This weekly series looks at two fantasy sleepers outside of the consensus top-24 that I am the highest on and why. I will break down the case for both players, giving my view as to why they are strong flex spot starts. Also, I will compare where they are ranked, and give my own ranking for comparison. Without further ado, here are our Week 9 sleeper candidates!
Week 9 Sleeper RB
Mark Walton – Consensus Rank: 27 My Rank: 16
I get it. He’s a Dolphin. Coming off of a horrible performance. However, that was against a top ten run defense in fantasy points against the RB position on the road. This week, Walton gets a juicy match-up against a bottom 10 defense that’s giving up a combined 137 yards and a touchdown per game to running backs on the season. At home. Walton is a duel threat back, garnering six targets twice in the last three weeks. In addition, he’s had at least ten carries in back to back games. The Dolphins are not a good football team, and thankfully, neither are the Jets. Game script should not be an issue as I do see this being a competitive football game. Because of this, fantasy owners that are desperate at RB due to injury or bye weeks can trust Walton this week to get them 10 points.
Week 9 Sleeper WR
Chris Conley – Consensus Rank: 40 My Rank: 20
Picking a Jaguars WR can feel like picking a Patriots RB. One week it’s D.J. Chark, the next it’s Conley, then it’s Dede Westbrook, suddenly Keelan Cole gets a touchdown. I get it. Gardner Minshew likes to spread the ball around and find who ever is open. This week, the picture for fantasy owners is clearer. Westbrook is questionable for this week with a neck/shoulder injury. Also, Chark has been consistent enough to garner the majority of defensive attention. This leaves Conley to exploit a tasty match-up with the second worst defense against fantasy WRs. JJ Watt is not available to wreak havoc and limit Minshew’s time to find his WRs open. Because of that, I expect the duo of Conley and Minshew to have a bountiful trip to London for their fantasy owners.
