Fantasy Football Week 11: Top 10 Sleeper Picks

The playoffs are getting closer, which makes Week 11 a must-win for fantasy owners. Martavis Bryant and C.J. Anderson lead a loaded group of sleepers heading into this week’s slate of games.

In this context, sleepers are players we wouldn’t consider weekly options. Rather, they are under-the-radar talents with breakout potential.

When it comes to determining sleepers in fantasy, a variety of factors are measured, including hot streaks, matchups and injuries. If everything clicks just right, a sleeper is born.

Now that we’re all clear on the criteria, let’s get to the sleepers.

Honorable Mentions

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Shaun Hill will make his second start of the season Sunday against Denver.

Shaun Hill, QB, St. Louis Rams

Let’s be honest: The Denver Broncos are going to throttle the St. Louis Rams. Peyton Manning could be out of the game by halftime.

That’s actually what makes Shaun Hill an appealing option. With St. Louis down big, Hill may have to throw the ball 100 times.

That makes Hill a pretty safe bet for 300 yards, even if it comes with a few picks and a low completion percentage.

Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

You can’t teach size. At 6’2” and 240 pounds, Steven Jackson is still a force on the goal line.

With 36 touches over the last two weeks, I’m betting he finds paydirt Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Mychal Rivera, TE, Oakland Raiders

Mychal Rivera has snagged 21 catches over his last three games. That’s almost as many as Jimmy Graham (22) and Rob Gronkowski (23) in that same span.

Who knows, maybe this is the week the Oakland Raiders finally win a game (probably not).

No. 10: Ryan Mallett, QB, Houston Texans

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Ryan Mallett will make his first NFL start Sunday versus Cleveland

Didn’t you hear? Ryan Mallett is the new top dog in Houston. That makes Andre Johnson a happy camper.

Mallett’s chemistry with Johnson should go a long way when the Texans head to Cleveland Sunday for a meeting with the Browns. Mallett and Browns QB Brian Hoyer actually played together in New England for a year. Patriots Fest 2014!

Cleveland’s secondary manhandled Andy Dalton last week, but that’s a lot easier to do when you have a full scouting report. Mallett hasn’t started a game since college. This lack of familiarity could work in Houston’s favor. With four teams on byes this week, Mallett is definitely worth a flier.

No. 9: Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Like Mallett, Charles Sims is new to the fantasy scene. He debuted last week against the Atlanta Falcons, carrying the ball eight times for 23 yards. The Bucs were trying to ease him in after missing the first eight games with an ankle injury, so Sims should see more work against Washington in Week 11.

With 4.4 speed and excellent hands (he tied for the team lead in receptions at West Virginia University last year), Sims has freakish potential. So why not get in on the ground floor? Watch this video of him dominating the combine and try not to lose your mind.

No. 8: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

The Chicago Bears have given up 938 yards and 106 total points over the last two weeks. That means it’s going to be raining touchdowns in Chi-Town.

Heck, is the Vikings’ ball boy an option? I’ll put him in my flex spot.

Sure, Cordarrelle Patterson hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 7. But if we follow Family Guy logic, isn’t he overdue for one?

For the record, I, too, have an uncle.

No. 7: Anquan Boldin, WR, San Francisco 49ers

“He's too old.” Get over it.

Who cares if Anquan Boldin was born before Raiders of the Lost Ark came out? He’s still the best receiver in San Francisco, and he proved it last week with this sensational catch.

With the New York Giants on a four-game losing streak, Boldin could really wreak some havoc in Week 11. Fire him up in all formats.

No. 6: Brandon LaFell, WR, New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 02: Brandon LaFell #19 of the New England Patriots reacts after scoring a touchdown during the third against the Denver Broncos at Gillette Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Why did we slot Brandon LaFell ahead of the more experienced Boldin? Two words: Tom Brady.

He slaughtered the Cincinnati Bengals. He dominated Denver. Now it’s time for him to carve up the Indianapolis Colts.

LaFell is one of three Patriots on pace for over 900 receiving yards this season. Pencil him in for at least one touchdown Sunday at Indy.

No. 5: Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints

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Brandin Cooks is fourth among rookies with 500 receiving yards this season

Never underestimate the power of an angry quarterback. Drew Brees has averaged 303 yards per game following a loss this season.

He’s even better at home, averaging 316.8 yards per contest in four games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

So what happens when Brees plays at home the week after a loss? Mayhem, that’s what.

With 90-plus yards in two of his last three games, Brandin Cooks has a chance to go berserk against the struggling Bengals.

No. 4: Mark Sanchez, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

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Mark Sanchez threw for 332 yards in Monday's win over Carolina

Mark Sanchez played so well against Carolina it almost made me forget about the butt fumble.

Okay, that’s a lie. But things are definitely looking up for the former New York Jet. Check out this nugget from ESPN Stats and Information.

Sanchez has a shootout waiting for him Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. You know what that means—cheesesteaks for everyone!

No. 3: Terrance West, RB, Cleveland Browns

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Terrance West rushed for 94 yards in Week 10 against Cincinnati

Sometimes, the fantasy gods shine down on us. All three Cleveland running backs scored a touchdown last week against Cincinnati.

That’s not good luck. That’s divine intervention.

Surely, that won’t happen again this week. But if we’re going to trust one of the Cleveland backs, it would have to be Terrance West. He averaged a whopping 21 touches per game over the last two weeks. That’s more than Arian Foster and Jamaal Charles during that same span.

That kind of volume puts West ahead of both Sanchez and Cooks.

No. 2: C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos

Denver’s running back carousel continues. First, Montee Ball went down with a groin injury, and now Ronnie Hillman is out with a sprained foot. That leaves Anderson to man the Denver backfield.

The beauty of Anderson is that he’s not just a runner. He can also help out in the receiving game, as he did on this play Sunday against Oakland.

St. Louis doesn’t pose much of a challenge to Denver, which means the Broncos will probably look to kill clock by running the ball in the second half. We're looking at a full slate of garbage-time totes for Anderson.

Denver’s mile-a-minute offense is what makes Anderson a better play than West, though both carry tremendous sleeper appeal.

No. 1: Martavis Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Think of it this way: Antonio Brown is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ best receiver. That means he’ll draw the most coverage. With the Tennessee Titans secondary keyed in on Brown, Bryant's going to be wide open.

Care to see what happens when Bryant gets loose coverage?

Bryant has played in four NFL games. He scored in all of them.

West can’t say that. Neither can Anderson.

That settles it. A sleeper king has been crowned.