Andrew Hedglen
Contributing Writer
There are six teams on a bye this week. Every other week, from week four through week 11, there are only four. That makes fantasy football much tougher this week, since there are many more players that need substitutions. This week, I’m going to highlight some sleepers that you can use if you have players on the Dolphins, Falcons, Eagles, Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos. And there’s a good chance that you do. Here’s who I would start.
Felix Jones (Cowboys RB) – This is the pickup of the week. DeMarco Murray won’t play after irritating his ankle last week, and Jones is a starting caliber running back who started last year until he went down due to injury and Murray took his spot. The Cowboys travel to Carolina, where the Panthers have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs. They’re really struggling to stop the run, and Jones will take advantage big time.
Daryl Richardson (Rams RB) – I really like Richardson in deep leagues, who has basically worked his way up to split carries with Steven Jackson. Last week he ran for 76 yards off of 11 carries, and the Ram’s running game is their strength. They play a Packers defense, who has been inconsistent against the run, and they’ve allowed the 14th-most points to running backs. All things considered, look for Richardson to have a solid, maybe great game.
Brandon Gibson (Rams WR) – Gibson had a good first two weeks until Amendola became the guy. With Amendola out for the season, Gibson was targeted nine times last week and hauled in seven catches for 91 yards. He’s the guy benefiting most from Amendola’s absence, and after seeing some great catches last week, I think he could be a reliable fantasy option. The Packers also haven’t been great against the pass so far this year, allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to wideouts.
Kendall Wright (Titans WR) – He has seven, six and 10 fantasy points in the last three weeks respectively, and goes up against a Bills defense that’s given up the fourth-most fantasy points to wideouts this year. With Kenny Britt still slowly coming back to full form after injury, Wright has been the guy with 33 catches for 285 yards on the season. He gets targeted a lot and should fare well.
Carson Palmer (Raiders QB) – Palmer has thrown 286 yards per game this season, and against the Jaguars it could be a lot more. Darrius Heyward-Bey is back in action, and the Raiders have shown that they are capable of scoring 31 points against the Steelers, despite sitting at a 1-4 record. I love Palmer as a replacement for a guy on a bye this week.
Martellus Bennett (Giants TE) – Bennett has had two bad weeks after an impressive start to the season, but he banged up his knee, and the Giants didn’t have to throw a lot last week. With a Redskins opponent that has given up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends and full health, Bennett could see some good production. The 6-foot-6 tight end can do no wrong in the end zone.
Danny Woodhead (Patriots RB) – Woodhead has quietly scored no worse than seven fantasy points in the past four weeks, and Brandon Bolden is banged up. Bolden was not in Wednesday’s walk-through, and his status is cloudy for Sunday. An increased workload for Woodhead could mean great things this week against a Jets defense that has given up the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. He should have a great game, and maybe a monster game in PPR leagues. He’s a big threat catching underneath passes, catching five for 46 yards week.