Everybody knows to start Eddie Lacy, Andrew Luck and Julio Jones. In this article we will be covering deep sleepers. Guys that a lot of people may be able to find on their waiver wire. If you’re desperate for an emergency play or a cheap DFS option, this is where you find those guys. Just remember all these guys are longshots. Don’t bench your stars for them!

Since this is Week 1, there will be a lot of players in this edition of the article. Many of these guys may be worth a bench stash in deep leagues as well as just a one week fill-in.

Quarterbacks

Tyrod Taylor, BUF
There’s only one QB listed because it’s very unlikely you’re scrambling for a quarterback Week 1. There haven’t been any big injuries or anything crazy in the past few weeks so you are more than likely set. Nonetheless, for you DFS owners and that one guy who was all in on Jimmy Garoppolo, Taylor is the best of the worst. There are a few terrible QB situations in the NFL and of those situations, Taylor offers the most upside. He has upside because of his great mobility and he’s facing a miserable Colts defense. They are so bad against the run that they may be extremely susceptible to the read-option attack.

Running Backs
Brandon Bolden, NE
LeGarrette Blount is suspended for one game and Jonas Gray is now on the Dolphins practice squad. There are a few third-down backs, but Bolden is really the only option to run between the tackles. He’s also a pretty solid pass-catcher in his own right. Bolden could be in for a big week as a flex option.

Benny Cunningham, STL
The matchup against the Seahawks is less than spectacular, nevertheless, the absence of Kam Chancellor should help a bit. Todd Gurley has been ruled out and Tre Mason is trending on the side of doubtful. He hasn’t practiced all week due to a hamstring injury. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has already said he expects him to be a game-time decision. So he’ll be hampered at best. Watch the injury report and if Mason is inactive, Cunningham may be a decent emergency play or DFS option. Don’t expect too much against the Seahawks D though.

Mike Tolbert, CAR
Big old Mike Tolbert, the original touchdown vulture. Believe it or not, he may be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Kelvin Benjamin injury. He is expected to be utilized in a number of different ways. His versatility will be a key to the Panthers’ offense. Not only will he have his usual goal line activity, he’ll also play a key part in the passing attack. If you’re desperate for a flex option, you may want to look Tolbert’s way.

Terron Ward, ATL
Ward has a chance to serve as the Falcons’ primary pass-catcher out of the backfield. If Devonta Freeman is forced to sit this one out due to a hamstring injury, Ward would step in as the RB2 behind Tevin Coleman. He could also have some PPR value. Still, he’s the longest shot of this group of backs.

Wide Receivers
Leonard Hankerson, ATL
Hankerson was a talented kid coming out of Miami and was unfortunately stuck in the black hole that is the Washington Redskins organization. He has been great this summer and is the clear-cut WR3 in Atlanta. With Roddy White dealing with an elbow injury and being past his prime at the age of 33, Hankerson may emerge as a really solid fantasy option.

Marlon Brown, BAL
The Denver Broncos are the perfect matchup for the Ravens 6-foot-5 WR3. The popular sleeper paly this week is Kamar Aiken. However, you should keep your eye on Brown. This is why. Both Steve Smith and Aiken will be lined up against top corners Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. Both guys have the ability to shut down a wideout. Then you have Brandon Marshall at linebacker who is one of the best in the league at slowing down pass-catching running backs. He’ll be on Justin Forsett. There is no reason to believe that any of the Ravens’ tight ends are even serviceable. This leaves Brown as option that can exploit the defense and the only real true red zone threat.

Ty Montgomery, GB
When Jordy Nelson went down, Davante Adams was the obvious add. However, there was also the debate between Montgomery and Jeff Janis. Well it’s becoming clear that Montgomery is the better option. Insiders and coaches have both praised Montgomery, while being less than thrilled with Janis this summer. Montgomery also moved ahead at practice and on the depth chart. When Aaron Rodgers is the QB, the WR3 will always have upside. Especially when the WR2 is virtually unproven.

Tyler Lockett, SEA
Lockett was a star this preseason. Not only did he dominate in the return game, he also caught six passes for 129 yards and a TD and worked in with the first-team offense. Not only might Lockett be a nice plug-in, he may make a run at offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s a dark-horse candidate, but a candidate nonetheless.

Rashad Greene, JAX
Greene could be this year’s Jarvis Landry. Don’t be surprised that if by the end of the year, you look and Greene has caught 80 passes. It’s amazing how far he slipped in the draft. He’s going to be PPR gold. He will immediately become the second most reliable target in Jacksonville. He’s already better than Marqise Lee and could see a boost in targets with Julius Thomas out.

Tight Ends
Clive Walford, OAK
Walford was by far the best and most NFL ready tight end in this year’s draft. He missed almost all of training camp and preseason with a hamstring injury. Still, he is better than Mychal Rivera and it’s only a matter of time until he takes over as the top TE. He left the University of Miami as the leader in pretty much every major receiving stat for TEs. Miami has produced TEs like Greg Olsen, Kellen Winslow, Jimmy Graham, Jeremy Shockey and Bubba Franks to name a few. He’s going to be a star in this league.

Dion Sims, MIA
With Jordan Cameron being the starter in Miami, people assume that’s that. However, Sims is a very talented TE and head coach Joe Phibin has said he views him as a starter along with along with Cameron. With Cameron’s extensive injury history with concussions and Sims talent and versatility, don’t be shocked if Sims surfaces as a valuable fantasy option.

David Johnson, SD
After practice Wednesday, Ladarius Green was being tested for a concussion. With Antonio Gates already suspended four games, this would leave Johnson as the top TE in San Diego. They may just use him as a blocker and utilize other guys like Danny Woodhead and Stevie Johnson on underneath and short routes. Nonetheless, he may be Philip Rivers starting TE Week 1.

Nick Boyle, BAL
There is no clear-cut TE in Baltimore. Maxx Williams has been dealing with injuries and isn’t transitioning well to the NFL. He has the kind of skillset that takes time to transition to the next level. Crockett Gillmore is listed as the starter but there is a reason the Ravens drafted two TE’s in this year’s draft. Boyle has reportedly badly outplayed Williams at training camp and could emerge as the top TE in Baltimore. I actually scouted both of these TE’s heading into the draft and labeled Williams as a bust and Boyle as a steal.