Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: Players Who May Still Be Available

Lost someone last week due to injury and want a stash, or need a bye week filler and missed out on Martavis Bryant or Adrian Peterson?  No worries, there are always more waiver wire sleepers out there for you to consider. We’re digging deep every week for some waiver wire adds that can help propel your team into the fantasy playoffs. I'm going to take a look at some players that are almost definitely available in your league who could provide quite a boost to your team for this week and through the season.

In this piece, I’ve attempted to identify some deeper sleepers who may have either fallen off the radar, or are not getting enough love from fantasy football owners and are still under owned. Some of these players may still be available in your leagues, depending on the league size and format, so feel free to take a chance on them or pick them up and stash them if they’re still sitting out there.

You never know, any of these players can emerge in Week 10 or beyond and become different makers for fantasy football owners – especially in deeper leagues. Remember, we’re digging deeper here, so let’s see what the free agent pool has lying around.

Digging Deeper - Potential Waiver Wire Sleepers

Mark Sanchez - QB, PHI

21% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

With Nick Foles out for at least the rest of the fantasy season, Mark Sanchez will step in as the quarterback of one of the best fantasy offenses in the NFL.  With only Matt Barkley as a backup, look for his job to be more than secure for the next few weeks. Sanchez has been surprisingly accurate and helped keep this offense explosive during the preseason and this past week against a depleted Houston secondary, making accurate deep throws and also showing more mobility than Foles ever had.

In Chip Kelly’s offense, that’s going to go a long way to giving him low end QB1 value for the rest of the year.  Kelly is not going to change his game plan to adjust to the quarterback change, as this is already the 4th quarterback he’s used in only 25 games with the Eagles, which bodes well for the future passing game usage.  I would expect similar numbers for Sanchez, and he has a great playoff schedule to boot (Cowboys, Redskins).

Taylor Gabriel - WR, CLE

2% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

With Andrew Hawkins being questionable against the Bengals on Thursday, Gabriel becomes somewhat of a flyer add this week as the most explosive player on the waiver wire.  With 21 catches on 37 targets, Gabriel ranks second in the league in yards per catch, and 2nd on the team in receiving yards with 404.

With Miles Austin being ineffective, Jordan Cameron out with a concussion, and Hawkins being questionable, Gabriel becomes an exciting WR3 flyer as a possible home run hitter against what has been a very beatable Bengals secondary who's given up their fair share of 40+ yard plays this year.  Gabriel’s role has grown the past few weeks, and he’s had a reception in every game, and look for that streak to continue as the Browns try to find some explosion in their depleted and anemic offense.

Lance Dunbar - RB, DAL

29% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

I’ve mentioned Dunbar here previously as someone that will get more usage as the season progresses in order to keep Murray rested for the playoffs. With Joseph Randle’s legal issues and reports coming out of Dallas that the team wants him gone, look for Dunbar to solidify himself as the #2 RB in Dallas, with possible RB4 appeal down the stretch.  His usage received an uptick this past week and he delivered with a 40 yard reception.

If the Cowboys stay in the clear playoff picture, look for Murray to receive his fair share of breathers, which could give Dunbar 10-15 snaps a game, enough to possibly give him value as a RB4 in PPR situations (a la Darren Sproles).  He’s one of the most explosive running backs in the game and has excelled in every opportunity he’s had the past 2 seasons.  If Murray were to miss time, he’d become an immediate RB2 or possible RB1 in PPR, so he’s one of the most important handcuffs to own.

Corey Washington - WR, NYG

1% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

Washington is already one of the more intriguing dynasty league names around the NFL as a 6’4" explosive playmaker that dominated the preseason (a la Victor Cruz 5 years ago).  When Preston Parker (who is terrible) went out later in Week 9's game, Washington immediately came in, became a favorite target of Eli Manning, and found the end zone, hauling in 4 catches on 6 targets for 48 yards.

Washington is going to keep Parker’s job, and immediately becomes a must-add in 12 team leagues.  It’s likely that as the season progresses, he becomes the second most targeted Giants receiver outside of Beckham, which would make him a more than intriguing flex player.  There’s probably nobody on your waiver wire with more potential than Washington, as he has WR2 appeal as early as next year.