Time to take a look at some players that might be gathering dust on your roster, but this may be the week to clean ’em off and get them in the lineup. We’re going to talk Week 3 sleepers!
Last week my readers benefited from reasonable performances by my Week 2 Sleepers. Almost all of them outperformed my first two draft picks from my own roster last week, Adrian Peterson and Reggie Bush, sadly enough.
Washington’s Roy Helu was my only pick last week that let my readers down, but it looks like there will be a lot of Redskins players letting down Fantasy owners this year. One in particular, from Baylor University, rhymes with “R-G-Shmee.” Heard of him?
Enough about last week’s accomplishments. Let’s take a look at some more surprise players for Week 3 that could help your fledgling roster.
Week 3 Sleepers
Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City
Smith is about to take on a Philadelphia defense that can’t stop a cold, or catch a cold, or whatever other cliche you want to use here.
As a matter of fact, Philip Rivers (who a certain famous fantasy writer told me a few weeks ago sucks) just torched the Eagles defense for over 400 yards and three touchdowns.
If you’re one of the many that don’t have a top-10 QB to turn to every week, this might be the week to try your luck with Smith. Smith has four touchdowns so far this year and some solid weapons at his disposal in order to have a big game.
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Miller is basically splitting time with Daniel Thomas, not exactly the ideal situation for a Fantasy running back. However, look for Miller and the Dolphins to take advantage of a long passing game, with newly acquired Mike Wallace, that could open things up in the middle.
Miller is not an RB1 or RB2, but he could be a good play at the flex position if you are scrambling for a decent player.
I know, I know, Atlanta has a vaunted running defense, but they do surrender their share of Fantasy points to running backs.
Chris Ivory, RB, N.Y. Jets
Ivory is yet another running back that is handcuffed by a teammate, Bilal Powell. However, Powell missed practice on Wednesday due to illness and this could be the opening Ivory needs to get some serious carries this weekend.
The Buffalo Bills are not great run-stoppers and I can see the Jets trying to take the pressure off of QB Geno Smith if they can get the running game going.
Nothing would make Rex Ryan happier than running the football 40 times and getting a conference victory, the way he used to in the old days.
Miles Austin, WR, Dallas
Austin isn’t the receiver he once was, especially with the arrival of Dez Bryant, but he still gets his fair share of targets and is a very good possession receiver.
Maybe this is the weekend he finally breaks a long one against a young St. Louis Rams defense that gives up a lot of passing yards.
Tony Romo may be losing a little confidence in his boy Bryant after a few big drops last weekend against the Chiefs. Time to head back to “Old Reliable” this weekend to get the victory for Jerry and the ‘Boys.
Dexter McCLuster, WR, Kansas City
After several years of playing with our Fantasy emotions for the Chiefs, the arrival of new head coach Andy Reid has resulted in a much-needed position change for McCluster.
He is now a slot receiver for the Chiefs, a spot that should suit him well. McCluster will settle in with QB Alex Smith this weekend and solidify his position as a good possession receiver against an Eagles defense that is like a sieve for accurate QBs.
Look for Alex Smith and company to get into a track meet with Chip Kelly’s offense and McCluster being a beneficiary of an up and down game.
Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego
Gates has disappointed Fantasy owners the last few years by simply not being able to suit up. He seems to be healthy, for now, so owners better start riding him.
Philip Rivers locked on to Gates last weekend for 10 targets that resulted in eight catches and 124 yards.
Look for Gates to hit paydirt this weekend against a Titans team that struggles to defend tight ends.
Honorable Mention Sleeper: Philip Rivers
I am officially watching Rivers very closely, mostly because he is my backup and my starter, Colin Kaepernick, got shut down last weekend. I’m not ready to do anything crazy yet, but if Rivers keeps this up, you (and I) could have a good starter on your(my) hands, or at least some decent trade bait.
When Heath Garrison isn’t trying to decide how he can screw up his own roster or somebody else’s, he writes about fantasy baseball for 643ball.com. Follow Heath @hgarrison643 for daily tweets and feel free to message him with questions.
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