We are two full weeks into the 2022 fantasy football season, and as usual, nothing is what we thought it would be. Raise your hand if you thought the top three quarterbacks for yardage would be Tua Tagovailoa, Carson Wentz, and Joe Flacco. Now put your hand down because you’re lying.
Point is, down is up, up is down, and Carson Wentz is good right now. Crazy times. Not to disparage Wentz necessarily, but you’d expect high-capital fantasy guys like Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, and Joe Burrow to be near the top statistically, and none are even within shouting distance.
Certainly, injuries have played a part in some of what we are seeing. Joe Burrow’s slow start might be partially attributed to his appendectomy and subsequent weight loss during camp. Hard to say, but Burrow doesn’t look right through two games. Injuries as usual have been plentiful, with top fantasy guys like James Connor, Alvin Kamara, Gabe Davis, Dalton Schultz, Jerry Jeudy, Michael Pittman Jr, and Keenan Allen all out, or on the injury report.
So, what do you do if you are rostering a bunch of stiffs, underperformers, and injured guys? Well, I suppose you could run some low-ceiling veterans out there to plug holes, but what fun is that? Fantasy football is supposed to be fun. How about finding some deep sleepers? Guys that are an injury or opportunity away from making a name for themselves. I like that idea better. Let’s check out four guys that have sneaky upside for NFL Week 3.
4 Deep Fantasy Football Sleepers to consider for NFL Week 3
4. Hayden Hurst, TE, Bengals
Hayden Hurst has done so little thus far that I could barely find an image of him in a Cincinnati Bengals uniform. No matter. Have you seen the state of the tight end position? Gross. Unless you have one of the big names like Waller, Kelce, or Andrews you are likely sucking wind and posting goose eggs at the position.
Kyle Pitts isn’t being used, Pat Freiermuth is touchdown or bust, Tyler Higbee is getting targets but doing nothing with them, and George Kittle can’t get on the field…you get what I am saying. Why not take a chance on Hurst? Hurst ranks sixth amongst tight ends in targets but is still available in most leagues. Why?
Why roster a stiff like Cole Kmet when you can have Hurst? The Bengals have struggled, but Burrow is getting comfortable with Hurst, and Week 3 opponents the Jets, are 31st against the pass. Plus, teams have been playing two high safeties to take away the deep stuff. It’s just a matter of time before the Bengals and Burrow get clicking, and Hurst, who is a much better athlete than CJ Uzomah, should have an equal or greater role than Uzomah did. Don’t be shocked if Hurst finds the end zone against the Jets.