Week 12: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains
It’s a holiday edition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains! Last week I hit on Danny Amendola (WR8) and Darren Sproles (RB14), but whiffed on Jamison Crowder and Jay Ajayi. Unfortunately, Zach Ertz was among the infirmed and is not expected to return until Week 13. Heading into Week 12 I’ll be highlighting quite a few plus matchups featuring back-up talent.
To review… all of the below players are owned in less than sixty percent of Yahoo leagues and/or are a significant value in our daily game. They’re not the obvious picks, and they’re not without their risks, but that’s why they’re so cheap and available! I’d never advocate taking all of these guys, but rather utilizing them if a manager were in a pinch at a position or aiming to build a “stars and scrubs” sort of DFS lineup. Have at it!
[Yahoo Daily Fantasy: $10 could win you $50K in our $350K contest for Week 12]
Josh McCown, QB, Cleveland Browns ($20)
Cheers, Johnny. You just handed the ball back to the old man. One who, it should be noted, was a top-three fantasy asset between weeks three and eight while he was the starter. Over that six game span, McCown completed over 65 percent of his passes for an average of 300 passing yards and 2 TDs per game. Granted the bulk of that production came against bad teams, but his opponent in Week 12 is giving up the second most fantasy points to opposing signal callers.
Back in Week 5, McCown bested the Ravens by three points in overtime, racking up 457 passing yards and three scores in the process. Facing them at home this Sunday, the vet is likely to lean on a combination of Gary Barnidge, Travis Benjamin, and Duke Johnson. Noting Baltimore’s generous secondary and the fact that they’ve allowed the fifth most TDs (19) in the league, it’s entirely likely that each aforementioned player finds the end zone, making McCown an interesting stream – and incredible value – this Sunday.
Javorius “Buck” Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens ($17)
The next man up behind Justin Forsett, Allen is a downhill runner and adequate pass-catcher. The rookie’s YPC has underwhelmed, but his volume is about to skyrocket as he figures to be the centerpiece of a Ravens’ offense that is also without Joe Flacco. In a little over three quarters of play last week, Allen carried the rock twenty-two times and caught five of six passes. His 115 total yards were good enough to place him among the top 20 players at the position.
Allen’s first matchup as the team’s workhorse couldn’t be much better. He’ll be traveling to Cleveland to take on a run defense that Football Outsiders ranks as the third worst in the NFL. With the Browns surrendering an average of over 138 rushing yards per game, the former Trojan should do some damage on Monday night. While this may seem like a “duh” play to some, Allen is still available in thirty percent of redraft leagues and his price in DFS is of the Black Friday variety.
[Week 12 rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Tight End | Flex | All Positions]
Alfred Blue, RB, Houston Texans ($16)
Since losing Arian Foster to injury for the second time this season, Blue has led the Texans backfield. Averaging more than 18 total touches per game over the last three weeks, the second-year back’s rushing numbers have been wholly pedestrian. His inclusion in the passing game, however, has given his stock a boost. While Blue managed just 58 yards on 21 totes in Week 11, he caught all three of his targets for an additional 34 receiving yards and a score.
In Week 12 Blue presents RB2 appeal in a matchup against the lowly Saints defense. While New Orleans is better on the ground (ranked 29th) than they are against the pass (ranked 31st) that’s not saying much. Since Week 8, running backs that have faced the Saints have finished among the top 20 fantasy players at the position (in Week 10 both Matt Jones and Alfred Blue were top 15 plays). Blue doesn’t offer much in the way of speed or burst, but has a solid opportunity to produce on Sunday.
Dontrelle Iman, WR, San Diego Chargers ($13)
Injuries have ravaged San Diego’s receiving corps. As such, youngsters like Inman and Javontee Herndon have been unexpectedly relied upon. Catching three of five targets in back-to-back outings, Inman has been present, but far from lights out. Still, with Antonio Gates gimpy, Ladarius Green hobbled, Malcom Floyd questionable, and Stevie Johnson manning the slot, the speedy six-foot-three wideout remains Philip Rivers’ best downfield threat.
This Sunday the Chargers will travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars, who are surrendering nearly 280 receiving yards per game. Given Jacksonville’s recent ability to shut down the run, Rivers will be forced to put the ball in the air. Noting the Bolts’ losing record, it make sense that they’d want to take some chances, exploit the deficiencies in the Jag’s defense, and see what they have in their green talent. Inman doesn’t have the bulk or top end speed necessary to be a playmaker, but he is good enough to step up and score against Jacksonville’s flimsy secondary. Yes, it’s a deep pick, but if you’re desperate for a flex Inman’s upside is there for the taking.
[Yahoo Daily Fantasy: $10 could win you $50K in our $350K contest for Week 12]
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings ($11)
The Vikings’ offense is obviously built around Adrian Peterson. Most weeks, the second-best RB in fantasy is all Minnesota needs, as evidenced by their 7-3 record. Every once and a while, however, Teddy Bridgewater is asked to throw the ball and get his receivers involved. Such was the case versus Green Bay in Week 11. Converting six of nine balls for 106 yards and 1 TD, Rudolph was the team’s most productive receiver. While his numbers the previous eight weeks had been sub-par, the big-bodied tight end has the potential to perform in back-to-back outings.
Facing a Falcons squad that was initially vulnerable against the run, it’s worth noting they haven’t surrendered a rushing TD to an RB since Week 6. Of course AP will continue to produce, but I’m not sure he’ll be Minnesota’s lone playmaker. Atlanta does boast the talents of CB Desmond Trufant, who has been shutting receivers down week in and week out. Across the middle, however, they’re pretty soft, allowing three scores to TEs in their past three contests. With four TDs on the season, Rudolph is currently the sixteenth best TE in fantasy. Assuming the Vikings are chasing points, the game script lends itself to Rudolph being heavily involved. Owned in forty-four, but started in just 14 percent of leagues, he’s a solid streaming option and rock-bottom value with a plus matchup in Week 12.
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