X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: Players Who May Still Be Available

By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA (Niles Paul) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Evan O. analyzes deeper Week 12 fantasy football waiver wire sleepers (PPR and non-PPR). Target these waiver wire sleepers after Week 12 waivers have run in your leagues.

By Keith Allison (Cropped from:) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsDId you lose someone to injury last week and want a stash? Perhaps you need a bye week filler and you missed out on C.J. Anderson or Jarvis Landry?  No worries, there are always more waiver wire sleepers out there for you to consider. We’re digging deep every week for some waiver wire adds that can help propel your team into the fantasy playoffs. I'm going to take a look at some players that are almost definitely available in your league who could provide quite a boost to your team for this week and through the season.

In this piece, I’ve attempted to identify some deeper sleepers who may have either fallen off the radar, or are not getting enough love from fantasy football owners and are still underowned. Some of these players may be available in your leagues, depending on the league size and format, so feel free to pick them up and stash them if they’re still sitting out there.

You never know0-- any of these players could emerge in Week 12 or beyond to become difference-makers for fantasy football owners– especially in deeper leagues. Remember, we’re digging deeper here, so let’s see what the free agent pool has lying around.

Editor's Note: Find sleeper picks, undervalued ADPs, and draft targets to help you dominate your fantasy football drafts. Try our free who to draft tool for personalized recommendations.

 

Digging Deeper - Potential Waiver Wire Sleepers

Josh McCown - QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

And he’s back.  After his dismal performance in Atlanta on Thursday, and a finger injury, McCown was thought to have played his last down as a starter in Tampa Bay.  With Mike Glennon being no more than a game manager (even with his big arm), McCown was able to win his job back, and he sure has impressed over the past two weeks, putting up 301 and 288 yards and four total touchdowns.

Both of the defenses that McCown faced were uninspiring, but there is hope nonetheless. The Buccaneers play at Chicago this week, and while it’s not a dream matchup, the Bears have struggled against the pass lately, and they haven’t generated the strongest pass rush (which will mean the world to a terrible Tampa offensive line).  With Mike Evans's emergence as a bonafide, I believe in McCown to continue his trend of strong fantasy performances.  In a possible shootout, McCown is a low-end QB1 with a surprising amount of upside.

 

Isaiah Crowell - RB, Cleveland Browns

32% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

The murky Cleveland backfield just got a little clearer with the release of Ben Tate, leaving just Terrance West and Crowell as the difference-making backs.  I’m giving the nod to Crowell as the player who can help you in the stretch run to the playoffs.

Blessed with good speed for his massive frame, Crowell is a physical specimen who has regularly produced on the field, rushing for at last 4.9 yards per carry in three of the four games in which he received over 10 carries.  He’s also scored five touchdowns.  While West has received more carries in total, his yards per carry is way lower, and he’s scored two fewer touchdowns.

West doesn’t bring the same level of speed and power that Crowell does, and the coaching staff seems to feel the same way, as Crowell has still received carries despite his slight tendency to put the ball on the ground.  With Cleveland in the playoff race, look for Pettine to use Crowell more frequently than West.  With Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron returning soon, the running lanes are going to be there. He could have some RB2 value down the stretch and he has absolute cake matchups for the playoffs (Colts, Bengals, Panthers).

 

Charles Johnson - WR, Minnesota Vikings

1% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

This guy was a favorite of mine when he was with Cleveland to start the year.  When Minnesota claimed him off the practice squad, I figured it would take at least a year before he would emerge as a starter on a team, but that time might be now.  Johnson is an athletic freak in the mold of Andre Holmes or a less-talented Josh Gordon.

With injuries to Jarius Wright and Greg Jennings, Johnson was able to make an impact this week, catching an impressive six of seven targets for 87 yards.  With both Jennings and Wright questionable for next week, Johnson immediately becomes a WR4 with immense upside in a pass-first game against the Packers, even with Bridgewater’s struggles.  Cordarrelle Patterson has still failed to make an impact as a receiver, and Kyle Rudolph may still be on a snap count.

Johnson may be Bridgewater's primary target in this game, which would mean a whole lot for his fantasy value.  If he does end up winning a starting job, he has a rough playoff matchup (Lions, Dolphins), but the three games leading up to Week 15 are mouth-watering.  If he has a good game against the Packers, he immediately becomes a must-add.

