Whenever the leaves change colors and the temperature begins to dip, it can only mean one thing: the fantasy football playoffs are coming. The difference between competing for a title and playing in the loser’s bracket can often come down to the seemingly insignificant moves savvy managers make at this point in the season.
Whether you’re thinking long-term or hoping to pick up a much-needed win, Week 10 is crucial for any team. Here are some sleepers that could help you win a DraftKings DFS matchup, a season-long matchup, or even a fantasy championship.
Top Fantasy Football Sleepers
TE Hunter Henry, New England Patriots ($3,900)
The Patriots are still a flawed team, but Drake Maye has injected new life into what was a dormant offense. Like many other rookie quarterbacks, the third overall pick has leaned heavily on his tight ends. That’s meant an uptick in production for veteran Hunter Henry, who leads New England in receiving yards with 414.
Since Maye was named a starter in Week 6, Henry has been the fantasy TE8 in PPR formats. During that time, the tight end has led the Pats in total targets with 28. At a position with such a low floor, getting a reliable option is worth its weight in gold. Nabbing one off of the waiver wire is just a cherry on top. The Bears have given up the 15th-most DK fantasy points to opposing tight ends, which makes Henry a viable starter this week in most leagues.
WR Noah Brown, Washington Commanders ($4,300)
Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Noah Brown has never been more than a capable third or fourth option in the passing game. While his season-long numbers aren’t anything spectacular, the veteran is beginning to emerge as the number two wide receiver on a dynamic Washington offense. Over the past two weeks, he’s recorded 133 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight catches.
Granted, a hefty chunk of Brown’s recent production is due to a Hail Mary catch against Chicago in Week 8. Still, it’s hard to argue that he isn’t the next man up on the Commanders’ depth chart behind Terry McLaurin. Brown is second among the team’s wideouts in snaps per game (39) and snap percentage (58%). After this week’s game against the Steelers, Washington plays only one team in the top-half of DK points allowed to receivers. With a favorable role and schedule, this is a player worth stashing for the stretch run.
WR Mason Tipton, New Orleans Saints ($4,500)
Chris Olave’s concussion last week is yet another blow to an injury-depleted Saints offense. While quarterback Derek Carr is back after a month-long hiatus, it remains to be seen who he’ll be throwing to going forward. With Olave likely out for the rest of the season, finding the next New Orleans 1A could be very rewarding for fantasy managers, but it’s not very clear who that will be.
Tight ends Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill are sure to be involved, while running back Alvin Kamara will handle plenty of dump-offs out of the backfield. Still, there’s going to be a need for receiving production, especially with Carr’s track record of throwing to the position. Undrafted free agent Mason Tipton impressed during a six-catch outing in Week 7, but the rookie has followed that up with a meager two catches in his past two games. Still, the former Yale Bulldog has the most targets and snaps of any healthy Saints wide receiver. With limited competition, Tipton is the most likely New Orleans wide receiver to return fantasy value going forward, and he’s essentially free in most leagues.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
