Week 12: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains

It’s time for another TGIF addition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains. Last week Colin Kaepernick was a top-eight play and Will Tye made an impact for the second week in a row. Other than that my deep sleepers stayed asleep. Let’s see what leftovers we can warm up for Sunday’s slate of games.

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.

[Join the $110K Baller for Week 12 | Tips for your Daily lineup]

Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants ($20)
While Jennings is owned in 85 percent of Yahoo leagues, he’s being started in fewer than 60 percent of them. Given the current running back landscape it’s hard for me to believe owners have better options. If you’ve been stashing the 31-year-old, now is the time to roll him out. And at only $20 in DFS, he’s a fantastic RB2 value.

Coming out of the team’s Week 9 bye, the Giants made some obvious offensive adjustments. The results have included the emergence of TE Will Tye ($11) as a legit pass-catching weapon, and a more productive ground game. Over the past two weeks the touches between Jennings and rookie Paul Perkins have been less equitable, leaning heavily in the vet’s favor. In Week 11 vs. Chicago, Jennings carried the ball 21 times for 85 yards and a score. Perkins, on the other hand, notched just four totes for a total of 16 yards.

Traveling to Cleveland on Sunday, Jennings has a prime matchup against a run defense that’s allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (143.9) and has given up 13 TDs on the season. Additionally, offenses facing the Browns are averaging 31 rushing attempts per game, which makes a heavy workload for Jennings all the most likely. Get ready for this vet to roll.

[Week 12 rankings: Overall | FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks ($10)
A versatile player with a Swiss Army Knife skill set, Lockett has yet to pick up where he left off after a breakout rookie campaign. Underwhelming largely due to a PCL injury he suffered in Week 2, the second-year WR appears to be healthy again. Flashing his trademark speed and after the catch ability, Lockett nearly had a touchdown in Week 11. His targets have been admittedly inconsistent, but with C.J. Prosise expected to miss the remainder of the regular season (shoulder), that could change on Sunday.

While Prosise and Lockett technically play different positions there’s a lot of overlap in their usage and skill sets, which means good things for the speedster’s volume. With the ability to move all over the field, Lockett offers immense upside in a creative offense that appreciates gadgety players. Facing a Tampa Bay secondary that has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs over the last month and the most plays over 40 yards, Lockett is likely to swashbuckle the Bucs.

Vance McDonald, TE, San Francisco 49ers ($12)
Investing in a sinking ship is rarely advised, but with Zach Miller done for the year and Rob Gronkowski’s availability still unknown, McDonald is worth a look. He’s had six targets for four consecutive outings and he’s scored in two of his last three games. Facing a Dolphins squad that let both Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry into the end zone two weeks ago, McDonald has a decent shot of hitting pay dirt again on Sunday. Outside of Carlos Hyde, he’s the 49ers’ most reliable offensive weapon … for what that’s worth.

BONUS – Flyer Alert:

Jeremy Langford, RB, Chicago Bears ($11)
So, yeah, what I said about sinking ships … here’s another SOS play. With Alshon Jeffery suspended, Zach Miller on IR and Jay Cutler battling a torn labrum, the Bears are facing an apocalyptic end to 2016. Some fantasy pundits appear to be touting Eddie Royal, but I think Langford is the only potential PPR gem worth mining in this heap of less-than-semi-precious stones.

While rookie Jordan Howard has surpassed the second-year RB on the team’s depth chart, Langford was drafted by the current regime in large part due to his pass-catching ability. And, yes, I fully admit that fumbling has been a problem for the Michigan State product, but we’re sifting through a glut of sub-par options. In John Fox’s ultra-conservative offense and with Matt Barkley under center, it’s entirely possible that Langford acquires more looks. His matchup Sunday vs. the Titans is far from cake, but it is worth noting Tennessee has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards to RBs over the last four weeks (an average of nearly 50 yards per contest).

Ted Ginn, WR, Carolina Panthers ($12)
Noting an uptick in targets and a favorable matchup vs. New Orleans, I talked up Ginn last week on The Fantasy Football Guys podcast. Catching three of four balls for 46 yards and a score last Thursday night, Ginn has a shot of producing again Sunday.

Since the team’s Week 8 bye, Ginn has emerged as the team’s No. 2 WR and, in that time, is second in targets to Kelvin Benjamin by only five looks. Facing an admittedly improved, but still vulnerable Oakland secondary (what’s up D.J. Hayden), Ginn has momentum on his side. He’s a touchdown dependent boom or bust play in Week 12.

Malcolm Mitchell, WR, New England Patriots ($12)
Dear Dynasty leaguers, this one’s for you! A fourth-round pick this past April, Mitchell flashed over the summer. Unfortunately, the start of his season was hampered by elbow and hamstring injuries. Finally back to health and stepping up in replacement of Chris Hogan, Mitchell showed off his “X” potential in Week 11, catching four of five balls for 98 yards and a score.

A talent with oodles of promise, his immediate value rests on the health of Hogan. If the former Bill were to sit for a second week then the rookie would have a sweet amount moment heading into a matchup against Revis-Atoll (props to Brad Evans for the island re-brand).

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Philadelphia Eagles ($10)
Meh. I hate to go back to this well, but Nelson Agholor is real bad and Green-Beckham did score in Week 11. Plus, the Packers’ secondary is a disaster. I’m hoping you have better options (and I’d frankly prefer to root for Mitchell in a pinch), but if you’re searching for an ultra-cheap Hail Mary dart, you could do a lot worse than DGB.

Follow Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF.