We are here. If you're reading this, you've made the playoffs in your fantasy league and are gearing up for a first-round matchup or preparing for a bye. Regardless, congratulations.

Same rules as always - in this column we will be looking at NFL players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues. These players can be sneaky fantasy football lineup sleepers for Week 12 as you consider adding players off the waiver wire and optimizing your fantasy football lineups. Last week we hit on Shaun Draughn and Scott Chandler while Dontrelle Inman went down with a scary head injury and Brock Osweiler didn't have to do much versus the inept Chargers.

Same as last week, I'll include a player from every position (including D/ST) each week - as long as the options are worthy of discussion. Let's get to it.

 

Digging Deeper - Potential Week 14 Waiver Wire Sleepers

Brian Hoyer (QB, HOU)

22% Owned in Fleaflicker

This is a wee bit too late, but it's time we start taking Brian Hoyer seriously. The Texans are right in the thick of the playoff race and while J.J. Watt has been his destructive self (7.5 sacks in last 5 games), it's Hoyer that's carrying this team.

Hoyer was excellent at Buffalo in Week 13, completing 26-of-43 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He targeted DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts, and Nate Washington 30 times total and took numerous deep shots to Washington throughout the game.

Hoyer has been sneaky good since taking over in Week 4. Aside from his concussion game at Cincinnati, Hoyer has averaged 21.65 points per game. This week he gets a primetime date with the Patriots. If the Patriots weren't pissed off versus the Eagles, they sure will be at Houston. Assuming the Pats take a lead in this game, Hoyer will be forced to chuck it often. The Pats have a top-12 pass defense but with receivers like Hopkins, Hoyer should be in line for a safe floor.

Bold Prediction: 26-for-45 passing, 280 yards, 2 TD

FAAB: $4

Shaun Draughn (RB, SF)

27% Owned in Fleaflicker

Yeah, I'm cheating here. Not only did I highlight Draughn last week, but he's not under 25% ownership. Well hear me out. It's playoff time, which means you can't afford a dud. There isn't one running back I trust that's farther down the list for Week 14 and Draughn is still relatively unowned, so just roll with it.

Draughn continued to dominate the carries for the 49ers, rushing 13 times for 36 yards and a score. He added five receptions for 50 yards on six targets. Nothing flashy, but enough for 19.6 points in PPR leagues.

Draughn saw 13 of 17 carries go his way, a rate we can expect to continue with Carlos Hyde's season still in doubt. With the 49ers out of contention, they're better off shutting down Hyde. This would put Draughn as an every-week RB2 to close out the year.

He has a tasty Week 14 matchup at Cleveland. The Browns have allowed 136.3 rushing yards per game, 31st in football. I'd rather use Draughn at Cleveland than Latavius Murray at Denver or Eddie Lacy vs Dallas. Roll out Draughn in all leagues for this crucial playoff matchup.

Bold Prediction: 20 carries, 84 yards, 4 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD

FAAB: $25

DeVante Parker (WR, MIA)

22% Owned in Fleaflicker

There's the DeVante Parker I've been touting all year. The downside is owners who held onto Parker all year may be sitting outside the playoff picture. But if Parker was cut loose in your league, it's time you scoop him up for the playoff run.

Parker took over Rishard Matthews' (ribs) X-spot in the starting lineup and was excellent, grabbing three-of-five targets for 63 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was a 38-yard deep ball that allowed Parker to display his leaping ability for a pretty catch.

We've been through this before, but remember that Parker was a freak athlete at Louisville and a first-round pick in the NFL draft. He has all the talent to succeed but wasn't healthy or knowledgeable of the playbook to start 2015. Now he has the starting role and a chemistry with Ryan Tannehill. In Week 14 he gets a date with the New York Giants, a team that's allowed 314.5 passing yards per game, worst in the NFL. Fire up Parker at your FLEX spot in Week 14.

Bold Prediction: 6 catches, 80 yards, TD

FAAB: $10

Luke Willson (TE, SEA)

4% Owned in Fleaflicker

No one is going to replace Jimmy Graham in Seattle's offense, but Luke Willson is doing his best to remind Seahawks fans that all hope is not lost.

Willson made an impact early in Week 13 versus the Minnesota Vikings, catching 2-of-3 targets for 36 yards. Unfortunately he wasn't a factor in the second half of a 38-7 blowout, but TE-deprived owners should take notice. Willson has oodles of athleticism and a chemistry with Russell Wilson from his starting days before Jimmy Graham came to town. This week the Seahawks travel to Baltimore, a team that is ranked 22nd versus tight ends according to DVOA rankings. Willson is a very risky TE2 for Week 14 but if Scott Chandler was scooped in your league, it's worth a gander.

Bold Prediction: 5 catches, 50 yards, TD

FAAB: $1

Chicago Bears Defense

14% Owned in Fleaflicker

Kirk Cousins at home? Good. Kirk Cousins on the road? Baaaad.

The Bears defense is averaging 8.6 fantasy points in their last five games and should have plenty of turnover opportunities in this outing.

Bold Prediction: 21 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 1 Fumb Rec

FAAB: $1

 

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