Which under-the-radar players might be able to give your fantasy team a lift? Which chalky players might not be as safe as they seem?
Our featured analysts name some potential sleepers and underachievers for Week 14.
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Q. Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?
Michael Carter (RB – NYJ)
“Carter was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and looks set to return this week. Zonovan Knight has asserted himself in Carter’s absence, but Carter has played 40-60% of the snaps all year (even when Breece Hall was around), and that’s not likely to change now. The Bills are not a plus matchup, but if the Jets fall behind as Vegas expects them to, it could result in ample opportunities for Carter to operate as a receiver out of the backfield while the Jets are in hurry-up mode. With checkdown maestro Mike White under center, Carter’s pass-catching chops could be called into action early and often against Buffalo.”
– Andrew Seifter (FantasyPros)
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE – TEN)
“Love me some Chigoziem Okonkwo. For the second week in a row, the rookie tight end out-produced Austin Hooper. Both saw 5 targets (25% target share), but Okonkwo compiled 68 yards on just 4 catches. He leads all TEs in yards per reception (18.3) and ranks fourth overall in that category. 2nd in team target share over the last 2 games (17%). He also played more snaps (58%) and nearly matched Hooper in route participation (57% vs. 60%). Sneaky player to target off waivers and start for any TE-needy teams The Jaguars versus TEs this season: 31st in DVOA. 3rd in yards per reception and 7th in yards allowed.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Chigoziem Okonkwo has been a model of efficiency this season, averaging 18.3 yards per catch and 11.0 yards per target. Okonkwo has seen only 25 targets this season, but he could be in for a usage spike if Titans WR Treylon Burks is ruled out with a concussion. Okonkwo, a fourth-round rookie from Maryland, ranks first among TEs in yards per route run (2.75) and third in targets per route run (25%). We all know what a wasteland the TE position has been for fantasy managers not fortunate enough to have Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews on the roster. If Burks is out this week, Okonkwo could end up being a top-10 TE for the week.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Daniel Bellinger (TE – NYG)
“In his first game back after suffering a brutal eye injury, Giants TE Daniel Bellinger caught all five of his targets for 24 yards while playing nearly all of the team’s offensive snaps (97%). The Eagles have strong cornerbacks and regularly employ five-man defensive lines to stop opposing running games, but they’re susceptible to passes in the middle of the field to tight ends and slot wide receivers. Oh, and the Giants currently have zero good—or even serviceable—wide receivers. This all points to a high-volume game for Bellinger, especially if the Eagles get out to an early lead and force the Giants to throw the ball more than they typically like to.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
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Q. Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
Mike Evans (WR – TB)
“Mike Evans. When was the last time Evans DIDN’T disappoint fantasy managers? While he’s had promising usage all year, Evans hasn’t topped 60 yards since Week 8 or found the end zone since Week 3. Plus, he’s only caught more than five passes in a game three times all year, so he isn’t giving you that extra point-per-reception boost. Simply put, Evans and Tom Brady have never displayed worse on-field chemistry, and it’s hard to believe they’ll rediscover the “Honeymoon phase” against a 49ers defense that is projected to limit Tampa Bay to less than 17 points.”
– Andrew Seifter (FantasyPros)
“Mike Evans has gone eight straight games without a touchdown. He’s been held under 60 receiving yards in each of his last four games. Evans’ average depth of target is 12.9 yards, and with the Buccaneers’ best offensive lineman, Tristan Wirfs, out with a high-ankle sprain, Tom Brady might not get the time he needs to find Evans on those deeper throws. Evans also has a tough road matchup against the 49ers. Fade him this week.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Najee Harris (RB – PIT)
“Since Week 6, the Baltimore Ravens have completely shut down opposing running games. They rank fifth in fewest fantasy points allowed, facing the fifth-lowest number of rushes per game (18) and allowing just 55 rushing yards per game – the second-best mark in the NFL over that span. No. 3 overall in rush defense DVOA. With Najee Harris seeing his role reduced as a receiver and Benny Snell/Jaylen Warren getting more work than before during Week 13’s action, you need to temper expectations with Harris. He may not be 100% healthy as he was back on the Week 14 injury report with his oblique injury.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
D’Andre Swift (RB – DET)
“In Week 13, D’Andre Swift received his most carries (14) this season since Week 1 against the Eagles, when he rushed 15 times for 144 yards against a completely unprepared Philadelphia run defense. He also finished as an RB1 for the first time since Week 2. And then he popped back up on the injury report this week after finally being removed from it last week. Many fantasy analysts and managers are celebrating the return of Swift SZN, but I’m not quite ready to trust him. His bizarre usage and timeshare (especially in the red zone) with Jamaal Williams are concerning enough, even without him popping back up on the injury report. He’s pushing RB1 territory in ECR, but I’m expecting to have him in mid-RB2 or even borderline RB3 range when I finish my rankings this weekend.”
– Mike Maher (FantasyPros)
Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice! For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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