Fantasy Football: Sleeping Players of Week 1

We’re back for another run through the sleeper streets, bringing you underrated player considerations every week of the fantasy football season. We’re excited. There’s some fun stuff coming up.

Of course, Week 1 isn’t your typical fantasy sleeper week. Most of you have just drafted your dream team, a healthy group of football players that are going to the moon (at least in your eyes). Injuries haven’t gotten out of hand yet. Bye weeks are still a month away. If there was ever a “play the hits, roll with your main guys” type of week, it’s the opening week of the NFL season.

That said, there are a few underrated pieces on the Week 1 board. Let’s take a look at them.

QB/TE Taysom Hill vs. Panthers (57% on the list, 10% starting)

I’ve spent most of the summer trying to downplay the New Orleans offense. I don’t trust Derek Carr; okay, nobody does. I avoid Alvin Kamara. I’ve drafted shares of Chris Olave, but I know the risks I’m taking there. And it’s not just the skill players that make me nervous; the Saints are expected to have a terrible offensive line, too.

But don’t close the book too soon. Hill is ready to save the day.

It feels wrong to label Hill as a quarterback or a tight end, since he’s not the traditional version of either. But he carries the TE tag in many fantasy leagues (including Yahoo, of course), and you’re playing by the rules in front of you. Hill has a good shot at being the goal-line back in New Orleans (consider that Kamara has just 10 touchdowns in his last 28 games), and he’s a smart target for fantasy teams that have punted on tight ends. Everyone wants to bomb the driver off the tee, but sometimes you gotta hit a hybrid.

RB Chuba Hubbard vs. Saints (64% on list, 12% start)

Hubbard’s fantasy value last year was more about opportunity than efficiency, though the state of Carolina’s offense ruined the latter. But Hubbard is primed to flourish in 2024, opening the year as Carolina’s clear featured back and likely bolstered by a Dave Canales scheme.

Hubbard can play in all situations (note his juicy 88.6% catch rate last year) and the Saints present a standard defensive matchup on Sunday. Canales turned Rachaad White into a crafty fantasy hero last year and he can do something similar with Hubbard now. I’m surprised Hubbard currently starts in just 12% of Yahoo leagues.

WR DeMario Douglas at Bengals (16% on roster, 1% starting)

Full disclosure, I expect the Patriots to be the worst team in the NFL this year. Their expected win total is a modest 4.5, and I still consider that an absolute lowball. Tell me, where are the wins on this schedule.

But we have to keep an open mind about any NFL team for fantasy purposes, and I do that with Douglas. He had 31 grabs in his seven starts as a rookie, which projects to 75 over a full season. That’s useful in any format that includes PPR. Douglas is also in line for the slot this year, the quick, game-changing throws that every offense needs. There may not be many right answers in Foxborough this year, but Douglas could be one of them.

RB Jaylen Wright vs. Jaguars (23% on roster, 0% starting)

At some point this season, the fantasy football world is going to collectively go crazy for Wright. He’s another speed demon added to Miami’s Athletics roster, and while he’s an obvious backup to open the year, there’s an easy path to relevance. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel wants to use multiple backs, so if Raheem Mostert or De’Von Achane get hurt, Wright becomes a plug-and-play fantasy option.

We would like to remind you that Mostert is entering his 32nd season and that Achane missed six games last year.

Wright is listed in about a quarter of Yahoo leagues, which is way too low. His upside is sky-high. Did you see his 4.38 40 time before the draft? Did you see all those splash plays at Tennessee? I want you to beat the rush and add Wright to your list now.