With the Cardinals and Chiefs on bye and a host of Thursday games endangering the availability of some injured stars, there has been a scramble as to who we can rely on. Week 12 means only 2 weeks of the regular fantasy season remain in most leagues, so wins are becoming crucial to secure the all-important playoff berth.
Alvin Kamara, Amari Cooper, Justin Fields, Antonio Brown, and a host of others are either out or doubtful for week 12. Ceedee Lamb, Jared Goff, Mark Ingram III and others are game time decisions while Mahomes, Murray, Hopkins, Hill, Kelce, Conner, and more are out on bye. Here are some sleepers we like to potentially save your season this week.
WR Michael Gallup, Dallas
I really like Michael Gallup (again) this week, especially with no Amari Cooper. CeeDee Lamb is a game-time decision before Thanksgiving's afternoon matchup against the Raiders, and if Lamb is ruled out that makes Gallup a must-start. Even with Lamb in the game, Gallup has a ton of value as the outside receiver for Dak's long balls and quick slants. The Raiders defense is pretty terrible at defending the middle of the field, so Lamb should have a day if active, and Gallup will poach some yardage as well. I see three passing touchdown from Prescott today, and one likely goes to a tight end. That leaves two for the receivers and backs, and while Lamb is the favorite to reign one in, there's enough to go around for Gallup to be a top-24 fantasy receiver this week. Strong WR3/flex value for Gallup on a short week with a an angry Dallas team looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss.
WR Cedric Wilson, Dallas
Wilson is a tricky play since it's a Thursday game. Amari Cooper is out for sure, but Ceedee Lamb is expected to play. Wilson mainly has value if Lamb is ruled out at game time, as he would then take on Lamb's role in the slot. If Lamb plays, you are simply hoping for a low volume game with a lucky touchdown for Wilson to have relevancy.
WR Elijiah Moore, NYJ
Moore has officially exploded, and if he was available on waivers week 12 he certainly isn't now. Moore is the highest scoring fantasy receiver over the last four weeks, partly due to him and partly due to bye weeks, but his success has been undeniable. The only real chink in the armor is Zach Wilson returning as the starter. Moore is pretty much a must-start against Houston this week, but I'm actually expecting some regression with Wilson and won't be surprised if he comes back down to earth this week despite the favorable matchup.
WR Lavishka Shenault, JAX
I am SUPER high on Shenault this week, sleeper alert. No one else really is, so maybe I'm Lone Wolf here, but after the season ending Jamal Agnew injury I think we see a shift in Jacksonville. Lawrence is getting more confident as a QB, and Agnew basically took over the slot and forced Shenault to play outside. Agnew was incredibly effective out of the slot, and now that he is gone Lavishka is moving back to his natural inside position. Shenault is undeniably talented, but he needs to work on breaking coverage and finding gaps a little better. I think Jacksonville's matchup with Atlanta this week profiles as the "get right game" for the wideout, if not for any other reason than increased opportunity. SportsLeaf Sleeper prediction: Shenault tops 50 yards, and gets his first touchdown of the season this week, making him a decent flex option in a sea of uncertainty.
RB Ty Johnson, NYJ
Johnson is a big waiver wire name this week, with the announcement that rookie Michael Carter will miss some time with a high ankle sprain. Johnson typically is the receiving back in New York, but when Carter went down Johnson shouldered the load of effective snaps while Tevin Coleman was involved primarily in the rush game. Coleman in one of my least favorite fantasy players because he is so talented but so disappointing when it comes to durability. Coleman may steal a bunch of carries from Johnson, but Johnson is the more versatile back who will likely see the biggest fantasy boost from Carter's absence. Zach Wilson is also getting the start this week against Houston, and Wilson doesn't throw to running backs nearly as much as Mike White (White recently sent 38% of his attempts to backs, which is kind of ridiculous).
RB Tony Jones Jr, NO
Tony Jones is really a hail-mary play based on opportunity if Mark Ingram III is ruled out at game time Thursday night against the Bills. Despite Ingram's success in the place of injured Alvin Kamara, I don't know if we can expect he or Jones to shred the Bills defense like Jonathan Taylor did a week ago. If Ingram is out, Jones is a decent RB2 play in desperation, based on volume. But without a touchdown, Jones won't have the yardage to be viable as a flex, so exercise caution. Basically if you were going to play Ingram, go ahead and play Jones if Ingram is ruled out, but meter those expectations regardless.
WR Curtis Samuel, WFT
Samuel has been dealing with a nagging groin injury that has limited him to just two games this season, and barely any action in those games to boot. He is profiling to return for Monday night's game in Seattle, giving Taylor Heinicke another deep threat and perhaps someone to finally draw coverage away from Terry McLaurin. Until we see the speedy receiver on the field with Heinicke, it's tough to predict his fantasy value, especially if they have him on a snap count. I don't know if you can start Samuel this week, but since so many teams are in distress with the byes and injury uncertainties, he at least offers WR2 upside based on his skill alone. He does have 0-point capabilities as well so be careful with Samuel in Week 12.
WR Marquise Goodwin, Chicago
Goodwin had a solid day as Dalton's preferred target last week after the Fields injury, and though Goodwin suffered a shoulder injury of his own he is expected to play on Thanksgiving. With Allen Robinson likely out and Mooney apparently limited with no designation, Goodwin could be the sneaky flex over Mooney in Chicago.
QB Taylor Heinicke, WFT
Heinicke has put together a solid couple of weeks against tough opponents, throwing 3 touchdowns last week against Carolina and taking down Tom Brady and the Bucs the week before. Heinicke has shown growing resilience and leadership, and the return of deep threat Curtis Samuel and tight end Logan Thomas for Monday's matchup against the struggling Seahawks is a perfect setup for the Heinicke roll to continue. He isn't Aaron Rodgers out there yet, but in super flex or simply deep leagues where Mahomes is on bye, Heinicke can save your week at the QB position.
QB Andy Dalton, Chicago
Andy Dalton is not a fantasy treasure trove, but in a pinch he has a fairly reliable floor. The Lions defense surprisingly doesn't allow a ton of points to QBs, probably because opposing QBs haven't had to throw much on them, but this game profiles differently and I could see the Bears trailing for a good part of it. If that happens, Dalton could bail you out in a big way with some comeback points.
WR Marquez Callaway, NO
Callaway has been quietly putting together a decent stretch of fantasy football. He doesn't have a lot of a catches or yards, but he has scored a touchdown in each of the last three weeks and six on the season total. The Bills defense is pretty solid against the pass, but if you are in desperation mode as so many are this week, Callaway could save the day if he can add some yardage while keeping his touchdown streak alive.
WR Van Jefferson, LAR
With Robert Woods out for the year, Jefferson is slated to step and see more targets. The Rams' passing game has been lackluster as of late, and the addition of OBJ doesn't look to effect Jefferson too much. His usage has been reasonably consistent with Woods on the field, and his body type and style is similar to Woods, so I expect him to see a healthy uptick in targets alongside league leader Cooper Kupp. He has strong flex/WR3 value for the week 12 matchup against Green Bay.
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