What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper standard league sleepers column for Week 14 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for standard leagues, who could help out your team in this upcoming week.
For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less.
Let's get to the picks!
Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 14 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS
Quarterback
Jared Goff (LA) vs. Atlanta Falcons
(Ownership: 17%)
Goff fell struggled against the Patriots, passing for just 161 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. While the Patriots do represent a plus matchup for enemy signal callers, Goff should find it much easier to attack a Falcons defense that is allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. This gives some optimism for the rookie to bounce back as a useful streaming option in deep leagues. To make matters worse for Atlanta, they will be without Desmond Trufant, their top cornerback, for the rest of the season. Atlanta has one of the top offenses in the league, so we can reasonably expect the Rams to have to pass early and often to keep up in this contest.
Running Back
Rex Burkhead (CIN) @ Cleveland Browns
(Ownership: 5%)
Burkhead continued to be involved in the Bengals' game plan, playing on 42% of the team's Week 13 snaps and seeing 12 touches. Burkhead carried the ball eight times for 38 yards and added four catches for 28 yards in the passing game. While he is more suited for PPR leagues, a fantasy matchup against the Browns' weak defense puts pretty much all of the Bengals' skill position players on the map for Week 14. If Burkhead is able to see double-digit touches against Cleveland he is very likely to turn in a big game for those fantasy owners who start him.
Wide Receiver
Brian Quick (LA) vs. Atlanta Falcons
(Ownership: 14%)
Quick turned in one of his most productive games of the second half of the season in Week 13, turning eight targets into five catches and 48 yards against the Patriots. The eight targets were the second-most he has seen all season as he surely benefitted from the absence of Tavon Austin. If Austin is out again this week, Quick would become a solid sleeper for Week 14. The Falcons' pass defense has struggled this season, ranking just 21st in DVOA and allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers. As mentioned above, Atlanta also recently lost Desmond Trufant, their best defensive back, so upgrade all of the Rams' pass catchers in this game.
Tight End
Jermaine Gresham (ARI) @ Miami Dolphins
(Ownership: 6%)
Gresham has surprisingly carved out a notable role in the Cardinals' passing attack. The veteran tight end has put together a solid four-game stretch in which he has caught 16-of-24 targets for 158 yards and two touchdowns. With all of Arizona's receivers not named Larry Fitzgerald struggling with either injuries, ineffectiveness, or both, Gresham has a good chance at remaining relevant heading into a Week 14 matchup with Miami. The Dolphins are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to enemy tight ends this season, which gives Gresham added appeal for this weekend.
Defense/Special Teams
Tennessee Titans (TEN) vs. Denver Broncos
(Ownership: 14%)
The Titans are in a good spot this weekend, especially if Trevor Siemian's foot sprain holds him out of action for another week. The Broncos were forced to start rookie Paxton Lynch against the Jaguars in Week 13 and even though Denver won, Lynch did not look good in the process. The rookie completed just 12-of-24 passes for 102 yards against a Jaguars defense that isn't very imposing. The Broncos will likely try to lean on Devontae Booker and the run game if Lynch has to start again, but Tennessee boasts a solid run defense. Add in Tennessee's 30 sacks, seventh-most in the league, and a home game off a bye week, and you have a solid defensive streamer for this weekend.