Double digits are by the NFL week already. Not only does that mean we are in the second half of this season, but the weeks to qualify for the fantasy postseason are dwindling.
The uncertainty of NFL powerhouses remains, as do the Jekyll and Hyde performances of many players. Unless you spent a high pick on guys such as Josh Allen, Bijan Robinson or Trey McBride, your weeks from players who were supposed to provide consistency have been more of a rollercoaster. Saquon Barkley? Ja’Marr Chase? George Kittle?
Now, waiver wires are thin, there’s no denying it. In a week that features Cincinnati, Kansas City and Dallas all off, you’re likely again throwing Hail Marys.
Back by popular demand this season: the top five sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, more times than not so far this season, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball.
What you may need is that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with.
Last week, we saw Seahawks’ QB Sam Darnold, Jaguars’ RB Travis Etienne, Cardinals’ RB Zonovan Knight, Panthers’ WR Tetairoa McMillan, Commanders’ TE Zach Ertz – and a bonus unit of Texans’ RB Woody Marks – make the list.
The Darnold pick alone won people their leagues at RSJ. It’s in our top calls of the year so far.
To help you make more decisions this week, this article contains my top five sleepers of the week, and why.
Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 10 Rankings.
Jacoby Brissett, QB, Arizona Cardinals
@ Seattle Seahawks
“The first thing we have to do is recognize that Jacoby’s good,” former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner told The Arizona Republic earlier this week.
Arizona not only sent Kyler Murray to injured reserve, but also named Jacoby Brissett its starter regardless.
Brissett now has more than 260 yards in three starts in a row, including one with 320.
Seattle just limited the Commanders’ offense dominantly in Week 9, but a slew of injuries in Washington helped them. This week, the Seahawks are facing a healthy new-look offense that is getting its reserve receivers more involved.
Murray relies on his first read and scrambling most, but Brissett progresses through different reads and can still extend plays. With Arizona’s run game still turning up major question marks, Brissett may be closer to the mid-30s in terms of pass attempts. Even if the Cardinals don’t win, Brissett doesn’t need to to be fantasy relevant.
Brissett ranks in Tier 5 (QB 23) on The Wolf’s Week 10 Rankings.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
@ New York Jets
The Jets did more than punt at the trade deadline, sending both Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to new teams. New York is already in the bottom third of the league in fantasy points allowed to running backs, and Quinshon Judkins should be able to exploit them.
Judkins won’t score three touchdowns again like he did against Miami, but this poor of a rush defense could set him up for one of his best games of his rookie season.
He enters this week without an injury designation, after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 8 before the Browns’ bye, and has his average this season above four yards per carry.
Even if this is a low scoring game, Judkins could get around 20 carries, doing enough for a fantasy-relevant day.
Judkins ranks in Tier 4 (RB 17) on The Wolf’s Week 10 Rankings.
Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants
@ Chicago Bears
I have one eye closed while writing this one. But on a week with slim pickings, here we are, once again believing in Santa…I mean Devin Singletary.
Chicago has allowed Derrick Henry and Kyle Monangai in its last two games to rack up fantasy points, and because Singletary played more than Tyrone Tracy Jr. last week in the team’s first start without Cam Skattebo, I have to believe the bulk of work is staying with him.
Still just a flex option in all formats, Singletary deserves consideration over other players around him such as Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Tyler Allegier and Zonovan Knight on The Wolf’s rankings.
Singletary ranks in Tier 7 (RB 52) on The Wolf’s Week 10 Rankings.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills
@ Miami Dolphins
It’s any given Sunday for receiving options in Buffalo, but I’m encouraged by Khalil Shakir’s 15 targets in the last two games.
Shakir should remain Josh Allen’s go-to option in short-yardage situations this week in Miami. A weak defense all around, the Dolphins could easily allow chunks of yards after catch to anyone.
Shakir caught every pass thrown his way in Week 3 in this first division matchup this season, and scored a touchdown, for his third-highest fantasy output.
Be mindful that he likely needs to find the end zone to set him apart from other receiver sleepers.
Shakir ranks in Tier 6 (WR 35) on The Wolf’s Week 10 Rankings.
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints
@ Carolina Panthers
With Rashid Shaheed shipped to Seattle, Juwan Johnson should be in for an uptick in volume. With the Panthers being one of the weakest teams against tight ends this year, the time for that could not be better.
A majority of tight ends against Carolina so far this year have scored double-digit fantasy points even if they don’t find the end zone. What’s even better for Johnson? He did find the end zone last week when the Saints only scored one.
The trust from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in the red zone, and Johnson’s consistency of scoring more than 10 PPR points than not in games this season make him a perfect sleeper option.
Johnson ranks in Tier 5 (TE 27) on The Wolf’s Week 10 Rankings.
