👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Deeper PPR Lineup Sleepers for Week 1 (Less Than 20% Owned)

With Week 1 of the new NFL season already underway, it is probably unlikely that your fantasy football team is plagued by injuries, unless you drafted several players that got hurt this preseason. Your team should be healthy and at full strength going into Week 1.

Either way, there's always room to scour the waiver wire and I'm here to try and identify some deeper fantasy football PPR sleepers for Week 1. There are some interesting names still floating around on most waiver wires that may provide a solid start this week, if needed, especially for those playing in deeper PPR leagues. Let's take a look.

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller's NFL Premium Subscriptions are your secret weapon. Sign up now and get access to our in-house developed tools including the DFS matchups tool, lineup sleepers/streamers tool, live expert Q&A chats, DFS lineups picks newsletter, ADP draft sleepers tool & much more. 

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Deeper PPR Sleepers & Sneaky Starts for Week 1

Benny Cunningham (RB, STL) – Owned in 10% of Fleaflicker leagues

To start the season, the St. Louis Rams are home against the punishing defense of the Seattle Seahawks. At first glance, this may not seem like a good matchup for Cunningham, going against one of the top defenses in the league. However, Cunningham is going to get plenty of snaps this week.

The team’s first-round pick, Todd Gurley, is still sidelined since he tore his ACL last season at the University of Georgia and second-string back Tre Mason has an injured hamstring. Coach Jeff Fisher has already announced that Mason is more than likely going to be a game-time decision, but if he doesn’t practice this week, he can almost be ruled out before Sunday, meaning Cunningham will get the start.

In 16 games last year, Cunningham ran for roughly 250 yards and caught 45 passes for another 350 yards. He also found the endzone four times. These numbers were almost strictly as a third-down and situational back. In a PPR league, there is no reason to believe that he is not going to bring in a minimum of four passes if he gets the start. New quarterback Nick Foles is known to throw the ball deep, but he may not have the opportunity to against the “Legion of Boom.” He may be forced to check the ball down a lot.

Prediction (if he starts): 35 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 5 receptions, 35 receiving yards

 

Allen Hurns (WR, JAC) – Owned in 18% of Fleaflicker leagues

Does anyone else remember how last season started for the Jacksonville Jaguars? They pushed the Philadelphia Eagles to the limit in the opener behind the play of Hurns. In his first career game, the former Miami Hurricane blew up for  110 yards and two TDs on four catches. This production came against Philadelphia, which is supposed to be one of the better defenses in the league

Fast forward to this season opener and the Jags are set to play the Carolina Panthers. If he was a running back, I would say bench him. But, since he's a wideout I say play him if you need him. Carolina’s secondary is questionable at times and Hurns’ speed may be able to do some damage.

Additionally, Hurns will benefit from both Marqise Lee and Julius Thomas being sidelined with injuries to start the season. Both of them would normally see a lot of targets, but with both out we can expect Hurns and Allen Robinson to do most of the work on the outside.

Prediction: 4 receptions, 75 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown

 

Benjamin Watson (TE, NO) – Owned in 15% of Fleaflicker leagues

Again, some people will call this move questionable, but I'll remind you this is only if your team is desperately in need of a spot start. Watson was once relevant in the passing game a long time ago, and had a somewhat valuable fantasy season in 2010 with the Cleveland Browns, finishing with 68 catches for 763 yards and three TDs.

This is not to say that he will finish this year with those numbers, but he may have a good game this week against the Arizona Cardinals, who gave up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season.

We have heard it all: Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills and Pierre Thomas are all gone and the team is moving more towards running the ball. However, it is still uncertain if pass-catching specialist C.J. Spiller is going to play this week. If he misses the game, Watson could be in for a couple more targets, considering Mark Ingram is not much of a receiver out of the backfield.

