Chris Hogan

10 WR sleepers to target for fantasy football week 1

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Which WR sleepers have a chance to step up with big Week 1 numbers that can help you get to fantasy football wins? Check out these ten options.

Jul 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) makes a catch during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Every week fantasy football owners scour the waiver wire or the bottom of the salary structure in DFS looking for one thing–value. Finding value where others overlook it is one of the key ways to end up on the right end of the scoreboard more often than not in fantasy football. To help you know where to start your value search, each week on Sunday morning FanSided brings you last-minute sleepers to target for the week. Today, we’ll start with a look at some of the WR sleepers who could be in for surprisingly good weeks.

FanSided has assembled some great tools to help you get your lineup set for fantasy football @eek 1. You can find all our coverage by checking out (and bookmarking) the fantasy football hub where you’ll find the top 10 matchups to attack for the week as well as full Week 1 rankings. You can also get any lineup question answered by checking out the new start/sit tool.

The receivers on the following slides won’t be right at the top of those rankings, though. Instead I’ll try to pinpoint some players in the mid-range who could be among the top performers and some players toward the bottom of the rankings who have serious potential to be WR sleepers.

These WR sleepers are risky but can be used as cheap DFS plays or as plug-and-play options off of many league waiver wires. Overall, I expect each of them to exceed expectations in week 1.

A quick word of caution before we start–these are sleeper WRs so don’t go crazy and take a flier on one of them over a more established play. For example, I like Sammie Coates this week, but I wouldn’t start him over Amari Cooper, Marvin Jones, or even Mike Wallace. The picks appear in order from most well-known to deepest sleeper.

Let’s get started with our top ten WR sleepers for week 1.

Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (12) runs after the catch as Detroit Lions defensive back Tavon Wilson (32) tackles him during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Wallace-Baltimore Ravens

Wallace and the Ravens open the year by welcoming in the Buffalo Bills. Wallace is looking to jump start his career after a down year last year with the rush-heavy Vikings. He signed with the Ravens this offseason and emerged this preseason as a top target.

Wallace showed a great rapport with starter Joe Flacco who definitely is comfortable throwing the deep ball that made Wallace a start early in his career with the Steelers. He probably won’t return to that level this season, but he should have a bounce back year.

Wallace will have to contend for targets with Steve Smith Sr. who is expected to return for Week 1, but Smith missed the whole preseason so may get off to a slow start. The Ravens lost Ben Watson during preseason as well, and youngster Breshad Perriman is also just working his way back. All the injuries should leave even more targets for Wallace.

Wallace should be the Ravens go-to option today which makes him a good option to target in DFS or as a pickup-and-play option in the over 50% of ESPN leagues where he’s still on the waiver wire. Don’t go crazy and start him over a more established play, but he’s one of the better WR sleepers widely available.

Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) heads off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Bears 23-22. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Hogan-New England Patriots

The Patriots are on the road to start their 2016 season, but they’ll have to take on the Cardinals without both Tom Brady who is serving his suspension and Rob Gronkowski who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. No Brady and no Gronk could mean a good Patriots’ debut, though, for Chris Hogan.

Hogan signed with New England as a free agent after three years in Buffalo. He should start along with Julian Edelman in two-receiver sets while Danny Amendola and maybe Malcolm Mitchell figure in when the team goes with more WR.

The reason Hogan is one of my WR sleepers for today is that with Gronk out there should be even more targets coming his way. He had a strong preseason working with replacement-QB Jimmy Garoppolo, and I think he’ll end up being a nice play most of the season.

If you need some WR depth, he’s a nice grab off the waiver wire in your season-long league. Right now on ESPN, he’s on the wire in almost 60% of leagues. He’s also a good value in DFS since many experts aren’t sure what his new role will be.

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Tavon Austin-St. Louis Rams

The Rams take on the 49ers in fantasy football week 1 in the second Monday Night Football game. While the game won’t be high on the watchability meter, the matchup is enough to make Tavon Austin an interesting option as one of the WR sleepers.

Austin enters the year as the clear #1 WR for the Rams despite a catchless preseason. He got paid like a #1 this offseason with a four-year, $42-million extension. He will have to get to work with Case Keenum who won the starting job this preseason when #1 overall pick Jared Goff struggled.

