Finding fantasy football sleepers can be a great way to swing the matchup in your direction. Often, we’re forced to start unlikely players, usually due to injuries, bye weeks, or simply being in a deep league.
Determining if a spot is good for a sleeper involves considering the matchup and situation. How is this player being used within the offense? Have they shown flashes on the field? Factors like these can set certain sleepers apart. With that in mind, find out our top fantasy Sleepers for Week 3. Each player is widely available across all formats.
All sleepers are rostered in fewer than 25% of Yahoo leagues.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Baltimore Ravens (vs DET)
DeAndre Hopkins has played on only 26% snaps with an 8.5% target share in the first two weeks of the season. Despite the minor usage, Hopkins has four catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
The veteran has touchdown receptions of 29 and 41 yards in two games as a Raven. It’s clear that he’s showing immediate rapport with Lamar Jackson.
Now obviously, it’s better to chase usage rather than actual points. Since Hopkins has a minimal role, it’s hard to bank on this type of production. However, what if this strong play earns Hopkins more playing time? That’s certainly not out of the question.
Up next is a projected high-scoring game in a clash against the Detroit Lions. This is the type of matchup that could turn into an absolute shootout, just like we saw in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
With Hopkins available in 87% of Yahoo! leagues, he fits the bill of a Week 3 sleeper.
Dyami Brown, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
Up next is Dyami Brown, who is coming off a rock-solid game for the Jaguars, catching 5-of-7 targets for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that matchup, Brown played 80% of snaps and put up a 20% target share, which is the type of usage that you want to see.
Rookie Travis Hunter has been used more like the WR3 in this offense, which gives Brown more opportunities in the passing game. The next matchup is a tough one against the Houston Texans, who have one of the best defenses in the NFL, limiting the Rams and Buccaneers to a combined 34 points. However, with Brian Thomas Jr. banged up and not showing much chemistry with Trevor Lawrence, Brown could be an integral part of the Jaguars’ passing game once again.
Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders (vs. LV)
Chris Rodriguez has been inactive for the first two games, despite an intense camp where coaches consistently praised his rushing ability. However, with Austin Ekeler suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, Rodriguez is expected to be active against the Las Vegas Raiders for Week 3.
Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn has already stated that Rodriguez “will be back in the fold.” There’s an obvious risk that this is just a committee with Jacory Croskey-Merritt with Jeremy McNichols handling passing downs, but Rodriguez is still worth a look in deep leagues in case he gets goal-line carries.
While this is more of a long-term stash, Rodriguez still satisfies the criteria of a potential RB sleeper.
Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears (vs. DAL)
Luther Burden is a talented rookie wideout who has barely seen the field in the first two weeks of the season. However, Ben Johnson publicly stated that players who work hard will earn playing time. With a 0-2 start, there could be some changes in usage moving forward. That could potentially mean that Burden has an increased role, which is good news against the Cowboys, who just got shredded by the Giants for 450 yards.
Although you can only start Burden in an intense league, it is still worth picking up as a stash before Week 3. Remember, Burden is a second-round pick who was beloved by the fantasy community for his intriguing skillset throughout the offseason.
Should You Start or Sit Jacory Croskey-Merritt in Week 3?
We might get to the point where you just throw out any data against the Packers.
Bill Croskey-Merritt got his hands on the ball just four times in a game where the Commanders were behind for the vast majority of their offensive snaps and forced to throw 3.5 passes for every running back handoff.
On the bright side, Croskey-Merritt has gained yardage on 13-of-14 carries during his rookie season. That’s nice to see and is something he needs to sustain if he wants to remain a viable fantasy starter.
Through two games, he has one splash carry and zero catches. A two-down role with a mobile quarterback comes with a thin production line if your name isn’t Derrick Henry, and that’s what we are looking at here.
Austin Ekeler (Achilles) is done for the season, but I can’t imagine that his usage is simply transferred to Croskey-Merritt. We didn’t see him featured in a meaningful way in the pass game in any of his college stops, so while the injury raises his floor, I’m not sure the per-touch ceiling moves in a major way.
If I have access to a player with more upside, I’m likely to lean that way. That said, the elevated floor for a featured back on a talented offense with an extended prep week who is favored isn’t a tough sell.
Croskey-Merritt is my RB23 for Week 3.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
