The fantasy football roster churn has begun.
Injuries to stars like Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel, and Isiah Pacheco were the story of the weekend in the NFL. With so much uncertainty, the time to replenish your roster, or find value on the DFS market, is now.
As we enter Week 3, here are some sleepers that could help you win a DraftKings DFS matchup, season-long matchup, or even a fantasy championship.
Top Fantasy Football Sleepers
RBs Dameon Pierce & Cam Akers, Houston Texans (DraftKings DFS $4,800 & $4,700)
The Texans may be 2-0, but Joe Mixon’s ($6,900) departure from Sunday Night Football could loom large over the rest of their season. While we haven’t received much information on the running back’s status, the initial practice reports post-injury haven’t been great.
Unfortunately for us, it’s still anyone’s guess as to who will handle the bulk of carries in Mixon’s absence. Third-year back Dameon Pierce is familiar with Bobby Slowik’s offense, but he didn’t play last week due to a hamstring injury and was not on the field for Wednesday’s practice. Should Pierce miss time, former Ram Cam Akers becomes the obvious play despite his lack of recent production.
Until we get more clarity about this running back room, season-long fantasy managers (especially those that already have Mixon) should do their best to roster one, if not both, of these backups. In DFS formats, keep your eyes peeled for more news this weekend before committing to either option.
TE Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (DraftKings DFS $3,600)
Now that both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are set to miss some time, the Rams are in disarray. Veteran wide receivers Demarcus Robinson ($5,000) and Tyler Johnson ($4,700) are sure to get more snaps, but it’s unrealistic to expect either to emerge as a fantasy WR1 in Sean McVay’s offense.
Although Matthew Stafford ($5,700) hasn’t been the friendliest QB for tight ends, he’s also thrown to elite wide receivers for most of his career. Without either of his Pro Bowl targets playing, the veteran gunslinger will be forced to look for other options.
Colby Parkinson,replacement for injured starter Tyler Higbee, impressed with four catches in Week 1. While he followed that up with a one-catch stinker against Arizona on Sunday, the entire Rams offense was unable to get anything going.
Against the 49ers this week, LA will need to pass the ball to keep things close. Expect Parkinson to solidify himself as an important piece of the new-look Rams.
WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (DraftKings DFS $3,800)
The Cowboys established themselves as one of the best offenses in the game last season, but have yet to impress this year. Part of that might have to do with a lack of depth at wide receiver, where CeeDee Lamb ($8,800) and Brandin Cooks ($5,500) are the only players with lengthy NFL experience.
Jalen Tolbert, who made waves during Dallas’ training camp, had his best performance as a professional on Sunday against the Saints. The former third-round pick hauled in six catches for 82 yards, both marks a career-best, while leading Dallas with a 22% target share. While playing from behind the entire game likely helped Tolbert, Cooks only received two targets in comparison.
In an offense that should be high-powered, there’s enough room for more than one wide receiver to remain fantasy-relevant. The aging Cooks is still a better fantasy option than Tolbert right now, but that could change quickly. CeeDee Lamb missing practice only make Dallas’ WR3 more enticing…
WR Josh Reynolds, Denver Broncos (DraftKings DFS $4,400)
Josh Reynolds is your typical “boring” fantasy option. Nobody is ever excited to place the 29-year-old in their starting lineup, despite some solid seasons in Los Angeles and Detroit as a WR3/4.
It seems as though the Broncos offense will be, to put it kindly, a work in progress this season. Bo Nix ($5,100) hasn’t been able to push the ball downfield, leaving red zone threats like Courtland Sutton ($5,400) empty handed more often than not. However, the rookie QB does have some chemistry with Reynolds. The two linked up for four catches and 93 yards against the Steelers on Sunday. This season, Nix has targeted the eighth-year receiver 13 times, second on the team.
The early signs all point to Reynolds as the WR2 on a Denver team that is lacking in quality receivers. Nix even told the Denver Post this week that Reynolds “is going to be a big part of what we do.”
The numbers are promising, but keep an eye out for Denver’s injury report this week. Reynolds was limited in practice Wednesday due to an Achilles injury, but that was also the case last week before he took the field against Pittsburgh.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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