Fantasy Football Sleepers, Week 1: If you just lost Brock Bowers, his teammate can help fill the void

It's a new year and the sleeper page is back in action, a weekly look at under-rostered players who can help your fantasy team win (or perhaps fill a DFS spot). Keep an open mind and do some digging with us.

Some standard caveats come into play for Week 1 sleepers. Your fantasy roster will never be as healthy as it is right now, and we're a solid month away from bye weeks. If there's ever a time to be playing the hits, rolling with your primary players, it's right now. But shrewd fantasy managers are always on the lookout for undervalued players and depth additions, so let's make sure we keep our focus.

Raiders TE Michael Mayer vs. Dolphins (11% rostered)

It was a gut punch to hear the Brock Bowers injury news this week; he underwent meniscus trim surgery Tuesday and will miss 1-2 games . But don't overlook the talented Mayer, who was a second-round pick three years ago after a strong career at Notre Dame (he's the most productive receiving tight end in Notre Dame history). Mayer's best NFL start wasn't long ago — a snappy 8-89-0 run against the Giants last December — and Kirk Cousins often locks in on his tight ends. Miami was very poor in tight end coverage last year .

Shough made a lot of believers with his finishing kick last year, giving us a solid six-pack of starts to end the season (QB12, QB6, QB16, QB16, QB9, QB4). Head coach Kellen Moore is a creative schemer who runs his offense at a faster tempo, which helps the volume. Shough is working with decent pass-catchers (WR Chris Olave is a star, TE Juwan Johnson forever underrated) and the matchup should present points; the game total is posted at 50.5 (highest on the slate) and the Lions won't have impact safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph for at least a month. Let's play some pinball in Detroit .

The Texans acquired veteran David Montgomery and immediately installed him as their starting running back, but the team realizes that Montgomery — entering his age-29 season — probably needs a proactive running mate. Marks was a mild disappointment as a rookie, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and getting limited receiving use, but he was a busy receiver in college (261 receptions over five seasons) and the Texans were expanding his route tree this summer. Keep an eye on him.

Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell vs. Cardinals (41%)

Mitchell's sleeper case had stops and starts all summer — new OC Mike McDaniel pounded the table for Mitchell as a free-agent pickup, but Mitchell dealt with a hamstring injury in August. Omarion Hampton looms as the obvious priority back in Los Angeles , but Mitchell could percolate into a meaty role that equals regular flex consideration. If Mitchell is healthy enough to play Sunday, game script should be his friend — the Chargers are 9.5-point favorites over the hapless Cardinals. If nothing else, Mitchell deserves roster consideration as a one-injury-away upside player.

Raiders WR Tre Tucker vs. Dolphins (31%)

Although Mayer is the cleanest beneficiary to the Bowers injury news, let's also leave the light on for Tucker, ostensibly the No. 1 wide receiver in Las Vegas . Offensive wizard Klint Kubiak immediately makes this offense more interesting, and Tucker is taking aim at a Miami secondary that could be the worst in football.

The nasty Houston defense is probably the best in football, and the Texans had an eight-sack party against Buffalo last November, prompting a 23-19 upset. But Shakir was a slot machine in that game (8-110-0), and although the Bills added D.J. Moore to be their top target for 2026, Shakir still has a reasonable path to 70 or more receptions.