RADIO
As is tradition, Week 1 provided the usual head-scratching performances we've grown accustomed to start the year. Matthew Stafford looked discombobulated, the Amari Cooper rebound year did not get off to a good start, and LeSean McCoy looks hopeless in Buffalo.
All these disappointments aside, we did end up with some positive takeaways. Here you'll find your weekly dose of deeper PPR sleepers who are worth a look on the waiver wire. They won't all be winners, but we'll learn more about these guys as the weeks roll along. The usual rule of thumb here is that these players must be owned in under 20% of Yahoo leagues. The actual number of players you'll see will vary week to week depending on who performs and who flops.
Hopefully you're not in dire straights already. Off we go!
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Deeper PPR Sleepers For Week 2
Tyrod Taylor - QB, CLE (13% owned)
It may seem a bid odd to kick off a PPR-based piece with a quarterback, but Tyrod Taylor is my top add of the week regardless of format. Taylor always got the short end of the stick in Buffalo from both a real-life perspective as well as fantasy. Yet he puts up solid production off the waiver wire more often than not. Some may balk at throwing under 200 yards with just one touchdown to start the year, but adding 77 yards on the ground with an extra score gives him a significant bump up. His 25 fantasy points were enough to net him a fifth place finish among all quarterbacks in week one. If you waited on quarterback and ended up with a now injured Marcus Mariota, a mind-boggling Stafford, or a struggling Dak Prescott, Tyrod Taylor is as good of a replacement as you're going to find right out of the gate.
Phillip Lindsay - RB, DEN (7% owned)
The entire summer was full of Royce Freeman hype with some running back by committee talk to boot. Devontae Booker was viewed as the true threat to Freeman, with Philip Lindsay looking like the odd man out. Fast forward to this past Sunday and Booker is now the No. 3 back on the team. Amazingly, this was a perfect split between Freeman and Lindsay. Both players had 15 rushing attempts for 71 yards. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be. Lindsay was the one who ended up with a touchdown reception, however. Committees are as confusing as it gets in fantasy, but we kind of expected Denver to implement one anyway. It just so happens that Lindsay has stolen Booker's role. Lindsay is worth a flier who could carve out a longterm role in a seemingly rejuvenated Denver offense.
Ted Ginn - WR, NO (18% owned)
Coming in at 18% owned, Ted Ginn just barely makes the cut this week. Ginn hauled in five receptions with a score on six targets, finishing with 20 fantasy points on the day. He was certainly usable at various points in the 2017 season, albeit in a very boom-or-bust capacity. That's just it, though, a guy like Ginn is someone you can stash on your bench and plug him in when necessary. You're not scooping him up to be an every week starter. You're looking at someone who can fill in for your studs on a bye week, or replace an injured player. With Cameron Meredith a healthy scratch to start the year, Ginn is locked in as the No. 2 receiver on the Saints.
Will Dissly - TE, SEA (3% owned)
Speaking of confusing fantasy scenarios, tight end is second only to kickers when it comes to flukiness. You either snag one of the elites early, take whoever is there at the end of your draft, or scour the waiver wire for someone who pops. Will Dissley's 105 yards and a touchdown launches him into the fantasy conversation, especially with Doug Baldwin's knees in question. The severity of Baldwin's injuries are still unclear at the moment. Should he miss significant time, you're looking at roughly 100+ targets now up for grabs in the Seattle offense. Aging veteran Brandon Marshall and yearly sleeper candidate Tyler Lockett would handle the bulk of the wide receiver work, but Dissley could still carve out a significant role. I need to see more consistency before I'm willing to move him up into George Kittle hype territory, but he is absolutely a serviceable add for tight end needy teams. (Pour one out for Delanie Walker and Greg Olsen owners. I'm looking at you.)
Cole Beasley - WR, DAL (8% owned)
It is conceivable that the only desirable fantasy asset in Dallas is Ezekiel Elliott. That said, the Cowboys are in desperate need of a warm body who can catch balls consistently. I've been shrugging at the loss of Dez Bryant for months now, chalking him up as a dude past his prime who hadn't contributed in a meaningful way in at least two years. Now it seems that the Cowboys might just have a bad passing attack entirely. Beasley was the lone bright spot who could have legit PPR value. He's been a solid piece in PPR formats before, and the depth chart is wide open here. Starting the year with seven receptions off eight targets on a team praying for receiver help is more than enough to put you on the waiver wire radar.
Javorius Allen - RB, BAL (3% owned)
Javorius Allen is a last resort dart throw in deeper leagues. I am not thrilled about putting him on this list. I've never been interested in players who have been given multiple opportunities at fantasy relevance only to fail over and over. 14 fantasy points isn't even particularly spectacular but it's the six receptions that are intriguing. The Ravens aren't exactly a potent passing team so Allen would have to do his damage in volume as opposed to playmaking. If I sound overly cautious about Allen it's because I am. If you're prioritizing these six names, Allen is firmly sixth. There's a very real chance his production had everything to do with the Buffalo Bills putting up a somber performance. Not only that, but I firmly believe Alex Collins is a solid three-down back who could put a stronghold on the depth chart. Be wary about adding the man they call Buck.
More Waiver Wire Adds and Pickups
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
