Every week during fantasy-football season, we’ll give you a lineup full of sleepers to help you fill the gaps in your own starting crew.
A brief caution: These picks are NOT intended to replace the actual starters you drafted. But if you’re weak somewhere, or battling injuries, this is a lineup full of high-upside plays that should be available in plenty of competitive fantasy leagues, or perhaps rotting on your bench, about to have their best week of the season.
QUARTERBACK
Alex Smith, KC: First thing first: Smith gets the nod here because our editor might have frowned had we just dumped Colin Kaepernick here for a third straight week (ed. note: this is accurate). But Kaep is still owned in just 44 percent of leagues and would be our choice as a QB streamer until he falters. Meanwhile, though, Smith is locked and loaded in a great matchup—nobody gives up great fantasy lines to opposing QBs more often than the Falcons this season—and is owned in barely a quarter of contests. You’re not gonna want to hold onto him, as the Chiefs schedule is less than friendly during the fantasy playoffs, but in daily leagues or as a one-week fill-in, you can pencil him in for a solid line, with a chance for much more.
RUNNING BACK
Kenneth Dixon, BAL: Dixon is in this space because we can’t just say “NOBODY! YOU’RE EFFED… SORRY.” In the best of times, the running back position becomes a war of attrition down the stretch, but this year it’s particularly brutal. Dixon is a talented rookie who is getting more touches every week and surely has a chance to eclipse Terrance West as the Ravens’ lead back. Will he? Nobody knows. But he’s the best running back who might be on your league’s waiver wire.
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Shane Vereen, NYG: A stash-him special for playoff-bound teams. Vereen won’t play this week, but is reportedly likely to make it back the following week—and the Giants could surely use him. Starter Rashad Jennings has been adequate at best, and rookie Paul Perkins has some work to do before he’s a reliable option. Vereen has been a nice PPR play in the past, and could be so again, particularly in week 14 against a Cowboys D that can stuff running backs at the line, but is vulnerable to short passes. BONUS: He’s still technically on IR, so if your league allows you to add him, send him to your injured list, then pick up someone else for this Sunday.
RECEIVER
Dontrelle Inman, SD: You have to go back six weeks to find a game in which Inman had fewer than six targets. This week, his competition for targets, Tyrell Williams, is battling a shoulder injury, so Inman’s share could even increase. He’s shown ability as both a possession receiver and as a downfield threat and the Chargers should need to score to keep pace with the Bucs.
Marquess Wilson, CHI: Meet the 2016 NFL poster child for ‘Next Man Up.’ Everyone in the Bears receiving corps is now out with injury, and Matt Barkley made Wilson his go-to guy in his debut as a starter. The two had some chemistry and turned 11 targets into eight catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. But even if the chemistry wasn’t so evident, the depleted nature of the Bears roster would make Wilson a recommended play on volume alone.
Malcolm Mitchell, NE: Much like our friend Colin did last week, Mitchell’s gonna stay here until his ownership rises to reflect his status as Tom Brady’s new favourite downfield threat. He showed great speed and hands beating a rapidly declining Darelle Revis for two scores on Sunday, and though he won’t be on the field for every play, it’s pretty clear that the booms will be big enough to risk the busts (especially given Rob Gronkowski’s absence), if you’re in the market for a high-upside play.
TIGHT END
Lance Kendricks, LA: One of the most cliched pieces of fantasy advice also happens to be a good one: When a young QB emerges as the starter he tends to lock onto his tight end, and so should fantasy owners looking for cheap production. Jared Goff targeted Kendricks seven times in his debut, and there’s no reason to expect that to stop this week. As long as rushers are trying to hurry the rookie, he’ll be forced to check down and Kendricks will be a reliable source of points, especially in PPR leagues.
DEFENCE
Green Bay: The Packers’ secondary is not strong, it’s true. In fact, one might go so far as to describe them as “pretty crappy.” But then, one could easily go so far as to describe Texans QB Brock Osweiler as “really very bad; in fact, just horrible” and that’s who the Packers draw this week. Clay Matthews looked solid Monday before suffering an injury he’s expected to recover from, and Damarious Randall returned to the secondary, giving the Pack two big playmakers to sic on Houston’s struggling ‘O’ this week. The Texans may put up a score or two, but expect Green Bay to force Osweiler to do the two things he’s been best at this season—throwing picks and taking sacks.
KICKER
The kicker is that some fantasy teams are cruising into the playoffs starting Rob Kelley and Jay Ajayi at running back. Meanwhile, Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley, Lamar Miller and Jamaal Charles all were taken with top-15 picks. Where that particular kicker actually hits you, I’m sure you can figure out.
