Week 3 Fantasy Sleepers: Under the Radar Gems Worth a Start

It’s dangerous for an NFL team to start 0-2, but it’s even more dangerous for a fantasy squad to come out of the gate limp and lifeless.

If you are struggling to get production from your starters, have suffered a rash of injuries or just want to change things up in the hopes that your luck will turn around, it’s time to start investing in sleepers.

Let’s take a look at three underrated talents that could end up having a big impact on the stat sheet and help win some fantasy football games in Week 3.

 

Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Smith is proving to be a great game manager for the Chiefs and has been putting up some decent numbers, as well.

The signal-caller completed 21-of-36 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2 against an opportunistic Dallas Cowboys defense, and should only improve upon those stats this coming Sunday.

The veteran quarterback will be under center on Thursday when head coach Andy Reid returns to Philadelphia for the first time and is in line for a big night against a secondary that is getting burned on a regular basis.

This Eagles team ranks near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed, giving up an average of 360.5 per game over the first two contests.

Expect that trend to continue in a game that should be an offensive shootout if Philadelphia head coach Chip Kelly can dictate the tempo.

So far he’s been successful, so start Smith if you have no better option in Week 3.

 

Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets

Gang Green is employing a running back by committee approach this year, but Powell looks to be in line for a breakout performance this coming Sunday.

The starter ran 13 times for 48 yards and a score against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football and has an even easier matchup against the Buffalo Bills coming up. The Bills have been giving up 141.5 yards per game on the ground to opposing rushers and project to struggle containing the Jets ground game.

Although Chris Ivory will certainly vulture some touches—he had 12 carries for 52 yards last week—Powell is utilized near the goal line and as a pass-catcher/pass-blocker in third down situations.

That gives him the edge, and he should be a decent flex play against the Bills—a group that can’t stop anyone from breaking off big gains on the ground at will.

 

Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Fleener were teammates at Stanford and once again in the pros, but they haven’t found a great chemistry at this level. It seems that may finally be changing.

The second-year tight end hauled in four passes on eight targets for 69 yards and a touchdown, just the third of his career.

Dwayne Allen is dealing with a hip injury, a nagging issue that is giving Fleener—the second-string TE—a chance to show what he’s capable of.

If similar results to last Sunday keep happening, it’s hard to see a scenario where Fleener doesn’t become a bigger part of the offense. He’s a big target with great hands and excellent athleticism, making him perfect down in the red zone and in situations where the chains must be moved.

He’ll get his first true test on Sunday against the tough San Francisco 49ers defense, but Fleener is still worth a flier in deeper leagues, and if you aren’t employing a true TE1 on your roster.