3 Fantasy Football Sleepers for NFL Week 2

NFL Sleepers for This Week in Summary

• Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
• Pat Bryant, WR, Broncos
• Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys

One week of the NFL season is in the books, giving fantasy football managers their first batch of real data to work with.

Week 1 can reveal plenty about player usage, including snap rates, routes, targets and touches. While it's important not to overreact to a single game, those early trends can help us identify players who may be positioned to outperform expectations in Week 2.

Whether you're dealing with an injury, looking for a flex option or simply searching for some upside, there are several under-the-radar players worth considering this week.

With that in mind, let's take a look at three fantasy football sleepers for NFL Week 2.

We'll reference our NFL projections. All NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Best Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 2

Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings

Jordan Addison is an intriguing bounce-back sleeper for Week 2 despite failing to record a catch in the Minnesota Vikings‘ opener.

Addison failed to catch either of his two targets against the Green Bay Packers, but his playing time tells a much more encouraging story. He was in on 54 of Minnesota's 65 offensive snaps, good for an 83.1% snap rate, trailing only Justin Jefferson (60 snaps) among Vikings wide receivers. Addison also ran 28 routes, so the lack of Week 1 production wasn't the result of a reduced role.

That makes this week's matchup with the Chicago Bears particularly appealing. The Bears surrendered 478 total yards and 353 passing yards to the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, allowing the Panthers to score 37 points.

Most notably for Addison, Carolina's No. 2 receiver, Jalen Coker, absolutely torched the Bears. Coker caught 8 of 9 targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51-yard score.

Jefferson will obviously remain the focal point of Minnesota's passing attack, but Addison's Week 1 usage suggests he's still firmly entrenched as a full-time receiver. Against a Chicago secondary that just allowed a huge performance to Coker, Addison has an appealing combination of playing time, matchup and big-play upside that makes him a strong Week 2 sleeper candidate.

Pat Bryant, WR, Broncos

Pat Bryant is an interesting fantasy football sleeper for Week 2 after leading the Denver Broncos in targets during their season opener. Bryant saw six targets against the Kansas City Chiefs, turning them into four catches for 42 yards, giving him more targets than both Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton.

The matchup gets more appealing in Week 2, with Denver facing the Jacksonville Jaguars at home. By snap rate, Bryant is currently operating as the Broncos' third receiver, but his Week 1 target count suggests he could have a significant role in the passing game. He also played ahead of Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin, further supporting the idea that he's firmly in Denver's receiver rotation.

The biggest concern is that Denver's offense produced only 176 total yards in Week 1, so Bryant's six targets came in a difficult environment. Still, a team-high target total is difficult to ignore, and the matchup is easier this time around.

Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys

Jake Ferguson is an intriguing tight end sleeper for Week 2, particularly because his Week 1 playing time suggests he remains firmly entrenched in the Dallas Cowboys' offense.

Ferguson handled a 75% snap share in Week 1 while also running a route on 75% of Dallas' pass plays. That type of consistent usage gives him a solid opportunity base even though he finished Week 1 with just two catches for six yards against the New York Giants.

The matchup with the Washington Commanders this week also provides plenty of appeal. The Commanders surrendered 77 receiving yards and two touchdowns to Dallas Goedert in the season opener. A year ago, Washington surrendered the seventh-most receiving yards per game to TEs.

Ferguson obviously needs more involvement in the passing game to truly pop, but his high snap and route shares show that he's on the field for those opportunities. Against a Washington defense that just gave up a big performance to Goedert, Ferguson has a chance to turn his strong playing-time floor into a much better fantasy line in Week 2.

Fantasy Football Sleepers FAQ

What is a fantasy football sleeper for this week?

A fantasy football sleeper for this week is a player who isn't widely viewed as a must-start but has a favorable combination of matchup, opportunity and recent production that could lead to a strong fantasy performance.

How do you identify fantasy football sleepers each week?

We look at factors such as recent usage, snap counts, targets, touches, red-zone opportunities, injuries and the player's individual matchup. Changes in a player's role can also create new sleeper opportunities from week to week.

Should I start a fantasy football sleeper this week?

That depends on your league, your roster and the player's situation. A sleeper can be a strong option when you're dealing with an injury, a bye week or a difficult matchup for one of your usual starters, but it's important to consider each player's floor as well as their upside.

Do fantasy football sleepers change every week?

Yes. Sleeper candidates can change significantly as the season progresses because of injuries, emerging players, coaching decisions, matchups and changing workloads. That's why it's useful to reevaluate potential sleepers each week.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.