Fantasy Football Sleepers: 3 Breakout Picks for NFL Week 7

NFL Sleepers for This Week in Summary

• Braelon Allen, RB, Jets
• KC Concepcion, WR, Browns
• Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles

Every fantasy football week presents new opportunities to uncover value, and some of the best options aren't always the biggest names. Whether it's a favorable matchup, an expanded role, an injury creating opportunity or a player showing signs of a breakout, the fantasy landscape can change quickly from one week to the next.

With that in mind, here are some fantasy football sleepers to consider for this week. These players may not be automatic starts in every league, but each has a combination of opportunity and upside that makes them worth a closer look for the week ahead.

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 This Week (Week 7)

Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

Braelon Allen has made a strong case for a sizable role in the New York Jets’ backfield, and assuming Breece Hall is out again, Allen can have a big week.

Allen has taken advantage of his increased workload by rushing for 253 yards and a touchdown on 55 carries over his past three games, good for a healthy 4.6 yards per carry. For the season, he's up to 314 rushing yards on 74 attempts, and his combination of volume and efficiency gives him plenty of fantasy appeal if he continues to see significant work.

The matchup makes Allen particularly interesting this week against the Miami Dolphins. Miami has struggled to slow down opposing ground games, and Allen has already demonstrated that he can handle a featured workload when called upon.

Even if Hall returns, Allen's recent performance should make it difficult for New York to completely phase him out, giving him an intriguing combination of floor and touchdown upside for fantasy managers searching for a Week 7 sleeper.

KC Concepcion, WR, Cleveland Browns

KC Concepcion hasn't produced a true breakout fantasy performance yet, but the opportunities are there in the Cleveland Browns’ passing game.

Last week, Concepcion caught 4 of 6 targets for 37 yards while also receiving two rushing attempts. He tied for Cleveland's team lead in receptions and paced the Browns in targets, and he's now totaled 22 receptions through his first six NFL games. The two carries a week ago highlight that the Browns are willing to go the extra mile to get him the rock.

That involvement gives Concepcion an interesting ceiling against the Tennessee Titans. Cleveland has been willing to manufacture opportunities for the rookie both as a receiver and runner, giving him multiple avenues to produce fantasy points.

With six targets in his return last week and a favorable matchup on tap, Concepcion is a deeper-league sleeper who could turn increased volume into his best fantasy outing yet.

Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Makai Lemon continues to see enough opportunities in the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game to warrant sleeper consideration.

Lemon has drawn at least six targets in three consecutive games, including six last week, and he's totaled 18 receptions for 127 yards on 28 targets through six contests. Perhaps most encouragingly, Lemon ran 45 routes on 49 dropbacks last week, so his modest production wasn't the result of a lack of playing time.

The volume gives him some breakout appeal in a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys — even with Tanner McKee under center. Lemon is still a volatile fantasy option considering he hasn't scored a touchdown yet, but consistently being on the field and earning targets gives him opportunities to change that quickly.

For fantasy managers searching deeper down the rankings, Lemon's growing role and favorable matchup make him an intriguing Week 7 dart throw.

Fantasy Football Sleepers FAQ

What is a fantasy football sleeper?

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.

New customers can get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — guaranteed — when you bet $5 every day for seven days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Interested in playing NFL DFS? Head over to FanDuel’s daily fantasy football lobby to see all the offerings for this week's slates.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

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.