Sleep-er (n) - A Player who has been warming your bench, but is ready for a breakout week this week. Here's your sleepers, this week.
QB
Mark Sanchez, PHI - Chip Kelly has managed to find success in the NFL even with an under performing Nick Foles this season. The 6-2 Eagles will now have Mark Sanchez leading the offense after Foles went down against the Texans with a broken collarbone. Sanchez went 15-22 for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions after entering the game. It's a small sample size but compared to Nick Foles' 13 TD's and 10 INT's, Sanchez was right on par with the Eagles do-enough-to-win offense. In any case this week Sanchez tops the list as a sleeper. The Panthers 26th rated defense has allowed an average of 246 passing yards while giving up 17 passing TD's. Despite a less than spectacular career in New York Mark, Sanchez is a capable quarterback and under Chip Kelly's tutelage we could see a relevant fantasy quarterback for the rest of the season.
Kyle Orton, BUF - BOILER UP! Kyle Orton has a 104 QB rating through his 4 games as starter. His stat line is 1128 yards with 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The Bills have a tough matchup in week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs but the key is that they are coming off the bye week and hosting. While KC isn't giving up a lot of yards through the air, they are on par with other defenses around the league with 13 passing TD's against. Kyle Orton is one of the best game managers in the league and that has been proven since he got the nod in Buffalo. His 9:3 TD to INT ratio proves he can take care of the ball and the Chiefs pass defense has only 4 interceptions on the year. The Chiefs pose the toughest test for Orton since taking over but that week of rest and extra time to game plan can't be underrated for the 5-3 Bills still in the playoff hunt.
RB
Terrance West, CLE - The Browns have officially raised the frustration level of fantasy owners everywhere. Isaiah Crowell was no where to be seen last week, Ben Tate was unable to get anything going and Terrance West sucked the least averaging 3.2 yards on 15 carries. Week 10 is a heavy bye week however, and Terrance West finds himself at the top of the Cleveland depth chart heading into a juicy match up with the Bengals. Cincinnati is tied with Cleveland for the second to last run defense in the league. I like West this week because Ben Tate is the opposite of the hot hand and Isaiah Crowell has fumbling issues. I don't expect West to run away with the running back position this week but he is my favorite to get more opportunities. He is also the clear cut red zone favorite over the bumbler and the fumbler. It's worth taking a flier if you need him this week.
Bobby Rainey, TB - As of right now, Doug Martin still has yet to be cleared for practice this week. This means Bobby Rainey is good bet to get the start against Atlanta in week 10. Last week against Cleveland, the second to worst run defense in the league, Rainey ran for 89 yards on 19 carries and added another 34 yards out of the backfield. This weeks matchup is just as good against an Atlanta run defense that has allowed 13 rushing TD's this season and isn't far behind on yards allowed either. Rainey is only owned in 50% of leagues and considering this weeks bye week jumble he is a good play with the match up.
WR
Davante Adams, GB - In his last three games, Davante Adams has 14 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers don't necessarily scream must start but they do show his potential value. Adams is the third guy in the Packers receiving corps and that leaves him prone to duds but he has been on the field for a lot of plays recently. This week the Packers host the Chicago Bears and that match up couldn't be a better time for fantasy owners to take a chance on Adams. The Bears are playing for their life, if any hope even still exists, and will be focused on shutting down the top weapons for Aaron Rodgers. Adams is going to get his fair share of looks and if he executes it could be his best fantasy day yet. He's an option as a WR3 in PPR and deeper leagues if you need him.
Martavis Bryant, PIT - Bryant is hardly a sleeper but it is hard to believe he is still only owned in about 56% of leagues. Let his presence on this list be the bitch smack you need to start this guy in week 10. Bryant has 5 TD's in 3 games on 17 targets. This included two back to back multiple touchdown games. Now, he does have some value issues due to his time spent splitting the position with Markus Wheaton, but that is no reason to ignore a guy who looks like the newest model of Randall Cobb. On top of all this statistical evidence you have maybe the juiciest match up of the week with the Steelers taking on the Jets and their worst rated pass defense. I get it, everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop on this guy. That very well may happen as we usually see hot streaks come back down to earth but it wont happen this week. Roethlisberger is on fire and this week against the Jets is not going to extinguish those flames. If you own him then you need to start him.
TE
Mychal Rivera, OAK - Rivera has become a shining light in the black hole that is the Oakland Raiders. No, that isn't a compliment to their stupid fan base nickname. The Raiders are 0-8 and are not going to be getting their first win in week 10 when they host the Denver Broncos. What we could see against the Broncos is the continued rise of Mycal Rivera. In the last two weeks Rivera has had 20 targets of which he caught 15 for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Now just because both touchdowns came last week doesn't mean you should be wary. His 20 targets and 15 receptions prove that he has become a big part of this offense. While we all know the Raiders won't win the game, that doesn't mean Rivera has no value. Denver is a good match up for opposing TE's and furthermore the Raider rookie QB is going to be forced to throw the ball a lot in an attempt to keep this game close.
