Week 16: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains
It’s time for a TGIF edition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains. I made good on two of my picks last week (Wayne Gallman – RB25 and Ben Watson – TE4. Let’s try to do it again (or better!) this go-around.
To review… all of these players are owned in less than sixty percent of Yahoo leagues (at time of writing) and/or are a significant value in our daily game. They’re not the obvious picks, and they’re not without their risks, but that’s why they’re so cheap and available! I’d never advocate taking all of these guys, but rather utilizing them if a manager were in a pinch at a position or aiming to build a “stars and scrubs” sort of DFS lineup.
Kendall Wright, WR, Chicago Bears ($14)
And we’re right back where we started. Yes, Wright appeared on the first installment of this article back in September. Yes, he busted in Week 1. No, I haven’t learned my lesson. Because things are a little different this go-around. See, Mitch Trubisky, not Mike Glennon, is under center this week. And while that’s not a massive upgrade, Coach Fox has lengthened the rookie’s leash over the season’s final two months.
Since the Bears’ Week 9 bye, Trubisky has averaged nearly 32 pass attempts per game and a completion percentage greater than 66. Recently, he’s also locked in on Wright, targeting the veteran WR 24 times over the last two weeks. For his part, the former Titan has posted WR3 numbers in two straight outings (10-107-0 and 7-81-0). In Week 16, he’ll draw a plus matchup against the Browns, a squad that just gave up 288 receiving yards to the Ravens.
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($10)
My adoration for Godwin has been well documented. Hamstrung by Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 10, Godwin converted 5 of 10 balls for 68 yards when starting in the stead of Mike Evans. With DeSean Jackson hobbled (ankle) and O.J. Howard done for the year (ankle), Godwin is expected to, once again, see an expanded role.
Over the past two weeks his snap count has risen by nearly 40 percent and in Week 14 he posted a stat line of 5-68-0. This Sunday, he’ll face a Panthers secondary that’s allowed the most fantasy points (an average of over 30 per week) and 7 scores to opposing wideouts over the last four weeks. The talent is there… and the volume is about to be. Consider the rookie a high-ceiling flex come Sunday.
Kapri Bibbs, RB, Washington Redskins ($10)
Chris Thompson wowed at the top of the season… but broke his leg and was lost for the remainder of 2017. Next man up, Byron Marshall showed promise as a potential substitute on passing downs… but then he, too, fell victim to injury (hamstring) and was placed on the IR. Now, it appears as though Bibbs will work as Kirk Cousins’ safety valve and the backfield’s change of pace option.
In Week 15, the sure and strong Colorado product converted all 4 of his targets for 47 yards and a score. This Sunday, he’ll face his old team on his new home turf. The Denver Broncos have allowed the most scores (6) via the air to opposing running backs. Whether not he finds the end zone, he has a solid floor in PPR formats, likely to catch at least 4 balls for 50-plus yards (though I think he exceeds that line).
Danny Woodhead, RB, Baltimore Ravens ($12)
I know he’s not the most durable player in the league and I get that he’s on the wrong side of 30, but Danny Woodhead has incredible hands. Since returning from injury, over a five-game span, he’s caught 21 of 24 balls. Come on. That is a bananas level of efficiency! No, he hasn’t scored a TD and his total yards have been under 50, but his volume in the passing game offers a decent floor in PPR formats. Plus, with Jeremy Maclin (knee) unlikely to suit up on Sunday, Woodhead’s volume should spike. Coming off a six-catch game, Woodhead will be a steady eddy flex vs the Colts.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams ($10)
With Hunter Henry unexpectedly done for the year (lacerated kidney), fantasy managers are searching for a Hail Mary play to carry their fake football squads to the FF Promise Land. Last week Ben Watson paid off at Cleveland and there’s a good shot he delivers again vs the banged-up Colts. It’s also possible that Dion Sims finds the end zone (assuming Adam Shaheen sits for another week) against the hapless Browns. Additionally, Vernon Davis, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Garett Celek are widely available commodities with Week 16 streaming potential.
But if you’re at a total loss and desperate for a dart throw, think about Higbee. He’s not as flashy as Gerald Everett, but he has seen more targets (17 more, to be exact). Of course, those have dwindled with Robert Woods back, but the match-up is worth noting. Traveling to Nashville, the former Hilltopper will face a Titans squad that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing TEs over the last four weeks. He’s far from a sure thing, but if the Rams start pulling studs, it’s possible Higbee sees an uptick in opportunities and exploits one of his opponents’ vulnerabilities.
Dig Deep with Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF.
