🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

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!

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through the playoffs. Premium DFS research, lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

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!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Stephon Castle

Active on Wednesday
Tyler Kolek

Elevated to Available on Wednesday
Tari Eason

Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Tobias Harris

Not Expected to Suit Up on Thursday
Ariel Hukporti

Available For Wednesday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Questionable Versus Brooklyn
Mason Plumlee

Undergoes Groin Surgery
Zach Collins

Out at Least 10 More Days
Jerami Grant

Unavailable Again on Wednesday
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Kon Knueppel

To Make Return For Charlotte On Wednesday, In Starting Lineup
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Questionable Wednesday
Adam Gaudette

Unavailable Wednesday
Darcy Kuemper

Activated From Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Nursing Lower-Body Injury
William Karlsson

to Miss Olympics
Jack Eichel

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Jason Dickinson

Hurt Versus Islanders
Mitchell Robinson

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Grayson Allen

Listed as Doubtful Wednesday
Mason Plumlee

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason Plumlee Remain Out Wednesday
Kon Knueppel

Likely to Return Wednesday
Miles Bridges

Listed as Questionable Wednesday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Misses Second Straight Game
Devin Vassell

Ruled Out for Wednesday
Stephon Castle

Iffy for Wednesday
Josh Giddey

Sidelined "at Least a Few Weeks"
Desmond Bane

Might Miss Wednesday's Game in Indiana
Jalen Suggs

on the Injury Report Again for Wednesday Night
Connor Dewar

Available Tuesday
TOR

Chris Tanev to Miss Time With Lower-Body Injury
Dakota Joshua

Out With Kidney Problem
MON

Samuel Montembeault Returns to Canadiens Crease
Erik Karlsson

Good to Go Tuesday
William Nylander

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Auston Matthews

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
Dak Prescott

Will Play in Week 18
Lamar Jackson

Week 18 Status "to be Determined"
Joe Mixon

Won't Return This Season
T.J. Watt

a Long Shot to Play in Week 18?
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
Joe Burrow

Will Play in Week 18 Against the Browns
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach
CFB

Texas Leading Rusher Quintrevion Wisner Set to Transfer

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP