Another week down and another week closer to the fantasy playoffs. We saw some big performances and huge games for some players. Hopefully, you either had Jonathan Taylor or Austin Ekeler on your team and did not have to go up against them! Whatever happened, we are three weeks out from playoffs (for most leagues) and in fantasy crunch time. As always I wanted to review our sleeper picks from last week and then we will get into our sleeper picks for week 12. 

At quarterback, we rolled with Cam Newton as our first sleeper pick and he really delivered and finished the week as the QB4. He’s looked good in the action he’s seen so far this year and has quality weapons around him. Add in his rushing upside and he should remain relevant and startable for fantasy moving forward. Our second quarterback pick, Tua Tagovailoa, was also a decent sleeper pick on the week as he finished as the QB12. He should remain on your radar as an option at quarterback moving forward. 

At running back, we circled back to Tennessee and went with D’Onta Foreman, who finished the week as the RB38, which was a disappointment. He managed just 7 rushes for 25 yards and 1 reception for 15 yards. The Titans struggled all around, but if I can I am officially avoiding this backfield moving forward. 

At wide receiver, we rolled with Darnell Mooney, who had a big week and finished as the WR4 on the week. Mooney saw an incredible 16 targets but caught just five of them which was enough as he went for 121 yards and 1 touchdown. Mooney continues to be stepping up to fill the void on this offense and will likely continue to see a large target share if Allen Robinson continues to miss time. 

At tight end, Cole Kmet was a disappointment as he only had 2 targets and caught 1 for 12 yards. It was tough to see after Kmet had 20 targets in the previous three games, but he’s likely to get more involved in the future. I would consider him again as an option at tight end in a decent matchup in the future.  

As mentioned before, I will utilize several factors when exploring who my weekly sleepers will be. I will be looking at ADP (Fantasypros.com ADP), weekly positional rankings (Fantasypros.com ECR), rostership percentages, and some betting info (to help give perspective on possible outcomes). When referencing scoring in these articles this season I will be looking at Half-PPR scoring and in terms of league size, I will stick with 12-team leagues. 

Quarterbacks: Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 12

Taylor Heinicke (QB, WFT) vs. Seattle Seahawks 

Heinicke enters week 12 of the NFL season as the QB15 for fantasy purposes and also had a QB7 finish in week 11. He currently sits at the ECR QB15 on the week and faces off against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. What makes Heinicke a decent sleeper option this week is that the Seattle Seahawks are giving up the third-most passing yards per game (279.6) and 10th most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Heinicke gets a shot to crack the top twelve again this week on primetime and has the matchup to do it. 

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, SF) vs Minnesota Vikings

Jimmy G is another deeper option at quarterback this week as he enters the week as the ECR QB18. He has recently put together a decent three-game stretch of fantasy performances as he’s finished the QB8, QB13, and QB18 and is the QB7 during that time period. He gets a Vikings defense that is allowing 251.9 passing yards (19th in the NFL) and 1.54 passing touchdowns a game. He’s likely available on waivers if you’re needing a streaming option.

Running Backs: Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 12

Ty Johnson (RB, NYJ) at Houston Texans 

Johnson looks to step in for the injured Michael Carter in week 12 and currently sits at the ECR RB28 on the week. He has been involved in the offense with Michael Carter active but is potentially in line for more work coming forward. He will most likely have some competition from Tevin Coleman in that backfield and the Jets are less than ideal to rely on for fantasy purposes. However, if you’re in need of a flex play Johnson is still available (21% Yahoo and 19% ESPN) and looks to have a good shot at more work to come. 

Boston Scott (RB, PHI) at New York Giants 

Scott was third in line for the Eagles in week 11, but Jordan Howard is expected to miss week 12. Currently, Scott is ranked as the ECR RB33, but is likely to be more involved in the absence of Howard. I definitely expect Miles Sanders to also see an uptick in touches, but Scott will likely still be involved as Nick Siriani has shown a desire to run the ball. Philadelphia is currently third in the NFL with 30.9 rushing attempts per game and has averaged 42.7 attempts in their last three games. Scott provides some flex appeal this week with the Eagles still looking to be a very run-heavy team. 

Wide Receivers: Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 12

Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR, JAC) vs. Atlanta Falcons 

Shenault enters the week as the ECR WR45 and has been a disappointment for fantasy so far this year. However, Jamal Agnew is now on injured reserve which ideally should free up some more opportunities for Shenault this week against a bad Atlanta Falcons defense. It’s tough to trust a Jaguar player and especially one who has already disappointed, but If it doesn’t happen this week I don’t know when it will. Shenault should finish ahead of his ECR on the week and is a deeper option to plug in your flex. 

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR, TEN) at New England Patriots 

A.J. Brown is questionable heading into week 12 and  Marcus Johnson was placed on IR, which means the Titans are in need of someone to step up. Westbrook-Ikhine could be that guy as he enters the week as the ECR WR59, but is coming off a 7 reception and 107-yard game. The matchup should be fairly competitive this week against the Patriots, which makes him a sneaky possible sleeper. A.J. Brown being active would probably be the best-case scenario if you are starting Westbrook-Ikhine as the Patriots still will often focus on taking away the opponent’s number one option. 

Tight Ends: Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 12

Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR) at Green Bay Packers

Higbee sits at ECR TE14 on the week this week but gets a good matchup against the Packers this week. He’s got as good of a shot at a touchdown as any other tight end on the streaming radar in what should be a high-scoring affair.