Streaming Sleepers: Week 9

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.

Chimere Dike, TEN vs. LAC - 5% start rate     

Dike graduates from our “Also Consider” section in Week 8 to a main suggestion in Week 9, as the rookie continues to flash improving chemistry with fellow draft class mate Cam Ward. Dike posted a career-best 7-93-0 line on eight targets against the Colts last Sunday, playing a career-high 59 snaps on offense in the process.

Dike had just posted a then-career-high 4-70-1 tally against the Patriots in Week 7, so the Florida product is certainly on an upward trajectory. Calvin Ridley (hamstring) could miss another game this week as well, but irrespective of his veteran teammate’s availability, Dike is an intriguing option against a talented Chargers defense that’s nevertheless yielded just under 12.0 yards per reception to WRs.

Kyle Monangai, CHI at CIN - 9% start rate

Monangai is another first-year player that’s shown some signs of ascending within his offense, having contributed 105 rushing yards and a TD on 20 carries over the last pair of games while logging his two highest snap counts of the season in that span.

The seventh-round pick has also been productive during his few opportunities as a receiver, generating a 6-61 line on nine targets while already taking one of those catches for 20+ yards. 

While it’s undeniable that Monangai is best suited as a deep-league start if you’re trying to cover a bye week or as a larger-field tournament option in DFS, the matchup against the Bengals does offer reason for optimism – Cincinnati has allowed a league-high 5.4 adjusted line yards and AFC-high 5.3 RB yards per carry.

Troy Franklin, DEN at HOU - 19% start rate

The Texans defense is legitmate, so we can start by readily conceding the matchup isn’t exactly ideal here. However, Franklin comes in just under our cutoff in terms of start rate, and he’s been clicking lately with college teammate Bo Nix to the tune of three touchdown receptions over the last pair of contests. 

Franklin also tied a season high with 89 receiving yards in Week 8 against the Cowboys, a game where he posted his second-highest reception tally (six) and tied his third-highest target total (eight) of the season while turning two of those grabs into TDs. The Texans have been tough against the pass, but they’re yielding 13.2 yards per catch to wide receivers, offering some paths for production for Franklin.

Christian Watson, GB vs. CAR - 3% start rate

Watson isn’t going to have a start rate this low for long if his season debut is any indication. Making his first appearance since tearing his ACL against the Bears in Week 18 of last season, Watson brought in all four targets for 85 yards against the Steelers in Green Bay’s Week 8 road victory. The fourth-year pro logged a solid 35 snaps right out of the gate, so playing time doesn’t profile as a concern moving forward.

The Panthers defense has clearly made some strides this season and has been tough on the pass, but Carolina is surrendering 11.1 yards per completion on the road and 12.5 yards per reception to wide receivers overall. Watson averaged a career-high 2.35 yards per route run last season before his injury, and given his instant rekindling of chemistry with Jordan Love, he could deliver another solid return during a game Green Bay is projected for 29 points in as of mid-week.

Bam Knight, ARI at DAL - 7% start rate 

Knight is the clear No. 1 option in the Cardinals’ backfield heading into this Monday night clash against the vulnerable Cowboys defense, as Michael Carter has been released and Emari Demercado, who’s dealing with an ankle injury, is clearly a change-of-pace option. Knight will be refreshed coming out of the Week 8 bye, and he logged a season-high 17 touches last time he was on the field in Week 7 against the Packers.

Knight hasn’t delivered particularly noteworthy returns thus far, but he did score in back-to-back games in Weeks 5 and 6 while filling a lesser role than he’s projected to see in this Week 9 slate-ending game. Additionally, the Cowboys are surrendering 4.9 RB yards per carry, and they’re also ranked No. 31 in second-level yards (1.52) and No. 24 in open-field yards (1.02) per carry surrendered.

Los Angeles Rams Defense vs. New Orleans Saints - 27% start rate

We’ll make an exception on our 20% start rate rule in order to be able to include a viable defense this week, with the Rams certainly worthy of consideration based on a number of factors. The first is the fact Los Angeles will be at home and coming out of the bye, setting up a fairly ideal fantasy scenario. Additionally, they get a struggling opponent that will roll out a rookie quarterback in Tyler Shough making his first NFL start.

Shough was serviceable after taking over for Spencer Rattler in Week 8 against the Buccaneers, but he ultimately averaged just 4.3 yards per attempt while completing a mediocre 56.7% of his 30 passes. The Rams’ ability to apply heavy pressure – Los Angeles has an NFC-high 26 sacks despite having already had its bye and also ranks in the top 10 in pressure rate (8.7%) – could very well lead to some turnovers and a good number of sacks as well. 

The Saints are unsurprisingly projected for a slate-low 14.75 points as of Tuesday night, and that’s a total that’s already been bet down from an open of 15.25. Given all the factors cited, it’s difficult to envision going wrong by deploying this defensive unit this week.

ALSO CONSIDER ::

Alec Pierce, IND at PIT - 13% start rate        

Contributed 69 receiving yards in Week 8, his fourth tally of over 65 in the last five games; facing a Steelers defense allowing 10.3 yards per completion and playing man at the NFL’s eighth-highest rate (42.2%). 

Tre Tucker, LVR vs. JAX - 5% start rate

Already has five receptions of 20+ yards among 29 grabs and also sports a career-high 74.4% catch rate, while Jaguars are tied for third-most TD receptions surrendered to WRs (10).

Jameson Williams, DET vs. MIN - 18% start rate

Production has been maddeningly volatile, but he lays claim to 37.9% of the Lions’ air yards and the Vikings are giving up 15.0 yards per reception to WRs, along with an NFL-high 12.7 yards per completion in the last three games.