Fantasy football sleepers: Tua Tagovailoa primed for a big Week 15

By Rachel Wold

·Updated: October 14, 2024

Fantasy football sleepers: Tua Tagovailoa

Fantasy football sleepers: Last week in the NFL dealt quite the whirlwind of activity, including a major statement win for the Philadelphia Eagles over the New Orleans Saints. It’s also likely not too many folks started the following quarterback who tops our list of Week 15 fantasy football sleepers.

Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, Miami Dolphins

Start Tagovailoa in Week 15 and watch the fantasy points come pouring in. Tagovailoa and the Dolphins host the struggling New England Patriots, whose offense will be no match for Miami’s red-hot defense.

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As the Dolphins’ defense has its way and then some with Newton and Co., creating turnovers and chaos all game long, Tagovailoa should have plenty of opportunities to move the ball to generate fantasy points. He’s coming off of an excellent 316-yard, two-touchdown performance and appears to be on quite a rhythm with his offense as of late.

Jeff Wilson, running back, San Francisco 49ers

Wilson has emerged as the clear No. 2 back behind Raheem Mostert — who happens to be dealing with an ankle issue. If Mostert was to be held out of his Week 15 game against Dallas, Wilson would be the fortunate one to face a Cowboys defense that is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points in 2020 to opposing running backs.

Even if Mostert plays, Wilson will still get his opportunities and he should be lightning in a bottle with Dallas giving up 4.96 yards per carry on average.

Sneak Wilson in as a flex, or stream him in DFS in what should be a wonderful Week 15 start for him.

Eric Ebron, tight end, Pittsburgh Steelers

For those with choices at tight end who are debating on starting or sitting Ebron in Week 15, get him into those lineups everywhere! Ebron has a prime opportunity to award TE1 fantasy points as the Steelers prepare to play the Bengals in Monday Night Football.

The Bengals are bad to the bone when it comes to defending tight ends. And they have given away the second-most fantasy points to tight ends to date, which amounts to 66.9 yards on average per game.

Look for Ebron — who has been targeted 27 times in his last three games — to fully exploit this awesome matchup.

Related: NFL Week 15 injury report

New York Giants wide receivers

Whether or not Daniel Jones is under center in Week 15, for a Sunday Night Football game against the Browns, the Giants wide receivers make for sleeper starts in a contest that should force New York to throw the ball tons.

As this game pertains to fantasy football stats, Cleveland has yielded the eighth-most wide receiver fantasy points along with 18 touchdowns to the position in 2020.

So, keep Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and Golden Tate in mind when looking for affordable DFS options, or when searching for viable waiver wire pickups for Week 15.

Philip Rivers, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is seen on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the NFL week 5 game at First Energy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. The Browns won, 32-23. Indianapolis Colts At Browns At First Energy Stadium In Nfl Week 5 Cleveand Ohio Sunday Oct 11 2020

Rivers often gets overlooked when it comes to reliable starting quarterbacks in fantasy football. However, he has been playing exceptionally well and has another chance to reign in the fantasy points going up against Houston for the second time this season.

Rivers faced the Texans just two weeks ago and completed a commendable 77.1% of his passes for a total of 285 yards and two touchdowns. This game around, Rivers plays at home and he has been really been clicking with T.Y. Hilton who he’s targeted 18 times in his past two games.

With that said, start Rivers as well as Hilton who has racked up 196 total yards and three touchdowns in the last two weeks.

Fantasy Football sleepers: Week 14 update

Fantasy football sleepers: Last week in the NFL dealt quite the whirlwind of activity, including a major upset that squashed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ perfect 11-0 record. It’s also likely not too many folks started the following quarterback who tops our list of Week 14 fantasy football sleepers.

Fantasy football sleepers: Alex Smith, quarterback, Washington Football Team

In Week 13, Smith was surely on most fantasy benches ahead of a looming matchup against a tough Steelers defense. But perseverance prevailed. Smith led his Washington team to a victory, throwing for 296 yards and one touchdown along the way.

With that said, look for ample fantasy points to be scored by Smith when he takes on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. This is a team that last allowed Josh Allen throw for a clean four touchdowns and 375 yards. Start Smith in this very favorable matchup and get his tight end, Logan Thomas, in lineups after his big breakout 98-yard, one touchdown game.

