3 Fantasy Football Sleepers for NFL Week 1

NFL Sleepers for This Week in Summary

• Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles
• Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints
• Parker Washington, WR, Jaguars

Every fantasy football week presents new opportunities to uncover value, and some of the best options aren't always the biggest names. Whether it's a favorable matchup, an expanded role, an injury creating opportunity or a player showing signs of a breakout, the fantasy landscape can change quickly from one week to the next.

With that in mind, here are some fantasy football sleepers to consider for this week. These players may not be automatic starts in every league, but each has a combination of opportunity and upside that makes them worth a closer look for the week ahead.

We'll reference our NFL projections. All NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Fantasy Football Sleepers to Start in Week 1

Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Parker Washington is one of my favorite Week 1 sleeper options after finishing 2025 with a major breakout. Washington caught 58 of 95 targets for 847 yards and five touchdowns over 16 games, averaging 14.6 yards per reception. He also finished the season with 265 yards after the catch.

The matchup against the Cleveland Browns is particularly appealing for Washington, who should see plenty of work from the slot. Browns slot corner Myles Harden allowed a 71.9% catch rate and a 119.3 passer rating when targeted in 2025. Among qualifying slot corners, Harden also allowed the fifth-highest passer rating and ninth-most fantasy points per target.

Washington finished last season on an incredible run, averaging 22.3 PPR points per game over the final four games while producing a 28.9% target share. He also averaged 113.5 receiving yards per game during that stretch.

That makes Washington much more than a pure dart throw; admittedly it’s likely a stretch to call him a sleeper. With a favorable matchup and evidence that he can handle significant volume, he's a strong WR3 or flex option for Week 1.

Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Makai Lemon is an especially interesting rookie sleeper because the Philadelphia Eagles have a real opening for a secondary pass catcher behind DeVonta Smith. The Eagles' current depth chart lists Lemon among the team's top receivers, and the rookie may open the season as Philadelphia's starting slot receiver.

Lemon was highly productive during his final season at USC, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games. He also added two rushing touchdowns.

The matchup is the biggest selling point for Week 1. The Washington Commanders‘ defense struggled badly against slot receivers in 2025, allowing the seventh-highest passer rating and the most fantasy points per target to the position.

There is some risk because Lemon missed significant time during rookie camp, training camp and the preseason, so his snap count isn't guaranteed to be enormous. Still, the combination of his collegiate production, expected slot role and favorable matchup makes him one of my favorite WR sleepers for Week 1.

Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints

Juwan Johnson broke out in 2025, catching 77 passes for 889 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. Both his receptions and receiving yards were career highs.

He enters 2026 in an offense that could need him to remain heavily involved. The New Orleans Saints will be without first-round rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson for the first four games because of a hamstring injury, leaving more potential targets available alongside Chris Olave.

The Week 1 matchup with the Detroit Lions isn't a complete smash spot, but it isn't one I'd avoid, either. The Lions allowed 131 targets, 88 receptions, 932 receiving yards and eight touchdowns to opposing tight ends in 2025.

Johnson's volume gives him a solid floor at a position where reliable targets can be difficult to find, and there’s a chance the Saints — who are 6.5-point ‘dogs at Detroit — find themselves in a pass-heavy game script.

Fantasy Football Sleepers FAQ

What is a fantasy football sleeper for this week?

A fantasy football sleeper for this week is a player who isn't widely viewed as a must-start but has a favorable combination of matchup, opportunity and recent production that could lead to a strong fantasy performance.

How do you identify fantasy football sleepers each week?

We look at factors such as recent usage, snap counts, targets, touches, red-zone opportunities, injuries and the player's individual matchup. Changes in a player's role can also create new sleeper opportunities from week to week.

Should I start a fantasy football sleeper this week?

That depends on your league, your roster and the player's situation. A sleeper can be a strong option when you're dealing with an injury, a bye week or a difficult matchup for one of your usual starters, but it's important to consider each player's floor as well as their upside.

Do fantasy football sleepers change every week?

Yes. Sleeper candidates can change significantly as the season progresses because of injuries, emerging players, coaching decisions, matchups and changing workloads. That's why it's useful to reevaluate potential sleepers each week.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.