Fantasy Football Week 13: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position
Fantasy football managers may be in panic mode as the season winds down with six NFL teams on a bye week, including the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills who field top-six scoring offenses.
Even with slim pickings on the waiver wire, several sleepers can help managers through a tough week, but you'll have to take chances with players on teams that most of us have ignored in recent weeks.
Yes, the Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans and the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals deserve a second look for Week 13.
Though we don't have a sleeper stack for this week, our suggestions include a couple of skill players who can produce in an aggressive passing offense, a sixth-round rookie receiver with a high target volume and a tight end who may be the last man standing within an injury-riddled pass-catching group.
As always, all eight of our sleeper picks are available in at least 50 percent of points-per-reception leagues based on FantasyPros' consensus roster percentages.
QB Kenny Pickett vs. Arizona Cardinals (16 Percent Rostered)
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Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada and went on to rack up 421 total yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. Moreover, quarterback Kenny Pickett recorded season highs in passing yards (278) and completion rate (72.7).
Before last Sunday's game, the Steelers hadn't accumulated 400-plus total yards since their AFC wild-card matchup with the Cleveland Browns in the 2020 campaign. While head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't believe Pittsburgh will become an offensive juggernaut overnight, fantasy managers should take note of Pickett's uptick in production.
The 25-year-old has a loaded pass-catching group that includes Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, Calvin Austin III, Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren and even rookie Darnell Washington, who could develop into a red-zone threat at 6'7", 264 pounds.
As the Steelers transition from Canada with running backs coach Eddie Faulkner as offensive coordinator and Mike Sullivan calling the plays, Pickett could find his way into the weekly streamer discussion.
This Sunday, the Pitt product will face the Arizona Cardinals, which have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns leaguewide and seventh-most fantasy points to QBs through 12 weeks. In addition to a bump in passing yards, he could throw for multiple touchdowns in a game for the second time this season.
QB Jake Browning vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (7 Percent Rostered)
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Though the Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes look bleak with quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist surgery) out for the season, Jake Browning did enough in his first career start to grab our attention.
In the Bengals' Week 12 loss, the 27-year-old had a decent showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers' 24th-ranked pass defense that's allowed 13 touchdowns in 11 games. He threw for 227 yards, a touchdown and an interception with a 73.1 percent completion rate.
With one pro start under his belt, Browning could have a more productive outing against a more generous pass defense.
This week, Cincinnati will square off with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have surrendered the seventh-most passing touchdowns (18), fifth-most passing yards per contest and sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks through 12 weeks. Going against a defense with those metrics, the Washington product has strong sleeper appeal.
Furthermore, Browning has an elite wide receiver in Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd in the slot to attack the Jaguars' suspect secondary. If wideout Tee Higgins returns from a hamstring injury, the Bengals could move the ball through the air with consistency.
Managers who are in a tough spot with Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Justin Fields on a bye should strongly consider Browning as a fill-in for Week 12.
RB Antonio Gibson vs. Miami Dolphins (47 Percent Rostered)
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At 47 percent rostered, Antonio Gibson barely made the cut under the sleeper criterion for availability. In recent weeks, he's become an increasingly popular add in leagues with scoring formats that reward running backs for their receiving production.
In Weeks 9 and 10, the 25-year-old logged double-digit fantasy point totals, but he lost some momentum because of a toe injury that sidelined him for Week 11.
Last week, Gibson only scored 6.7 fantasy points in a 45-10 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, though he still had a solid role in the short passing game with four targets.
The Washington Commanders lead the league in pass attempts, so whether they trail the Miami Dolphins or compete in a close contest, expect Sam Howell to throw the ball all over the field. He's logged at least 39 pass attempts in nine out of 12 games this season.
The Commanders' pass-heavy tendencies coupled with the possibility that they will need to keep pace with the Dolphins' second-ranked scoring offense bodes well for Gibson, who has five receptions in three of his last four outings.
As a change-of-pace ball-carrier and pass-catcher out of the backfield, he could easily finish with double-digit fantasy points for the third time in his last four games.
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RB Samaje Perine at Houston Texans (24 Percent Rostered)
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Last week, we had the right idea about the Denver Broncos: Their backfield can feature multiple roster-worthy running backs. However, Samaje Perine capitalized on the complementary role behind Javonte Williams over undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin.
In Week 12, against the Cleveland Browns, Perine recorded seven carries for 55 yards and a touchdown and caught a pass for 11 yards. In back-to-back weeks, he's scored 14 fantasy points if you round his total to the nearest whole number. The versatile running back can extend that streak to three games against the Houston Texans.
Houston is tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns allowed (13) through 12 weeks. As a 5'10", 236-pound ball-carrier, Perine will likely have opportunities to score in short-yardage situations if the Broncos advance the ball inside the Texans' 10-yard line.
Moreover, the 28-year-old leads the Broncos running backs in targets (37), receptions (33) and receiving yards (337). Just two weeks ago, he caught seven passes for 60 yards. With the exception of last week's game, he has multiple catches in every contest this season.
Perine has a good chance to satisfy managers as a solid flex player in a matchup with the Texans, which have allowed the sixth-most passing yards per contest and 10 rushing touchdowns within 10 yards of the goal line.
WR Curtis Samuel vs. Miami Dolphins (32 Percent Rostered)
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Just like running back Antonio Gibson, Curtis Samuel can make fantasy waves in the Washington Commanders' pass-heavy offensive attack.
In fact, Samuel made the most out of a 45-10 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, hauling in nine out of 12 passes for 100 yards. In that game, he led Washington in all three receiving categories.
Even with wideouts Terry McLaurin and 2022 first-rounder Jahan Dotson in the mix, the Ohio State product has a shot to post gaudy receiving numbers in consecutive weeks with a solid role in an aggressive passing offense.
With All-Pro cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard lining up mostly on the boundary, Commanders quarterback Sam Howell may heavily target Samuel in the slot.
By the way, the Dolphins are tied for 10th in passing touchdowns allowed (16), and they lost starting edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles) for the season. Assuming new Miami edge-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul needs time to knock off some rust in his age-35 term, Howell should have more time to pick apart a defense that's susceptible to scores through the air.
WR Greg Dortch at Pittsburgh Steelers (2 Percent Rostered)
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Like last week, Arizona Cardinals wide receivers Marquise Brown (heel) and Michael Wilson (shoulder) have popped up on the injury report. In Week 12, the former suited up, but the latter missed consecutive games.
Over the last two weeks, Greg Dortch has commanded a ton of looks in the passing game, hauling in nine out of 17 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Though managers would probably like to see more efficiency with the 25-year-old's opportunities, he's emerged as a more consistent option than Rondale Moore, who has four targets over the last two weeks, in the Cardinals' aerial attack.
While Brown may continue to play through a heel injury, Dortch's target volume gives him a good chance to rack up yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers' 24th-ranked pass defense. Also, the Steelers give up the 10th-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Managers should note that Dortch has been Kyler Murray's teammate for three seasons. They have some chemistry that could result in notable fantasy production.
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo vs. Indianapolis Colts (24 Percent Rostered)
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Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis hasn't made it back into our good graces for a mention among sleepers, but he has developed a connection with Chigoziem Okonkwo.
In Week 12, against the Carolina Panthers, Okonkwo hauled in four of his five targets for 45 yards. He tied with wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a team-leading five targets. Okonkwo and Westbrook-Ikhine also led the Titans in receptions.
Levis has started in five games, and Okonkwo has at least three catches in four of those contests. We could see the latter rack up decent numbers against the Indianapolis Colts, which have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends through 12 weeks.
Remember, the Colts won't have All-Pro linebacker Shaq Leonard, who was released last Tuesday, patrolling the middle of the field in coverage. Okonkwo could gobble up yards in the seams on his way to paydirt.
TE Juwan Johnson vs. Detroit Lions (9 Percent Rostered)
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The New Orleans Saints have significant injuries to monitor this week. Wideouts Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (quad) exited the team's Week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons with injuries. Remember, the club placed wide receiver Michael Thomas (knee) on injured reserve last week.
According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Shaheed will likely be "unavailable" for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.
Possibly without his top two or three wide receivers, quarterback Derek Carr may rely on tight end Juwan Johnson to fill a pass-catching void on the perimeter.
Against the Falcons, Johnson emerged as a key option in the aerial attack, hauling in four of seven targets for 45 yards.
Though the 27-year-old has had a relatively quiet year with 18 catches for 142 yards and one touchdown, the Saints may need to expand his role because of injuries within their pass-catching group.
If that's the case, Johnson could have his most productive outing of the season against the Lions' 20th-ranked pass defense that is tied for fifth in touchdowns allowed (19).
Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com for details.
Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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