Fantasy Football Sleepers: Week 2
Now that the 2023 NFL season has officially wrapped up the first NFL week, it’s time to dive into some relevant fantasy football sleepers to target. Whether these players are available on league waiver wires, or deserve to be flexed into starting lineups in upcoming games, you should prioritize getting them onto your roster. Sleeper has become an over-used term in the fantasy football industry, often applied to obvious players who are either already rostered or featured in starting lineups. Here at FantasyData, we dig deep to give you the edge needed to win your league.
We’ve only seen one week of meaningful NFL games transpire, plus, tends to produce some chaotic results that don’t necessarily hold up over the remainder of a fantasy football season. That said, there were some really impressive outings from players that are all less than 60 percent owned in managed leagues on ESPN. NFL fantasy analyst Matt MacKay returns with his favorite fantasy football Week 2 sleepers to target ahead of the first waiver wire run of the 2023 season.
Kyren Williams (RB – Rams)
Much of the offseason was spent discussing Cam Akers ‘ upside in a top-heavy Los Angeles Rams offense. Especially with the hamstring injury that placed Cooper Kupp on IR. While Akers did find the end zone, it was Kyren Williams who saw the value touches, punching in two touchdowns from inside the ten. Williams also saw a five percent target share, which is small, however, it’s much better than the zero targets Akers received from quarterback Matthew Stafford. Akers still commanded a 55 percent rush share, compared to 37.5 percent for Williams, but the second-year running back taken out of Notre Dame in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft warrants a roster spot at the very least. Rams’ upcoming schedule includes the 49ers, Bengals, and Colts, where game script could see Williams increase his target share, while handling red zone touches to be a fringe RB3 with RB2 upside.
Roschon Johnson (RB – Bears)
Chicago’s backfield was ignored in a lot of fantasy drafts due to the presence of Justin Fields, yet rookie running back Roschon Johnson excelled in his first NFL game. Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick out of Texas, who played behind Bijan Robinson in college, showcased his speed and strength, handling five carries for 20 yards and a touchdown, including six receptions for 35 receiving yards on seven targets. Johnson played the most snaps and saw a 19 percent target share, leading to 14.5 fantasy points in half PPR formats. He’s only rostered in 21 percent of leagues, so in a run-centric Luke Getsy offense that could see Fields air it out more to his running backs, Johnson is an RB4 with RB3 upside despite playing in a crowded Bears backfield.
Rashid Shaheed (WR – Saints)
Rashid Shaheed emerged down the stretch during a lost season with the Saints in 2022, but the second-year wideout has made notable improvements in his game based on his Week 1 outing against the Titans. Yes, it was a soft matchup, but Shaheed was the WR3 behind Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, playing 53 percent of snaps, while garnering an 18.8 percent target share. His blend of size and speed, along with quality hands, makes Shaheed an intriguing stash on fantasy rosters, as he recorded five receptions for 89 yards and the Saints’ only touchdown of the game. Treat Shaheed as a WR4 with WR3 upside moving into a Week 2 matchup against the Panthers.
Zay Jones (WR – Jaguars)
It was the Calvin Ridley show for Jacksonville in last week, but don’t sleep on Zay Jones. After a resurgent 2022 season, Jones still drew a 21.9 percent target share, which was nearly three times higher than Christian Kirk, while recording five receptions on seven targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. Jones caught 82 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns without Ridley on the field in 2022, so expecting defenses to align their game plan against Ridley, Jones could be hitting even bigger numbers in 2023. Add Jones as a WR3 with WR2 upside entering a home game against the Chiefs in Week 2, whom he recorded at least five receptions and 68 yards against in two games last season.
Zach Ertz (TE – Cardinals)
They say a tight end is a quarterback’s best friend and this was certainly the case for Arizona’s quarterback, Josh Dobbs, who was brought in late to learn the playbook. Dobbs targeted his TE1 Zach Ertz 10 times, earning a 33 percent target share, doubling WR1 Marquise Brown, who logged a 16.7 percent target share. Ertz’s health has flared up in recent years but as long as he’s on the field for the Cardinals, expect Dobbs to find him early and often. Ertz can be inserted into lineups as a solid TE1 prospect against the New York Giants in Week 2.
Mac Jones (QB – Patriots)
The return of Bill O’Brien in New England has already appeared to upgrade Mac Jones and the surrounding offense. Jones had a down year in 2022 but his playcallers were inexperienced to say the least, so inserting a mind like O’Brien’s into the OC role was a great hire by the Patriots. Jones has untapped potential entering his third season, brandishing a strong, accurate arm despite having an underwhelming wide receiving corps. His tight ends and running backs should continue to soak up targets, while Jones’ sneaky mobility makes him a good plug-and-play quarterback in 1QB formats due to bye weeks or injuries. Miami’s defense is not very good, so a divisional matchup at home could see Jones throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns once again.
