Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper: Jeremy Maclin

Jeremy Maclin has been coming on in recent weeks, with 17 receptions over the past three weeks and at least 60 yards a game. That was with a healthy DeSean Jackson in the lineup, who is now likely to miss Week 13 due to a concussion. Throw in that Brent Celek is potentially limited with torn ligaments in his thumb and someone is going to need to pick up some substantial slack.

Maclin’s success has come against:

• Chargers - 199.6 passing yards/game
• Bears - 214.2 passing yards/game
• Redskins - 170.4 passing yards/game, best in the league

All three of those teams find themselves in the top half of the league.  This week’s opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, is the sixth-worst allowing 252.6 passing yards/game.  Additionally:

• They have allowed 18 passing TDs (tied for tenth worst)
• They have just eight interceptions (only six teams have less)
• They have allowed 45 passing plays of 20+ yards (most in the league)

Needless to say, things appear to be set for the Eagles to take quite a few shots downfield in Week 13.  In most weeks the player who they would take the shots with would have been Jackson (11 receptions of 20+ yards), but with him out Maclin should get his fair share of looks.

Maclin has had three of his four biggest yardage games over the past three weeks (he had 142 yards in Week Five), so you have to like the odds of him continuing that trend.  While I wouldn’t consider him anything more than a WR3, this certainly seems like the perfect week to play him if you are in need of a receiver.

What do you think?  Is Maclin a player you would use?  How good do you think he may be in Week 13?

Previous Week 13 Sleepers:

• Knowshon Moreno

Make sure to check out our Week 13 Rankings:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Kickers
• Defenses

This article is also featured on www.rotoprofessor.com/football