Week 1 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet for Deep Sleepers Who Could Emerge

Opening night has arrived, which means fantasy enthusiasts can officially pivot away from draft rankings and toward those pressing lineup decisions.

Week 1 can be a tricky slate to navigate, since situations have changed and some players might be a bit rusty. However, it's usually safe to stick with the stars who have produced in the past.

Players like Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson, Justin Jefferson and Brock Bowers can underwhelm and still give managers a chance to win their matchups.

Of course, not every manager has a lineup littered with top-tier players. In fact, most will have to pick between lower-tier players at at least one position. For those managers, we've put together a list of sleepers to consider. First, though, let's dive into some updated flex rankings.

Week 1 Flex Top 40

AP Photo

1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
3. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
4. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
5. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
6. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
7. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
8. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
9. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
10. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
11. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
13. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
14. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
15. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
16. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
17. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
18. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
19. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
20. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
22. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
23. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
24. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
25. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
26. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
27. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
28. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
29. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
30. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
31. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
32. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
33. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
34. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
35. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
36. Terry McLaruin, WR, Washington Commanders
37. Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams
38. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
39. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
40. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

*PPR Scoring

Sleeper Cheat Sheet, Week 1 Rankings

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Travis Etienne Jr.

1. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Joshua Palmer, WR, Buffalo Bills
3. Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
4. Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
6. Christian Kirk, WR, Houston Texans
7. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins
8. Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
9. Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
10. Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
11. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
12. Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
13. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
14. Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
15. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons

*PPR Scoring

Deep Sleeper: Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

This may not be the week to jump New York Jets running back Braelon Allen into the starting lineup. He'll be up against a potent Pittsburgh Steelers defense and is still the backup to Breece Hall.

However, Allen has some low-end flex value and could emerge as a regular flex starter later in the season. The second-year back certainly impressed during the summer.

"He looked bigger, faster, stronger and showed improved skills in the passing game too," The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt wrote. "Coaches raved about him."

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand followed Aaron Glenn over from the Detroit Lions. In Detroit, of course, they use a heavy two-back rotation.

Allen has a low floor this week against Pittsburgh, but he could cash in with some receptions and goal-line work. He's only rostered in 71 percent of Yahoo leagues and 43 percent of ESPN leagues and is worth an add if available.

Deep Sleeper: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

The Cleveland Browns aren't expected to be particularly good this season. However, their passing attack should be more formidable than it was a year ago. Joe Flacco can still spin it, and he's likely to push the ball downfield frequently.

That should lead to a lot of yards, even if it leads to more turnovers than the Browns would like.

Flacco's top targets are likely to again be wideout Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku. However, Cleveland's wide receiver depth is very questionable. That's why rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. could see a much bigger role than most anticipate.

The Bowling Green product is really more of a big slot receiver than a traditional tight end, and Kevin Stefanski is likely to use him as such. There's a very real chance that he'll be Flacco's third or fourth option right out of the gate. He's a total gamble in Week 1, but he has a very favorable matchup against a terrible Cincinnati Bengals defense.

Fannin is available in 99 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues, making him about as deep a sleeper as one can find. Don't be surprised if he's on a lot more rosters in Week 2.