Fantasy Football Week 4: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings caught everyone's attention with his spectacular Week 3 performance. Now that he's a popular fantasy commodity, we must look for the next gem among sleepers.
This week, we'll focus heavily on running backs and wide receivers to better highlight those high-demand positions.
Still, our list below features a quarterback in an ideal spot and a tight end who just posted a career-high number of receiving yards last week.
Also, keep an eye on a couple of rookie running backs and a former first-round wide receiver who could play a big role with his new team.
All eight sleeper options below are available in more than 50 percent of leagues, according to Fantasy Pros' consensus roster percentages.
QB Justin Fields at Indianapolis Colts (22 Percent Rostered)
The Pittsburgh Steelers will continue to start Justin Fields while Russell Wilson recovers from a calf injury, which is a good spot for the dual-threat quarterback.
In the fourth quarter of last week's game against the Chicago Bears, the Indianapolis Colts defense took hits that could hurt the unit in this matchup. Cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive end Kwity Paye and backup cover man Dallis Flowers all left with injuries.
The Colts have already placed starting cornerback JuJu Brents on season-ending injured reserve, and star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will miss three more games before he's eligible to return from short-term injured reserve.
On top of the injuries, the Colts allow the second-most rushing yards per game, so the Steelers could unleash Fields as a ball-carrier with running backs Najee Harris (arm) and Jaylen Warren (knee) dealing with injuries.
In Week 3, Fields threw for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception and scored on a five-yard run. He could rack up 300-plus yards passing and rushing combined against the Colts on Sunday.
RB Bucky Irving vs. Philadelphia Eagles (39 Percent Rostered)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles gave the green light for fantasy managers to acquire or start Bucky Irving this week.
On Monday, Bowles told reporters that Irving earned more snaps going forward. The rookie running back has outgained Rachaad White on the ground in all three of the Buccaneers' games despite taking fewer carries (31 to 25).
Starting this week, Irving could be Tampa Bay's lead running back, which bodes well for him in a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, who ranked 24th in rushing yards allowed and give up the third-most yards per carry (5.2).
Irving is averaging 6.2 yards per rush attempt. With more touches, he could have a full breakout performance against the Eagles' suspect run defense.
However, managers should monitor the Buccaneers' injury report. Irving started the week with a limited practice session because of a hamstring injury. He didn't practice on Thursday but told reporters he will play on Sunday.
RB Braelon Allen vs. Denver Broncos (36 Percent Rostered)
Though Breece Hall leads the New York Jets backfield, Braelon Allen has carved out a decent role, racking up 141 scrimmage yards and scoring two touchdowns in three games.
Allen has seen a rise in his touch volume every week, from two to nine and then 14 in his last outing. While the rookie tailback may have benefitted from the Jets' cushy lead in a positive game script in the previous outing, he's made the most of his touches to remain part of the weekly game plan.
The Jets will face the Denver Broncos' 21st-ranked run defense, which is allowing an average of 126 yards per game. If Gang Green gets another big lead this week, Hall and Allen could feast on one of the league's weaker run defenses.
Also, note that Allen has six catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. He could be an asset in the short passing game if offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett wants to attack the Broncos' second-ranked pass defense with running backs and tight ends on short to intermediate routes.
RB D'Onta Foreman at Las Vegas Raiders (11 Percent Rostered)
As star running back Nick Chubb recovers from a torn ACL, the Cleveland Browns have leaned on Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman on the ground. Managers may be a bit frustrated with this backfilled because of the seesaw numbers in touch volume between the two tailbacks.
In Week 1, Foreman didn't log a carry, while Ford recorded 12 rush attempts. In the following week, Foreman led the backfield with 14 rush attempts compared to Ford's seven carries. Last week, Ford carried the ball 10 times, and Foreman only handled two rush attempts.
That said, Cleveland had its most productive rushing outing in Week 2 when Foreman handled the lion's share of the workload on the ground, racking up 125 rushing yards in total in its lone win of the season through three weeks.
The Browns will have a good chance to get their run game back on track against the Las Vegas Raiders' 29th-ranked run defense, which allows the second-most yards per rush attempt (5.4).
By the way, the Raiders have allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs in three weeks. Ford and Foreman could post RB1-level fantasy numbers against a unit that's at times defenseless against the run, though if the Browns limit the former's workload because of his knee injury, go all in on the latter in this matchup.
WR DeMario Douglas at San Francisco 49ers (18 Percent Rostered)
Going into Week 3, New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas wanted to see more opportunities in the offense, and the team satisfied his demands.
In Week 2, Douglas had a blank box score, but he hauled in seven out of nine targets for 69 yards against the New York Jets in the following outing. Douglas led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards by a sizable margin.
Douglas should remain heavily involved in the Patriots' passing game in a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers' 20th-ranked pass defense. The 49ers also allow the seven-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Based on DraftKings' odds, the 49ers are 10.5-point favorites for this matchup. If New England plays from behind on a negative game script, Douglas could see a lot of garbage-time looks—as he did against the Jets last week.
WR Michael Wilson vs. Washington Commanders (11 Percent Rostered)
Last week, the Arizona Cardinals offense came back down to earth after a 41-point performance against the Los Angeles Rams.
However, Arizona could score in flurries against the Washington Commanders' 31st-ranked pass defense, which has surrendered the most touchdowns (nine) through three weeks.
Marvin Harrison Jr. should have a strong outing, though the Cardinals may need Michael Wilson to be the No. 2 option in the passing game. Tight end Trey McBride is in concussion protocol.
Arizona hasn't ruled out McBride, but as ESPN's Adam Schefter noted, typically, players miss one game when they go into concussion protocol.
Wilson, who caught eight passes for 64 yards against the Detroit Lions last week, may be in line for more targets against a vulnerable pass defense.
WR Jahan Dotson at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8 Percent Rostered)
The Philadelphia Eagles have yet to integrate Jahan Dotson into a notable role within their passing offense, but they may not have a choice this week.
The Eagles placed slot wideout Britain Covey on injured reserve. DeVonta Smith is in concussion protocol. A.J. Brown has missed the previous two games because of a hamstring injury.
If Brown and Smith miss time, Dotson may draw a start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who field the 24th-ranked pass defense. The Buccaneers may also play consecutive games without Pro Bowl-All-Pro defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr.
With Brown and Smith uncertain to play in a matchup against a vulnerable defense without arguably its best playmaker in the secondary, Dotson is a high-upside pickup.
TE Tyler Conklin vs. Denver Broncos (22 Percent Rostered)
Circling back to the New York Jets matchup with the Denver Broncos, managers in need of tight end help should take note of Tyler Conklin's Week 3 receiving numbers.
Though wide receiver Garrett Wilson saw the most targets (nine) against the New England Patriots, Conklin tied him for most catches (five) and led the Jets with a career-high 93 receiving yards.
Coming off a personal best in yards, Conklin can ride that momentum into a matchup with the Broncos.
Wilson will likely see a lot of All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II in coverage, which means Aaron Rodgers may have to look to his second and third reads in a matchup with the No. 2 pass defense.
If so, Conklin could be a top-five fantasy-scoring tight end in back-to-back weeks.
Looking for more insight to prep for your draft or make some tough roster decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here.
Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com for details.
Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.