Myles Gaskin, running back, Miami Dolphins

Gaskin made his return back to the field, and didn’t miss a beat when he piled up 90 rushing yards on the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Next up for Gaskin is a juicy game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Don’t sleep on Gaskin as he will face a Chiefs defense that let Melvin Gordon of the Denver Broncos run wild. There was no stopping Gordon who turned 15 rushing attempts into 131 yards.

On average, the Chiefs give up 150.1 total yards to running backs per game, which provides Gaskin with plenty of sleeper appeal for Week 14.

Jamison Crowder, wide receiver, New York Jets

Crowder has an excellent chance to score fantasy points galore in his Week 14 game against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s no secret that the Seahawks are terrible in defending the pass. Even if those passes are coming from Sam Darnold, start Crowder with a decent level of confidence.

On the season, the Seahawks have surrendered the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position, which comes to the tune of yielding 229.6 total yards per game on average.

Heck, even Darnold might be worth an inexpensive DFS quarterback start as a fantasy football sleeper in Week 14 with this favorable matchup next on his schedule.

Adrian Peterson, running back, Detroit Lions

Ol’ AP still has gas left in his tank and he should be running on full when Detroit takes on the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. The Packers have been ultra-generous in giving away the third-most fantasy football points to running backs so far in 2020.

With opposing backs rushing for 4.6 yards per carry against Green Bay and the Lions’ offense taking on a new look minus head coach Matt Patricia, Peterson makes for a savvy Week 14 fantasy start.

Will Dissly, tight end, Seattle Seahawks

Those looking to stream a cheap DFS tight end in Week 14, or who simply have no other options should give Dissly a look. He has great opportunity to cash in on some fantasy points playing the Jets this Sunday.

To date, the Jets have given up the most tight end fantasy points, which includes last letting Raiders tight end Darren Waller destroy them with 200 yards and two touchdowns.

While Dissly will be hard-pressed to repeat Waller’s fantasy stats, he might just pleasantly surprise, should quarterback Russell Wilson hit him up with a few targets in Week 14.

Last week in fantasy football was a bumpy ride for all, with many surprises — both good and bad — dealt along the way. As we prepare for Week 13, here are some fantasy sleepers primed for success around the NFL world.

Mitch Trubisky/Nick Foles, quarterbacks, Chicago Bears

The Bears’ quarterbacks have been a revolving door all season long. However, an injury to Nick Foles landed Trubisky back under center this past Sunday night. Despite turnover struggles, he threw for a respectable 242 yards and three touchdowns. However, a couple of turnovers by Trubisky could lead the Bears revert back to Foles (if he’s ready to play) for a Week 13 clash against the Lions.

Either way, whoever is under center for the Bears is a good sleeper candidate going up against a Detroit defense that is getting absolutely destroyed through the air. Over their past three games, the Lions have given up 966 passing yards and five touchdowns through the air.

Those in a bind heading into Week 13 or those looking for a good quarterback streaming option, could do worse than starting either Trubisky or Foles for this particular game.

Related: Time to fire Matt Nagy

Austin Ekeler, running back, Los Angeles Chargers

Anyone hesitant to start Ekeler after he returned from his multiple-week long injury missed out the 99 combined yards he racked up in Week 12.

With that said, Ekeler enters Week 13 with plenty of sleeper appeal facing a matchup against the New England Patriots. New England last let the Cardinals running backs pile up a combined of 136 yards and two rushing touchdowns. With Ekeler clearly looking like he’s back in the driver’s seat at running back for the Chargers, start him with confidence in this very favorable matchup.

Jarvis Landry, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns

Landry finally had that huge game his fantasy owners have been wishing for all season. Fresh from his 143-yard, one touchdown performance, Landry is primed again for success in Week 13.

The Browns will square off against the Titans who have given up an average of 188 yards to wide receivers and rank fifth-worst against the pass. Heck, this even makes Baker Mayfield worthy of sneaky quarterback start for Week 13.

Mike Gesicki, tight end, Miami Dolphins

A sleeper tight end to start in Week 13 is Gesicki against the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s right. This defense just got shredded by Giants tight end Evan Engram after he turned six catches into 129 yards, including a 53-yard play.

Those who have Geskicki stashed on the bench since he has not had a high yardage game since Week 5 should roll with him in this particular matchup. Overall, the Bengals have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Jamaal Williams, running back, Green Bay Packers

Williams has been an excellent change of pace back to Aaron Jones, when the Packers play with a lead. This could definitely be the situation when Green Bay hosts the Eagles in Week 13.

In the Packers last game, when they strongly stayed ahead of the Chicago Bears, Williams received the same amount of carries (17) as Jones did. This resulted in Williams rushing for 73 yards, while he scored one touchdown.

Don’t sleep on Williams as a flex play in similar game scenario that could see the Packers once again, playing ahead against Philly.

Week 12 fantasy sleepers, updated Nov. 23

With fantasy playoffs approaching and big NFL star-packed offenses returning in Week 12, here are some fantasy football sleepers primed for success in their upcoming games.

Alvin Kamara, running back, New Orleans Saints

Fantasy owners might have felt a little cheated by Kamara’s last performance against the Atlanta Falcons. He recorded just 45 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

In Week 12, Kamara emerges as a fantasy sleeper who could have big game against the Broncos. Denver has yielded the third-most fantasy points to running backs over its past two games. This equates to it giving up 298 yards and five rushing touchdowns in that stretch.

Denver’s offense has been performing well. That should keep the game competitive. Kamara should be plenty involved in moving the ball. Latavius Murray should be considered a deep fantasy sleeper as well in this upcoming Week 12 game.

Mike Williams, wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers

Williams either rewards or disappoints his fantasy owners on a weekly basis. However, the pass-catcher should be a start in Week 12 in what is a very favorable fantasy matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Wide receivers playing against the Bills as of late are getting away with the farm in fantasy points. In Week 9, Buffalo gave up 219 yards and two touchdowns to the Seahawks receivers. Then in Week 10, the Cardinals receivers gashed the Bills for 181 yards and a score.

The Bills return from their bye with Justin Herbert surely having to use that arm of his to keep up with a red-hot Josh Allen and Co. This sets Williams up as one of the biggest fantasy sleeper plays heading into Week 12.

Philip Rivers, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

Highly underrated as a start-worthy fantasy quarterback, Rivers has sneakily been putting up some awesome points in his last two games.

In Week 10, Rivers threw for 308 yards and one touchdown against the Titans. He then followed that up with a fabulous game this past Sunday against Green Bay. That game saw him pass for 288 yards and three touchdowns.

In Week 12, Rivers comes with ton of sleeper appeal as he prepares to play the Titans again. With Tennessee giving up the sixth-most passing yards on the season, Rivers is a solid start as both teams fight for first place in the AFC South.

Todd Gurley, running back, Atlanta Falcons

Those who start Gurley in Week 12 should see their running back get back on track. Gurley has a nice matchup against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that yielded three touchdowns to Chiefs running backs in Week 11.

On the season, the Raiders have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs as well as yielding 4.6 yards per carry. Don’t sleep on Gurley’s potential to rebound from his previous outing.

Evan Engram, tight end, New York Giants

Overall, Engram is not having the fantasy season his owners hoped he would have. But for those who own him, or need a Week 12 tight end to stream, Engram has an ideal matchup against the Bengals.

Cincinnati is allowing the second-most fantasy points to tight ends on the season. With that said, look for Daniel Jones to exploit what is a flimsy Bengals passing defense when he hopefully gets Engram involved.

NFL Week 11 fantasy sleepers, updated Nov. 20

Dallas Cowboys wide receivers

Returning from their bye week and with Andy Dalton back under center, Cowboys wide receivers make for some sneaky NFL fantasy sleepers in Week 11.

Dallas’ wide receiving corps might finally catch a break when it squares off against the Vikings. Minnesota’s defense has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers on the season. That includes a league-high 16 receiving touchdowns.

With that said, start Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup with the hope they take advantage of this favorable Week 11 matchup.

