BY A.J. KURZMAN
After week six of fantasy football, it’s clear that the true contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pretenders. Injuries are taking their toll on big name players such as Julio Jones, Randall Cobb, Steven Jackson, and Danny Amendola (with my good luck I happened to draft three of those four players for my team). Bye weeks are also in full effect so depth is being tested on every team. It’s the time when the strong survive and the weak crumble. Now, more than ever, successful free agent finds are imperative. Here are my top free agent sleepers right now:
WR- Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers- Owned in just a baffling 35.9% of ESPN fantasy leagues, Allen is emerging as the #1 receiver for Phillip Rivers. Excelling at a position ravaged by injuries, Allen racked up 21 targets for 15 catches, 222 yards, and 2 touchdowns over the last two games. Keep an eye out, Allen could be that new #1 receiver your team has desperately been coveting.
RB- Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams- Owned in just 10.2% of ESPN league, Stacy has the potential to be a solid #2 back on most teams. Since taking over the starting role in the Rams backfield, Stacy has been averaging 4.9 yards per carry and 2.4 yards after contact. He is the new workhorse for St. Louis and although he has yet to reach the end zone, he is sure to start finding pay dirt as his role with the team increases.
TE- Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins- The rookie tight end is owned in just 3.8% of leagues despite consistent numbers as RGIII’s favorite TE target. Expect a breakout performance out of him soon as it is nothing but sky high potential for him.
WR- Harry Douglas, Atlanta Falcons- Owned in just 37.2% of ESPN leagues, (7.2% before Julio Jones’ injury), Douglas was catapulted into the #1 receiving spot for the injury stricken Falcons. With Julio Jones down with a season ending injury, Roddy White plagued by a nagging ankle injury, and Steven Jackson’s hamstring, Douglas is proving to be one of the only viable attack weapon on this offense.
**On some closing notes, Percy Harvin is expected to return very soon from his offseason hip surgery. When he does, he’ll be Russell Wilson’s #1 receiver and will be sure to put up fantasy star numbers. He is currently owned in just over 22% of leagues and is without a doubt worth a roster spot on the bench until his return. In addition, raiders WR Denarius Moore has been putting up very solid numbers and is currently my most underrated wide receiver. Good luck to everyone with the rest of their season, I sure need some.
