Fantasy Football Sleepers, Week 3: Depth wide receivers a common theme among underrated options

Devaughn Vele had another credible game but the rest of the Week 2 sleeper page stayed asleep. At least we're still in September, when most fantasy football managers are rolling out the top half of their roster, injuries permitting. Let's see if we can get something working in Week 3.

The following candidates are all rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues.

WR Adonai Mitchell at Lions (37%)

He's been over 60 yards in both of his starts, and he somehow commanded a whopping 12 targets against the Packers. Now Mitchell takes aim at a Detroit secondary that's down three presumed starters from its spring depth chart. Geno Smith has been slightly above average so far and the Detroit defense hasn't stopped much; look for the Jets to punch back in Week 3. I'm surprised Mitchell hasn't graduated this column yet, but that could be coming Sunday. He also gets a favorable Week 4 draw, at Chicago.

WR Rashod Bateman at Cowboys in Brazil (29%)

He was featured in Week 2, a snappy 7-88-1 return on nine targets. Zay Flowers (hamstring) might return for this game but Ja'Kobi Lane will not; Bateman has a clean path to regular snaps. I trust OC Declan Doyle with the play sheet, and QB Lamar Jackson is also a plus.

RB Emanuel Wilson at Commanders (22%)

His true value can't be known until we sort through Jadarian Price's health status. But even if Price (chest) is able to play, Wilson's efficiency in Week 2 (a useful 21-92-0 on the ground) probably earned him some committee work. Seattle is a healthy 7-point road favorite, so positive game script could help Wilson.

TE Oronde Gadsden at Bills (17%)

He was part of a clustered tight end room when the season started, but now David Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) are out multiple weeks. I know it's difficult to trust anything tied to the Chargers at the moment, but Gadsden did catch a touchdown last week and the team is also trying to manage Ladd McConkey through a rib injury. It's possible Gadsden could lead the Chargers in targets Sunday.

WR Dontayvion Wicks at Bears (43%)

Wicks has settled in as Philadelphia's No. 2 receiver, getting work ahead of touted rookie WR Makai Lemon. Wicks could also be looking at a target bump now that TE Dallas Goedert is out multiple weeks. The Bears got into a rock fight with the Vikings in Week 2 (the rain didn't help either), but remember the Panthers had a field day against the Chicago defense in Week 1.

QB Kirk Cousins at Saints (12%)

He's somehow thrown six touchdown passes in two weeks, and that's been without TE Brock Bowers. The Raiders might get Bowers back in Week 3, and the New Orleans secondary has been average at best. If Cousins isn't your speed, perhaps those in deeper leagues can look to Geno Smith (7%) at the Lions or Jameis Winston (5%) versus the Titans. Don't dismiss Winston out of hand after watching him play poorly Monday; a full week of starter's reps can only help.