The longer we go into the NFL season, the harder it is for fantasy owners to find waiver wire sleepers. The majority of the early surprises from the first month of the season have found their way off of the board. That makes for an added challenge in finding value with deeper sleepers for those in need of a big add before Sunday’s games.
This week, we take a look at five players who could be deep sleepers or quick injury replacements that deserve your fantasy attention. The search for waiver wire sleepers will become increasingly difficult as the fantasy football season marches on into Week 5.
Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens
A classic “Next Man Up” option, Terrance West is set to take over the lead back role for the Baltimore Ravens after the team released longtime starter Justin Forsett this week. The torch is passed from Forsett to West, a power back who had a strong Week 4 performance against the Oakland Raiders last Sunday.
West had 21 carries against the Raiders in the Ravens’ loss at home, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown. Those were good enough numbers to convince head coach John Harbaugh and the Ravens coaches to make a move on cutting Forsett loose. West should be the workhorse against Washington in a very favorable matchup.
Washington leads the league allowing 176.75 scrimmage yds/gm (6 catch avg) to opposing RBs.
The Saints are second with 174 (7 catch avg).
— Al Smizzle (@AlZeidenfeld) October 4, 2016
Kenneth Dixon could also be an option for fantasy owners out of the Ravens backfield, as he also will be a recipient of Forsett’s carries, but West should get most of the workload again this week. After a big game against the Raiders, fantasy owners would be wise to pick up or start West against a Washington defense that has problems against the run game.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco may be a Super Bowl champion quarterback, but he is a fantasy football sleeper this season, owned in just 37 percent of Yahoo leagues. That gives Flacco plenty of value this week as the Ravens face a Washington defense that has been almost as bad in the secondary as it has in stopping the run this season.
Flacco threw the ball 52 times last week against the Raiders, a big number that allowed for a 292-yard performance . In fact, Flacco has thrown the ball 40+ times in three of Baltimore’s four games so far this season. If he continues to air it out against Washington, he could be in line for his second 300-yard performance of the season. Either way, Ravens players have plenty of value this week as Baltimore should get the job done on offense at home to a weak Washington team.
Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills
Robert Woods has carved out a nice career for himself in Buffalo as the second option to Sammy Watkins. But with Watkins out long-term, the Bills’ aerial attack now is primarily focused on Woods as the main target. That was on display as the Bills beat the New England Patriots on the road last week in a big 16-0 win.
https://twitter.com/MatthewFairburn/status/782657416617951232
Woods was targeted 10 times in the win, the most targets the fourth-year wideout has seen so far this season from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. To his credit, Woods made the most of those targets with seven catches and 89 yards on the day, as the Bills will continue to rely on Woods to step up in Watkins absence.
Woods could have a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams this week if the Rams’ pass rush creates havoc for Taylor. However, with San Francisco and Miami next up on the schedule, it would be wise to add Woods from the waiver wire, as he should be a high-target wideout for the rest of the season.
Paul Perkins, New York Giants
It is no secret that the New York Giants currently have a complicated situation at running back with injuries to Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen. That gives fantasy owners a chance to find a potential deep sleeper in Paul Perkins, who had a nice outing on Monday Night Football in the Giants loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Screen to @Prime_Perk_24 and he is GONE.
Huge gain to set up the TD for the @Giants. #NYGvsMIN #GiantsPridehttps://t.co/O1R3BXiq1A
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 4, 2016
Perkins broke out a big 67-yard catch and run that was one of the Giants’ biggest plays of the night and should get himself a further look this week as the most explosive option out of the backfield. At the very least, Perkins was considerably more dangerous than the expected lead backs in Orleans Darkwa and Bobby Rainey. So don’t be surprised to see an uptick in production for Perkins, who could be set to take over the role Shane Vereen had in the Giants offense as the receiving/third down running back.
Eddie Royal, Chicago Bears
At this point of the fantasy football season, injuries provide the best sleeper value. Most surprise players are off the board and picked over in most leagues by now, which leaves players set to receive added attention with injuries to key players on the depth chart as the best options for fantasy owners.
Eddie Royal is one of those players after the Chicago Bears placed Kevin White on the IR this week. The veteran wideout is likely to play a key role in the passing attack.
.@bhoyer7 to @EddieRoyalWR?
64-yard gain?Yes, PLEASE. #FeedDaBears https://t.co/8MIx640uOU
— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2016
Royal had the best game of his season last week against the Lions with 111 receiving yards along with a catching and punt return touchdown. Those numbers should continue this week as Royal has an even better matchup against the woeful Indianapolis Colts secondary that could be jet-lagged after their game in London last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Royal has already been a consistent weapon as a punt returner this year with a Devin Hester-like three punt return TDs for the Bears this season, so expect offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains to reward the wideout with a further role in the offense. Quarterback Brian Hoyer also has value this week as a sleeper against the Colts, but Royal will have more consistent week-to-week value as the better waiver wire addition of the two.