Scrambling for some last-minute additions to your fantasy team with the much-anticipated Week 1 of the new NFL season creeping ever closer? You’re not alone. The amount of teams that require a little extra tune up after draft day is…significant. With that in mind, we kick off what will be a season-long column profiling five particularly interesting pickups that could be had in most leagues for Week 1.
Continue your opening week preparations by checking out our complete Week 1 picks and predictions, as well as our preview of the curtain-raising battle between the Seahawks vs. Packers, and read on for more on these possible fantasy sleepers.
[sc:Football ]Five Potential Week 1 NFL Fantasy Sleepers
RB – Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs
[sc:NFL240banner ]For those in need of another running back for Week 1, the Chiefs’ Knile Davis looks like a decent pickup. He’s only owned in half of ESPN’s fantasy leagues, so there’s a one in two chance he’s available in your league’s free agent pool. The Chiefs go up against the Titans on Sunday, a team that was 20th last season in rushing yards allowed per game.
While he shares a backfield with Jamaal Charles, who is likely a top-2 fantasy running back this season according to experts, Charles may get most of his balls from the passing game with Dwyane Bowe, KC’s top receiver, suspended. That may open the door for Davis to get some extra carries to spell a very busy Charles.
WR – Rueben Randle, New York Giants
With first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly still weeks away from playing, the Giants’ Rueben Randle should see a lot of targets opposite No. 1 Victor Cruz.
Randle, who’s available in 30 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, starts against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Let’s just say no one would mistake the Lions’ secondary for the Legion of Boom.
If head coach Tom Coughlin decides to go after that weak secondary – as any logical head coach would – then Randle could have a big night.
WR – James Jones, Oakland Raiders
James Jones decided to leave the comforts of Green Bay and being the second/third receiver on the Packers, catching on-the-money Aaron Rodgers passes and traded it up for… being the No. 1 for rookie Derek Carr on the Raiders. Jones may yet live to regret his decision, but maybe that regret will come after Week 1 against the Jets.
New York’s secondary is all sorts of banged up. Dee Milliner, a potential breakout star this season, is highly questionable to play, Antonio Allen suffered a concussion, rookie Dexter McDougle is gone for the year, and Dmitri Patterson is/was quite literally gone.
The lack of first-choice Jets defensive backs should make life a whole heck of a lot easier for Jones, who’s available in 60 percent of leagues in ESPN.
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TE – Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers
Despite being most fantasy experts’ sleeper pick this year at tight end, the Chargers’ Ladarius Green is still only owned in less than 30 percent of ESPN leagues.
That could yet change if he puts up big numbers in Week 1 against Arizona. The Cardinals had a very good defense last season, but two out of their three best linebackers will be gone from that defense, including Karlos Dansby, who excelled in pass coverage.
That diminished linebacker corps could give Green the opening he needs to make good on those so-called experts’ expectations of him. For Week 1, at least.
Defense – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay’s defense was already pretty good last year; with proven defensive guru Lovie Smith now at the helm, it could be downright great this year. Fantasy owners aren’t too convinced just yet, though. The Bucs are owned in just 56 percent of leagues.
That unit will go up against a Carolina Panthers team that has a shaky offensive line, a wide receiving crew straight from the bargain bin, and a quarterback with a fractured rib that is doubtful to play. Oh, and the Panthers’ backup QB is Derek Anderson.
If Newton does indeed miss out, there’s a very real possibility the Bucs’ defense can shut the Panthers out in their season opener.
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