Deeper Sleepers Heading Into Week 4

September 25, 2018

Frankie Soler takes an look at some deep PPR sleepers heading into Week 4 of the fantasy football season with players owned in 20% or fewer of fantasy leagues that should be available on the waiver wire.

While it wasn't the prototypical "oh my god we're all gonna die" week for fantasy injuries, there were enough scares this week to make us hold our breath more than we would have liked. The big loss coming out of Week 3 was that of Jimmy Garoppolo tearing his ACL. An absolute brutal blow to the 2018 season, not just for fantasy, but for real life NFL enjoyment. Fortunately, a dozen other players were able to escape without suffering a similar fate.

Whether you're combating injuries or flat out disappointing performances, the waiver wire is the cheap relative version of the gift that keeps on giving. You might not always like what you get, but you appreciate the thought nonetheless. I say that now because it appears as if it's a down week for waivers. Most of the big names were scooped up last week, and there weren't a ton of surprises. At least not from the non-quarterback positions anyway.

Remember, the rule of thumb here is that players cannot be owned in more than 15% of Yahoo fantasy leagues. It's a shallow list this week with just four players making the cut. They don't call it deep sleepers for nothing.

Deeper Sleepers For Week 4

Paul Richardson - WR, WAS (7% Owned)

Coming off a game in which he found the endzone against the Packers, Paul Richardson has now put up at least 10 fantasy points in back-to-back games. That isn't the greatest feat in the world, but there is some additional context that puts him on the fantasy radar. Richardson actually leads all Washington receivers in targets with 14, ranking him third on the team overall behind Jordan Reed and Chris Thompson. He's also the only Redskins receiver who has amassed 100+ yards thus far with 131, with the next closest being Jamison Crowder at 79. He won't become a superstar in your lineup, but it's looking like Paul Richardson is the only Redskins receiver worth owning right now.

Albert Wilson - WR, MIA (1% Owned)

Ah yes, the ever so rare player who is owned in just ONE percent of leagues. Albert Wilson now has a touchdown in two straight games, showing big playmaking ability in the process. He scored on a 74 yard reception so he doesn't necessarily need to soak up targets to contribute. That said, it certainly helps that Devante Parker is nowhere to be found on the Dolphins. There is still plenty of room for more playmakers within the offense. As an added bonus, the offensive coordinator is drawing up trick plays to where Wilson even cashed in on a passing touchdown. Hey, take the points however you can get them.

Ito Smith - RB, ATL (6% Owned)

Admittedly, this could very well be a short-term lease but sometimes that's all you're looking for on the waiver wire. With Devonta Freeman still recovering from a knee injury, Tevin Coleman continues to operate as the lead back. That leaves room for Ito Smith to step in as a change-of-pace player out of the backfield. Smith didn't do much on the ground in Sunday's loss to the Saints, but he did haul in four receptions for 49 yards. He's an elusive, agile back who does his damage in quick bursts through the passing attack. The Falcons have had success utilizing two running backs simultaneously so if Freeman ends up missing extended time, Ito Smith would be locked into a more recurring role.

Rhett Ellison - TE, NYG (0% Owned)

If you thought the one-percenter was rare, how about a big fat zero? Rhett Ellison will fill in for the injured Evan Engram as the Giants primary tight end over the next few games. The severity of Engram's MCL sprain is considered to be a week-to-week injury so Ellison could net long-term value. He managed six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Texans, providing a much needed spark to the Giants offense. This team has been a question mark on offense for years now but production is production, especially at the fluky position that is TE. My only concern with Ellison from a fantasy perspective is that the Giants have such a terrible offensive line that they may decide to leave Ellison on blocking duty. That would free up Engram's missing targets to the receivers rather than the tight end position.

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