Just about one-third of the NFL season has passed, and somehow it feels like there are more questions than ever. Injured superstars, underperforming teams, and unexpected surprises have drastically altered the league’s landscape in just over a month’s time. That’s especially true in fantasy football, where managers are on the lookout for any diamonds in the rough.
Which under the radar names are worth targeting? Here are three sleepers that could help you win a DraftKings DFS or season-long fantasy matchup.
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Fantasy Football Week 6 Sleepers: Best Players to Start
RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams vs. ARI ($4,800)
At 2-3, this is a surprisingly important game for the Rams this season. However, they have been victimized by a brutal early schedule. Sunday’s matchup with the Cardinals offers a slight reprieve on paper. Still, that doesn’t mean Los Angeles will take its foot off the pedal. If anything, these Super Bowl contenders should come out motivated against a divisional foe. Against this lackluster Arizona squad, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the Rams score in bunches The Cardinals are surrendering an NFL-worst 32.4 points per game.
Whether or not the Rams deliver a blowout victory, there should be a strong effort to pound the rock. RB1 Kyren Williams ($6,800) has led the way, but there’s more than one difference maker out of the backfield. Blake Corum was huge for LA last season, gaining 746 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He hasn’t been quite as prolific this season, but Week 6 presents an opportunity to go off. Corum churned out 59+ rushing yards on 12+ carries in each of his two meetings with Arizona last season. The Cardinals are allowing the tenth-most rushing yards per game to opponents (126.6).
TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams vs. ARI ($3,400)
We’re statying at SoFi Stadium for our next sleeper pick. Tyler Higbee is an underrated piece of the puzzle on this Rams offense. Granted, he’s one of several talented tight ends on Sean McVay’s roster. Few teams in the NFL value the position more than Los Angeles. With that being said, the 33-year-old is the most trusted member of this group. He’s led LA’s tight ends in offensive snaps during each of the past three weeks. Among active players on this roster, only Puka Nacua ($8,100) has connected more often with Matthew Stafford ($6,400).
Higbee comes into Sunday on a roll, having recorded five or more catches in each of his previous three outings. To boot, he’s surpassed 60+ receiving yards in all of those contests. There’s no reason to expect a dip in production this weekend against Arizona’s subpar pass defense. The Cardinals are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Higbee has caught at least four passes in five of his last seven career meetings with Arizona. All things considered, he’s the safest sub-$4,000 TE in Week 6.
WR Jalen Royals, Kansas City Chiefs vs. LAC ($3,300)
Rashee Rice (hamstring/knee) has been ruled out for Week 6, leaving Kansas City without its top wide receiver. Xavier Worthy ($4,600) should see an uptick in targets, but the rest of this position group remains a relative mystery. Rookie Cyrus Allen ($3,500) garnered some training camp buzz, but he has yet to record a catch this season. A lower profile name that could emerge is Jalen Royals. The 23-year-old has some experience, now in his second year with the franchise. Through his first four games, Royals has caught three passes for 17 yards and a touchdown. It’s not much, but Patrick Mahomes ($6,500) has some level of familiarity when looking his way.
Given the relative inexperience among KC’s wideouts, it won’t take much for Royals to move up the depth chart. Keep in mind, he was tied for the team’s second-most snaps at the position (63%) during Week 4’s win over the Raiders. That was in spite of the now-injured Tyquan Thornton (ankle) taking the field as well. In comparison, Allen logged just 8% of all offensive snaps for the Chiefs against Las Vegas. At six feet tall, Royals fits the mold of a potential red zone target for Mahomes as well. The Chargers aren’t anything special in their secondary, allowing the NFL’s 13th-most yards per pass attempt (6.8). For any fantasy managers seeking a low-cost, high-upside flier this week, Royals makes plenty of sense.