 

Tight Ends to Target In Week 12

Tight end has been nothing short of a mess this year, with multiple players failing to meet expectations, whether that's due to injury or performance: Jordan Reed, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Ladarius Green, Zach Ertz, Jordan Cameron, Vernon Davis, Charles Clay, Dennis Pitta.  It’s unheard of that this many players are legitimate busts at their position at this point in the season.  Here’s two guys that I would scoop off the waiver wire if you've had some tight end woes:

  • Niles Paul - This guy was a TE1 when he started for Reed to begin the season. He’s actually been playing just as much as Reed even when Reed was healthy, so the coaching staff trusts him.  He’s fast for his size and is a great seam stretcher who can be a true difference-maker.  (He was even a kick returner two years ago!)
  • Mychal Rivera - He may be already owned in your league, but he’s Derek Carr’s safety valve.  He’s a smaller, less nimble Larry Donnell without the playmaking hands, but he’s been a consistent red zone target.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Steven Matz

Going to Boston
Zack Littell

Reds Finalizing Trade for Zack Littell
Ramón Urías

Ramon Urias Heading to Houston
Shohei Ohtani

Expects to Make Next Start
Ke'Bryan Hayes

Sammy Stafura Headed to Pittsburgh in Ke'Bryan Hayes Deal
Michael Soroka

Traded to Cubs
Kenneth Walker III

Likely to See Heavy Workload
Brenton Strange

Getting TE1 Reps
Keaton Mitchell

Looks Explosive in Practice
Colston Loveland

Impressing Coaching Staff
Shohei Ohtani

Exits Early as Pitcher, Stays in at DH
Christian Gonzalez

Still Nursing Hamstring Injury
Tyler Bass

Sits Out Practice Again
Jonathan Kuminga

Declines Latest Offers from Golden State
Michael Woods II

Waived on Wednesday
Ryan Helsley

Mets Acquiring Ryan Helsley From Cardinals
Juwan Johnson

Dealing With Groin Injury
Christian Darrisaw

Takes Part in Team Drills on Wednesday
Curtis Samuel

Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel Could be Back Soon
Jerome Ford

Takes Part in Team Drills on Wednesday
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

More Than a Slot Receiver
Jhoan Duran

Acquired by Phillies
Brandon Lowe

Activated and Playing on Wednesday
Blake Snell

Scheduled to Make his Return on Saturday
Jeff Wilson Jr.

49ers Work Out Jeff Wilson Jr., D'Ernest Johnson
Juan Soto

Mets Hopeful Juan Soto will Return on Friday
Jordan Whittington

Mike LaFleur Praises Jordan Whittington
Jaydon Blue

Gets Work With First-Team Offense on Wednesday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. has Calf Strain, Could Return in 2-3 Weeks
Zay Flowers

Sitting Out of Wednesday's Practice
Joe Burrow

Says Wednesday's Practice was "Best I've Thrown in Years"
Cam Ward

Says Titans Offense Has Been "Very Mid"
Maxwell Hairston

Week-to-Week with Knee Injury
Shedeur Sanders

Competes Against First-Team Defense on Wednesday
Matthew Stafford

Rams Confident Matthew Stafford Will Play in Week 1
Juan Soto

Out Against Padres
Ke'Bryan Hayes

Reds Acquiring Ke'Bryan Hayes From Pirates
Jackson Chourio

Out for Series Finale
Ian Happ

Won't Go on Injured List
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Mid-August Return for Astros
Isaac Paredes

Could Need Season-Ending Surgery
Carlos Correa

Not in Lineup for Series Finale
Gary Woodland

Eyeing Strong Finish to Reach Playoffs
Max McGreevy

Chasing a Miracle at Wyndham
Stephan Jaeger

a Solid Value Play at Wyndham Championship
Max Homa

Fighting to Salvage Disappointing Season
Nicolai Hojgaard

a Sleeper at Wyndham Championship
Rickie Fowler

Riding Quiet Momentum Into Wyndham
Brian Campbell

a Wild Card at Wyndham Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at Wyndham Championship
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Back in Lineup Wednesday
Aaron Rai

Finishes Tied For 34th at Open Championship
Andrew Novak

Finishes Tied For 63rd at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied For 16th at Open Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Wins 3M Open
Tom Kim

Finishes Tied For 28th at 3M Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Misses Cut at 3M Open
Max Greyserman

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Jordan Spieth

Looks to End Regular Season on a High Note at Wyndham Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Tied For Fourth at Open Championship
Eric Cole

