Is there really such a thing as a Week 1 fantasy "sleeper?" It seems odd to reach for players deeper in the rankings (and on your depth chart) when all of your drafted starters are (hopefully) healthy, but let's face it -- fantasy football owners have been waiting all year to agonize over start 'em, sit 'em decisions and tinker with their rosters, so you're damn right we're gonna start early! That's why bench players like Rhamondre Stevenson and Romeo Doubs -- and even potential waiver-wire guys like Mike Davis -- are on our Week 1 sleeper list.
It's worth noting that any of our sleeper picks below could bust this week. We're definitely taking chances here because it isn't fun to say anyone too obvious. That doesn't help anyone. You won't start the guys below over proven, consistent producers, but you're also probably not looking for fantasy sleepers if your lineup is locked in. No matter your season-long situation, our sleepers list can help you find value in NFL DFS contests, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
Now, let's get this season started on the right foot with our Week 1 sleeper picks.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PICKS: Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Week 1 Fantasy Sleepers: Running backs
Mike Davis, Ravens @ Jets (Vinnie Iyer). Baltimore should be cautious with JK Dobbins (knee) even if he plays, and Davis has been the healthy veteran most in camp vs. newcomer Kenyan Drake. The matchup also sets up nicely for a positive, run-heavy game script.
Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Lions (Nick Musial). Last season, Gainwell ranked seventh in fantasy points per opportunity (1.05) and sixth in yards per route run (1.73), as his ability to make the most out of his touches warrants more volume entering 2022. Add in the uncertainty surrounding Miles Sanders’ usage and the Lions’ inability to limit production against RBs (third most fantasy points allowed in ‘21), and there’s a chance Gainwell finishes as a top-25 RB in PPR formats.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots @ Dolphins (Matt Lutovsky). Stevenson has been receiving a ton of preseason buzz, and with Ty Montgomery's ankle injury, he could see more third-down snaps and targets. We still think Damien Harris will get the bulk of the goal-line and early-down work, but it's the Patriots, so would anyone be shocked if Stevenson got 20 carries? Miami allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to RBs last year, and if that carries over, Stevenson will do enough to be a solid flex, especially in PPR formats.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan, Colts @ Texans (Iyer). Houston will be focused on Jonathan Taylor, and that will open up a good debut for Matty Ice to Michael Pittman Jr. and others.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. Packers (Musial). Cousins and the new-look Vikings offense will get off to an effective start against Green Bay. Cousins led the league in pressured throws last season (154) as his offensive line had trouble consistently keeping the pocket clean. With an improved group of blockers this season, expect a higher fantasy output from Captain Kirk.
Jameis Winston, Saints @ Falcons (Lutovsky). The Falcons were a middle-of-the-pack pass defense last year, but they gave up 31 passing touchdowns, tied for third most. With a revamped group of receiving weapons (healthy Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Jarvis Landry), Winston should be able to put up solid, QB1-worthy numbers in his first start after an ACL tear.
WEEK 1 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide receivers
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs @ Cardinals (Iyer). Arizona still has a weak secondary and after Travis Kelce, the former Steeler looks like the most reliable target. He has a good shot at scoring right away for his new team.
Chris Olave, Saints at Falcons (Musial). Coinciding with an effective Week 1 from Jameis Winston, look for Olave to outperform his projections. Olave's going to log a high snap count, and with the Falcons having one of the weaker secondaries, he has a chance to post a big stat line.
Romeo Doubs, Packers @ Vikings (Lutovsky). No team allowed more FPPG to WRs than the Vikings last year, and while improvements might have been made, it's safe to assuming Aaron Rodgers have some opening passing lanes. With Christian Watson (knee) and Allen Lazard (ankle) both banged up, Doubs could very well find himself as Rodgers' top option this week. UPDATE: With Allen Lazard (ankle) listed as "doubtful," Doubs has even more upside.
WEEK 1 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight ends
David Njoku, Chiefs @ Cardinals (Iyer). He’s had a solid camp and should be a key security blanket for Jacoby Brissett early playing off Amari Cooper.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs. Steelers (Musial). Hurst was one of the more underrated offseason additions for the Bengals, and while there's a ton of talent among Cincinnati's WR corps, Hurst has the ability to become a reliable target for Joe Burrow.
Brevin Jordan, Texans vs. Colts (Lutovsky). The Colts allowed the seventh-most FPPG to tight ends last year, and while they had no problem stopping Houston's TEs, we're banking on the Texans' offense being at least a little sharper this year. Jordan is athletic and a potentially tough cover in the red zone, so look for him in deep leagues or DFS contests.
WEEK 1 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Defense
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Steelers (Iyer). Trey Hendrickson and friends will like the fact the mistake-prone Mitchell Trubisky is getting what should be only one of a few starts ahead of rookie Kenny Pickett.
Cleveland Browns @ Panthers (Musial). Carolina has one of the weakest offensive lines, which spells trouble in trying to contain Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney for 60 minutes.
Carolina Panthers vs. Browns (Lutovsky). It can be frustrating to start a D/ST against the Browns because of how much they run, but Carolina should be able to rack up some sacks and at least a couple takeaways against Jacoby Brissett and company.
