Let’s throw out the narrative that sleepers don’t exist in Fantasy Football. There are certainly players that perform in the Top 12 in their position that are not even rostered. That would be the definition of a sleeper. The first week of the season is hard to project in general, but here my take on Week 1 wide receiver sleepers. These are the receivers where I believe their matchups for the current week favor them to outproduce their overall ranking.
More Week 1 Sleepers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Week 1 Wide Receiver Sleepers
Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins
I believe in garbage time. I said it recently on the Hot Take that garbage time and value are synonymous. The Dolphins do not project to be very good this year and Kenny Stills is the WR1 going into Week 1.
DeVante Parker has not been cleared to play as he is dealing with a hand injury. It looks like Kenny Stills could get 10 targets in Week 1. Last year’s WR27 in .5 PPR scoring, Stills had 58 receptions for 847 yards and six touchdowns in 2017.
The Dolphins have a great matchup against the Titans at home. I think that the Titans should be able to control the game with the run. If so, the Dolphins will be passing.
Regardless of what you think about Ryan Tannehill, he is going to give his receiver that runs a sub 4.4 40-yard dash a chance to make a play. Start Kenny Stills with confidence.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
Thursday games are tough. They are hard to project and putting a player in your lineup on Thursday locks up a flex spot.
By the way, never start a Thursday night player in your flex spot, people. Please.
The Nelson Agholor play in Week 1 is probably the safest it has ever been. Last year Agholor was a success out of the slot in the high-powered Eagles offense. Agholor began to go off with Carson Wentz (before the knee injury in Week 14). Agholor had over 10 targets with Wentz in two straight games before Nick Foles entered in Week 15.
Agholor had nine targets.
Alshon Jeffery has been ruled out for at least two games so Agholor target share increases in Week 1.
The fourth-year receiver out of USC had 62 catches last season for 768 yards and eight touchdowns. Foles will be looking for Agholor underneath and the touchdown upside is there against the Falcons on Thursday.
Tyrell Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Tyrell Williams is one of those perennial wide receiver sleepers. He has a 1,000-yard season under his belt with Philip Rivers, but no one seems to talk about him. Granted that was without Keenan Allen.
The matchup in Week 1 against the Chiefs is going to be one of the more Fantasy friendly games. Mike Williams is a great receiver and both he and Tyrell will be on the field frequently.
Rivers already has a chemistry established with Tyrell as a viable deep-threat who can use his 6’4” frame to win jump ball scenarios.
It is a risk, but I do love Tyrell in a DFS format and would certainly consider flexing him in deeper leagues. Tyrell could be a guy who lights it up in Week 1.
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