Fantasy Football Week 9: Wide Receiver Sleepers

If you're like me, you hate bye weeks. Whether it is because your main receiver has a bye, or you're just looking for the next big waiver pick up for this week, look no further.

Now is a good time to start making some fixes to your team whether you are looking to bounce back from a bad start, or looking to get ready for making a run in the playoffs. Look for these next few wide receivers to make a good run for you.

Nate Washington, Tennesse Titans

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Nate Washington #85 of the Tennessee Titans reaches for an overthrown ball while being covered by Antoine Cason #20 of the San Diego Chargers in the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego

Nate Washington is an excellent pick up right now and may be available in your league.

In Yahoo leagues he is only 38 percent owned, so now would be a good time to stash him on your roster. He is on a bye week this week, but he would make a decent add for two reasons. One reason is the addition of Randy Moss will help open up the passing game for the Titans and get the other receivers involved more. The second is with the injury to Kenny Britt, it is hard to tell how long he will take to get healthy with the hamstring injury.

Washington had an excellent fantasy day last week filling in nicely for Britt, and should be able to reproduce such numbers with Moss getting most of the attention from opposing defenses.

Brandon Tate, New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Brandon Tate #19 of the New England Patriots runs by Asher Allen #21 of the Minnesota Vikings into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ji

If you were like me, the minute Deion Branch was traded to the Patriots you jumped on the waiver and put in a claim.

Branch had a great first week, but has since slowed production and is trying to work through injury. Now would be a good time to pick up Tate if you notice him as available in your league. He had a good week last week, and Tom Brady will depend on him to go deep since losing Moss earlier in the year and proved just that against the Vikings this past week.

It would be a great time to take a chance on Tate and hope he stays consistent. In regards to this week, he has a good match up against the Browns, so he should be able to help get you some decent points.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Wide Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey #85 of the Oakland Raiders is dragged down by linebacker Xavier Adibi #52 of the Houston Texans during an NFL football game October 3, 2010 at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif

I really like Heyward-Bey for this week.

With Zach Miller being ruled doubtful, look for Heyward-Bey to be getting the ball from Jason Campbell. Many gave up on this receiver early but he had his party last week and finally lived up to the hype.

With many injuries to the Oakland receiving core, Heyward-Bey is the main receiver this week and it should be a high scorer when they face the Chiefs in their classic rivalry with Heyward-Bey getting many chances at the ball.

Whether you held on hope and stashed him on your roster or are looking at him as a potential pick up, I say he would be a safe start this week.

Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 04: Receiver Davone Bess #15 of the Miami Dolphins scores a touchdown against James Sanders #36 and Devin McCorty #32 of the New England Patriots at Sun Life Stadium on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Image

If one receiver benefited from the addition of Brandon Marshall this past offseason it has been Davone Bess. He is having a career year and has even received a nice, new contract for his efforts.

With defenses focusing in on Marshall it usually leaves Bess open to slice and dice opposing defenses. Bess in his own right is starting to get more attention from defenses, but his production has not taken a slide.

If you are looking for great value, then look no further.

The Dolphins have a tough game this week against the Ravens. However, the Ravens secondary has looked not too impressive this year, so look for the Dolphins to open up their passing game this week with Davone Bess playing a huge role for the Dolphins.

James Jones, Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers leaps to try and catch a pass under pressure from Leodis McKelvin #28 of the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bill

James Jones is a must pickup this week. Donald Driver has been ruled out against the Cowboys and James Jones is making the start this week.

He has a good match up this weekend against a struggling Dallas defense, which gave up four touchdowns through the air to David Garrard and the Jaguars last week. Jones has tremendous value this week and could be a breakout player for the week.

Aaron Rodgers should be airing it out with the floundering Cowboys getting no relief, I can't stress enough that Jones is a must start for Week 9.