Keenum will do his best to get the ball into the hands of his top receiver often since Austin has the ability to turn any touch into a big play. He can go off in any one week like he did last year against the 49ers when he ran for a touchdown and 21 yards while adding four catches for 98 yards and another touchdown.

Austin and Todd Gurley will be about the only offense on the field for either team in this game, and I think both will have big games. Every week, Austin is a boom-or-bust option, but against the 49ers after signing the big deal he’s one of the WR sleepers to check out this week.

Terrelle Pryor-Cleveland Browns

The Browns are one of two teams trying to make Ohio State quarterbacks into profitable NFL wide receivers. The Texans are having success with Braxton Miller as well, but Terrelle Pryor is the option to check out this week in your search for WR sleepers.

Remember, Josh Gordon is suspended to start the season which should allow Pryor to work extensively with the starting offense along with rookie WR Corey Coleman. Pryor and Coleman will be catching passes from the Browns new QB Robert Griffin III. RG3 showcased a good connection with Pryor throughout the preseason connecting with him on several deep balls. Pryor finished with five catches for 122 yards and a touchdown.

While his potential production in season-long leagues is limited by Gordon’s Week 5 return, Pryor starts the season as one of the WR sleepers to watch since he’ll be on the field almost every play and dos shown that RG3 connection. Pryor and Griffin will start the season taking on the Eagles in a pretty good matchup to attack.

If you need a one-week flier for DFS or an early-season fill-in, Pryor is very affordable and only owned in 22% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive back Jeremiah McKinnon (37) and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) in action during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys defeat the Dolphins 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Stills-Miami Dolphins

One of my favorite WR sleepers for the season is the Dolphins’ Kenny Stills. Stills is starting the year as the team’s second WR behind only Jarvis Landry in Adam Gase’s new-look Dolphins attack. Last year’s first-round draft pick DeVante Parker got a lot of preseason hype, but Stills is the receiver who I think will start the year as a better play.

Parker is still a ways away from being able to contribute and continues to sustain injuries which keep his practice time limited. Stills, on the other hand, had a great preseason and showed a solid rapport with Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has a long way to go in his own progression as a passer, but he does like to throw the deep ball which is Stills bread-and-butter.

Stills is extremely high risk as one of my WR sleepers this week, though, based mostly on his matchup. The Dolphins open the year heading on the road to Seattle to face the Seahawks rowdy fans and hard-hitting pass defense. However, that matchup also makes Stills even cheaper in DFS play where I see him as high-risk, high-reward.

Stills relies on big plays for his production, so he won’t have to catch a lot of paste to be profitable. While his high-risk makes him a long-shot to start in season-long fantasy, he is worth adding if you need some depth going forward.

Jul 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) signs autographs for fans after training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Boyd-Cincinnati Bengals

Boyd is the only rookie in my WR sleepers picks this morning (getting off my Tajae Sharpe kick for this post only.) The Bengals grabbed the promising receiver in the second round of the NFL draft after a solid college career at Pitt.

Boyd is expected to step right in and start immediately for Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati offense. The Bengals lost both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu to free agency this offseason, so there should be some targets for the rookie to capitalize on. Especially early in the season, Boyd should be actively involved in the passing game with Tyler Eifert sidelined as well.

His only real competition for work behind A.J. Green comes from Brandon LaFell who struggled last season in New England. LaFell has drop issues, but it looks like he will start ahead of Boyd in two-receiver sets. Even if LaFell does get that work, though, I expect Boyd to get off to a good start to the season.

Cincinnati starts the season in New York to take on the Jets. With A.J. Green and Darrelle Revis set to do battle, don’t be surprised if Tyler Boyd sneaks onto the radar as one of the WR sleepers to watch going forward this season.

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates (14) catches a touchdown over New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) during the first half of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Sammie Coates-Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are one of the most productive passing offenses in the NFL, so any receiver getting looks from Big Ben is worth knowing about. Coming into the preseason there was some serious buzz that Sammie Coates would be a big-time breakout in his second year out of Auburn. However, Coates had a rough preseason and was passed by Eli Rodgers on the depth chart.