Misses Cut at 3M Open
Keith Mitchell

Needs a Big Week at Wyndham Championship
Robert MacIntyre

is the Perfect Kind of Ball-Striker for Wyndham Championship
Charlie McAvoy

Ready to Go for Next Season
Dylan Samberg

Agrees to Three-Year Contract with Jets
Michael Kim

Needs More Solid Finishes
NBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo Added to Greece Training Camp Roster for EuroBasket 2025
Los Angeles Clippers

Patrick Baldwin Jr. Waived by Clippers
Josh Green

May Not be Ready for Start of Hornets Training Camp
NBA

Thomas Bryant Set to Move to Greece
Cam Thomas

Nets Far Apart in Contract Talks
Kristaps Porzingis

Feeling "Great" Ahead of New Season
Chris Paul

Hints He Could Extend His Career Beyond the 2025-26 Season
Brandon Miller

Close to 100 Percent
Jayden Struble

Canadiens Lock Up Jayden Struble for Two Years
Robert Whittaker

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Reinier de Ridder

Gets Split-Decision Win
Conor Timmins

Avoids Salary Arbitration with Two-Year Deal
Marcus McGhee

Drops Decision At UFC Abu Dhabi
Toronto Raptors

Colin Castleton Waived by Raptors on Monday
Petr Yan

Extends Win Streak
Marc-Andre Barriault

Suffers Decision Loss
Shara Magomedov

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jose Ochoa

Dominated At UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA

Asu Almbayev Dominates At UFC Abu Dhabi
Nikita Krylov

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Bogdan Guskov

Scores Knockout Win
Kyle Larson

Falls Short of Back-To-Back Victories at Indianapolis
Denny Hamlin

Rallies Into Third Place At Indianapolis
Chase Briscoe

Pit Strategies End up Failing Chase Briscoe at Indianapolis
Ty Gibbs

Wins NASCAR's Inaugural In-Season Challenge Tournament
Ryan Preece

Finishes Fourth but Loses Ground to Playoff Cutline
Brad Keselowski

Has Good Strategy, but Not Enough to Win
Ryan Blaney

Bails from Hail Mary Strategy Attempt but Recovers to Finish Seventh
Tyler Reddick

Eliminated from Brickyard 400 in Crash After Top Five Run
Chicago Bulls

Billy Donovan Agrees to Contract Extension with Chicago
Erik Jones

Is Erik Jones Worth Rostering At Indianapolis This Week?
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Worth Rostering For Indianapolis DFS Lineups?
NASCAR

Could A.J. Allmendinger be A Solid Tournament DFS Option?
Zane Smith

Is a Respectable Value Option for Indianapolis Despite Low Experience
Cole Custer

Is A Solid Value Option for Indianapolis DFS Lineups
Riley Herbst

Is an Unfavorable DFS Option for Indianapolis Lineups
Zeev Buium

Aims for Big Role Next Season
NHL

Conor Sheary Signs Tryout Deal with Rangers
Denny Hamlin

an Easy DFS Target After Wreck in Qualifying
Arvid Soderblom

Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Blackhawks
Kyle Larson

Will Start 13th to Defend Brickyard 400 Crown
Chase Briscoe

on Pole for Brickyard as Momentum Continues to Build
Ryan Blaney

Learned a Lot in Practice at Indianapolis
Brad Keselowski

Should Be Very Strong at Indianapolis
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Challenge for a Brickyard 400 Win on Sunday?
Ryan Preece

Don't Forget About Ryan Preece at Indianapolis
Philadelphia 76ers

Ricky Council IV Waived by Philadelphia
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors "Haven't Gained Any Traction" on Sign-and-Trade Deal for Jonathan Kuminga
Brett Berard

Played Through Shoulder Injury Last Season
Maxim Tsyplakov

Islanders Re-Sign Maxim Tsyplakov on Two-Year Deal
Jackson Blake

Inks Eight-Year Extension with Hurricanes
Robert Whittaker

Returns At UFC Abu Dhabi
Reinier de Ridder

Set For Main Event
Petr Yan

Set For Co-Main Event
Marcus McGhee

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Marc-Andre Barriault

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Shara Magomedov

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Asu Almbayev Looks To Return To The Win Column
Jose Ochoa

Set For His Third UFC Bout
Bogdan Guskov

Set To Open Up UFC Abu Dhabi Main Card
Nikita Krylov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF