Week 11: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains

It’s time for another TGIF addition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains. Last week Will Tye was a good play in PPR formats, but everyone else busted big time. I will say that fantasy owners need to keep an eye on Bryce Treggs. He has some legit downfield potential. Unfortunately, Philadelphia decided to run the ball and keep it out of Atlanta QB Matt Ryan’s hands in Week 10 rather than to attack a thin secondary via the air. Treggs’ appeal will remain game-script dependent, but monitor his usage down the stretch. On to Week 11. …

To review … all of these players are owned in less than 60 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.

[Week 11 rankings: Overall | FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers ($27)
Started in just 16 percent of leagues, Kaepernick has put up top-eight fantasy stats in back-to-back outings. Since the team’s Week 8 bye he’s looked increasingly comfortable leading the 49ers’ offense, taking more chances with his legs (he posted 10 rushing attempts for 55 yards and a score in Week 10 at Arizona) and making fewer mistakes through the air (netting one INT in his last two contests).

Facing a Patriots pass rush that Football Outsiders ranks 31st in the league and that has netted the fifth-fewest sacks (16) so far this season, Kaep appears to be in for another solid week. QBs who have faced New England have averaged over 39 attempts per game. Kaep notched 39 attempts two weeks ago while facing New Orleans and managed to pass for 398 yards and two TDs. His numbers may not end up being top-five (as they were in Week 9), but he’s certainly a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 on a week in which both Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers are on bye.

[Join the $110k Baller for Week 11 | Tips for your Daily lineup]

Isaiah Crowell, RB, Cleveland Browns ($22)
Crowell appeared to be a solid value pick for fake footballers as he started 2016 hot. Averaging 16 touches per game and more than 6.0 YPC over the first month of the season, the supposed workhorse’s opportunities have dwindled significantly in the last few weeks as Cleveland’s offensive issues have grown more complex. Amassing a total of 15 carries for 27 yards over his past two outings, the Crow could be in for a course correction come Sunday.

Earlier in the week Hue Jackson admitted that he needed to focus more on the running attack. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but this team is desperate for a win and setting a tone early, rather than being a slave to game flow, would at least help boost morale.

Considering the Browns are facing a Steelers squad that has struggled against the run (allowing the third-most fantasy points per game over the last four weeks) and will be without Cameron Heyward (torn pectoral) for the remainder of the season, it’s a good time to get the ground game going. If you’ve left Crowell out of your lineup over the past few weeks (he’s been started in just over 50 percent of leagues), now is a fine chance to fire him up as an RB2.

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball contest now | Free NBA Yahoo Cup entry]

Jesse James, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers ($11)
I may have just called out the Steelers defense, but no squad has struggled more than the Browns. Allowing the second-most total yards per game (419.1), the Browns have most notably been terrorized by opposing tight ends.

Giving up three scores to the position over the last two weeks and nine TDs to TEs total on the season, there’s a good shot Ben Roethlisberger makes more than few big plays over the middle. The question, of course, is which TE will be the favorite in the red area of the field?

My honest answer is that this matchup is good enough for both James and Ladarius Green ($10) to produce. As the incumbent, James feels like the safer bet. He was the more productive player in Week 10, catching all four of his targets for 59 yards. Additionally, he was on the field for significantly more time than Green, outsnapping his fellow TE by a 54-percent margin. Either of these guys could fill the gap for owners who got Gronked or will be missing Antonio Gates this weekend, as they both offer red-zone appeal.

BONUS – Flyer Alert:

Akeem Hunt, RB, Houston Texans ($11)
Lamar Miller’s workhorse status has dwindled over the last three weeks, as his touches and snap share have steadily declined. After getting dinged up in Week 10, Houston deployed ham-and-egger Alfred Blue and swift second-year back Hunt.

Undrafted out of Purdue, Hunt provided a much-needed spark to the Texans’ offense, carrying the ball eight times for 52 yards. In what is shaping up to be a committee and facing a Raiders run defense that’s allowing 4.7 YPC, the former Boilermaker could surprise in Mexico City, especially when taking into consideration the altitude issues.

[Week 11 rankings: Overall | FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]

Fitzgerald Toussaint, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers ($10)
The juiciness of this matchup can’t be overstated. And, of course, Le’Veon Bell figures to go ham on Sunday. But the Browns are so bad against the run (allowing nearly 144 yards per contest and 12 rushing scores so far this season) that they don’t need to overwork Bell.

This is a team with postseason aspirations that will want to keep one of their premier players healthy down the stretch, especially when considering his injury history. There’s no reason to put him in harms way – particularly at the goal line – when Toussaint is perfectly capable of pushing his way past this collection of supposed stuffers. FF: 23 yards and 1 TD

[Join the $110k Baller for Week 11 | Tips for your Daily lineup]

Quinton Patton, WR, San Francisco 49ers ($10)
On top of being a non-factor, Torrey Smith is also dealing with a shoulder injury. That raises the profile on Patton, the team’s other outside receiver. Over the past two weeks he’s amassed 18 targets, emerging as Colin Kaepernick’s most-trusted receiver. Facing a Patriots secondary that’s allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to opposing WRs over the last month, and in a matchup with shootout appeal, Patton is a cheap flyer for bargain-minded DFS players and re-drafters desperate for a flex.

Follow Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF.