Week 6 TE Sleepers
As we’ve seen from guys like Jordan Reed, Delanie Walker, and even Rob Gronkowski, spending up on a tight end isn’t always the best idea. These “onesie” positions generally have replacement value available on the waiver wire, as backup TEs or QBs are usually the first to go in a roster crunch. Each week, we bring you three TE sleepers that will help you to replace one of these TEs that have been disastrous for you or to help you narrow the pool to find TE sleepers worth starting each week. As always, these week 6 TE sleepers are available in over 50% of Yahoo! leagues, with one exceptionally deep dive for those looking for availability In 90% or more of Yahoo! leagues.
O.J. Howard at Atlanta (50% owned)
I’ve been hammering the Atlanta-Tampa Bay matchup for sleepers and start-sits this week because this game is going to be massive. How massive? The 60 point over/under (per RotoGrinders.com) ties with Patriots-Chiefs as the highest O/U line on the entire season. There’s a reason Howard is just 50% owned… he’s hurt. He’s listed as questionable but was a full participant this weekend. If he does play, expect him to continue his torrid 2018, where his average (when he doesn’t get hurt) is 74 yards. Or not, because Cameron Brate and Jameis are BFFs.
C.J. Uzomah versus Pittsburgh (28% owned)
There was a lot of questioning whether it would be Tyler Kroft or C.J. Uzomah taking over for the brutally injured Tyler Eifert this year. Despite the obvious Tyler-Tyler connection, the Bengals opted for Uzomah last weekend. Uzomah out-snapped Kroft 55-24, and received more targets and actually caught a pass (which is more than could be said for Kroft). The Steelers are the second-worst defense at stopping TEs, and Austin Hooper lit them up last weekend. As they say, Uzomah, more like Use ‘im, ma! (you’re ma in this situation… just go with it).
Ryan Griffin versus Buffalo (3% owned)
From the offense that made C.J. Fiedorowicz a thing comes Ryan Griffin, a name that I’m sure exists in an aborted Family Guy script about a long-lost littermate of the dog or something. Griffin disappears, but when he pops, he pops. Last weekend he had nine targets, and I don’t want to chase targets, but when you’re this deep, you’re guessing at touchdowns. I’ll take the guy fourth in TE red zone targets (8) behind Eric Ebron, Jared Cook, and Zach Ertz. The Raiders are middling against tight ends on the season, but that mostly speaks to their competition. They’ve allowed a touchdown to TEs in each of their last two games, so let’s bet on that trend continuing, shall we? In deep leagues, Griffin might be your only good option among week 6 TE sleepers.
