Everybody knows to start Le’Veon Bell, Aaron Rodgers 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!

Quarterback

Landry Jones, Pitt
Jones was impressive last week when he replaced an injured Michael Vick and has been named the Week 7 starter, unless of course Ben Roethlisberger surprises us and gets the nod. Jones went 8-12 last week for 168 yards and two TDs after entering the game during the third quarter. A lot of those numbers came on an unbelievable 88 yard TD catch and run by Martavis Bryant. Nevertheless, that brings me to my next point. Jones has an incredible supporting cast to help him. He has the luxury of having Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and Bryant to target in the passing game. Heath Miller is also a dependable target at tight end. Jones is far from great and honestly, not even good. With that said, I do believe in his weapons. The Steelers Week 7 opponent, Kansas City, is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Running Backs

Dexter McCluster, TEN
The Titans take on the Atlanta Falcons this week. Atlanta has been exceedingly incompetent when it comes to slowing down pass-catching backs this season. McCluster excels in the passing game. The Falcons are allowing a league worst 35.9fantasy points to opposing running backs. McCluster does produce and put up a big game every once in a while. Last week he totaled three receptions, 42 yards from scrimmage and a TD. He also has a four catch, 124 yard from scrimmage game on his resume this season as well. Those are really solid numbers for a deep sleeper.

Theo Riddick, DET
Riddick is the lone healthy back in Detroit. Joique Bell may play but he is dealing with what’s being called an ankle injury and has been wildly ineffective so far this season averaging just 1.1 yard per carry. Ameer Abdullah is questionable with a stinger and has also been inept this season. He’s averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and has fumbled three times in the past two games. He had fumbling issues in college as well. Rookie Zach Zenner landed on season-ending I.R. after a broken rib partially collapsed his lung. Riddick is averaging a team-high 4.2 yards per carry, is their best pass-catcher and is the only fully healthy back. He has a real chance to be the lead back against the Vikings this week.

Branden Oliver, SD
Melvin Gordon was benched last week for fumbling for the fourth time this season. He leads the league with three lost fumbles. On top of that, he’s yet to have 100 yards from scrimmage in a game and is averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry. He’s also questionable with an ankle injury. All of this leaves the door wide open for Branden Oliver. Danny Woodhead will of course have his role, but Oliver could see a significant uptick in snaps and touches thanks to Gordon’s struggles. He’s definitely a solid deep sleeper option with versatility and upside.

Wide Receiver

Robert Woods, BUF
With Sammy Watkins and Percy Harvin taking permanent residency on the injury report, Woods is the No. 1 wideout in Buffalo the majority of the time. His upside is capped thanks to a poor QB situation, however he’s still a WR1 on his team this week and many weeks. This week he plays the Jacksonville Jaguars. There are plenty of plays to be made against their secondary. They just demoted their top corner Davon House to nickel after he was lit up by DeAndre Hopkins last week. That seems a bit irrational, but the point is, their secondary is in disarray to say the least.

Tight End

Dion Sims, Miami
Sims is my go-to deep sleeper tight end. Not only did he grab a TD pass in his first game back from a concussion, he also outscored Jordan Cameron. If you are searching for a tight end on the wire, he’s a great option. He’s completely overlooked, however, he’s a co-starter and sees an abundance of snaps. Sims caught four passes for 33 yards and a TD last week. Those are pretty realistic expectations for him on a weekly basis. It certainly does not hurt that interim head coach Dan Campbell is a former primary blocking tight end with receiving abilities. It’s hard to imagine he’d shy away from Sims.