Leonard Hankerson has found a good home with the Falcons and could breakout in Week 3
Who would have thought that Antonio Brown would be sandwiched by Larry Fitzgerald and Travis Benjamin as the high scoring players in Week 2? If you were able to make that prediction, then perhaps we’ll ask you for your thoughts next week. For now though, Week 3 is on the horizon and like every week, there’s a Crocket Gillmore waiting in the wings to explode out of nowhere.
On the flip side, Andrew Luck and DeMarco Murray owners are questioning themselves deeply right now as they’ve been colossal duds in comparison to their ranking. Week 3 will surely bring much of the same and will come with its share of sleepers and disappointments. With that in mind, we asked our featured experts to give us their picks for the players they expect to surprise us (good and bad) this weekend.
If you don’t see any of your players listed below, be sure to check out our Who Should I Start? tool. You can also import your team into My Playbook for instant suggestions specific to your players
Q1. Give us a player outside of our top 105 Flex that represents a deep sleeper start and tell us why you think he has upside this week.
Leonard Hankerson (WR – ATL)
Matchup: at DAL
“Hankerson has a tough matchup against the Cowboys, but I still like him to produce this week. The Falcons are hurting at running back, so they could focus on passing the ball more, giving Hankerson his chances in Week 3. He was targeted 11 times last week and outproduced starter Roddy White, which could be a trend going forward. Hankerson has really taken to his new team and is ready to have his best season to date.”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)
Matchup: vs. CHI
“Despite just 6 catches for 51 yards through the first 2 weeks, Lockett could be in for a breakout game in Seattle’s home opener. The rookie draws a great matchup with a Chicago pass D that’s already allowed 7 TDs to opposing WRs.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
Gary Barnidge (TE – CLE)
Matchup: vs. OAK
“Browns TE Gary Barnidge is REALLY deep, right? Seriously, I know he’s a longshot, but after seeing Tyler Eifert and Crockett Gillmore wreck the Raiders’ horrible LB/DBs in the first two games, why not? I could see Barnidge as more of a DFS tournament play than a standard fantasy start, but in a deep league, it’s somewhat feasible.”
– John Halpin (FOX Sports)
Kenny Britt (WR – STL)
Matchup: vs. PIT
“The Steelers pass defense is vulnerable and Nick Foles will not hesitate to take some downfield shots. That means Kenny Britt is a deep sleeper play this week. Look for the Rams to make an effort to get him past a CB with an opportunity to possibly score. I especially like Britt as a DFS play this week.”
– Scott Engel (RotoExperts)
Q2. On the flip side, what player inside the top 40 Flex is likely to disappoint fantasy owners this week?
Frank Gore (RB – IND)
Matchup: at TEN
“Frank Gore is off to a rough start, much like the entire Colts offense. He had a key fumble last week and managed just 57-rushing yards. Gore is going to have a hard time getting things going this week against the Titans, a team that allows the fifth fewest fantasy points to running backs.”
– Jeff Paur (RTSports)”
Jordan Matthews (WR – PHI)
Matchup: at NYJ
“The Eagles offense is in a shambles right now and there is no real chemistry. A matchup with the Jets defense is not going to help any. It’s almost an obvious call, but I would not use Jordan Matthews in a lot of situations this week. I expect a lower-scoring game and if the Eagles win, it won’t be because of the Bradford/Matthews connection.”
– Scott Engel (RotoExperts)
Dion Lewis (RB – NE)
Matchup: vs. JAC
“Lewis has about a 50-50 shot at disappointing his fantasy owners this week. Maybe he’ll get 20 touches again, or maybe it’ll be a Blount game, and Lewis will be the clear second banana in the Pats’ backfield. I know it’s cliche not to trust Belichick’s RB usage, but Lewis was sitting on his couch instead of playing football last season. He’s risky.”
– John Halpin (FOX Sports)
Lamar Miller (RB – MIA)
Matchup: vs. BUF
“Miller’s already banged up with an ankle injury. Now, he draws an elite Buffalo run defense that’s allowed just 3.86 yards per carry through the first 2 weeks. Mix in an O-line that might be without LT Branden Albert and it’s easy to see Miller posting his 3rd straight dud.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
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We’d like to thank the experts for sharing their sleepers for Week 3. For more advice, be sure to follow them on Twitter.
