Fantasy Football Sunday Sleepers: Week 11

Looking for a sleeper option who may be available on your waiver wire who could make a major impact this week?  Let’s take a look at a few options. (For consideration on this listing from week-to-week, a player must be owned in less then 50 percent of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues.):

Quarterbacks
Jon Kitna – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Detroit
He’s coming off his best game since taking over for the injured Tony Romo, going 13-22 for 327 yards, three TD and one INT.  The interception problems that plagued him early (six interceptions in two games) could easily be explained to his lack of work with the receiving corps.  In his three starts he’s actually posted a pair of 300 plus yard performances.

Now he appears to have developed a tremendous rapport with Dez Bryant and gets a Lions defense that is in the middle of the pack against the pass (222.8 passing yards per game).  While they did well against Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 10, it was just two weeks ago that Mark Sanchez posted his first 300-yard passing game of his career (22-39, 336 yards and a touchdown) against them.

There’s a lot to like about the Lions passing attack, with Miles Austin, Roy Williams and Jason Witten joining Bryant.  There’s certainly a good chance that Kitna and company post another strong performance, making him usable as a low-end QB1.

Kitna is currently owned in 25 percent of Yahoo leagues and 10.6 percent of ESPN leagues

Other potential quarterback sleepers:

• Troy Smith – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Tampa Bay – 11% of Yahoo leagues and 4.1 percent of ESPN leagues
• Shaun Hill – Detroit Lions – at Dallas – 22 percent of Yahoo leagues and 6.5 percent of ESPN leagues

Wide Receivers
Mike Thomas – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Cleveland
A lot of his Week 10 success came from a hail mary pass that deflected right into his waiting hands.  Still, he has eight receptions in two of his last four games and touchdowns in back-to-back games.  Mike Sims-Walker has been enigmatic, at best, which gives hope that Thomas could emerge as the most dependable receiving option in Jacksonville.

He draws a Browns passing defense that is in the bottom 10 in the league, allowing 245.3 passing yards per game.  They have consistently been burned by big plays, having allowed 32 passing plays of at least 20 yards.  On the season, Thomas has 10 catches of at least 20 yards, tying him for 13th in the league.

Thomas leads the Jaguars in receptions (41) and yards (536).  He seems like a good bet to have a big day.

Thomas is currently owned in 39 percent of Yahoo leagues and 12.4 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other potential wide receiver sleepers:

• Nate Burleson – Detroit Lions – at Dallas – 17 percent of Yahoo leagues and 27.6 percent of ESPN leagues
• Deion Branch – New England Patriots – vs. Indianapolis – 45 percent of Yahoo leagues and 39.7 percent of ESPN leagues

Running Backs
Keiland Williams – Washington Redskins – at Tennessee
He got the start in Week 10 with both Ryan Torain and Clinton Portis hurting, but after falling behind to an insurmountable lead early, he wasn’t a major focus in the offense (though he did have 16 carries for 89 yards and two TD, but much of that can be considered mop up duty). 

With both players potentially out again this week, Williams is looking like he could draw the start once again.

The Titans, though a good offensive team, are not likely to be quite as explosive as the Eagles, meaning Williams should again get a chance to shine.  Tennessee’s defense is allowing 124.3 rushing yards per game and is tied for the third most rushing touchdowns allowed at 10.

He’s far from a lock, but the potential appears to be there.

Williams is currently owned in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues and 8.9 percent of ESPN leagues

Another running back sleeper:

• Mike Goodson – Carolina Panthers – vs. Baltimore – 27 percent of Yahoo leagues and 9.0 percent of ESPN leagues

What are your thoughts on these players?  Would you take the gamble on any of them?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s Week 11 Rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses
• Waiver Worthy
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em

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