Hot Off The Wire – Week 3 Deep Sleepers

There’s a lot of places you can go for waiver pickups and other fantasy football advice. It’s not like every media outlet and fantasy website isn’t covering and talking about the same players. We can all see who are the top waiver adds for week 3 by logging into our fantasy systems and clicking on top waiver adds. It’s pretty obvious that owners are picking up James Starks, Matt Jones, and Travis Benjamin so I’m not going to write up another article saying the same thing. It’s overkill and quite frankly not very helpful if you play in deep formats where owners are already up on these guys or the systems allow for players to be grabbed at will so they are not available. What would you do then? Which of the available guys should you be targeting for week 3 to help your fantasy roster? Well don’t panic, I’ve already done the research for you and have some deep sleepers that would be available in most fantasy leagues that can contribute to your roster in week 3.

Week 3 Deep Sleeper Waiver Wire Pick-ups

Running Backs

Chris Polk – He is clearly taking over the lead back from Alfred Blue. He out played in snaps and carries in week 2 and is inline to start for week 3.  He may not get a ton of yards, but he should get enough work to produce some decent fantasy points.  The only drawback is that this might be  1-2 week play because Arian Foster is coming along and is set to return soon.  In addition, there are other backs getting worked in so Chris doesn’t have the full load of the duties, but he does average decent yards per carry and could see some red-zone work.  Until Foster is back, he could be a decent flex option, and would be the primary hand-cuff to own in that backfield if Foster goes down again.

Even the local media and fans are calling for Chris Polk to be used more in the offense. He should get his chance to make his first NFL start this week so watch for him to make an impact.

Lorenzo Taliaferro – After missing the first game of the season, Lorenzo showed up and carried the ball a hefty 10 times and played on 38% of the team’s snaps and was used in the red-zone for goal-line work. He quickly succeed rookie running back Allen and should continue to see about 10 touches per game. This 23 year-old, 200 pound, 6 foot bruiser will be able to make things happen and could produce decent fantasy points each week as a flex option. Don’t take my word for it, check out what Evan Silva had to see on Twitter earlier today and then check the waiver wire.

Bilal Powell – It almost pains to say this, but he has been getting consisten carries and yards over the first two weeks. He’s gotten 12 carries in each of the first two weeks and has been targeted 9 times in the passing game for another 6 receptions. Over the first 2 games he has 100 yards rushing and 32 yard receiving. He’s not a bad bye week option or super filler because he’s getting consistent points. This is not a play that is going to knock it out of the park for you, but if you need to get some production from a flex or deep RB 2/3 spot, you can do worst than getting Powell. The Jets have a great match-up this week and Bilal could even see the end-zone.

Dexter McCluster – This is another guy that pops up and on the fantasy radar every few weeks. It’s hard to predict what he’s going to do, but given the fact that he got 10 carries this past week means that he’s at least a consideration in the Titans offense. I wouldn’t be running out to get him at this point, but he’s worth keeping on the radar to see how the production pans out. The uptick in production might have been more of a game-flow situation than him taking more reps from Bishop.

Dion Lewis – This is not a deep sleeper, but it’s good to mention in case he is on the wire. Looks like he has earned the trust of the coaching staff and continues to get consistent work each week in an offense that is highly potent. He shouldn’t be on the wire, but if he is, then he is worth grabbing at this point.

Wide Receivers

Rishard Matthews – This is a guy who is averaging decent targets and catches each week. Over the first two games he has 13 targets for 10 receptions going 149 yards and a touchdown. Tannehill is going to throw the ball a lot and Matthews appears to have good chemistry with him so this kind of production could easily continue. If you are in a PPR league, he becomes even more helpful since he’s getting at least 5 catches each week.

Darrius Heyward-Bey – There is going to be enough to go around, at least for the next two weeks until Martavis comes back. Both Wheaton and Bey get into the mix a lot and with Big Ben throwing as much as he’s doing, there is no question he can produce for fantasy teams. Over the first 2 games he has 8 catches for 135 yards and 1 touchdown. Ben looks for him often in the passing game down the field so get some big plays in the offense. He has at least 50 yards in both contests and caught 4 passes in each. This is the kind of production you can expect so if there is no other option, then at least you can get something here.

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