MIAMI GARDENS, FL – SEPTEMBER 25: Terrelle Pryor #11 of the Cleveland Browns rushes for a touchdown in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins on September 25, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
NFLBy Chase Ruttig on

Week 4 of the NFL season can be a turning point for fantasy football seasons with several players returning from offseason suspensions. Among the star players making their season debuts are Le’Veon Bell with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Next week, Tom Brady returns after his four-game DeflateGate suspension.

With star players returning from suspension, the fantasy market will experience a shake-up. Roles for backups will change. And in the case of the New England Patriots, an entire offense will experience an uptick with Brady back in the fold. Those are factors that owners should consider when looking for upgrades or a turnaround with their current rosters.

Here are five fantasy football sleepers worth a look for Week 4, as the market for offensive players changes.

Steve Smith Sr., Baltimore Ravens

Steve Smith may no longer be a top fantasy option, but for one week, the potential future Hall of Fame wideout should be in your lineup. The cagey veteran lines up with a nice matchup in front of him against an Oakland Raiders defense that has struggled to defend the pass this season over three games.

Smith exchanged a war of words with rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey after the Ravens’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, so you know the aging veteran is ready to continue ruining the afternoons of opposing cornerbacks. Up against a weak Raiders secondary, Smith could have one of the last dominant performances of his storied career this Sunday.

Dwayne Washington, Detroit Lions

Last week, Washington made our sleepers list and was a disappointment, rushing for just 38 yards. Owners who picked up Washington as a value add in the wake of Ameer Abdullah’s season-ending foot injury ended up with a big-time bust.

While Washington had a mediocre return last week, it still isn’t time to give up on the Lions’ secondary back as a sleeper. Detroit’s starter, Theo Riddick, also struggled and shared carries with Washington. So he still has value, and had low enough production that he should still be available in most leagues.

With 10 carries against the Packers, Washington should be another low-end waiver wire target for owners who need an injury replacement or a bye week fill-in who could get goal line touches. If Riddick continues his struggles, Washington’s carries should only increase. The Lions’ running back situation is worth monitoring, as there is value if you can snap up the second option in Detroit this week.

Duke Johnson, Cleveland Browns

The speed back for the Cleveland Browns, former Miami Hurricanes star Duke Johnson has yet to truly break out as many projected during his college career. Johnson’s rookie season was filled with struggles as he totaled under 1000 yards of offense and rushed for just 379 yards.

However, a new head coach has made Johnson suddenly valuable as a sleeper in the Browns’ new-look offense this season. Johnson’s breakout 69 rushing yard performance on 10 carries indicates that he should get more touches, now that the Browns are down to their third-string quarterback in rookie Cody Kessler.

With Isaiah Crowell getting the bulk of touches in the Browns’ rushing attack, Johnson does run the risk of a quiet Sunday if he isn’t a target. But that shouldn’t be a concern if head coach Hue Jackson is forced into a run-first strategy with the rookie Kessler under center. If that remains the case, Johnson should continue to get enough targets to warrant a waiver wire add. He has big play ability and racks up PPR value as the third-down back.

Terrelle Pryor, Cleveland Browns

With Josh Gordon headed to rehab for his substance abuse issues, Browns wideout project Terrelle Pryor won’t be a sleeper for long. His performance last week should significantly boost his fantasy value, and he’ll be one of the top receivers on the Cleveland depth chart as Gordon continues to be sidelined with off-the-field troubles.

Pryor has been a big part of the Browns offense this season under Jackson, but saw a further uptick in Week 3 with Kessler at quarterback. 14 targets through the air and four carries for 21 yards, plus a touchdown on the ground is a clear indicator that Jackson wants to get Pryor further involved in the offense with a rookie at quarterback.

It is a risk to add a player who is on a lousy offense and a lousy team, but Pryor has been one of the comeback stories of the year. Pryor could already be snapped up in most leagues after his 144-yard Week 3 performance against the Dolphins. But if he is still up for grabs, he is a must-add. Pryor should be the focal point at receiver all season in Cleveland with Gordon unlikely to return.

Zach Miller, Chicago Bears

It is no secret that the Detroit Lions have struggled defending tight ends so far this season. Any matchup against the Lions gives fantasy owners plenty of options on the waiver wire worth considering for big points from the tight end position.

Last week, Richard Rodgers continued the streak of tight ends who have scored on the Lions defense with a touchdown catch in the Packers’ win at Lambeau Field. That streak should continue with Zach Miller, who has had a prominent role in the Chicago Bears’ passing attack this season and will present plenty of problems for the Lions secondary.

Miller had nine targets in the Bears’ Sunday Night Football loss to the Cowboys last week, which included four crucial red zone targets. With those numbers, he should be a nice DFS start and waiver wire pickup. If he gets those targets against the Lions, there is a good chance that Miller finds himself with one of his biggest games of the season, thanks to a favorable matchup.

About Chase Ruttig

Chase Ruttig is a Canadian sportswriter who covers North American sports for various outlets.

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