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
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
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?

 

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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alex Laferriere7 mins ago

Expected To Return On Tuesday
Paul Goldschmidt9 mins ago

Hitting Leadoff Again
Donte DiVincenzo9 mins ago

Suspended For One Game
Jonathan Aranda15 mins ago

Christopher Morel Sitting Against Pirates
Miles McBride17 mins ago

Still Out On Tuesday Night
Luke Schenn18 mins ago

A Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Jose Siri21 mins ago

Making Another Start In Center Field
Dante Fabbro24 mins ago

Returns Against Predators
Karl-Anthony Towns25 mins ago

Now Questionable Versus Philadelphia
Brett Baty26 mins ago

Sitting Against A Right-Hander
Kyle Higashioka32 mins ago

Back In The Lineup, Jonah Heim Takes A Seat
Naz Reid33 mins ago

Suspended For One Game
Vinnie Pasquantino49 mins ago

Sitting On Tuesday
Clarke Schmidt1 hour ago

Throws Three-Inning Sim Game
Sean Manaea1 hour ago

Shut Down For Two Weeks
David Bednar1 hour ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Jake McCarthy1 hour ago

Back In The Lineup Tuesday
Zach Neto1 hour ago

Starting Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Jo Adell2 hours ago

Starting On Tuesday
Nick Robertson2 hours ago

Astros Acquire Nick Robertson From Blue Jays
Iván Herrera2 hours ago

Ivan Herrera Sitting, Pedro Pages Will Start At Catcher Tuesday
Francisco Lindor2 hours ago

Returns To The Lineup On Tuesday
Detroit Lions2 hours ago

Alim McNeill Could Miss Start Of Regular Season
Christian Encarnacion-Strand3 hours ago

Not In Reds Lineup Tuesday
Jesse Chavez3 hours ago

DFA'd, Braves Select Zach Thompson To MLB Roster
Tennessee Titans3 hours ago

Justin Hardee Sr. Returning To Titans
Washington Commanders3 hours ago

Brandon Coleman Moving To Right Tackle For Commanders
Adam Ottavino3 hours ago

And Yankees Agree On One-Year Deal
Raheem Blackshear3 hours ago

Returning To Carolina
Kirk Cousins3 hours ago

Not Expected To Attend Voluntary Offseason Training
NFL3 hours ago

NFL Ownership Votes To Move Kickoff Touchbacks To 35-Yard Line
Olli Määttä3 hours ago

Olli Maatta A Game-Time Call On Tuesday
Jordan Greenway4 hours ago

Remains Sidelined On Tuesday
Dallas Cowboys4 hours ago

Cowboys Willing To Make Micah Parsons The Highest-Paid Non-QB
Jordan Staal4 hours ago

Doubtful For Wednesday
Matt Roy4 hours ago

Not Traveling With Team
Geno Smith4 hours ago

Raiders Working On Extension With Geno Smith
Chris Godwin4 hours ago

Buccaneers Optimistic Chris Godwin Will Be Ready For Week 1
Josh Norris4 hours ago

Not Traveling With The Team On Tuesday
Los Angeles Rams4 hours ago

Coleman Shelton Expected To Start Again In 2025
Brady Tkachuk4 hours ago

Not Playing On Tuesday
Los Angeles Rams4 hours ago

Rams Open To Drafting A Quarterback
Kyren Williams4 hours ago

Rams To Discuss Long-Term Deal With Kyren Williams
Aaron Rodgers4 hours ago

Signs "Pointing" Toward Aaron Rodgers Signing With Steelers
Brock Purdy4 hours ago

49ers Optimistic On Getting Extension Done With Brock Purdy
Sam Hilliard5 hours ago

Outrighted To Triple-A Albuquerque
Trea Turner5 hours ago

Appears As Pinch-Hitter On Monday
Dominic Smith5 hours ago

Returning To Yankees On Minor-League Deal
Jordan Spieth6 hours ago

Needs To Find Consistency At TPC San Antonio
Jake Knapp6 hours ago

Making First Appearance At Valero Texas Open
Michael Kim6 hours ago

Looking To Find The Magic Again In San Antonio
Tommy Fleetwood6 hours ago

Is Nearly A Must-Play At Valero Texas Open
Tony Finau7 hours ago

Hoping For Better Approach Play In San Antonio
Eric Cole7 hours ago

Trending In Right Direction Ahead Of Valero
Cole Anthony8 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Tuesday
Jerami Grant8 hours ago

Likely To Miss Another Game Tuesday
Anfernee Simons8 hours ago

Iffy For Tuesday's Game
Scoot Henderson8 hours ago

Unavailable Tuesday
Deandre Ayton8 hours ago

Out Against Hawks
AJ Green9 hours ago

May Miss Another Game Tuesday
Kyle Lowry9 hours ago

Picks Up A Questionable Tag
Tyrese Maxey9 hours ago

Remains Out Against Knicks
Quentin Grimes9 hours ago

Good To Go Tuesday
Casey DeSmith10 hours ago

Sharp In Monday's Victory
Mason Marchment10 hours ago

Tallies Two Helpers On Monday
Adam Klapka11 hours ago

Tallies Two Points In Shootout Victory
Ivan Fedotov11 hours ago

Sharp Against Nashville
Matvei Michkov11 hours ago

Continues Hot Stretch On Monday
Luke Hughes11 hours ago

Scores Goal, Adds Assist In Victory
Sam Stevens20 hours ago

Enjoys Nice Result In Houston
PGA20 hours ago

J.T. Poston Seeks To Contend At Valero Texas Open
Ochai Agbaji20 hours ago

Resting On Tuesday
RJ Barrett20 hours ago

To Be Rested Tuesday Night
Immanuel Quickley20 hours ago

Returning To Action Against Bulls
Jakob Poeltl20 hours ago

Available On Tuesday
Jonathan Kuminga20 hours ago

Uncertain For Tuesday's Game
Christian Braun20 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Meeting With Timberwolves
Aaron Gordon20 hours ago