It is hard to say if Watson will have the opportunity to score any touchdowns this week, or this season, since Josh Hill will more than likely come in and be the goal-line tight end. Regardless, Watson should see enough targets in this transition offense to make for a valuable spot start this week in PPR leagues

Prediction: 5 receptions, 40 receiving yards

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NFL

Nicholas Singleton Cleared to Resume Running
Parker Messick

Flirts With No-Hitter in Latest Gem Against Orioles
Jock Landale

Hawks Plan to Re-Evalute Jock Landale in Two Weeks
Mike Trout

Hits Five Homers in Series Versus Yankees
Jonathan Isaac

Considered Questionable for Matchup Versus Hornets
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Listed as Questionable for Friday
Paris Johnson Jr.

Cardinals Pick Up Paris Johnson Jr.'s Fifth-Year Option
Joel Embiid

Expected to Miss Start of Playoffs
CGY

Arsenii Sergeev to Make NHL Debut Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Cleared for World Championship
New York Giants

Giants Want "a Lot" for Dexter Lawrence
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Dealing With Fractured Hand
Zach Whitecloud

Ready to Rock Thursday
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers, Derwin James Expected to Pick Up Contract Talks After Draft
Matt Coronato

Available Against Kings
Josh Manson

Expected to Return for Postseason
Nathan MacKinnon

Martin Necas Sit Out Regular-Season Finale
New York Jets

Jets Cancel Visit With David Bailey
NFL

K.C. Concepcion Visits With Chargers, 49ers
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals a Real Threat to Select Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 Overall
Cameron Ward

Should Throw at Minicamp
De'Von Achane

Spotted at Dolphins Training Facilities
Spencer Arrighetti

Fans 10 in Season Debut, to Remain a Focal Point in Rotation?
Nick Pivetta

Dealing With Flexor Strain, Could Miss Months
Nico Hoerner

Homers, Drive in Five in Win Over Phillies
Shota Imanaga

Strikes Out 11 in First Win of the Season
Sal Stewart

Continues to Hit, Goes Deep Twice on Wednesday
Shohei Ohtani

Strikes Out 10 in Win Over Mets
NFL

Can Zacharia Branch Actually Succeed for Fantasy Managers?
Cade Otton

Could be at Risk on Day 1 of NFL Draft
Connor Bedard

Has Two Assists in Season Finale
Claude Giroux

Sends Out Two Assists in Battle of Ontario Win
Tetairoa McMillan

It's Possible That Tetairoa McMillan Has Only Shown His Floor
Tye Kartye

Registers First Career Three-Point Game
T.J. Hockenson

Should Still Have More to Give
Owen Power

Records Two Assists Wednesday
Jordan Love

a Middle-of-the-Road Superflex Option
Esa Lindell

Tallies Two Points in Regular-Season Finale
Reilly Smith

Produces Three-Point Performance Wednesday
Shane Wright

Returns With a Goal Wednesday
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads Clippers in Scoring Wednesday Night
Kristaps Porzingis

Impresses in Play-In Win
Stephen Curry

Leads Warriors to Vital Victory With 35 Points
Desmond Bane

Scores Game-High 34 Points in Play-In Loss
Tyrese Maxey

Guides 76ers Into Playoffs With 31-Point Effort
LaMelo Ball

Receives $60,000 Fine for Tuesday's Actions
Thomas Bryant

Practices in Limited Capacity Wednesday
Spencer Jones

Limited at Wednesday's Practice
Peyton Watson

Limited to Non-Contact Work at Practice
Bam Adebayo

NBA Investigating LaMelo Ball's Trip of Bam Adebayo
Isaiah Jackson

Cleared for Wednesday
Terrance Ferguson

Can Terrance Ferguson Establish a More Consistent Role in 2026?
Dalton Schultz

Could See a Reduced Role in Houston in 2026
Kimani Vidal

Playing Time in Los Angeles an Open Question Heading into 2026
Juwan Johnson

Looking to Build on Breakout 2025 Campaign
Chuba Hubbard

Set to Re-Emerge as a Top-24 Running Back?
Gunnar Helm

Poised for Expanded Role in 2026
Immanuel Quickley

Remains Day-to-Day After Workout
Isaiah Jackson

Probable to Return for Play-In Game
Tyler Kolek

Returns to Practice Ahead of Playoffs
Trendon Watford

Active on Wednesday
Jonathan Isaac

Ruled Out for Play-In Game Wednesday
Dylan Harper

Expected to Suit Up for Game 1 on Sunday
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch on Wednesday, But Won't DH
Nick Pivetta

