NFL Sleepers Today: 3 Fantasy Football Breakout Players for Week 9

Fantasy Sleepers for Today in Summary

• Drew Lock, QB, Seahawks
• Caleb Douglas, WR, Dolphins
• Emmett Johnson, RB, Chiefs

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With NFL Week 9 here, fantasy football managers are looking for under-the-radar players who can outperform expectations and provide a boost to their lineups. Injuries, favorable matchups, and emerging roles can all create opportunities for overlooked players to deliver strong fantasy performances.

Whether you're dealing with bye weeks, injuries, or simply looking for an upside play, identifying the right fantasy football sleepers can make a significant difference.

Which players could surprise in Week 9? Let's break down three fantasy football sleepers for today.

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

Best Fantasy Football Sleepers This Week (Week 9)

Drew Lock, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Drew Lock will draw the start for the Seattle Seahawks this week with Sam Darnold sidelined, and he has an excellent matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Lock has already faced Arizona this season, completing 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. He finished that contest with 21.4 fantasy points.

Across his two appearances this season (one start), Lock has completed 72.9% of his passes while throwing for 422 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

The Cardinals have been particularly vulnerable against opposing quarterbacks, allowing the second-most fantasy points to the position through eight weeks.

With Lock already having demonstrated his ability to take advantage of this matchup, he's an intriguing streaming option for fantasy managers in need of a quarterback.

Caleb Douglas, WR, Miami Dolphins

Caleb Douglas has flashed at times in the Miami Dolphins' passing attack, recording 13 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns this season. The rookie has scored at least 14.4 PPR fantasy points in two of his last three games, demonstrating the upside he brings to fantasy lineups.

Douglas gets an excellent matchup against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Eight different receivers have scored at least 11.3 PPR points against Detroit, making this a favorable spot for Douglas to deliver another productive performance.

With Miami potentially needing to throw frequently to keep pace with the Lions' offense, Douglas is an appealing flex option in deeper fantasy leagues.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Emmett Johnson is coming off a breakout performance for the Kansas City Chiefs, catching all five of his targets for 128 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos in Week 8. The rookie also added a 15-yard rush, finishing with 143 scrimmage yards on just six touches.

Although Kenneth Walker III remains Kansas City's clear lead back, Johnson's explosive performance could earn him additional opportunities in the coming weeks. He has now recorded multiple receptions in four of his last five appearances, giving him some appeal in PPR formats.

Johnson faces a New York Jets team that enters Week 9 with a 2-6 record. The Chiefs are 9.5-point home favorites. If KC builds a sizable lead, this matchup could be a chance for the Chiefs to ease Walker’s workload a bit and give Johnson more touches than usual.

In a nice matchup and with plenty of big-play ability, Johnson is a fun sleeper in Week 9.

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.