Fantasy Football Sunday Sleepers: Week 12

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

Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams – at Denver

Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford has produced better then anyone could have anticipated, completing 60.6 percent of his passes with 14 TD and nine INT.  In his last four games, he’s taken things a step further, completing 66.9 percent of his passes with seven TD and one INT.  In fact, he had gone four straight games without an interception before throwing one against the Falcons in Week 11.

He has attempted 42 passes in each of his last two games, showing that the Rams are more then willing to give him an opportunity.  While they may lack alluring receiving options on the outside, limiting his ability to generate significant yardage (only one game with more then 253 yards), multiple touchdowns in three of his last four games help to offset that.

The Broncos passing defense is buoyed by Champ Bailey, though it hasn’t meant much this season.  They have allowed 232.1 passing yards a game, with 20 TD and just six INT (tied for third fewest in the league).  With their lack of ability to make plays, with Bradford showing ability to lead the offense without turning it over, you have to like his opportunities to produce.

Bradford is not for everyone, but in two quarterback formats he certainly is worth using.

Bradford is currently owned in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues and 29.7 percent of ESPN leagues

Another quarterback sleeper:

• Shaun Hill – Detroit Lions – 28 percent of Yahoo leagues and 13.7 percent of ESPN leagues.

Wide Receivers

Mike Thomas – Jacksonville Jaguars – at New York Giants

With Mike Sims-Walker questionable, it would appear that Thomas is once again in position to lead the Jaguars passing game.  While his numbers have not been excellent every game in recent weeks, he has scored touchdowns in three straight.  That certainly is important for fantasy owners in deeper formats.

The Jaguars may be a run first team, but David Garrard has thrown multiple touchdowns in three straight games (eight total) and six times this season.  With Sims-Walker out of action, they only have Marcedes Lewis outside of Thomas (Lewis leads the team with eight touchdown receptions) who can make something happen.

Thomas, meanwhile, leads the team in receptions (46) and yards (572), while ranking third in touchdowns.  The Jaguars have proven that they are willing to go to the air, meaning Thomas could be in line for another strong fantasy performance.

Thomas is currently owned in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues and 20.5 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other wide receiver sleepers:

• Danny Amendola – St. Louis Rams – 45 percent of Yahoo leagues and 28.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
• Derek Hagan – New York Giants – 14 percent of Yahoo leagues and 1.0 percent of ESPN leagues.

Running Backs

Mike Goodson – Carolina Panthers – at Cleveland

Maybe this is a bit of a cop out, but fantasy owners have not reacted to his back-to-back 100-yard rushing games.  Maybe it is the imminent return of Jonathan Stewart, which certainly does reduce Goodson’s expected fantasy value.

It makes it difficult to trust Goodson, but it is not like Stewart was playing well prior to his injury.  In fact, on 69 carries he was averaging just 3.0 yards per carry with one touchdown.  In Goodson’s 61 carries he has averaged 4.4 yards per carry.

Stewart had his opportunity to claim the starting running back spot and failed to do so.  Granted, as a veteran he will likely be looked at again, but if he gets off to a slow start it wouldn’t be a shock to see Goodson get the bulk of the carries.  Consider him an option if you need to take a gamble in deeper formats.

Goodson is currently owned in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues and 24.9 percent of ESPN leagues.

Another running back sleeper:

• Maurice Morris – Detroit Lions – Nine percent of ESPN leagues and 1.5 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 12 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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