Every week, wide receivers emerge as fantasy football sleepers and make a big impact in whatever contests you choose to play. In season-long formats, this week is especially important since for most leagues it is the closing contest of the regular season. It’s also tricky with six teams on a bye, so you may be searching for a fantasy football sleeper on the waiver wire who can give your team a boost into the postseason or a higher playoff seed.
In DFS contests this week, the main slate has 10 games for the third week in a row. The biggest DFS contest is the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]. For this post, I’ll keep my fantasy football sleepers to that 20-team player pool and include players salaries in that contest.
Earlier this week, I listed my top 25 starters at wide receiver, and the options highlighted here don’t quite crack that list. However, I love the upside they bring at their DFS salary, and they also make sense as a last-minute grab-and-play option off the waiver wire.
My five sleeper wide receivers last week were David Moore ($3,500; 9.0 FPTS) Michael Wilson ($4,200; 10.5 FPTS), Nick Westbrook-Ikhene ($4,300; 21.1 FPTS), Adonai Mitchell ($3,900; 0.0 FPTS) and Calvin Austin III ($3,300; 10.9 FPTS). NWI was the only one who went off, while Mitchell was the only huge letdown. The three other options were all solid but not spectacular. Since they were so cheap, though, they hopefully helped you spend up for stars in other slots.
Looking at the 20 teams in the player pool, here are my top five sleepers for Week 14:
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars ($4,400)
I’ve hyped up Parker Washington this past week in my waiver wire pickups and in a standalone piece. With Trevor Lawrence (concussion) on IR and out for the season, Washington is still under the radar, though, and he could be a good option this week against the Titans. He’s a little more expensive and mainstream than many of my fantasy football sleepers, but we’ll get to some deeper cuts in my picks below. Washington’s ownership is still under 5% in season-long leagues.
Last week, Washington had 103 yards and a touchdown while catching six of his team-high 12 targets. His touchdown came on this route on a pass from Mac Jones ($5,000).
3: Parker Washington – Deep Out#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/FdM5DLdCRk
— The Sideline Hustle (@sidelinehustle) December 5, 2024
Jones and Washington did get most of their production in garbage time while the Jags were trying to rally against the Texans, but with how their defense has struggled, there’s a chance they’ll be in a similar position on Sunday against the Titans, too.
Tennesse has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points in the NFL to wide receivers, but since Washington is now the clear No. 2 option behind Brian Thomas Jr. ($5,800), I think he’ll have enough volume to overcome the matchup issues.
Last week was his first game since Gabe Davis (knee) joined Christian Kirk (collarbone) on IR, and Washington looked very ready to make an impact in his expanded role for the Jaguars down the stretch. The Jags added Josh Reynolds ($3,400) off waivers this week, but I don’t think he’ll threaten Washington’s playing time just yet.
Sterling Shepard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($4,000)
Shepard got a lot of attention for his reaction on the sideline to teammate Mike Evans’ ($7,200) one-handed touchdown catch, but with Evans now battling multiple injuries, Shepard could be asked to step up and make some magic of his own. Evans doesn’t have an injury designation, but if he needs to carry a lighter workload after missing practice most of the week, Shepard could be the beneficiary of extra targets.
In each of the last two weeks, Shepard has seven targets. In Week 12, he had five catches against his former team, and he had four catches for 42 yards last week against the Panthers. He has at least three catches in four of his last five games and even has three rushing attempts as well.
While he hasn’t found the end zone since Week 5, Shepard is getting enough work as the Bucs’ second receiver to deserve attention in this matchup with the Raiders. He doesn’t have as high a ceiling as the other options on this list, but his role is fairly consistent. Shepard’s ownership is still under 10% in season-long leagues.
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals ($4,100)
Another second receiver who gets regular work and brings good potential this week is Michael Wilson of the Cardinals, who continues to work across from rookie standout Marvin Harrison Jr. ($6,000).
Wilson had two catches for 54 yards in Week 12 against the Seahawks and followed that up with five catches for 55 yards last week in Minnesota. He’ll face Seattle again this week and brings good upside as the Seahawks will focus on defending Harrison and Trey McBride ($6,100).
Wilson now has multiple catches in four of his last five games and has hauled in 10 of 15 targets over the last three weeks. He scored touchdowns in Week 6 and Week 8 and has reached double-digit fantasy points in five of his 12 games while averaging 8.0 fantasy points per contest.
David Moore, Carolina Panthers ($4,000)
I had Moore in my fantasy football sleepers last week and although he didn’t duplicate his 20.1 fantasy points from Week 12, he was again heavily involved for the Panthers against the Bucs. He hauled in five of his nine targets for 40 yards and 9.0 fantasy points.
In the last two weeks as the No. 3 receiver while Jalen Coker ($3,700; quad) has been out, Moore has totaled 19 targets. He has shown a strong connection with Bryce Young ($5,200). Moore should be the No. 3 receiver for the Panthers again this week since Coker is doubtful.
Moore and the Panthers will have to be aggressive to keep up with the Eagles, so he has a good ceiling at $4,000 in Week 14. His ownership is also under 5% in season-long leagues, but can work as a snatch-and-start if you’re desperate due to bye weeks.
Kevin Austin Jr., New Orleans Saints ($3,300)
As a deeper fantasy football sleeper this week, Austin is an interesting name to watch. The Saints have to make a move on Saturday to get him on the active roster since all three of his practice squad call-ups have been used, but they are likely working on a way.
Last week, Austin had a career-high three catches on three targets for 31 yards.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Kevin Austin Jr. pic.twitter.com/ZJeuvH3a1i
— Saints Film Room (@SaintsFilmRoom) December 1, 2024
He played the second-most snaps of Saints wide receivers behind only Marquez Valdes-Scantling ($4,600) and has impressed when given opportunities to step up.
With Chris Olave (concussion), Bub Means (ankle), Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Taysom Hill (knee) all sidelined on IR, if Austin gets onto the active roster, he should have a chance to contribute against the Giants.
Austin joined the Saints after a successful stint in the United Football League with the Birmingham Stallions, and interim coach Darren Rizzi said Austin has been one of the team’s best two receivers in recent weeks and that the team will need to “find a way to get him to the roster here.”
If that happens in time for Sunday, he’ll be an intriguing punt play with upside. In season-long leagues, he’s universally available.
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