Streaming Sleepers: Week 8

By :: Juan Carlos Blanco (@jcblanco22)

Each week, Streaming Sleepers will highlight at least five non-QB skill-position players and one team defense that currently have start or roster rates of 20% or less in season-long leagues but may be prudent options this week due to matchups and other circumstances, particularly in deeper formats. 

Additionally, the plays suggested here could be viable DFS large-field tournament options for the coming slate and are likely to carry modest ownership rates in that format as well.

Oronde Gadsden II, LAC vs. MIN - 4% start rate                    

We lead off with a TNF player this week, as the quality of Gadsden’s Week 7 isn’t in any way reflected in his paltry start rate. The rookie therefore makes the move up from our “Also Consider” section in Week 6 after posting a 7-164-1 line on nine targets against the Colts, Gadsden’s second straight seven-catch tally.

There’s no question the 2025 fifth-round pick – who often seems to channel his wide-receiver lineage in his fluidity, routes and usage – has taken the No. 1 tight-end job from Will Dissly. Thursday, he’ll face a Vikings defense that is going to undoubtedly permeate the Chargers’ makeshift offensive line frequently and force Justin Herbert to frequently get the ball out quickly. Minnesota has also conceded a 34-262-3 line on 45 targets to tight ends, furthering Gadsden’s already strong case.

Dalton Kincaid, BUF at CAR - 17% start rate

Kincaid is another athletic tight end in our sights this week, assuming the third-year pro is healthy enough to play through the oblique injury that sidelined him in Week 6. Kincaid had the Week 7 bye to heal up, and if he’s available for a normal workload, he’ll have a good chance to thrive as the Bills’ offense looks to send a message and get itself right with a date with the Chiefs looming in Week 9.

The Panthers’ defense has been playing much better in recent weeks after a rough start to the season, but Carolina has allowed a 40-475-4 receiving line to tight ends and 80% catch rate to the position. When Kincaid was last on the field in Week 5 against the Patriots, he brought in all six targets for 108 yards and now boasts a career-high 83.3% catch rate, 9.2-yard aDOT and 2.76 yards per route run.

Tyler Allgeier, ATL vs. MIA - 11% start rate

Allgeier admittedly always comes with some risk attached due to the uncertainty in his volume from week to week. The Week 7 loss to the 49ers was a good example of one of his downturns, as Allgeier logged just four carries and 14 snaps from scrimmage. However, that came on the heels of back-to-back carry totals, and he’s recorded double-digit totes in four of six games overall. His passing game usage has also been sparse thus far, but all of the concerns associated with Allgeier are alleviated to an extent this week because of the opponent.

The Dolphins’ defense did nothing to shed its sullied reputation against the Browns in Week 7, even though Miami actually did a solid job against Quinshon Judkins except for his long touchdown run. However, Miami is still surrendering 5.2 RB yards per carry and ranks No. 24 and No. 31, respectively, in second-level (1.34) and open-field (1.59) yards per carry surrendered, while Allgeier is gaining a career-high 87.7% of his yards after contact.

Juwan Johnson, NO vs. TB - 13% start rate

Johnson is the third tight end to make our main list this week, following his season-high 79-yard performance in Week 7 against the Bears, which he generated on five receptions over seven targets. Johnson is now joined by Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau on the positional depth chart, but he still profiles as the top pass-catching option at tight end for New Orleans, by far.

Johnson is no stranger to productive performances versus Todd Bowles’ Buccaneers defense, posting a 21-258-1 line over his last four games versus Tampa Bay. Bowles’ scheme often facilitates targets to tight ends, and this season, the Bucs have surrendered a 39-318-4 receiving line and 84.8% catch rate to the position. As one of Spencer Rattler’s most trusted targets, Johnson could be primed for another busy day in his offense-friendly home environment.

Tez Johnson, TB at NO - 8% start rate 

Sticking with the Buccaneers-Saints NFC South showdown, we’ll set our sights on Johnson, who’s already enjoying an ascending profile in Tampa Bay’s offense and may move up yet another notch on the depth chart for this game. Mike Evans suffered a concussion and broken collarbone on Monday night against the Lions, which will knock him out for multiple games, if not the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Chris Godwin missed a second straight game Monday due to his fibula injury, and reports indicate he could be held out at least one more week.

It all adds up to a potential Emeka Egbuka-Sterling Shepard-Johnson top wideout trio versus New Orleans, which has allowed 13.4 yards per catch to wide receivers and ranks in the bottom 10 in yards per game surrendered to WR3s (45.8). Johnson is lightning quick and very good after the catch, averaging an outstanding 6.8 yards post-reception per grab. He’s also scored in consecutive games and has a 9-162-2 receiving line in the last three contests, averaging an elite 4.38 yards per route run in that latter span.

Baltimore Ravens Defense vs. Chicago Bears- 17% roster rate

The Bears came through as our streaming defense last week, but we’re flipping the script in Week 8 and instead targeting Chicago’s offense with a Ravens defense that has too much pride and talent – not to mention, improving health – to not start playing improved football as the season unfolds. The fact Baltimore is coming out of its bye and is at home certainly doesn’t hurt, and it’s worth noting there were already some encouraging signs against the Rams in Week 6. 

The Ravens sacked and caused Matthew Stafford to fumble twice apiece, with one of those resulting in a turnover. They also held Los Angeles to 4.7 yards per play, and although Puka Nacua’s in-game foot injury led to sparse second-half snaps for the star receiver, it was a strong defensive performance against a quality offense overall.

Baltimore could have Roquan Smith back from his hamstring injury this week after benefitting from the returns of Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton versus L.A. Chidobe Awuzie could also have a chance to play after a two-game absence due to a hamstring issue. The Bears’ offense, and Caleb Williams in particular, are still somewhat erratic despite Ben Johnson’s influence, and the return of Smith in particular would tighten up the Ravens against both the run and pass.

ALSO CONSIDER ::

Alec Pierce, IND vs. TEN - 6% start rate

Posted a 5-98-0 line on 10 targets in Week 7 with Josh Downs sidelined by a concussion, and even if the latter returns in Week 8, Pierce retains a consistent downfield role and is averaging a career-high 2.78 yards per route run while taking five of his 16 catches for 20+ yards.

Jaylin Noel, HOU vs. SF - 1% roster rate

Stepped up with a career-best 4-77-0 line on seven targets versus the Seahawks on Monday night with Christian Kirk (hamstring) sidelined and Nico Collins exiting early in the fourth quarter with a concussion. Could be set for elevated role again if at least one of his two position mates sits out.

Pat Freiermuth, PIT vs. GB - 7% roster rate

We could go with Jonnu Smith (7% start rate) here as well, but Freiermuth is coming off a season-best 5-111-2 line on six targets in Week 7 against the Bengals and now faces a Packers defense that’s allowed an NFL-high 50 receptions to tight ends. 

Theo Johnson, NYG at PHI - 9% start rate

The chemistry with Jaxson Dart is real, as Johnson checks in with a 14-143-4 line and is being targeted on 30.3% of his routes over the first four games of the rookie quarterback’s starting tenure.

Colston Loveland, CHI at BAL - 4% start rate

Cole Kmet left the Week 7 win over the Saints due to a back injury, and Loveland finished with a career-high three receptions. The rookie could now be the top tight end against a Ravens defense that’s allowed a 90.7% catch rate and 39-402-2 line to the position in six games.