Martavis Bryant is looking to return from a Week 8 benching and return to form against an exploitable Colts’ defense.
Credit:@SNFonNBC
Week 10 in the NFL is already here, and fantasy football playoffs will be starting in a little less than a month. These matchups are coming at a crucial time in the season, and some owners might need help with four teams on a bye this weekend. Here is a list of some of the top sleeper picks in fantasy football this week.
Martavis Bryant, WR Pittsburgh Steelers:
With the Steelers coming off of their bye week, all of the buzz surrounding the team seems to have to do with star rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster, however fellow wide-receiver Martavis Bryant figures to get back into the game plan following a Week 8 benching. Initially, Bryant was benched by the team after a social media rant in which he called out Smith-Schuster after a game; now it is time to see if they will allow him to play this weekend against the Colts. At the time of this writing, the talented receiver was practicing with the first team offense and had hopes of taking the field come Sunday. If he does indeed start, I think he could provide solid value against a Colts’ secondary that has allowed a league-high of 13.9 yards per catch to opposing receivers this season. JuJu Smith-Schuster flashed some impressive speed in their last game when he caught a pass and took it for a 97-yard touchdown, but Bryant remains the premier deep threat on offense. If everything goes according to plan and he plays this weekend, slot Bryant in as a low-end flex option with WR2 upside.
Devontae Booker, RB Denver Broncos:
The Broncos aren’t in a good place right now as the playoff picture is starting to take shape around the league. The offense was led by Brock Osweiler last Sunday and failed to register a touchdown until the fourth quarter in a 51-23 blowout loss to the Eagles. Denver is looking forward to another possible loss when the New England Patriots visit the Mile High city this Sunday. Luckily, the Patriots’ defense is still one of the worst in football and has given up a league-high of 5.1 yards per carry, making backup running back Devontae Booker an intriguing option this week. C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles struggled mightily last week, and Booker looked like the best of the group on his six carries. The coaching staff in Denver may need to try something different to get the offense going, giving the second year running back the majority of the carries could be the answer. Booker scored against Kansas City in Week 8 and could end up being the preferred goal-line running back against New England. He is a low-end flex option, but a trip to the end-zone could provide nice value to those daring enough to start the former fourth-round pick.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
In what will be a rematch against his former squad, Ryan Fitzpatrick will have some great potential heading into Sunday’s matchup against the New York Jets. Usual starter Jameis Winston will give way to Fitzpatrick for the next two games after further injuring his throwing shoulder in last week’s game against the Saints. It will be the third game this season that the 34-year-old signal caller will be asked to go to center and has looked solid in his action so far with Tampa Bay. When Winston got knocked out of the Week 6 game against the Cardinals, Fitzpatrick came in and put up 20 fantasy points in limited action. It will be tough going without star wide receiver Mike Evans who will be serving a one-game suspension on Sunday, but the Jets have allowed a league-high of 19 passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season. The Buccaneers still feature enough weapons to put up some solid points with Fitzpatrick at the helm. Slot the veteran in as a mid-range QB2 with some substantial QB1 potential in this game.
D’Onta Foreman, RB Houston Texans:
With quarterback Deshaun Watson out for the rest of the season, the Texans’ offense looked very sluggish against a mediocre Colts’ defense last week. This weekend they may lean heavily on the run game because they are facing the Rams, who has given up 4.6 yards per carry and eight rushing touchdowns so far this season. D’Onta Foreman and Lamar Miller split the carries pretty evenly last week, and the Texans could employ more of a running back-by-committee moving forward with their lacking passing attack. The veteran Miller has been a bit of a disappointment this season, only averaging 3.7 yards per carry, and the rookie Foreman (4 yards per carry) may be called upon to spark the offense down the stretch. Starting the former Texas Longhorn this week may be risky, but if he gets double-digit touches again, there could be a chance he finds the end zone for the first time in his career. Start Foreman as a deep sleeper and a low-end flex option in larger leagues.
Hunter Henry, TE Los Angeles Chargers:
Coming off of a bye, the Chargers will have their hands full, facing the elite Jaguars’ pass defense on the road this week. It is tough to recommend any receiver against Jacksonville, but with the possibility of wide receivers Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams being shut down, it may be time for the Hunter Henry to step up and make some big plays. The second-year tight end has three games this season with at least 73 yards receiving and this could be a contest where quarterback Philip Rivers looks to him early and often. With two touchdowns on the year so far, Henry has a chance to find the end zone against a defense that won’t be focusing on him very much. Slot Henry in as a TE2 with some possible TE1 upside.
