If you are in the need of adding additional strength to your Week 12 fantasy football lineup, check out five sleepers who have the opportunity to reward better-than-average fantasy points for your team this week.
1. Josh McCown, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McCown has increased in fantasy value partly due to the incredible connection he and rookie wide receiver Mike Evans have been developing. In Week 12, McCown faces the Chicago Bears who have allowed the second-most fantasy points and second-most passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. Quarterbacks playing Chicago are walking away with an average of 20.4 fantasy points per outing, making McCown a great sleeper option if you are in need of a backup quarterback in Week 12.
2. Dan Herron, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
Trent Richardson was already averaging 15.2 touches per game and performing at an ineffective level. Dan "Boom" Herron the new No. 2.
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) November 17, 2014
Due to Ahmad Bradshaw’s leg injury, Herron comes to the aid of the Colts to play in tandem with an unimpressive Trent Richardson. The 28-year-old back has been quiet around the NFL thus far, but has the chance to handle some carries and perhaps catch one of those red zone passes Bradshaw so handily did. Additionally, there could be garbage time to eat up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12 making Herron a likely candidate to help the clock tick away.
3. Isaiah Crowell, Running Back, Cleveland Browns
The Ben Tate era in Cleveland ended abruptly this week giving Crowell, who has averaged nearly 4.6 yards per carry when given the opportunity, to be a sneaky sleeper play in Week 12 versus the Atlanta Falcons. Even if fellow back, Terrance West receives some touches, the Falcons are yielding an average of 23 fantasy points and 102 yards per game to the running back opposition. The Falcons possess the third-worst defense at stopping the rush, laying the path for Crowell to offer one of his upper-end performances in Week 12.
4. Wes Welker, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Wes Welker has a 9-2 record in games he's played against the Dolphins. He's accounted for 1,178 yards and 6 TDs on 95 catches.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) November 19, 2014
Welker has all but fallen off the earth when it comes to his fantasy relevancy these days, taking a major backseat to his receiving competition. However, with fellow receiver Emmanuel Sanders (concussion) and tight end Julius (ankle) both limited in practice, the door opens for Welker, who has had previous success against the Dolphins, to receive additional targets. On track to receive more action, makes Welker worth a shot at a flex starter in Week 12 against the Miami.
5. Cecil Shorts, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Shorts returns to action in Week 12, and could make quite the sleeper addition to your fantasy football roster playing against the Indianapolis Colts. Slated to lead his team once again in targets due to fellow receiver Allen Robinson being done for the year, Shorts is a tasty matchup against a Colts’ defense who have surrendered an average of 36 fantasy points per outing over their last three games. With the Colts’ sudden decline in defending the wide receiver position, they’ve also allowed a staggering 235 yards per game and six total touchdowns during this three-week period, carving the way for Shorts to have a solid performance in Week 12.
If any of these guys fits the bill, it’s possible that anyone or all may be found on your waiver-wire depending on your fantasy league size. They are also solid daily plays.
Photo: Chat Sports