DeAndre Swift, running back, Detroit Lions

Looking for fantasy running back sleepers?

If so, start Swift in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. Swift is primed for success playing a Carolina defense that has allowed 153.5 total yards to running backs per game as well as 12 touchdowns on the season.

With Teddy Bridgewater potentially missing this week’s game, the Lions stand more of a chance of gaining a lead, which will afford Swift more opportunity to move the ball on the ground.

NFL Week 11: Fantasy football injury report

Taysom Hill, quarterback, New Orleans Saints

The Saints will be without Drew Brees in Week 11 when New Orleans plays the Atlanta Falcons. Jameis Winston — a hot waiver wire pickup for Week 11 — is expected to start. While that’s fine and dandy for Winston, the Saints will still likely involve Hill in special plays.

This might even be more the case than usual if Winston struggles. Hill can be an animal on the field and he makes for a sneaky NFL fantasy sleeper facing a Falcons defense allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks to date. Opposing quarterbacks have scored a ridiculous 26 touchdowns against Atlanta in nine games.

Update, November 20, 2020, 12:00 PM PT: According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Jameis Winston “will not be part of any offensive packages” when the Saints host the Falcons in Week 11. This would leave us to conclude that Taysom Hill will be under center and heavily involved in this Sunday’s game.

Taysom Hill Fantasy Football Impact:

For those who picked up Winston to start for Brees, or need a quarterback, period, Hill is worth starting against that porous Falcons defense. He is bound to rack up points not only in passing, but rushing as well.

Related: NFL Week 11 schedule, predictions

Logan Thomas, tight end, Washington Football Team

Entering Week 11, Thomas makes a nice fantasy football sleeper pick at tight end. He should see a boost in production facing a Cincinnati Bengals defense that is yielding the second-most tight end fantasy points in 2020.

With Alex Smith now under center, Thomas has received 12 targets over his last two games. For those in a bind needing to fill a tight end spot in Week 11, start Thomas with an elevated level of confidence.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, running back, Kansas City Chiefs

CEH has not lived up to all the fantasy hype ahead of the 2020 NFL season. But he returns from his bye with tons of upside as one of the biggest NFL fantasy sleepers heading into Week 11.

The Chiefs will look to better their 8-1 record when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Fortunately for Edwards-Helaire, he will face a defense that has given away the sixth-most running back fantasy points.

Look for CEH to hopefully get back on track in a “Sunday Night Football” game played inside a nicely tempered Raiders Vegas stadium.

Update, November 20, 2020, 12:00 PM PT: Edwards-Helaire reportedly did not practice on Thursday (illness). Keep an eye on his availability as Sunday night’s game gets closer. In the event that CEH sits out in Week 11, backup Le’Veon Bell would see a big uptick in his workload.

Willie Snead, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens

Snead is by no means an ideal fantasy start on a weekly basis. However, he makes for a sneaky start against the Tennessee Titans in Week 11.

With Snead coming off of a 64-catch, two-touchdown game against New England he has fantasy sleeper appeal playing a Titans defense that has surrendered the fifth-most passing yards in 2020.

With that said, feel confident to start Snead in a flex spot, when quarterback Lamar Jackson should completely shred Tennessee through the air.

Looking at fantasy football sleepers for Week 10 of the NFL season? Don’t worry, we’re hear to help. Tua Tagovailoa could be a real option against a struggling Los Angeles Chargers defense.

Veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders also makes sense as a fantasy sleeper for Week 10 against an injury-plagued San Francisco 49ers team.

Check out our Week 10 sleepers below

Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, Miami Dolphins

Should fantasy football owners start or sit Tagovailoa as he makes only his third NFL start of the season? The answer is to start. In Week 10, Tagovailoa has quite the fantasy sleeper appeal coming into a very favorable matchup against the Chargers.

Tagovailoa last passed for 248 yards and two touchdowns versus the Cardinals in Week 9. This week, the Chargers should present even more opportunity for Tagovailoa to rack up plenty of yards and scores.

To date, the Chargers have yielded the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and two passing touchdowns per game.

