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Deeper Sleepers in Standard Leagues: Week 2

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper fantasy football sleepers column for Week 2 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire sleepers who could help out your team in this upcoming week.

For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less. Let's get to the picks!

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Quarterback

Jimmy Garoppolo (NE) vs. Miami Dolphins
(Ownership: 15%)

Garoppolo, while he wasn't perfect, stood up to a tough test against an aggressive Cardinals defense on Sunday night and led the Patriots to a road win over one of the better squads in the NFC. Garoppolo leaned heavily on slot receiver Julian Edelman on short-to-intermediate routes in the game. Those are the kind of passes he should continue to find success with when they welcome the Dolphins to town in Week 2.

Miami's pass defense was one of the worst units in the league last season, ranking 29th in DVOA according to Football Outsiders. With Rob Gronkowski expected to be back after sitting in Week 1, Garoppolo is an interesting name to keep in mind, especially if you are someone who has Russell Wilson or Robert Griffin and are in the market for a replacement quarterback.

 

Running Back

Shaun Draughn (SF) @ Carolina Panthers
(Ownership: 15%)

I realize we are looking at standard leagues and Draughn is a third-down pass-catching back, but he is one of the few options available who has a clear-cut role heading into Week 2. Draughn should see plenty of opportunities to catch the ball for a 49ers offense that is likely to be playing from behind for most of the game.

The Panthers generally do a solid job of stuffing the run on defense, which will force the 49ers to use Draughn out of the backfield in attempts to move the ball. Blaine Gabbert should be looking to check down early and often in the passing game, which should lead to a solid fantasy performance from Draughn. He makes for an interesting play at RB2 or as a flex for Week 2.

 

Wide Receiver

Brandon LaFell (CIN) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
(Ownership: 19%)

LaFell was extremely efficient in his Bengals debut in Week 1, hauling in all four of his targets for a total of 94 yards. Perhaps more importantly, he operated as Cincinnati's number two option in the passing game after A.J. Green.

LaFell is known for his inconsistency, but he could turn in another useful performance in Week 2 against the Steelers. Pittsburgh ranked 22nd in the league in DVOA against opposing number two wide receivers in 2015. The Bengals employed a very pass-heavy approach in Week 1 under new offensive coordinator Ken Zampese. Look for that trend to continue against the Steelers.

 

Tight End

Jesse James (PIT) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
(Ownership: 20%)

James tallied a respectable five catches for 31 yards in the Week 1 Steelers-Redskins game. The big 6'7" tight end could emerge as a prime red zone target for a Steelers team that could use a big body down by the goal line.

James has appeal as a TE2 for the rest of the season if he continues to be a big part of Pittsburgh's passing attack. While the Bengals were stingy against tight ends in 2015, any player prominently involved in the explosive Steelers passing attack needs to be strongly considered for fantasy rosters.

 

Defense/Special Teams

Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
(Ownership: 15%)

The Ravens defense, while not what it once was, held the Bills to just seven points while sacking Tyrod Taylor twice in Week 1. They should be licking their lips for a matchup with the Browns in Cleveland. After Week 1, the Browns appear to have major issues on the offensive line as the Eagles had little trouble getting into the backfield on passing downs.

In all, Philadelphia registered three sacks against the Browns in the game, but they also knocked Robert Griffin down on several other occasions. Griffin will not play in Week 2 so the Ravens will see backup Josh McCown instead. While McCown may actually be a better fit for the Browns offense, he is also less elusive than Griffin which may help the Ravens get pressure on him.

 

 


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Chris Brooks

Emerging as Top Handcuff to Stash?
MarShawn Lloyd

Sees Short-Term Value Soar
Jared McCain

Moves into Starting Five
Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzulla Wins Coach of the Year
Jalen Williams

is Ruled Out for Game 5 on Tuesday
Bucky Irving

is Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Zion Williamson

to See More Versatile Role
Parker Washington

Jaguars Think Parker Washington Can Replicate Second-Half Production
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Kenny Atkinson to Remain Cavaliers Head Coach Next Season
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Josh Sweat

Cardinals Receiving Trade Calls on Josh Sweat
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Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Tetairoa McMillan

Working With the Training Staff on Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Mackenzie Blackwood

in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights
Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
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Will Suit Up Tuesday
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Poised for Breakout Season with New Team in 2026?
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Nico Collins

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Chris Brooks

Carries Buy-Low Dynasty Appeal into 2026
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

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NFL Unlikely to Expand to 18 Regular-Season Games by 2027
Sahith Theegala

Searching For Swing at Charles Schwab Challenge
Lamar Jackson

in Attendance at OTAs This Week
Bucky Irving

Expected Back in the Summer or Fall
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DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
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Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
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Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
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Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Travis Etienne Jr.

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Evan Mobley

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 15 Points
James Harden

Wants to Stay in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Committed to Cavaliers
Mikal Bridges

Cools Off in Game 4 Against Cavaliers
OG Anunoby

Active on Both Ends in Blowout Win
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads Knicks in Scoring During Series-Clincher
Jalen Brunson

Named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
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Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Shayne Gostisbehere

Scores First Postseason Goal
Taylor Hall

Ends Four-Game Goal Drought
Andrei Svechnikov

Scores Game 3 Winner in Overtime
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Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dennis Schröder

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Michael Porter Jr.

Nets Could Trade Michael Porter Jr.
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Jalen Williams

is Tagged as Questionable for Game 5
Valeri Nichushkin

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Exits Early Sunday
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Provides Steady Production in Defeat
Chet Holmgren

Has a Quiet Offensive Night on Sunday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Held Under 20 Points in Game 4
Stephon Castle

Hands Out Six Assists in Game 4 Win
Devin Vassell

Tallies 13 Points in Game 4 Win
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
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Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

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Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
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William Byron

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Chase Briscoe

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Chase Elliott

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Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

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Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
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Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
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Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
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Jackson Merrill

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RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF