RADIO
We are almost at the regular season finish line. Every year I cannot wait for football to start, then the season comes to a close and I'm wondering where the heck the time went.
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 Spencer Ware, Cecil Shorts, and Brent Celek. I'm counting Hoyer as a loss because the standard for quarterbacks versus the Saints is five, and the Browns defense goes tonight.
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 13 Waiver Wire Sleepers
Brock Osweiler (QB, DEN)
24% Owned in Fleaflicker
Who was more uncomfortable during that game Sunday night: Patriot fans watching Rob Gronkowski go to the ground, or Peyton Manning watching his starting job slip away?
If there was a route for Osweiler to retain the starting role, it started with beating the undefeated Patriots on primetime. Osweiler didn't gut the Pats D by any means (23-of-42 passing, 270 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT) but he made the throws necessary to keep them in the game. That included a perfectly thrown deep ball to Emmanuel Sanders down the left sideline to put the Broncos in position to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. There wasn't one Bronco fan who watched the play and said, "Peyton could've made that throw."
Osweiler finds himself on our list not for his play versus Denver, but for his Week 13 date with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers have the 30th ranked defense according to DVOA and are ranked 28th versus the pass. Those rankings seem a bit inflated considering the personnel on the Chargers defense, but Osweiler should be in line for a great day on Sunday.
Bold Prediction: 24-for-40 passing, 300 yards, 2 TD
FAAB: $4
Shaun Draughn (RB, SF)
15% Owned in Fleaflicker
I get it, he plays on the 49ers. But how is a starting running back just 15% owned at this point in the year?
Draughn had a solid game versus the Cardinals, accruing 85 yards from scrimmage and operating as the lead back (Carries: Draughn - 15, Blaine Gabbert - 1, Quinton Patton - 1). He also caught all five of his targets, a nice bonus for PPR players. In PPR formats Draughn has reached double digit points in three straight games.
Draughn's success is tied to Carlos Hyde's health, but there's growing sentiment that the 49ers will take it easy with Hyde considering their current season outlook. Until Hyde does return Draughn should continue to be useful in PPR formats. This week the 49ers travel to Chicago to face a run defense ranked 31st in football according to Football Outsiders. The Bears have allowed 4.8 yards per carry (30th) as well, making this an excellent opportunity to plug and play Draughn.
Bold Prediction: 15 carries, 65 yards, 4 receptions, 28 yards, 1 TD
FAAB: $10
Dontrelle Inman (WR, SD)
6% Owned in Fleaflicker
Here's another head scratcher. How is a receiver on a team that is second in passing yards only owned in 6% of leagues? Sure, Malcom Floyd is back, but Dontrelle Inman deserves some love.
Inman saw nine targets and turned them into five catches for 65 yards and a score. The targets were second on the team behind Stevie Johnson and while Antonio Gates continued to be a red-zone target (2 TD), Inman has solidified a spot in the rotation. Floyd is still recovering from a bum shoulder which should allow Inman to be a useful fantasy commodity in Week 13.
There's one major downside to Inman, and it's the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have allowed the fewest passing yards and passing touchdowns in the league and are ranked in the top 5 versus No. 1 and No. 2 receivers according to Football Outsiders. Not the ideal scenario, but if you're digging this deep for wide receiver help you're looking for snaps and opportunities and Inman provides both. He's no more than a WR4 in standard leagues, but give him a spin if you need a flex play in deeper formats.
Bold Prediction: 6 catches, 70 yards
FAAB: $10
Scott Chandler (TE, NE)
5% Owned in Fleaflicker
Every time Rob Gronkowski gets hit low, Patriot fans and Gronk-owners alike hold their breath and pray he's OK. Their nightmares came to a fruition on Sunday when Gronk was carted off, leaving Patriot fans to wonder if injuries had taken another offensive weapon from their disposal and fantasy owners scrambling for a replacement. It turns it Gronk will be OK and it is only a minor injury, but Gronk owners need to start getting a contingency plan together. For me, that doesn't even require leaving the locker room.
Scott Chandler had a great outing, becoming a larger focal point of the offense even before Gronk left the game. He saw a team-high 11 targets and caught five for 58 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots utilized a two-tight end set with Danny Amendola out, and with the only healthy receiver lacking consistency (Brandon LaFell - nine targets, three catches) Chandler should continue to see an increase in playing time.
Early reports indicate Gronk will miss Week 13, lining Chandler up for a date with the Eagles. Even though the Eagles have basically discombobulated, they still rank as a top 5 unit versus tight ends and held Eric Ebron to 28 yards on Thanksgiving. The Lions also have Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate instead of LaFell and Keshawn Martin, so take that recency bias with a hint of salt. Grab Chandler if you own Gronk or need tight end help to reach the playoffs, but don't expect Gronk-esque numbers.
Bold Prediction: 7 catches, 80 yards, TD
FAAB: $10
Washington Redskins Defense
8% Owned in Fleaflicker
The 5-6 Redskins find themselves in a cripple fight in the NFC East, sitting atop the throne thanks to tiebreakers. This week they have a Monday Night Football date with the Cowboys who are fresh off a butt-whooping versus Carolina and without Tony Romo.
The Redskins are in the bottom-half of all defensive rankings but they've also been playing with a decimated secondary. DeAngelo Hall took meaningful snaps versus the Giants after missing five games with a toe sprain and should be full-go for Monday. Plus, facing Matt Cassel never hurt nobody. Here's your stream of the week.
Bold Prediction: 17 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT
FAAB: $1
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