As a result, Coates ADP (average draft position) dropped way off and he was left on the waiver wire in many leagues. Coates struggled with drops and fumbles early in the preseason, but he did at least post a good Preseason Week 3 when he caught two passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Coates has play-breaking speed and one of the highest ceilings of these sleeper WRs. He’ll get a chance to showcase his abilities on Monday Night Football this week as the Steelers visit Washington.

This week, Markus Wheaton has been ruled out and there’s no guarantee that he’ll be ready to return in Week 2. Wheaton was expected to start in place of the suspended Martavis Bryant, but now Coates will get a shot.

Washington is sure to key in on shutting down Antonio Brown which could leave plenty of room for Coates to operate on the other side. Depending on when your DFS prices were set, he could be a value, and he makes a high-upside flier for season long rosters as well.

Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) catches a touchdown pass during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrell Williams-San Diego Chargers

Last year, the Chargers receiving corps was decimated by injury, and already this year Stevie Johnson has been lost for the season. To help shore up the thinning options, the Chargers signed former-Browns WR Travis Benjamin this offseason, but the may also get help from an internal option.

Tyrell Williams caught just two passes last season both coming in the finale against the Broncos. He finished with 90 yards and a touchdown on those two catches. This offseason he has built on that momentum and taken a “leap” to all those reporting on San Diego’s offense. Williams is playing as the teams second receiver ahead of Benjamin at times, and he’s always involved in three-wide sets with Benjamin and target-monster Keenan Allen.

Williams has big-time speed and can make plays when he gets the ball. He showed his ability to connect with Philip Rivers this preseason catching seven passes for 83 yards in his two games of action.

He’s still a bit raw as a receiver in his second year as an un-drafted free agent out of Western Oregon. However, there’s no questioning his athleticism, and if he truly gets the targets from Rivers look for him to be one of the better WR sleepers to emerge early this season.

Aug 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin (80) gets tackled by Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Anquan Boldin-Detroit Lions

While both Golden Tate and Marvin Jones have gotten a ton of buzz leading into the Lions’ opener, veteran Anquan Boldin has remained under the radar enough to be one of the WR sleepers to target today. Boldin is entering his 14th season in the NFL and joined the Lions after three years in San Francisco.

Boldin, Tate, and Jones should all get targets from Matthew Stafford after Calvin Johnson’s retirement. Boldin will open the year as the team’s third receiver and play most of his snaps out of the slot. He had three catches for 22 yards in the team’s Preseason Week 3 dress rehearsal, so look for him to be involved right away. His ultimate value as one of the sleepers WRs depends on his red zone presence and his ability to become a favorite target for Stafford.

This week, the Lions open with a great matchup against the Colts in what should be a back-and-forth, high-scoring game. To get a piece of the fantasy points, Boldin makes a nice low-percentage play in DFS leagues and an intriguing waiver wire grab who is owned in just 20% of ESPN leagues.

Aug 12, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (12) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort (54) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Kerley-San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers offense is in trouble. Chip Kelly had a decided lack of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball even before the team lost Bruce Ellington for the season. With Ellington injured, there will be opportunities for other players to step up, and one of the interesting WR sleepers especially in PPR leagues is newly-acquired Jeremy Kerley. Kerley started the preseason with the Lions as you can see above, but Detroit traded him to San Francisco for offensive lineman Brandon Thomas.

Kerley is a special teams force, but he should get plenty of play on offense even though he only joined the team last week. He played in just one preseason game with the 49ers catching two passes for 18 yards, but he is already listed atop the depth chart out of the slot.

Starting QB Blaine Gabbert is a check down specialist throwing plenty of passes to his short options out of the backfield and over the middle. If he continues that trend, there could be enough targets headed Kerley’s way to make him a very interesting option.

Kelley is a deep, deep sleeper this week as the 49ers close out the week against the Rams as the second game on Monday Night Football. If you’re totally desperate (or a San Francisco fan), you could role the dice on him in DFS play, and make sure to keep an eye on who catches the passes for San Francisco this week.