6 Fantasy Football Sleepers Sure to Have Big Games in Week 1

Looking at the first week of the NFL regular season, we can see that there are some unheralded players who have the opportunity to have big games for fantasy teams. Fantasy football games are not always won by a team’s stars; depth matters, and with some big-name players out this week, that depth is already being tested.

Let’s take a look at some of the players buried deep in depth charts that are sure to have big games in Week 1.

Alex Smith

This looks to be a nice matchup for the 49ers at home against the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers ran a fairly conservative offense last year, but they have added a lot of play-making ability to their unit. The addition of A.J. Jenkins, LaMichael James, Mario Manningham and Randy Moss will add an element of vertical attack to their offense.

As good as the 49ers defense is, it is logical to view them trailing against the high-octane Packers offense. That means that Smith will be throwing the ball a lot on Sunday. The Packers gamble on defense and it should not surprise anyone to see Smith make some plays against them.

Look for 250 yards passing and two touchdowns from Smith in Week 1.

Ronnie Brown

Brown fills in for injured starter Ryan Mathews as the starting running back for the Chargers offense. The Chargers’ offense is strong, and Brown has a chance to make some big runs in this game. He can also help quarterback Philip Rivers in the passing attack as he does a terrific job of making plays out of the backfield.

Brown will get the majority of the work while Mathews recovers from the broken collar bone injury he suffered in the preseason. He can make plays in multiple ways, and the opportunity is there for him to have a solid game as the Chargers go to Oakland Monday night.

Look for 90 total yards and a touchdown from Brown in Week 1.

Robert Turbin

It looks like starter Marshawn Lynch may miss the first game of the season with a back injury, and that puts rookie Robert Turbin in the starting role for the Seahawks. The Seahawks’ offense is rolling as they enter the regular season, and the starting running back has a chance to post some outstanding numbers.

Turbin is a short, thick running back in the Maurice Jones-Drew mold, and he has the body and running style to grind out yards, as well as the speed to get to the edge of a defense. The Seahawks get a juicy matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, and Turbin could be a player that puts up impressive numbers this week.

As long as Lynch does not play, look for Turbin to post 100 yards and a touchdown.

Torrey Smith

The Baltimore Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals in their first regular-season game. The Ravens want to run a no-huddle offense, which will keep the secondary guessing and lead to some big plays for Smith.

Smith is clearly the primary deep target for quarterback Joe Flacco, and will be the beneficiary of a few deep balls each and every game. The no-huddle gives the Ravens a real shot at hitting on a few of these deep throws, as Flacco has a cannon and Smith will outrun defenders.

Look for Smith to post 100 yards and a score.

Pierre Garcon

Garcon was a free-agent prize for the Washington Redskins. He is going to attack defenses vertically, and quarterback Robert Griffin III’s accuracy throwing the deep ball will help Garcon’s stat line.

The Redskins travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints in Week 1 and they are going to have to score a bunch of points to stay in this game. RG3’s ability to extend plays with his feet will help Garcon, as he has the speed to outrun the defense. The Redskins are going to be down and throwing in this game, and it could lead to a couple of enormous plays from their new wideout.

Look for 90 yards and a touchdown from Garcon.

Malcom Floyd

There was a lot of talk about wide receiver Vincent Jackson’s departure from the Chargers in free agency and how it would impact this powerful passing attack. The Chargers added wide receiver Robert Meachem, but Floyd is realistically Philip Rivers’ primary target.

The two have history together. Floyd caught 43 passes and averaged a whopping 19.9 yards per catch in 2011. Floyd is a big-play wide receiver that is going to catch some long passes.

The Chargers travel to Oakland on Monday night. This is a terrific matchup for their passing game. The Raiders are going to struggle to defend the pass, especially early on in 2012.

Look for 90 yards and a touchdown from Floyd.