Week 13: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains

It’s time for another TGIF addition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains. Last week I hit on three flyers at the receiver position: Ted Ginn, Malcolm Mitchell and Dorial Green-Beckham. Still trying to uncover more depth at the running back position, though. Let’s see what Week 13 holds.

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 $100K Baller for Week 13 | Tips for your Daily lineup]

Dontrelle Inman, WR, San Diego Chargers ($16)
On the field for over 90 percent of the team’s offensive snaps since Travis Benjamin went down with a knee injury, Inman has emerged as San Diego’s No. 2 WR. Even with Benjamin back in action after the team’s Week 11 bye, Inman remained Philip Rivers’ second most-targeted receiver, converting all six of his looks for 119 yards and a score. With Tyrell Williams battling a labrum issue (an injury which also afflicted him in college), Inman figures to see an uptick in volume.

Acquired by the Chargers in 2014, Inman has had years to absorb the offense and learn from receivers like Stevie Johnson. Drawing praise from his QB, Inman’s journey to full-time starter has been a lesson in patience and perseverance. Facing a trio of CBs under 5-foot-10, the 6-3, 205-pound receiver will have a chance to utilize his impressive agility and above-average catch radius against a secondary that has struggled to defend wideouts taller than 6 feet.

[Week 13 rankings: Overall | FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]

Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins ($17)
With just four fewer targets on the season than Jordan Reed, Garcon is averaging nearly seven looks per contest. He’s caught six balls in three of his last four games and produced, at minimum, WR3 numbers in each of those outings. While it was DeSean Jackson that went off in Week 12, Garcon still had a solid game, staying ultra-efficient and converting each ball thrown his way.

Heading into Week 13, the team will probably be without Jordan Reed, which should result in more balls for Garcon. Additionally, the possession receiver is likely to draw the softest coverage as Patrick Peterson chases Jackson around the field. Remember, despite rarely venturing into the slot, Peterson did follow and effectively shut down Stefon Diggs back in Week 11. Instead, Garcon is expected to see a lot of Marcus Cooper, who has given up five TDs in nine starts and is surrendering over 13 fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. If you’ve been sitting on Garcon, now is the time to roll him out.

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Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins ($13)
After flashing for two seasons in New Orleans, Stills was dealt to Miami in 2015, reportedly because Drew Brees didn’t like him very much. Saddled with a significant downgrade at QB and shadowed by the hype surrounding then-rookie Devante Parker, the former Sooner became a fantasy afterthought. This past season, however, Stills has surprised, finding the end zone in two of his last three contests.

The 2016 Dolphins have been a lesson in offensive evolution. Finding major success on the ground circa Week 5 when the offensive line finally returned to health, it seemed they had found their identity. That worked until about Week 10 when the running game slowed again. Over the past two outings, with three of the team’s starting o-linemen dinged up (Brandon Albert, Laremy Tunsil and Mike Pouncey) Jay Ajayi’s efficiency has waned and his touches have decreased.

Meanwhile, Ryan Tannehill is throwing the ball a bunch (he averaged 25 attempts per game from Weeks 5-10, and 32 attempts per game from Weeks 11-12) and through some Adam Gase-related wizardry, proving more effective. Consequently, Parker and Stills have become increasingly involved, seeing their snaps increase by nearly 10 percent.

After Parker, who admittedly plays ahead of Stills, left Week 12 with a back injury, Stills continued to see looks and finished the day catching three of six balls for 72 yards and a score. With Parker expected to miss Week 13, Stills’ target total at Baltimore should rise.

While Jimmy Smith is expected to return after missing the Ravens’ last two outings with a back injury, it’s doubtful he’ll be 100 percent. And even though Tunsil and Albert might return to help the run game, it’s doubtful Gase will move away from the passing game, with Tannehill feeling more confident each week. He’s a bit of a dart throw, but the signs are all aligning for Stills to show off his big-play ability at Baltimore.

[Week 13 rankings: Overall | FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]

Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars ($10)
Let’s be honest. This is a desperation play. Then again, desperate times call for desperate measures. And since I keep getting asked for deep sleepers at the running back position … well, here you go.

With Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon both battling injuries, Robinson is the next man up. At 5-10 and 199 pounds, the converted QB isn’t built to be an every-down back, especially when running behind a run-blocking unit that’s letting its RBs be stuffed nearly a quarter of the time. However, he’s proven a solid substitute in the past, particularly when he stepped up — and then supplanted — Toby Gerhart (behind an even worse offensive line) for a midseason stretch back in 2014. Robinson has it in him … not for a season, but maybe for a game.

Additionally, his ability in the passing game could prove useful this weekend against a Broncos squad that got toasted by the ultra-gadgety Tyreek Hill last Sunday night. While game flow is an absolute concern, the matchup isn’t horrible and the volume could be enough to make Robinson a useful spot starter.

[Join the $100K Baller for Week 13 | Tips for your Daily lineup]

Vance McDonald, TE, San Francisco 49ers ($14)
I’m going back to the well on this one. After getting looked to six times in four straight contests, McDonald notched two additional targets in Week 12. While he was only able to haul in four of eight balls for 60 yards (keeping him just outside of the top-12 producers at the position), that sort of volume is hard to ignore. Facing a decimated Bears defense that’s given up three scores to TEs over the last four weeks, McDonald remains a solid stream. FF: 4 for 49 and 1 TD

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