Precious few weeks remain in the fantasy football regular season. With the playoffs nearly upon us, every matchup is essential for both managers on the fringe of contention and those looking to earn a first-round bye.
Whether you’re thinking long-term or hoping to pick up a much-needed win, Week 12 is crucial for any team. Here are some sleepers that could help you win a DraftKings DFS matchup, a season-long matchup, or even a fantasy championship.
Top Fantasy Football Sleepers
TE Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers ($3,500)
Even though the Chargers put up 34 points last week against the Bengals, their offense is still difficult to pin down. A run-heavy approach (third-fewest passes in football) has made it difficult to trust any of LA’s pass catchers. However, it looks like tight end Will Dissly is beginning to emerge as one of Justin Herbert’s ($5,400) favorite targets.
Last week vs. Cincinnati, Dissly nabbed four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Since Week 7, the former Seahawk has has had the seventh-most targets for any tight end (33). The Ravens have struggled to defend the position all season, giving up the ninth-most DK fantasy points to opposing TEs. If you’re in need of a higher-floor option for your lineups, Dissly makes plenty of sense.
WR Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers ($4,700)
It’s no secret that the Panthers’ offense has struggled this season. Carolina has thrown for the second-fewest passing yards in the NFL (170.7 per game), bouncing between Bryce Young ($4,600) and veteran Andy Dalton at quarterback. Part of the reason for their offensive ineptitude comes from the lack of reliable receiving options. With Diontae Johnson ($4,500) and Jonathan Mingo ($3,700) traded midseason, the team has had to rely on a group of unproven wideouts for most of the year.
Luckily for Carolina, the team appears close to welcoming back veteran Adam Thielen. The two-time Pro Bowler isn’t the same player he was in Minnesota, but that doesn’t mean he’s not useful. Last season, the veteran put up over 1,000 yards despite Young’s difficulty throwing behind center. With so many weapons gone, the Panthers will have no choice but to lean on the 34-year-old as their WR1 going forward. For someone that’s available in most leagues, this is a lottery ticket worth taking.
RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals ($4,500)
Finding any kind of production off the waiver wire at running back is difficult at this time of year. Although the Cardinals have fed starter James Conner ($6,500) for most of the season, Trey Benson has put his talent on full display this month. Over Arizona’s previous two games, the rookie has put up a combined 23.2 fantasy points, rushing for over 100 yards and scoring a touchdown.
Even though the third-round pick is still a backup, there’s enough room in this offense to support two backs. Over the past three weeks, Arizona is scoring 29.3 points per game, sixth in the NFL. After playing in just 8% of all snaps in Week 9, Benson took the field 27.5% of the time in Weeks 10 and 11 combined. As long as Kyler Murray ($6,200) and company keep the ball moving, stash this promising talent on your bench or even in your lineup as a deep-league flex option.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
