NFL: Week 11 Fantasy Sleepers to Start

Its the most wonderful time of the year! (Depending on your current standing in your fantasy league, of course.)

With Week 11 providing the last of the bye weeks for the NFL season, you might have to shake up your fantasy lineup in your push for the playoffs.

With the Texans (Arian Foster, Matt Schaub, Ben Tate, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels), Saints (Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Marques Colston), Colts (Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon), and Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall, Antonio Brown, Heath Miller) on bye this week, there are many talented assets that will be forced to be on your bench at this critical juncture of the fantasy season.

Here's a quick breakdown as to which sleepers to target for your Week 11 matchups.

Quarterback

Carson Palmer, Oakland (At Minnesota) 

If you're a Brees, Schaub or Roethlisberger starter, look no further than the former 2003 Heisman Trophy winner. Palmer looked like the quarterback of old in a Thursday night matchup at San Diego last week, completing 14-of-20 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns to rookie receiver Denarious Moore.

With the news of Vikings corner Antoine Winfield likely to miss the rest of the season, a depleted Vikings secondary only gets worse. With the speed that Oakland posses at receiver, and inside a controlled Metrodome environment, expect a big statistical game for Palmer and his receivers.

Projection: 18-27, 275 yards, 3 TDs

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets (At Denver)

Although Sanchez's Jets were blown out in front of a nationally televised "Sunday Night Football" audience, the other former Southern California quarterback still had a productive fantasy week. The September GQ cover boy completed 20-of-39 passes for 309 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Sanchez also recorded a rushing touchdown. You don't like to see the turnovers, but its tough to complain about 300-plus yards passing and two touchdowns, especially when one of those is a rush.

The Denver Broncos have given up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. I wouldn't expect the Broncos' "ground and pound" offense to move the ball, therefore keeping the Jets offense off of the field. The only possible area of concern for this matchup is the possibility of the Jets getting out to a big lead, and handing off the ball to kill the clock in the fourth quarter.

Projection: 16-24, 250 yards, 2 TDs

Running Back

Maurice Morris, Detroit (Vs Carolina)

Its been the worst kept secret in the NFL this season: Carolina can not defend the run. Since Jahvid Best and Jerome Harrison went down, Maurice Morris has benefited the most from their absence. Morris has averages of 5.6, 4.5 and 4.6 yards per carry in his three games as the Lions starting running back, while carrying the ball 9, 13 and 10 times in those games.

With Keiland Williams' role undermined with the signing of Kevin Smith (who only carried the ball four times last week at Chicago), expect Morris to get the bulk of the workload against a Carolina defense that is surrendering the second most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Projection: 15 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 15 yards

Roy Helu Jr, Washington (Vs Dallas)

Fantasy owners have been targeting this rookie running back out of Nebraska all year. Many people expected Helu to take over the Redskins running back position down the stretch, and Helu is doing just that.

After breaking out in Week 9 with 10 carries for 41 yards and 14 receptions (a Redskins franchise record) for 105 yards, Helu did everything in his power to become the starting running back for head coach Mike Shanahan. Of course, in true Shanahan fashion, Ryan Torain got the start at running back in Week 10.

Despite the snub, Helu led the Redskins in rushing again last week with 41 yards on only six carries (6.8 YPC). Going against the Cowboys, I expect Helu to get the majority of the workload, particularly in the passing game. It could be a bit of a stretch to expect 14 receptions from Helu this week, but you can expect a solid day's work from the former Huskers running back in Week 11.

Projection: 11 carries, 53 yards, 7 rec, 60 yards, 1 TD 

Wide Receiver

Harry Douglas, Atlanta (Vs Tennessee) 

In what turned out to be the best game of the previous week, the speedy Douglas had a tremendous performance in Julio Jones's second-half absence. Douglas was targeted 14 times, while hauling in eight receptions for 133 yards. With All-Pro teammates Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, defenses will continue to give Douglas single coverage.

In the final drive of regulation, Douglas was particularly impressive out of the slot. Douglas is a big play receiver who doesn't need a lot of receptions to put up yards. Douglas's Week 11 value is solely dependent upon Jones's availability. Simply put, if Jones is ruled out, start Douglas. If Jones is back in the Falcons starting lineup, stay away from Douglas. Monitor Jones's status throughout the week before making a decision.

Projection: 6 rec, 90 yards, 1 TD (Projection based on Julio Jones Not Playing)

Laurent Robinson, Dallas (At Washington) 

For those of you who didn't listen to a vast majority of fantasy experts: Shame on YOU! Laurent Robinson exploded for three receptions, 73 yards and two TDs last week versus the Bills. With Miles Austin's aggravated hamstring injury, Robinson looks to reap the most benefit from it.

Another perk to Robinson's fantasy value is the continued lack of consistency out of talented Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant. Although Bryant had a productive Week 10, Robinson has seemed to have earned Tony Romo's trust and will continue to be a focal point in this offense. It really can't hurt Robinson's value now that his quarterback appears to be fully healthy, and playing at fairly high level right now.

Projection: 7 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD