Fantasy Football Week 2: Top 5 sleepers to consider

Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books and Week 2 is right around the corner. Here’s this week’s edition of top 5 sleepers to consider for your fantasy football lineup.

Opening week has come and gone. While we all celebrated the start of a new NFL season, some fantasy football owners were left pulling their hair out.

Why? Because some fantasy football owners saw some of their starters go down with an injury, or in some cases, the player has decided to sit out. *Cough Cough*, Le’Veon Bell.

Regardless, that does not mean you should throw in the towel and off load your good players to your friend who is offering you half the league winnings.

No, it is far too early for that. Rather, it is time to hit the waiver wire hard and to look for this week’s next James Conner.

5. Tight End Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans

OWN% of 2.7% in ESPN leagues

The Tennessee Titans saw one of their biggest offensive weapons go down with a season-ending injury on Sunday. That player? Tight end Delanie Walker.

Walker’s absence is a huge blow to a team that had high hopes of contending in the 2018 season. He had been a big part of the Titans’ offense over the past handful of years or so.

Quarterback Marcus Mariota had become fond of finding Walker, but now he will have to set his sights on a new tight end. That new tight end? Jonnu Smith.

Smith will take on a much larger role in order to fill in for Walker. Smith is a low risk, high reward start, and he is extremely available in ESPN leagues.

Next: 4. Quincy Enunwa

4. Wide Receiver Quincy Enunwa, New York Jets

OWN% of 38.5% in ESPN leagues

New York Jets wide out Quincy Enunwa lands number four. No, he isn’t on the list because we needed a Jet on the list because we write about the team.

Instead, Enunwa is one of the biggest sleepers this week in fantasy football because it would appear he is one of Sam Darnold’s top targets. He caught six passes for 63 yards and one score in Gang Green’s Week 1 rout of the Detroit Lions.

More importantly, Enunwa was targeted 10 times. To put that into perspective, Darnold only attempted 21 passes total.

There is no reason to believe Enunwa won’t be Darnold’s go to again in Week 2. Snatch him up before it’s too late.

Next: 3. T.J.Yeldon

3. Running Back T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars

OWN% of 38.7% in ESPN leagues

Much like Jonnu Smith, an injury has opened the door for T.J. Yeldon. However, it is to a much lesser extent in Yeldon’s case.

The Jaguars lead running back, Leonard Fournette, left Sunday’s win over the New York Giants with an apparent hamstring injury. Yeldon then came in and picked up where Fournette left off.

Yeldon ran for 51 yards on 14 attempts and caught 3 passes for 18 yards and a TD. He seems to be a boom or bust pickup, but if you’re in a bind and missed out on James Conner, then Yeldon may be the next best bet this week.

Even if Fournette laces them up and plays, Yeldon is still an attractive option. The Jags won’t want to mess around with Fournette’s health, so Yeldon may be in for a lot of reps.

Next: 2. Austin Ekeler

2. Running Back Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

OWN% of 29.1% in ESPN leagues

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Austin Ekeler was a huge part of the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive attack in a losing effort against the Kansas City Chiefs. He only ran for 39 yards on five attempts, but he caught five passes for 87 yards and one touchdown.

Now, Ekeler may be a real risky sleeper just because the Chargers number one running back, Melvin Gordon, if fully healthy. Gordon played well week 1 too.

But, Ekeler is highly used as a change of pace back for the Chargers. Although, he primarily operates as a pass-catching running back.

Ekeler should still be considered. He can be a flex option, which could lead to a nice day in Week 2.

Next: 1. New York Jets D/ST

1. New York Jets D/ST

OWN% of 14.7% in ESPN leagues

Well, it may be hard to call this defensive and special teams unit a sleeper after they ran the Detroit Lions off their home turf on Monday Night Football. While it isn’t a player, the Jets defense and special teams are almost a much start in Week 2.

The Jets play the Miami Dolphins this week, and it is also the Jets home opener. If you thought Jamal Adams and the gang were fired up last week, just wait until kickoff on Sunday.

This unit scored 25 fantasy points last week against a more than competent offense and signal caller. They only surrendered 17 points and picked off five passes.

Don’t forget about the special teams, though. Andre Roberts brought one back to the house as well.