Last week was interesting for my sleeper picks. That’s a nice way of saying that they pretty much sucked. What gives me some hope for future prognostication prowess is that I was close. What does that mean — and what does that mean for the Week 4 sleepers?
I had Chris Ivory picked to do well because I knew the Jets would run the ball a ton. They did, only Ivory got hurt and Bilal Powell got all the carries.
I figured Alex Smith would hook up with Dexter McCluster against the Eagles Thursday. Turns out Donnie Avery was the beneficiary of the Eagles’ crappy defense.
Miles Austin left early in the second half with yet another hammy. Lamar Miller had a decent game, but it took a 49-yard run to get him around 60 yards total rushing.
My saving grace was predicting that Antonio Gates would finally make it into the end zone. Fortunately, he did.
So let’s say, just for simple math purposes, that I’m around .500 for the year, which isn’t bad when you consider I’m trying to stay away from obvious picks. At least, that’s what I keep telling Mr. Gonos.
Week 4 Sleepers
Philip Rivers QB, Chargers
Rivers has completed 70 percent of his passes, so far this year. I know last week was not a great Fantasy week for Rivers, but he’s going against a Dallas defense this week that has been known to get torched by QBs.
I’m not sold on the Cowboys and I’m really not sold on Rivers (although, if Colin Kaepernick doesn’t get hot soon, I will be a buyer). But Rivers is spreading the ball around and should get in the end zone a few times this week.
Da’rel Scott RB, Giants
The Giants’ revolving door at running back is going to eventually have to stop somewhere. I’m betting it stops on Scott this week.
Kansas City is vulnerable to running backs and eventually the Giants are going to have a lead and try to run the ball.
New York can’t be as bad as their record says they are. They get healthy this week against the Chiefs and Scott has a good game.
Le’veon Bell RB, Steelers
Mike Tomlin is telling anyone that will listen that Bell is going to make his first appearance of the year this week against the Vikings.
The Steelers haven’t had a great running back since Jerome Bettis and Bell will get his shot this weekend to try to prove that he deserves the majority of the carries.
If he can have any success at all, head coach Mike Tomlin will feed him the ball until his legs fall off. Good replacement for a bye week or flex position if you can take a chance.
Steelers OC Todd Haley calls Le’Veon Bell a three-down back, and he could be a Fantasy Football beast in Pittsburgh. Photo Credit: Daaka2
Leonard Hankerson WR, Redskins
Eventually, Robert Griffin III has to have a good game throwing the football. I’m guessing that it will be this weekend against the Raiders.
If Oakland gameplans to shut down Pierre Garcon, Hankerson will be the beneficiary of Griffin’s first big game of the year.
Hankerson is a great WR3 or flex option and he’s one of my favorite Week 4 sleepers.
Ryan Broyles WR, Lions
Nate Burleson’s pizza accident could be Broyles’ chance to shine.
I know Chicago has a high scoring defense, but they do give up points to wide receivers.
Don’t be surprised if Broyles has a good game, particularly if the Bears try to focus on shutting down Johnson.
Jordan Reed TE, Redskins
Fred Davis has been hurt and it looks likes Reed has overtaken him on the Redskins’ depth chart.
Again, this is going to be the game where RGIII finally tosses the ball around and he’s going to need someone to throw it to. Why not Reed?
I wouldn’t go dropping tights ends to pick him up just yet. I took a flyer on Kellen Winslow earlier this year and I dropped him and picked up Reed to replace Greg Olsen for his bye week.
*As of 9-26, Davis is now practicing and Reed is sitting out. Monitor this situation closely as it could be that Davis becomes the sleeper if Reed receives limited playing time.
Honorable Mention
I’m using Danny Woodhead in a flex role again this week. He’s going to find paydirt and have a breakout game soon.
When Heath isn’t looking for players to help his third place fantasy team, he writes about fantasy baseball for 643ball.com. Follow him for daily tweets @hgarrison643.
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