Emmanuel Sanders, wide receiver, New Orleans Saints

Despite the return of Michael Thomas last week, Sanders drew only one less target than Thomas did. Heading into his Week 10 game against the 49ers, Sanders makes for a great start and should not be slept on in fantasy football.

The 49ers’ defense has been been absolutely wretched over the last two weeks. It’s given up to opposing wide a ridiculous 32 receptions, 441 yards and six touchdowns to receivers during this span.

This primes Sanders — as well as quarterback Drew Brees for some sweet fantasy football action in Week 10.

Kareem Hunt and/or Nick Chubb, running backs, Cleveland Browns

Hunt, who has not been very productive on his own, and/or Nick Chubb (who is expected to resume practicing) enter Week 10 as big fantasy sleepers against Houston.

The Texans defense cannot defend the run to save its life. It’s allowing running backs to carry the ball at a pace of 5.65 yards per tote. On top of this, opposing running backs are averaging a league-high 188.6 yards per game.

With that said, and if Chubb plays, both Browns running backs are must-starts in fantasy football in Week 10.

Marquise Brown, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens

Brown has been one of the most inconsistent and frustrating fantasy players to own in 2020. Those forced to start Brown with the hope he performs better than he has as of late, have hope in Week 10.

Brown — as well as quarterback Lamar Jackson — should get their act together against the Patriots. New England last allowed three wide receiver touchdowns to the Jets, of all teams, as well as 262 passing yards to Joe Flacco.

With that said, Brown is a prime fantasy sleeper candidate to wake up in his next game.

Leonard Fournette, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Let’s sweep last week’s horrifying Buccaneers’ offensive efforts against the Saints under the rug and move on to fantasy Week 10.

Since Fournette has been receiving more snaps than Ronald Jones over his last two games, he is the Bucs’ running back to target for a solid fantasy performance in Week 10 against the Panthers.

We would have to think that the Buccaneers run the ball more than the five attempts they did in their last game. As such, start Fournette against a Carolina defense that has allowed the fourth-most running back fantasy points.

Fantasy football sleepers: Gardner Minshew out, DeeJay Dallas hot entering Week 9

DeeJay Dallas, running back, Seattle Seahawks is a fantasy football sleeper

Dallas was given the nod to start (minus Chris Carson) not long before the Seattle game kicked off against San Francisco. And, the rookie filled in well to say the least. Dallas racked up a total of 58 yards and scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown.

Don’t sleep on Dallas as a handcuff to Carson. If Dallas starts this week, he’ll face a Bills defense that is currently allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game heading into Week 9.

Jake Luton, quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

Gardner Minshew is nursing a thumb injury. Even worse, is the Jaguars do not seem to be in any hurry to get him back under center. This opens up a fantasy opportunity for the rookie against a bad Texans defense. Fantasy football players should be excited.

The Texans have been awful against the pass as of late. During their last two games, they have given away 592 combined yards through the air with eight touchdowns. That seems bad.

Luton might just surprise in his starting debut.

Update November 9, 2020: Luton hit a homerun, passing for 304 yards and he scored two touchdowns!

Fantasy football Week 9: Curtis Samuel, wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Samuel should not be slept on any further around the fantasy football world. He is being utilized in various formats by the Panthers, making him a handy guy to slide into a flex spot in fantasy football leagues. Samuel last scored a receiving and rushing touchdown and should remain plenty involved as the Panthers next pull out all stops necessary to defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Drew Lock, Quarterback, Denver Broncos

Lock was a recommended start at quarterback in Week 8 and he did not disappoint. En route to a win, Lock unleashed 248 passing yards and three touchdowns on the Chargers.

He makes for another sneaky sleeper fantasy football start in his upcoming game against the Falcons. Thus far in 2020, Atlanta has given away the second-most fantasy football points to quarterbacks, which comes along with it surrendering 311 passing yards on average per clash.

Darnell Mooney, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears

Mooney last had his best performance yet for Chicago. He turned six targets into five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Look for Mooney to keep involved in a sweet fantasy football matchup against the Titans in Week 9. Tennessee has allowed the sixth-most passing yards in 2020 and Nick Foles should be slinging the pigskin tons to get his Bears back to winning.

This story has been updated and a new video has been added.