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Week 10 Deeper Sleepers: Replacing Dion Lewis and Targeting Cowboys

Welcome back readers. Same rules as always, we will be targeting players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.

Week 9 didn't bleed fantasy owners dry with injuries like we saw in Week 8, although we did lose Dion Lewis (ACL) for the year. DeAngelo Williams and Jeremy Langford (our pick last week) were both magnificent, picking up right where Le'Veon Bell and Matt Forte left off. Unfortunately Langford was the only pick that really hit last week. We'll look to bounce back in this segment.

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. Let's get to it.

 

Digging Deeper - Potential Week 10 Waiver Wire Sleepers

Matt Cassel (QB, DAL)

8% Owned in Fleaflicker

Well, I'll go ahead and admit I was dead wrong about Kirk Cousins over Cassel last week. Cassel looked comfortable in the pocket and was willing to take what the defense gave him, relying on his safety valve Cole Beasley in the slot. Cassel ended up with 299 yards with three touchdowns and a pick. His touchdown to Dez Bryant was literally a prayer amongst four defenders in the endzone, it counts nonetheless. Plus Dez Bryant is pretty good at football.

This week Cassel gets a date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team ranked 29th versus the pass so far and has allowed 19 passing touchdowns, second worst in the NFL. It should be a good day for Dez Bryant as well -- the Bucs are ranked last vs opposing #1 wide receivers.  Look for Cassel to play the check-down game again with Beasley while taking a few shots with Bryant.

FAAB: $1

James White (RB, NE)

19% Owned in Fleaflicker

Unlike the Bears and Steelers running back situations, things are a little stickier in New England. With Dion Lewis out for the year, the Patriots are going to be forced to replace his production with no player of Lewis' mold on the roster. Brandon Bolden stepped in on Sunday and caught a touchdown pass, and he definitely should be considered for this week's waiver wire, but don't forget about James White.

White was not active on Sunday due to the fact he doesn't play on special teams, but is already considered the top candidate to step in for Lewis. White was a fourth round pick last season and the team has hyped his potential before, although he's yet to translate his skills to the field. Replacing Lewis with White or Bolden will be a daunting task, which is why I see the team focusing more on LeGarrette Blount and splitting duties between Lewis and White. Look for White to average 6-8 touches a game, which isn't enough to make him start-worthy in shallow formats. However if you're RB-starved in a deeper league, it's worth putting in a bid and seeing where this goes.

FAAB: $12

Cole Beasley (WR, DAL)

7% Owned in Fleaflicker

We're already gambling with Matt Cassel at QB, why not go for the combo meal? Beasley had his best game of the year Sunday night, catching nine of 11 targets for 112 yards and two touchdowns. His 11 targets led the team as he was able to beat Malcolm Jenkins numerous times from the slot.

It'd be easy to draw this one up as a fluke outing, but keep in mind this was just Cassel's third start, and second with Dez Bryant. This may be an opportunity to take advantage of some newfound chemistry in PPR leagues between Cassel and Beasley as teams hone in on Dez. The targets are there and while the touchdowns are hard to gauge, recall the Bucs are 31st in passing touchdowns allowed this year. If you need a bye-week replacement in PPR leagues, look no further than Beasley.

FAAB: $5

Crockett Gillmore (TE, BAL)

18% Owned in Fleaflicker

Remind me again who is available to catch balls in Baltimore. Kamar Aiken? Chris Givens? Jeremy Ross? Come on, now. It's tough to see any particular player dominating the targets like Steve Smith Sr. was before his Achilles tear, which means Crockett Gillmore finds himself in the fantasy discussion again.

He only saw four targets in Week 8, grabbing two for eight yards and a touchdown. The targets are concerning, but Flacco is looking for Gillmore near the goal line. His two red-zone touchdowns this season are tied for most among Ravens, and he gets to face Jacksonville defense that is ranked 28th versus tight ends this year. If you've been using Antontio Gates or Jacob Tamme at TE, give Gillmore a shot at home this week.

FAAB: $2

Oakland Raiders Defense

6% Owned in Fleaflicker

You must be thinking I'm insane. Use a defense that just gave up 308 offensive yards to one player? And now they face Adrian Peterson? But hear me out. This pick is tied solely to Teddy Bridgewater's status. After suffering a scary hit on Sunday, Bridgewater finds himself in the NFL concussion protocol and has yet to be cleared for Sunday. That would result in Shaun Hill getting the start who looked quite rusty versus the Rams. The Raiders have been a top 10 run defense in 2015 and can stack the box for AP should Bridgewater sit. If Teddy plays, all bets are off.

FAAB: $1

 

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