Confident he'll Pitch Again This Year
Alex Lyon

Expected to Miss Playoff Opener
Zach Hyman

Set to Return Thursday
Sam Steel

Back in Action Wednesday
Gustav Forsling

Sits Out Season Finale
Matthew Tkachuk

Rejoins Panthers Lineup Wednesday
TB

Max Crozier Available Against Rangers
Brandon Hagel

Returns for Regular-Season Finale
Trevor Story

Carries Red Sox With Five RBI on Wednesday
Sam Antonacci

Officially Called Up by White Sox
Jorge Soler

Suspension Reduced to Four Games
Harrison Bader

Giants Place Harrison Bader on 10-Day Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Matthew Golden

Packers "Clearing the Way" for Matthew Golden on WR Depth Chart
CFB

Michigan Lands Commitment From Quarterback Kamden Lopati
Ketel Marte

Serving as Designated Hitter on Wednesday
Kevin McGonigle

Tigers, Kevin McGonigle Agree to Eight-Year Contract Extension
Sahith Theegala

Brings Strong Form Into Harbour Town
Wyndham Clark

Needs Putter to Show Up at RBC Heritage
Ryan Weathers

Allows Four Homers, Strikes Out 10 on Tuesday
Byron Buxton

Sets the Tone for Twins With Two Homers on Tuesday
Hunter Goodman

Homers Twice in Loss to Astros
JJ Wetherholt

Goes Yard Twice in Win Over Guardians
Jacob Bridgeman

Looks to Return to Elite Form at Harbour Town
J.J. Spaun

a Volatile Option at RBC Heritage
PGA

Sungjae Im Offers High-Upside Value at RBC Heritage
Matt Fitzpatrick

Set for Another Strong Showing at RBC Heritage
Jason Day

Eyes Bounce-Back After Sunday Struggles at the Masters
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Rebound at Harbour Town
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks Expect Ketel Marte to Return on Wednesday
Cameron Young

Hoping to Secure Second Win of Season at RBC Heritage
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Again at RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry

Has Disappointing Final Round at Masters
Viktor Hovland

Hoping to Build on Final Round at Masters
Brian Harman

Struggling For Consistency Heading to RBC Heritage
Chris Gotterup

Putting Together Outstanding 2026 Season
Justin Thomas

Looks to Defend in Hilton Head
Jordan Spieth

in Search of Improved Putting at RBC Heritage
Marco Penge

May Continue Up-and-Down Ride at the RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele

Could Get The Job Done at RBC Heritage
Jake Knapp

Keeps Building Strong Results in 2026
Kurt Kitayama

Trying to Regain Form From Florida
Collin Morikawa

Continues to be a Scary DFS Play at RBC Heritage
CFB

Tramell Jones Jr. Outperforms Aaron Philo During Florida's Spring Scrimmage
CFB

Keelon Russell Flashes in Alabama's Spring Game
Ty Gibbs

Holds off the Field for His First Cup Series Victory at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Earns His First Runner-Up Finish at Bristol
Kyle Larson

Dominant Performance At Bristol Falls Short of Victory
Tyler Reddick

Matches his Career-Best Finish at Bristol
Alex Bowman

Crashes Early at Bristol in Return From Injury
Carlos Ulberg

Is The New Light Heavyweight Champion
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Azamat Murzakanov

Suffers His First Loss
Paulo Costa

Wins Back-to-Back Fights
Curtis Blaydes

Drops Decision At UFC 327
Josh Hokit

Remains Unbeaten
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar A Worthy DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Be A Solid DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF