Although we rely on big-name players to guide our fantasy football teams to victory, knowing how to locate the sleepers in a given week could be what pushes your team over the edge. With Week 1 of the NFL and fantasy football season on the horizon, here are some sleepers to keep in mind when setting your lineups.
Week 1 fantasy football sleepers | Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston | New Orleans Saints @ ATL
Jameis Winston was one of my favorite targets if waiting on QB in drafts and, if anything, comes into 2022 better than we anticipated. Not only is Winston set to return in Week 1 after recovering from a torn ACL he sustained against the Buccaneers, but he also has his full complement of options around him. After months of speculation surrounding their statuses, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are ready for Week 1.
We saw a different version of Winston to start last season. The former No. 1 overall pick got off to an impressive start, completing 59% of his passes and posting 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just three interceptions in the first seven games.
Now with a full roster that also includes Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave, Winston has weekly high-end QB2 upside. I wouldn’t write off a top-10 outing in Week 1 as they take on the Atlanta Falcons, one of the worst teams in the NFL. Winston is the top QB sleeper for fantasy football in Week 1.
Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins vs. NE
One of two things is going to happen. Either Tua Tagovailoa plays well and shuts a ton of people up, or he struggles, and the noise only gets louder. I’m hoping for the former but bracing for the latter.
As a rookie, Tua looked over his shoulder and was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick multiple times. In 2021, Tua dealt with an inept offense and injuries, finishing as the QB26 (16.4 ppg) in 13 games played.
With that said, Tua showed improvement in Year 2. He ranked top five in red zone, deep ball, pressure, and play-action completion percentages. He also increased his overall accuracy from 63% to 71%, which led the NFL this past season amongst qualified QBs. Additionally, Tagovailoa’s yards per attempt went up as he finally started to take a few more risks. His yards/attempt increased from 6.3 to 7.1, while his yards/catch rose from 9.8 to 10.2.
Then we get to the offseason. Miami revamped the offensive line, brought in an offensive-minded genius (hopefully) in Mike McDaniel, added Chase Edmonds as the primary rusher, and brought in some guy named Tyreek Hill to their offense.
If not now, when? The Dolphins and Tua are well acquainted with the Patriots, going 3-0 against him in his career while only averaging 152 yards per game with a 1:1 TD to INT ratio and a 68% competition rate.
Tua has the skill set and the players around him to flirt with high-end QB2 status every week. But until he proves it, Tagovailoa will remain in the sleepers category for Week 1 as we find out what this new-look offense looks like on game day.
Week 1 fantasy football sleepers | Running backs
Mike Davis | Baltimore Ravens @ NYJ
I’m sorry the first RB sleeper for Week 1 isn’t the prettiest option, but Mike Davis could still get the job done. With Gus Edwards (ACL) still a ways to go in his recovery and J.K. Dobbins (ACL) highly questionable for Week 1, Davis could end up being the Ravens’ RB 1 when they take on the New York Jets.
Davis got the start in Baltimore’s final preseason game, rushing six times for 18 yards and adding a five-yard reception. He’ll never win the efficiency battle, but this is a scheme where running backs find success.
Just look at last year, where the duo of Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray combined for 15 RB3 performances (top 36), eight RB2 outings (top 24), and four games as RB1s (top 12). That’s significant, especially when you add that teams weren’t worried about Lamar Jackson for six of those games.
Davis, in all likelihood, will be splitting reps with the newly-signed Kenyan Drake after the Las Vegas Raiders cut him. Drake has not looked like himself after an injury forced him to miss the final five games of last year, and it could take a few weeks to get entirely up to speed in his new offense.
Until we have more info, I lean towards Davis as an RB sleeper for Week 1 against a Jets’ defense that allowed a league-high 28 TD to opposing running backs last season.
Kenneth Gainwell | Philadelphia Eagles @ DET
Despite playing second-fiddle last year, Kenneth Gainwell had moments of absolute brilliance. In the five games where Gainwell saw over 35% of the snaps, he averaged 17.5 PPR/game on 12.4 touches — 4.2 of those coming via the air.
According to SI’s John McMullen, Gainwell “seems to be penciled in for high-leverage situations like third downs, the hurry-up offense, and goal-line work.” That’s a significant role and one that could be busy against the Lions. The Eagles should have no issue throwing the ball around the field, leading to more snaps and opportunities for Gainwell in fantasy. Even though it will be a committee again, Gainwell will bring upside in Week 1 and should be a low-rostered RB sleeper against last year’s No. 29 defense.
Mark Ingram | New Orleans Saints @ ATL
Even with Alvin Kamara back, Mark Ingram still carries standalone value. New Orleans ran Kamara into the ground last year, as he rushed a career-high 240 times in 12 games (17.5 att/game). However, things shifted when they acquired Ingram via a trade with the Texans. In their four games together, Kamara dropped to 14.25 att/game, with Ingram seeing 13.7 opportunities a game, including 13 red-zone carries.
In the preseason, we saw once again how this split would work. Kamara is the clear RB1, but in the red zone — especially goal-to-go or inside the 5 — then Ingram comes on the field. This was demonstrated perfectly against the Chargers, where Ingram rushed nine times for 34 yards but had two touchdowns.
Atlanta is a bottom-tier team that New Orleans should have no issues against for their season opener. While Ingram would have top-24 value with Kamara gone, he’s a sneaky Flex play with upside in Week 1 as an RB sleeper should the Saints get out to a big lead as anticipated.
Nyheim Hines | Indianapolis Colts @ HOU
During the summer, when speaking about Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich said, “If I was going to be in a fantasy league, I think I would pick Nyheim this year.” Now it’s time to find out if he’s on his bench or starting lineup against the Texans in Week 1.
Playing in all 17 games, he rushed 56 times for 276 yards with two touchdowns on the ground. But his value is as a receiver. After seeing 76 targets in 2020, that dropped to 57 in 2021. Of those targets, Hines caught 40 passes for 310 yards with one score.
It was less to do about Hines and more about Carson Wentz, as he rarely checks the ball down to his running backs. However, it’s absolutely Matt Ryan’s style, who targeted his running backs more than any other QB last season.
Hines should see more than the 32% snap share and 11% workload he saw last season. He’s the clear No. 2 behind Jonathan Taylor and should be very active out the gates as Ryan’s preferred option out of the backfield. In leagues that reward PPR scoring, Hines is a great value sleeper RB for Week 1 fantasy football.
Week 1 fantasy football sleepers | Wide receivers
Isaiah McKenzie | Buffalo Bills @ LAR
For 2022, I’m all in on Isaiah McKenzie, and just the Bills, in general. After the team signed Jamison Crowder, McKenzie beat the veteran out for the starting slot role. That’s a big deal.
Josh Allen was second among all quarterbacks in total targets to a slot-aligned WR in 2021 (163) and first in 2020 (170). In fact, at least 25% of Allen’s total throws went to a wideout who lined up in the slot in each of the past three years. Cole Beasley posted over 100 targets the last three years from the slot, but it was actually McKenzie who led all Buffalo wideouts in touchdowns from the slot in 2020 (five). This is a team who attempted a whopping 655 passes, and we have a clear No. 3 target still floating around on waivers in a ton of leagues.
McKenzie’s received the “starter treatment” during the preseason, only playing with the No. 1s when on the field. He’s someone I targeted in every draft, and despite the matchup in Week 1, I leave him listed as a sleeper option at WR for Week 1. Even if you don’t need a starter now, add him to your roster before you no longer have the chance.
Jarvis Landry | New Orleans Saints @ ATL
I promise I didn’t intentionally plan on mentioning Saints players this often when first writing the Week 1 sleepers, but I’m not going to fight it either. We are going to be targeting players against the Falcons quite a bit this year, but it just so happens I genuinely like the value of some of these matchups, including Jarvis Landry.
On the year, Michael Thomas and Chris Olave have more upside and would be the preferred options. But in Week 1, I give the nod to Landry. A proven veteran, Landry might not have WR2 upside anymore, but he’s someone New Orleans can trust. That is big this week as both Thomas and Olave are question marks entering the week.
For Thomas, we haven’t seen him play since 2020, and while reports have been positive, there’s a good chance they will slowly get him acclimated to game speed. As for Olave, while he was great at Ohio State and set a new school record with 35 career touchdowns, this is his very first NFL game. He will be Winston’s explosive target, but maybe not this week as he gets his feet wet for the first time.
All of a sudden, Landry is the safest option for Week 1 but will be the third-highest-ranked receiver on many boards. This is a homecoming for Landry as he returns to play for his hometown team. He has sneaky Flex appeal as a Week 1 WR sleeper for those who need the depth in deeper leagues.
Sammy Watkins | Green Bay Packers @ MIN
27.3 fantasy points. That’s what Sammy Watkins has averaged over his last three opening games. During that span, he has 20 receptions on 28 targets for 376 yards and four touchdowns.
Watkins is entering his first season with Green Bay, after hauling in 27 catches for 394 yards and one TD with the Ravens in 2021. This is the third team Watkins has suited up for in the last three seasons.
We know how important trust and chemistry are to Aaron Rodgers. In the hustle and bustle of the preseason, the praise by the back-to-back MVP likely went unnoticed.
“I’ll tell you what: Ever since the Saints practice, the first one, Sammy has been a different player,” Rodgers told reporters on Aug. 31. “He’s been super reliable. Every practice he’s made a bunch of plays. Today, made a bunch of plays again.”
I hope you don’t need to start Watkins in Week 1. If you are, it’s either a really deep league or something went wrong. But if there was ever a week you could start Watkins, Week 1 against the Vikings would be the time to do it. We don’t know the pecking order behind Allen Lazard (who is questionable for the game), and the trust is shaky between Rodgers and both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
It’s time for Watkins to make his annual appearance before disappearing, serving as the NFL’s version of Punxsutawney Phil.
Josh Palmer | Los Angeles Chargers vs. LV
If Mike Williams had not returned, we would be in full-blown Josh Palmer SZN. But now, we get to enjoy him and his value as a Week 1 WR sleeper against the Las Vegas Raiders.
As a rookie, Palmer averaged over seven targets per game and scored a touchdown in his three games with a 60% snap share, averaging 15.8 PPR/game. Palmer was also efficient when it counted, pulling in three of his five total end-zone targets for scores. Reports during camp were glowing for Palmer, who secured the No. 3 role and was playing with the starters.
The Raiders were proficient against the pass last year, holding opposing WRs to just 137 yards per game (28th), surrendering just 12 touchdowns (tied for third-fewest), and ranked No. 5 in points allowed per game at 30.9 PPR. However, this is not the same unit. Led by Anthony Averett, Nate Hobbs, and Rock Ya-Sin, this is arguably the weakest part of their defense, if not the entire roster depending on how the OL holds up.
While I do believe the Raiders will be a solid team and improved, the only way they are stopping the Chargers is if Joey Bosa and Chandler Jones live in Justin Herbert’s lap all night. I don’t see it happening, with Palmer getting deep behind the secondary a few times. Only one of those needs to hit for Palmer to pay off as a Week 1 WR sleeper for fantasy football.
Week 1 fantasy football sleepers | Tight ends
Albert Okwuegbunam | Denver Broncos @ SEA
Entering the third year of his rookie contract, the 6’6″ tight end from Missouri is one of the most athletic players in the NFL at his position. You rarely see a player his size run a sub-4.5 40-yard dash.
Although he saw minimal action last season, Albert Okwuegbunam had some flashes, catching 33 of his 40 targets for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Although it doesn’t sound like a lot, he was actually tied for the third-highest target rate per route run in the NFL last season at 23%.
With Tim Patrick out for the season (ACL), there are more targets to go around in Denver, plus Russell Wilson has never had an issue hitting his tight ends. It’s also a plus matchup against a Seattle defense that allowed 14.47 PPR points (25th) and 56.7 yards per game (22nd) to the position but also got even worse in the offseason. I wouldn’t be surprised if Albert O finds pay dirt as a top-eight TE in Week 1.
Evan Engram | Jacksonville Jaguars @ WAS
No one should have confidence in Evan Engram. He’s given us nothing to cheer for or hold on to in years. Engram came into the league on fire as a rookie, catching 64 of his 115 targets for 722 yards and six touchdowns. Unfortunately, that was also his best year in the NFL. Marred by inefficiencies — both by himself and the Giants’ offense — inexplicable drops and injuries have left a sour taste in fantasy managers’ mouths.
The only season in which he played an entire slate (2020), Engram had the fourth-most targets (109), fifth-most receptions (63), and the eighth-most receiving yards (654) of any NFL tight end. Yet, he averaged only 8.8 PPR points because he had just one TD all season long. Even last year, Engram was top 15 in route participation (68%) and had virtually no competition for targets. And yet, he could only put together a TE24 season (27th in PPG).
I’m giving Engram a chance in 2022. He needed a change of scenery and got one, but in the process, also got a coach in Doug Pederson who knows how to use his tight ends. Going back to his days in Philadelphia, Pederson has run 12 personnel more than anyone else in the league, meaning Engram will have his fair share of chances. It’s up to him to take advantage of them or watch Darn Arnold jump him in the pecking order.
Washington’s defense allowed the fourth-most passing yards in 2021, was eighth in points allowed, and ranked 20th in points allowed to the position. Engram had a receiving TD in the preseason and has flashed some chemistry with Trevor Lawrence over the summer. I’m giving Engram a shot in Week 1 as a TE sleeper, but I’m willing to write him off for fantasy if results don’t come soon.