For those of you still fighting for a title, there are dozens of sleepers out there--guys who are largely unrostered in fantasy leagues. Even if you don't need a particular player, consider adding him, if only to block an opponent from taking him. For example, in Week 15 I'll face the winner of a quarterfinal matchup between the always dangerous Jaders Calcano, and the fearsome tandem of Steve Michelson and Ross Fessenden. My QBs are Russell Wilson and Derek Carr. I'm planning to start Wilson in Week 15 against Carolina, and (if things work out) Arizona Week 16 for the title. I'm set.
So why did I add Carr last week? Because he faces the Jaguars at home Week 15. Carr realistically could be a back-end QB1 in what surely will be a must-win game, and he was the best option available on waivers. Steve and Ross have Kyler Murray at home against Cleveland Week 15, so they're probably good. But Jaders would be rolling with either Jared Goff @Dallas or Jacoby Brissett @Saints. Those are two very tough matchups. If I had let Jaders grab Carr, that could mean another 6-8 points or more in the semis.
Obviously there are many ways to cap a future opponent's ceiling. Even DST. For Week 15, Steve and Ross have the Browns @Cardinals, while Jaders has the Jets @Ravens and Eagles @Redskins. The Jets will be virtually unstartable, and the other two options are far from gimmes. That's why last Wednesday I picked up the Chiefs, who'll be at home against the middling Broncos.
Whether you desperately need a streamer or have bench space to block a current or potential future opponent, consider these relatively under-the-radar matchups:
Week 14 -- Pittsburgh's facing Arizona, which has the league's worst pass defense: a league-leading 31 passing TDs and a 113.5 QB rating to opposing quarterbacks. James Washington is an obvious call, especially if JuJu Smith-Schuster remains out. But consider adding Diontae Johnson and/or Vance McDonald. Johnson is the riskier of the two as a boom-bust underperformer. But McDonald will never get a better opportunity this season to score. Elsewhere, Sam Darnold & company are facing Miami at home. Fire up Robby Anderson, of course, and Jamison Crowder has to rebound eventually. But if Ryan Griffin's still available in your league, even if you don't need another TE, add him to block others. The same goes for Demaryius Thomas, whose TD catch was called back a couple weeks ago; he's better positioned Sunday than his numbers suggest.
Week 15 -- Baker Mayfield actually gets a couple nice matchups here (Arizona) and in Week 14 (Cincy). Don't let an opponent grab him. And the Bucs will face the Lions, meaning Cameron Brate and--for the more desperate--Breshad Perriman are players to stash. And don't forget the shockingly ascending Peyton Barber. Ronald Jones was benched Sunday for missing a blitz pickup. If Barber somehow keeps chugging along, especially near the goal line . . . well, why let someone else take a flyer on a guy who could easily rattle off 10+ points?
Week 16 -- The Texans will play the Bucs' awful pass D, meaning the mostly available Kenny Stills should be on waiver watch lists. And in deep leagues, add the TD-friendly Darren Fells if some of your potential opponents have weak TE options. And surprisingly, Myles Gaskin (I hyped him Monday) is worth an add for the same reason I hyped Mark Walton about 10 weeks ago: Miami will play Cincinnati at home, and this could be an opportunity to showcase the rookie in one of the best matchups you could ask for. On the flip side, Andy Dalton needs to be rostered in most leagues in what realistically should be a top-14 performance against the Dolphins.
So why did I add Carr last week? Because he faces the Jaguars at home Week 15. Carr realistically could be a back-end QB1 in what surely will be a must-win game, and he was the best option available on waivers. Steve and Ross have Kyler Murray at home against Cleveland Week 15, so they're probably good. But Jaders would be rolling with either Jared Goff @Dallas or Jacoby Brissett @Saints. Those are two very tough matchups. If I had let Jaders grab Carr, that could mean another 6-8 points or more in the semis.
Obviously there are many ways to cap a future opponent's ceiling. Even DST. For Week 15, Steve and Ross have the Browns @Cardinals, while Jaders has the Jets @Ravens and Eagles @Redskins. The Jets will be virtually unstartable, and the other two options are far from gimmes. That's why last Wednesday I picked up the Chiefs, who'll be at home against the middling Broncos.
Whether you desperately need a streamer or have bench space to block a current or potential future opponent, consider these relatively under-the-radar matchups:
Week 14 -- Pittsburgh's facing Arizona, which has the league's worst pass defense: a league-leading 31 passing TDs and a 113.5 QB rating to opposing quarterbacks. James Washington is an obvious call, especially if JuJu Smith-Schuster remains out. But consider adding Diontae Johnson and/or Vance McDonald. Johnson is the riskier of the two as a boom-bust underperformer. But McDonald will never get a better opportunity this season to score. Elsewhere, Sam Darnold & company are facing Miami at home. Fire up Robby Anderson, of course, and Jamison Crowder has to rebound eventually. But if Ryan Griffin's still available in your league, even if you don't need another TE, add him to block others. The same goes for Demaryius Thomas, whose TD catch was called back a couple weeks ago; he's better positioned Sunday than his numbers suggest.
Week 15 -- Baker Mayfield actually gets a couple nice matchups here (Arizona) and in Week 14 (Cincy). Don't let an opponent grab him. And the Bucs will face the Lions, meaning Cameron Brate and--for the more desperate--Breshad Perriman are players to stash. And don't forget the shockingly ascending Peyton Barber. Ronald Jones was benched Sunday for missing a blitz pickup. If Barber somehow keeps chugging along, especially near the goal line . . . well, why let someone else take a flyer on a guy who could easily rattle off 10+ points?
Week 16 -- The Texans will play the Bucs' awful pass D, meaning the mostly available Kenny Stills should be on waiver watch lists. And in deep leagues, add the TD-friendly Darren Fells if some of your potential opponents have weak TE options. And surprisingly, Myles Gaskin (I hyped him Monday) is worth an add for the same reason I hyped Mark Walton about 10 weeks ago: Miami will play Cincinnati at home, and this could be an opportunity to showcase the rookie in one of the best matchups you could ask for. On the flip side, Andy Dalton needs to be rostered in most leagues in what realistically should be a top-14 performance against the Dolphins.