyer has actually been a solid QB the past few weeks, which is exactly why I like the Dolphins here. Hoyer's issue has always been consistency, and a rejuvenated front seven may be just what Hoyer needs to come back to Earth.

FAAB: $2

 

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