Tagged As Questionable For Tuesday
Jamal Murray21 hours ago

Iffy For Tuesday
Denny McCarthy21 hours ago

Keeps Making Cuts But Needs To Make More Putts
Brian Harman22 hours ago

Off To A Subpar 2025 So Far
Ilya Samsonov24 hours ago

Nursing An Upper-Body Injury
Tomas Hertl24 hours ago

To Sit Out At Least One More Week
Garnet Hathaway24 hours ago

Rejoins Flyers Lineup
Erik Johnson1 day ago

Available Monday
Rasmus Ristolainen1 day ago

Not Expected To Return This Season
Ryan Preece1 day ago

Has Three Straight Top-10 Finishes For First Time In His Career
Colton Sissons1 day ago

Likely Out For Rest Of The Season
NASCAR1 day ago

Bubba Wallace After Third-Place Finish At Martinsville: "What a Great Day"
Todd Gilliland1 day ago

Has Mistake-Free Day At Martinsville, Grabs Another Top-10 Finish
Brandon Moreno1 day ago

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Steve Erceg1 day ago

Losses Third Consecutive Fight
Drew Dober1 day ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Mexico City
Manuel Torres1 day ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Harry Hall1 day ago

Bounces Back In Houston Last Week
Denver Broncos1 day ago

Denver To Take A Running Back In The Draft
CJ Vergara1 day ago

Gets Submitted
Ryan Fox1 day ago

Showing Improvement Heading Into The Valero Texas Open
Édgar Cháirez1 day ago

Edgar Chairez Gets Submission Win At UFC Mexico City
Courtland Sutton1 day ago

"No Timeline" On Courtland Sutton Extension
Vince Morales1 day ago

Drops Decision At UFC Mexico City
Raul Rosas Jr.1 day ago

Gets Decision Win At UFC Mexico City
New York Jets1 day ago

Jets To Wait On Contract Extensions For Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner
Saimon Oliveira1 day ago

Still Winless In The UFC
David Martinez1 day ago

Wins His UFC Debut
Jameson Williams1 day ago

Detroit To Exercise Jameson Williams' Fifth-Year Option
Kevin Borjas1 day ago

Earns His First UFC Win
Brandon Aiyuk1 day ago

49ers Expected To Hold Brandon Aiyuk
Ronaldo Rodríguez1 day ago

Ronaldo Rodriguez Suffers His First UFC Loss
Joel Dahmen1 day ago

Scores Top-20 Finish At Texas Children's Houston Open
Jacob Bridgeman1 day ago

Had Some Rest Heading Into The Valero
Sami Valimaki1 day ago

Finishes Fourth At Texas Children's Houston Open
Maverick McNealy1 day ago

Finishes Tied For 32nd At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tom Kim1 day ago

Finishes Tied For 36th At Valspar Championship
Rickie Fowler1 day ago

Finishes Tied For 52nd At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Bud Cauley1 day ago

Finishes Tied For Fourth At Valspar Championship
Sam Burns1 day ago

Misses The Cut At Valspar Championship
Daniel Berger1 day ago

Finishes Tied For 20th At The PLAYERS Championship
Treylon Burks1 day ago

Unlikely To Be Ready For Training Camp
Keenan Allen1 day ago

Chargers Not Ruling Out Reuniting With Keenan Allen
Christopher Bell1 day ago

Powers His Way To A Second-Place Finish At Martinsville
Chase Elliott1 day ago

Strong Martinsville Performance Ends With A Top-Five Finish
Kyle Larson1 day ago

Collects A Top-Five Finish At Martinsville
William Byron1 day ago

Places 22nd After Struggles At Martinsville
Joey Logano1 day ago

Claims His First 2025 Top-10 Finish After Up-And-Down Performance
Tyler Reddick1 day ago

Fails To Place In The Top 10 At Martinsville
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Silences Doubters After Crew-Chief Change
Ty Gibbs2 days ago

Earns Best 2025 Finish At Martinsville Despite Failing Cool Suit
Ross Chastain2 days ago

Has A Great Day At Martinsville
Chase Briscoe2 days ago

Has Solid Run At Martinsville
Erik Jones2 days ago

Disqualified At Martinsville For Weight Violation
Josh Berry2 days ago

Has Top-10 Upside At Martinsville
Joey Logano2 days ago

Don't Overlook Joey Logano This Weekend
Ryan Preece2 days ago

Could Get First Three-Race Top-10 Streak Of His Career
Chase Elliott2 days ago

Looking To Continue Great Runs At Martinsville
Christopher Bell2 days ago

Wins Pole At Martinsville, But Can He Stay Up There?
Ryan Blaney2 days ago

Fast In Practice But Skeptical About Car
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

New Crew Chief Has Terrible Martinsville Record
Steve Erceg4 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Brandon Moreno4 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
Manuel Torres4 days ago

Set For Co-Main Event
Drew Dober4 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Mexico City
Joe Pyfer4 days ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum4 days ago

Set For Middleweight Matchup
Vince Morales4 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Raul Rosas Jr.4 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Saimon Oliveira4 days ago

Looks For His First UFC Win
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF