Fantasy Football 2012: 5 Sleepers Who Could Be Solid Starts This Week

With two weeks in the books in fantasy football, we can now begin to accurately gauge the value of most players. Who can you trust? Who should you ditch?

If you’re still having trouble deciding who you should plug into your lineup, try these sleepers on for size. The following five players are a bit under the radar heading into Week 3 and could surprise a few folks.

Here are five sleepers that I recommend for Week 3.

Andy Dalton: Cincinnati Bengals

Dalton will likely keep it rolling this week after posting an impressive performance against the Browns last week when he threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

Dalton’s Week 3 opponent, the Redskins, have had trouble containing QBs and thus far have allowed Drew Brees and Sam Bradford to each throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.

In a game where defense will be secondary, Dalton is a quarterback you can probably rely on if you find yourself in a pinch.

Mark Ingram: New Orleans Saints

The sledding has been tough for Ingram thus far. He’s off to another sluggish start, only rushing for 68 yards on 22 carries in two games.

However, Ingram did score in last week’s game against the Panthers. There is potential for a lot of points on the board in the Saints-Chiefs game, and Ingram might get involved. In fact, there is a good chance that this game could get out of hand, making Ingram a good bet to grind some clock late in the game.

Besides, the Chiefs have already allowed three rushing scores this year, and when the Saints are near the goal line, they’ll likely call Ingram’s number.

Leonard Hankerson: Washington Redskins

Considering that Pierre Garcon is doubtful for Sunday’s game, Hankerson could emerge as a trusted option for Robert Griffin III in the passing game.

Hankerson is coming off a game where he took a pass and ran 68 yards for a score last week against the Rams. Hankerson has always had big-time playmaking ability, and he will shine if given the opportunity.

The Bengals have been horrible against the pass, allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

Fred Davis: Washington Redskins

Now that I pointed out how bad the Bengals are against the pass, let me offer up another deep sleeper for Sunday in Fred Davis.

The Bengals have already been burned by tight ends this year and have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

This could be the week that Griffin finally connects with Davis.

Randy Moss: San Francisco 49ers

This could be an emotional day for Moss as he returns to Minnesota. You know Moss would love to score against his former team.

This could be the week that the 49ers open up the playbook and let Alex Smith try connecting with Moss deep. The Viking still have a questionable secondary, and if Blaine Gabbert and Andrew Luck can each pass for over 200 yards with two touchdowns, you have to love Smith’s chances at posting a successful stat line.

Call it a hunch, but I think Smith will be looking Moss’ way early and often on Sunday.

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