RADIO
We already gave you some waiver wire sleepers earlier in the week, and today I'm going to give you some more of my favorite sleepers as well. Keep in mind, these are some fantasy football sleepers for Week 14 and the fantasy playoffs, since most of you are in leagues where the playoffs are starting this week. Also keep in mind that I'm higher on some of these players then others, some guys may seem like fairly obvious sleepers to you but are still flying under-the-radar in fantasy leagues, and others are more of a long shot but are still worth mentioning. If you are in a tight spot, have an injury to deal with, or have a bench spot to stash a potential sleeper - then you can consider the below players. Good luck RotoBallers with your matchups this week!
More Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 14 & the Playoffs
Sleepers (In Priority Order)
Michael Crabtree - WR, San Francisco 49ers
It's hard for me to fathom that I'm saying Michael Crabtree is a 'sleeper', but I guess that's what happens when you're injured the whole season and don't perform for fantasy owners. If you are in a league where the other managers have fallen asleep, and haven't picked up Crabtree yet, then take advantage of that. Let's not forget that Crabtree was Colin Kaepernick's main target last season. So far on the season he's missed him dearly, and now that he's back Kaepernick has to be excited. If you want a steal of a WR option, Crabtree is a perfect sleeper for the fantasy playoffs. Grab him if you still can.
Doug Baldwin - WR, Seattle Seahawks
Baldwin has quietly been producing for fantasy owners the past few weeks, especially in PPR leagues. Over the past 3 weeks Baldwin has put up at least 10 points in PPR leagues, even with the return of Percy Harvin. Now it seems as if Harvin has had a setback and will need to miss some more time, so Baldwin will immediately slide back into the #2 wide receiver role in Seattle. Russell Wilson is playing lights-out right now, and spreading the ball around, making Baldwin a great sleeper for Week 14 and the fantasy playoffs. Baldwin is still only owned in 23% of leagues, so snag him off the waiver wire if you still can.
Ryan Fitzpatrick - QB, Tennessee Titans
Over the past 4 weeks, Fitzpatrick has achieved a minimum of 14 points per game in standard leagues. This week he'll be facing a Denver defense which is ranked 5th worst against opposing quarterbacks, and constantly gives up lots of points to the opposition. With Denver's offense piling on points on a weekly basis, this will require Fitzpatrick to throw the ball a lot - even more than he has been already. This could also pose a risk (for interceptions etc), but if you are looking for a QB sleeper then Fitzpatrick may be a good option for you in Week 14 - especially in 2 QB leagues.
Willis McGahee - RB, Cleveland Browns
Okay, so not the sexiest choice of sleeper for Week 14. McGahee hasn't been great this year, barely resembling his former self who was once an elite NFL running back. But McGahee had his best game of the season last week racking up 57 rushing, yards 2 receptions, and a touchdown. He also gets to take on a New England rush defense in Week 14 that has be horrible the past few weeks and keeps getting gashed. After that he gets the Chicago Bears in Week 15, who have been bad against the run all year. McGahee is only 13% owned in fantasy leagues, so if you need a sleeper RB for the stretch run you can probably add him with ease.
Under-the-Radar Sleepers (in priority order)
Montee Ball - RB, Denver Broncos
When the season began everyone said that Montee Ball was going to be the main RB option in Denver. Well that has not been true, as Moreno has played fantastic and is easily putting up the best season of his career. However, over the past three weeks Ball been much more involved in the running game for Denver. I expect that the Broncos will look to involve him more to keep the opposing defenses on their toes and help him gain more experience for the playoff run. Last week Ball had 115 rushing yards, which shows the potential that he has if given an opportunity. Ball could be a huge RB sleeper option, especially if Moreno gets hurt with an injury, as the Broncos may focus on running the ball more as the weather gets colder.
LeGarrette Blount - RB, New England Patriots
Last week I went out on a limb saying that Bolden was going to be the lead RB in New England going forward. Well I was wrong, and it was LeGarrette Blount who handled a majority of the early-down RB volume last week. So this week if you are looking for a sleeper RB option, Blount is your guy. Steven Ridley was not even dressed for the game last week and Blount took all his touches. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Patriots RB situation is always maddening. It's worse than being a RB for a Shanahan, and that's pretty bad. However if you are in need of RB depth for Week 14 and the playoffs, Blount could be a decent option.
Arizona Defense - D/ST, Arizona Cardinals
People still seem to be questioning the Arizona defense at the point in the season, even though they have been dominant and consistent over the past few weeks. Although they are already 82% owned, don't be one of those fantasy managers who leaves this defense on the waiver wire if they're somehow still available in your league, or benches them because of the matchup. There aren't many other defenses that are worth starting on a week-to-week basis. With all the questions on which defense to start this week, Arizona is being listed as an under-the-radar sleeper because sometimes the most obvious answer is right in front of us.
Previously Awesome Players Injury Considerations (in priority order)
Dennis Pitta - TE, Baltimore Ravens
I've mentioned his name already, and I'll mention it again and again. Pitta is nearly recovered from his injury and ready to return back to the football field. This week the Ravens will make a decision if he'll play his first game of the season, and the coaches have already said they're hopeful he will be good to go. Even if it doesn't happen, Pitta is still a solid sleeper stash for Weeks 15 and 16 of the fantasy playoffs. Pitta is more of a long shot since he's been injured all year, but you never know in football, and he could emerge as a sneaky TE sleeper for PPR leagues.
Randall Cobb - WR, Green Bay Packers
I'm really really stretching it here because the earliest Cobb could return is Week 15, and reports are already saying that he may not be ready by then (or at all this season). Given the current status of the Packers, I'm not sure they would risk putting out Cobb on the field unless they know there's a chance that they will be in the playoffs. Additionally, rumors are swirling that Rodgers may not play the rest of the season either. Even if Cobb is ready by Week 15, if that Rodgers rumor is true then Cobb can be ignored. At minimum watch this situation closely over the next few days.
