Fantasy Football Sunday Sleepers: Week 7

Looking for a sleeper option who may be available on your waiver wire who could make a major impact this week?  Let’s take a look at a few options (for consideration on this listing from week-to-week, a player must be owned in less then 50 percent of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues):

Quarterback

Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals have been among the worst defensive teams against the pass, allowing 241.2 yards per game.  They also don’t do a good job of getting to the quarterback, with just eight sacks on the season.

While the trade of Deion Branch may weaken the teams’ receiving corps overall, Mike Williams is coming into his own (10 receptions for 123 yards in Week 6).  They also have a dependable target at tight end in John Carlson, and receivers with the potential to take the next step in Deon Butler and Golden Tate. 

Is it an elite group?  Far from it, but they certainly have the potential to post strong numbers in any given week.

Hasselbeck’s statistics have not been overly impressive, having failed to throw for more then 242 yards (he did that in Week 6).  He also hasn’t thrown more then one touchdown in a game since Week 1.

Must Read: 10 Week 7 Waiver Wire Pick Ups

However, we all know he has the potential to be significantly better then this.  The addition of Marshawn Lynch should help to loosen up defenses, as they no longer can sit back and wait for the team to pass.  Having to respect the run should go a long way.

He has the potential to turn back the clock, especially with the matchup this week, making him worth the gamble for those who are desperate.

Hasselbeck is currently owned in 28 percent of Yahoo leagues and 18.4 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other potential quarterback sleepers:

• Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 24 percent of Yahoo leagues and 14.4 percent of ESPN leagues.
• Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers – 42 percent of Yahoo leagues and 15.9 percent of ESPN leagues.

Wide Receivers

Patrick Crayton – San Diego Chargers – vs. New England

His inclusion on this list has a lot to do with the potential status of Malcolm Floyd, Legedu Naanee and Antonio Gates.  Floyd, who has been the team’s best receiver this season, is likely out with a hamstring injury.  Naanee is also suffering from a hamstring problem and has been mostly unproductive this season (11 receptions for 181 yards).  Gates has a toe problem, but the hope is that he’s going to play.

With the injuries piling up in Week 6, Crayton responded by picking up six receptions for 117 yards.  The Patriots defense has been poor against the pass this season, allowing 273.4 yards per game and 11 TDs.

It would appear that Crayton is going to have an opportunity to produce once again, and if Week 6 is any indication, his rapport with Philip Rivers is there.  People have been waiting for Crayton to emerge as a viable option for some time, and now he may finally get his opportunity.

He has the potential to match last week’s production, while also finding the end zone.  If you need a fill-in, there’s a lot to like.

Crayton is currently owned in 12 percent of Yahoo leagues and one percent of ESPN leagues

Other potential wide receiver sleepers:

• Davone Bess – Miami Dolphins – 38 percent of Yahoo leagues and 19 percent of ESPN leagues.
• Louis Murphy – Oakland Raiders – 30 percent of Yahoo leagues and 41.7 percent of ESPN leagues.

Running Backs

Christopher Ivory – New Orleans Saints – vs. Cleveland

After rushing for 158 yards on 15 carries against Tampa Bay in Week 6, can we really call him a sleeper?  Probably not, but owners have not reacted very quickly to him, despite Pierre Thomas not yet being ready to return.

Granted, Tampa Bay’s rushing defense is one of the worst in the league, but Cleveland’s is only marginally better.  While they have allowed just one rushing touchdown, they are allowing 120.2 rushing yards per game.  They have also allowed the second most runs of 20 yards or more, with seven.

While the Saints will pass the ball a lot, Ivory has a good opportunity to produce once again.

Ivory is currently owned in 36 percent of Yahoo leagues and 14.2 percent of ESPN leagues

Other potential running back sleepers (who may not be owned in under 50 percent of leagues):

• Carnell Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 43 percent of Yahoo leagues and 66.5 percent of ESPN leagues.

What are your thoughts of these players?  Would you use any of them in Week 6?  Have any other sleepers you’d suggest?

Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 7 Rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 15 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses
• Waiver Worthy
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em

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