Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers
With a new season upon us, the world of fantasy football just continues to ramp on up. Each week, I, John McCarthy, will be providing you with some solid sleeper options that are absolutely, 100% going to win you every single week. (Note the sarcasm). But, in all seriousness, these players are guys that I feel can have solid production for what they are currently valued at. Obviously, don’t play these guys over the CMCs or Justin Jefferson’s of the world. But if you’re staring at your phone for minutes deciding on who to put in that FLEX spot, or that RB2 spot because of an injury. Or if you’re the owner of a team who went Kelce/Kupp/Taylor in Rounds 1-3, this article is absolutely for you. These guys are in no particular order of how I would play them, just all guys I would consider this week. And away we go…
Roschon Johnson - CHI (RB)
Available in 70% of leagues
Started in 2% of leagues
So make sure you keep this guy in mind and grab him now while you can. A 22 year old 4th round rookie from the University of Texas, who played well in his time behind Bijan Robinson steps into the spotlight here as our first sleeper of the week. We love Johnson on passing downs for Chicago in this new look offense, and honestly feel like he may get a ton of work going against a Green Bay defense that ranked 21st against the run. They also didn’t fair very well against pass catching backs.
2. Juwan Johnson - NO (TE)
Available in in 70% of leagues
Started in 8% of leagues
The TE15 from last year just got a huge boost with the arrival of Derek Carr. Over his career, 16.7% if his throws have gone to tight ends. At first glance that may not seem like a ton, but this is a guy who helped turn Darren Waller into a top flight tight end and gave Jared Cook a second wind of fantasy life a few years ago. Johnson possesses all the traits to be a very good tight end for the Saints and I don’t see Jimmy Graham eating into that production at all. Tennessee did rank 2nd against tight ends last year but there is no denying that team got worse defensively.
3. Alec Pierce - IND (WR)
Available in 79% of Leagues
Started in only 2%
Now I know you’re gonna look at Pierce and go…well I got burned by him last year as a sleeper. I would join you when I say I drafted him in almost every league thinking this kid was going to absolutely ball out in his rookie year. Due to the walking corpse that was Matt Ryan, it was anything but that. He finished at WR63 last year with absolutely horrible QB play; although Pierce finally has a guy to play to his strong suits. He had more deep ball targets (15) himself then almost the entire team combined (18) and with Anthony Richardson in the fold I feel like Pierce may see a lot of deep ball work just like he did in the pre season. It also helps that he’s the WR2.
4. Washington Commanders - DEF
Available in 54% of leagues
Started in 46%
As we go through the season, a lot of you may realize that I’ll have a defense on my sleepers list because every week I play matchup defenses. Well, we have a no brainer play for week 1. The Washington Commanders are going against the very clearly “not tanking” Arizona Cardinals. I really feel like this defense is going to feast going against either Josh Dobbs or Clayton Tune. Enjoy your 15 FP from your defense if you start them this week.
5. Van Jefferson - LAR (WR)
Available in 76% of leagues
Started in 4%
I’m honestly shocked Van Jefferson isn’t on more teams as we head into week 1 of the season. With the news that Cooper Kupp may miss time with a lingering hamstring issue, picking up Jefferson is a must. From weeks 12-18 he averaged a whopping 94% of offensive snaps, and with Stafford back in the fold I see his production only going up.
THURSDAY MENTION SECTION
Another added wrinkle to our weekly sleepers section is our Thursday mentions. I will say this for any of you fantasy football nerds out there; please don’t start your Thursday player in you’re flex just incase something happens leading up to Sunday. It hampers your lineup flexibility. With the fantasy 101 nugget, let’s get to our Thursday sleepers.
6. Josh Reynolds - DET (WR)
Available in 97% of leagues
Started in 1%
From weeks 2 - 5 last year Reynolds was a must start, averaging 16 FPPG in PPR leagues. He was on a tear, but l then it all just kinda fell apart. There is reason for optimism though this year as he goes into the season as the clear #2 with Jameson Williams set to miss 6 games and only really has Marvin Jones Jr. to challenge him for that spot. The Lions offense is going to have a high powered passing attack and it starts week 1 against the defending Super Bowl champs in the Kansas City Chiefs -who ranked 17th against the pass last season.
7. Skyy Moore - KC (WR)
Available in 29% of leagues
Started in 12%
Moore had a season to forget last year as he was stuck in a limited role behind a hodge podge of Chiefs recievers, and never really got the chance to showcase his flashy ability. With JSS gone to New England, he may finally get that chance - opening the season against a Lions team that really struggled against the pass last year, where they finished the year 22nd. It looked worse watching it throughout the season with their secondary. Keep Skyy Moore on your radar as we go thru the season.