Fantasy Football Rankings: 5 Wide Receiver Sleepers for Week 9

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Not sure who to start in place of Jordy Nelson if he cannot go this week?

Need to find a player in your fantasy football league's waiver wire to replace Wes Welker?

With the Week 9 games getting started tonight, here are five wide receiver sleepers that all fantasy football owners should consider starting.

Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers

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The past two weeks, Brandon LaFell has quietly been a reliable fantasy football receiver. Against the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, two of the best defenses in the NFL, LaFell has caught a total of 10 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.

The Carolina Panthers are taking on the Washington Redskins this week, and you can guarantee that LaFell will make an impact in this game. The Redskins have the last ranked pass defense in the league, allowing over 310 passing yards per game, and since LaFell is Cam Newton's second favorite wide receiver, he will definitely get his fair share of targets.

Don't be surprised if LaFell finishes the game with 70 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders

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Darrius Heyward-Bey got off to a rough start this season. Not only did he have less than 60 yards receiving through his first two games, but then Heyward-Bey suffered an injury that forced him to miss a few games.

Despite the early-season struggles, it looks like Heyward-Bey's season is starting to turn around. In his last two games, DHB has 117 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The Oakland Raiders are going up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend, who have the 31st-ranked pass defense. You know Carson Palmer is going to be throwing the ball all game, so expect Heyward-Bey to have a solid outing.

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens

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Though Torrey Smith may have more value when it comes to fantasy football, it is Anquan Boldin who leads the Baltimore Ravens in receptions, receiving yards and targets.

The Ravens are playing the Cleveland Browns this week, and it was Boldin who shredded this secondary to pieces earlier in the season. He finished the game with nine receptions on 12 targets and 131 receiving yards.

For fantasy football owners that usually have Boldin on their bench, you should strongly consider starting him at the FLEX position this week. The Ravens offense should bounce back after their bye week, and Boldin will see plenty of passes coming towards his way.

Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears

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If you are desperate to find a wide receiver on the waiver wire to play this week, then Earl Bennett is your guy. 

Bennett has not put up great numbers this year, but he has a great matchup this week. The Chicago Bears are playing against the Tennessee Titans, who have the 29th-ranked pass defense. 

Everyone knows that Jay Cutler is going to be targeting Brandon Marshall on most plays, but his next favorite wide receiver is Bennett. In his last two games since returning from injury, Bennett has been targeted 10 times. Fifty receiving yards and a touchdown is not out of the question for him this weekend.

Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers

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Only if Jordy Nelson cannot go this week and you need a last-second replacement should you look to add Donald Driver.

Driver certainly is not the fantasy football player he once was in his prime. However, with no Greg Jennings and Nelson, Driver will be the Green Bay Packers' No. 3 receiver for the second week in a row.

He wasn't overly impressive last week, but Driver still managed to catch a touchdown pass. Being the No. 3 receiver for Aaron Rodgers has to make Driver worth a start in some fantasy football leagues.