Fantasy football managers in desperate need of a win to stay in playoff contention but are dealing with players like Sam Howell, James Conner, and Terry McLaurin being unavailable due to their bye week may have to find some off-the-radar options to start for their fantasy lineup.
Let’s take a closer at some of my favorite fantasy sleepers heading into Week 13.
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Quarterbacks
Jordan Love | Green Bay Packers @ NYG
The 2023 NFL season has been a roller coaster ride for Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love. He had some nice moments in the first three games of the year, looked like they couldn’t score a touchdown for about a month, then made significant strides over the last two weeks. And why shouldn’t he? Love has managed to upset the division-leading Detroit Lions and defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in consecutive games.
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Over that two-game stretch, Love has thrown 535 yards and six TDs with no picks, which puts him back into fringe QB1 range against the New York Giants in Week 14.
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Running Backs
Keaton Mitchell | Baltimore Ravens vs. LAR
If I asked you who the leading ball carrier was for the Baltimore Ravens against the Los Angeles Chargers, one would likely assume it was Gus Edwards. Oddly enough, Keaton Mitchell was the running back who saw the most carries and rushing yards back in Week 12.
Mitchell also saw a season-high 46% of the offensive snaps, which says his role could be expanding heading down the home stretch of the 2023 season. If his usage in Week 12 is a potential preview of things to come, then Mitchell won’t be ranked outside of the top 30 at the RB position for much longer.
Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans @ MIA
Much of Tyjae Spears’ current fantasy ranking outside of the top 35 at the position has to do with the uncertain status of starting RB Derrick Henry. The Titans are set to face off against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 14, giving Henry an additional day to clear concussion protocol after exiting Sunday’s game against the Colts with a head injury.
If Henry is unable to to take the field against Miami, then Spears will immediately jump into RB2 consideration.
If Henry is able to take the field against the Dolphins, then I still believe Spears could be a useful Flex option in Week 14, considering he is the better pass-catching option of the two backs, and the Titans could be facing a deficit early on in this contest.
Spears 75 rushing yards on 16 carries against the Colts speaks to his capabilities as a leading back if the opportunity presents itself, which may very well happen this week.
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Wide Receivers
Alec Pierce | Indianapolis Colts @ CIN
To quote the one and only John McClane from one of my favorite Christmas movies, Die Hard, “Welcome to the party pal.” Indianapolis Colts WR Alex Pierce logged the first 100-yard receiving performance of his career, along with the first touchdown of his 2023 campaign.
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Pierce possesses elite-level measurables and continues to be on the field for nearly every offensive snap this season. He has seen six targets in two consecutive games, which could mean he is potentially going to see an expanded role for the remainder of the 2023 season. His big-play ability makes him an intriguing dart throw in Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Elijah Moore | Cleveland Browns vs. JAX
The move to veteran QB Joe Flacco under center and an injury to lead WR Amari Cooper immediately gave Elijah Moore a ton of looks on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. He saw a season-high 12 targets, which he turned into four receptions for 83 yards.
Flacco and Moore’s instant chemistry can be chalked up to their time together in New York. Flacco and Moore connected for 336 yards, 25 receptions, and two scores while on the field together with the Jets.
They didn’t appear to miss a beat once reunited, which means Moore could enter top-30 consideration if Cooper’s concussion forces him to miss Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft | Green Bay Packers @ NYG
Love isn’t the only Packer trending in the right direction. The expanded role for rookie TE Tucker Kraft continued against the Chiefs on Sunday. Kraft hauled in three of his six targets for 37 yards, which is encouraging in comparison to his two receptions on just targets for 15 yards in Week 12.
It could have been an even bigger fantasy performance last week had Love simply elected to throw to the wide-open Kraft as opposed to his other tight end — Ben Sims — for an easy score from one yard out.
Look for Kraft to build off of an encouraging Week 13 outing heading into their matchup against the Giants.
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