Fantasy Football: Rex Grossman and 5 Sleepers to Watch for in Week 2

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Fantasy owners who have Arian Foster and Steven Jackson: don't worry. There are still sleepers available to give you and edge over your fantasy football league in Week 2.

Plenty of Week 1 injuries have presented an opportunity for many sleepers to awaken in Week 2, and if owners of those injury-plagued teams play their cards right on the waiver wire, they won't miss a beat.

If you're one of those owners or one who wants to beat them to the punch, now is the time to pay attention.

Rex Grossman, Quarterback, Washington Redskins vs. Arizona Cardinals

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Rex Grossman showed the New York Giants what he is capable of when he makes smart decisions, manages the game and doesn't try to do too much with the football.

And more importantly, he showed fantasy owners that that can translate to a 300-yard game with two touchdowns.

Now, he faces an Arizona Cardinals defense that is without last year's two starting corners, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Greg Toler. Patrick Peterson has much promise, but showed last week that he still needs to get his feet wet in the gigantic pool that is the NFL.

Against a defense that just allowed 422 yards and two touchdown passes against a quarterback making his NFL debut, I expect Grossman to build on his encouraging Week 1 performance. 

Devery Henderson, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears

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In last week's shootout against the Green Bay Packers, Devery Henderson reeled in six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

With the way that Drew Brees spreads the ball around, New Orleans Saints receivers typically put up a feast-or-famine fantasy outing. All are capable, but in recent years, Marques Colston was the only consistent option.

Now, Colston is out with a broken collarbone and Lance Moore may not see the field due to a nagging groin injury. Watch Moore's health carefully this week, because if he is indeed out, Henderson and teammate Robert Meachem could be in for huge outings.

Cadillac Williams, Running Back, St. Louis Rams at New York Giants

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Steven Jackson is expected to miss Week 2 with a strained quad, thus paving the road for a Cadillac named Williams.

Williams took the bulk of the workload in the Rams' Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and did not falter. He was heavily involved, carrying the ball 19 times for 91 yards, and catching six passes for 49 yards. Owners in PPR leagues should especially take note of that.

Now, he faces a banged-up New York Giants defense on the road. Despite their injuries, the Giants held the Redskins to just 2.8 yards per carry in Week 1, but Williams should still get enough opportunities to get his owners some points.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback, Buffalo Bills vs. Oakland Raiders

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This may be the last week I can refer to Ryan Fitzpatrick as a sleeper, so don't mind if I do.

Fitzpatrick was a serviceable starter in deeper leagues last season, and he flew under the radar for most of the preseason. But now, after a four-touchdown performance against the Kansas City Chiefs, people are finally giving the Harvard man his due.

His receivers have favorable matchups against a Nnamdi Asomugha-less Oakland Raiders secondary, and the air-it-out mentality should prove true this week. 

As of Wednesday, Fitzpatrick is still available in over half of ESPN's fantasy leagues. If you are an owner that took a gamble and lost by drafting Peyton Manning, you may need to look no further. 

Nate Burleson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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Nate Burleson is a guy I've liked all preseason long, and we caught a glimpse of what he is capable of last week in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Burleson had 60 yards on five catches, but most impressive is that he caught every pass thrown his way. Although 60 yards is nothing to gush at, it should be noted that it came despite sitting out almost an entire quarter from leg cramps.

Now, Burleson faces a Kansas City defense that got burned in the air by Ryan Fitzpatrick and also lost safety Eric Berry for the season.

As long as Matthew Stafford remains healthy, I expect Burleson to be a terrific WR3 option for not only Week 2, but for the rest of the season.