It’s time for fantasy football sleepers, Week 14 edition. My four Week 13 fantasy deep sleepers went 2-2, as the seemingly unstartable Ben Roethlisberger turned in a QB1 performance, while the seemingly unstartable Tyler Higbee was a back-end TE1. Among my other two picks, Ronald Jones left the game with an illness, so that wasn’t meant to be, while T.Y. Hilton and most of the Colts’ passing attack took a backseat to Jonathan Taylor.
Who are my favorite fantasy football deep sleepers in Week 14? Let’s check ‘em out.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Sleepers | QB and RB
As always, I’m not talking about players you’re planning to start. There are always bargains to be found on waivers. Here’s my favorite QB sleeper and RB sleeper for Week 14.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans
Equipped with two terrific wideouts and an all-world running back, Ryan Tannehill wasn’t supposed to be a deep sleeper in 2021. But this is where we are 13 weeks into the season. Somehow, Tannehill is the QB16 coming off back-to-back single-digit fantasy outputs. How can we possibly trust him?
Hint: he’s facing the Jaguars at home. Jacksonville has the fourth-worst pass defense based on opposing QB rating. Running backs Dontrell Hilliard and D’Onta Foreman have both shown abilities in the passing game. Geoff Swaim is now healthy, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is at least capable. I can see Tannehill sneaking in a low-end QB1 week. Thank you, Jaguars.
Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Never count out Darrel Williams. Despite looking like a bell cow in Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s extended absence, Williams took a backseat when CEH returned, earning only 15 rushing yards on 5 carries and 11 receiving yards on 1 catch in Week 11. But on Sunday, he inched upward with a 5-20 rushing line and an impressive 3-60 receiving line.
The Chiefs’ home game against the Raiders could be close, or it could be a blowout. Either way, I’m expecting Kansas City to win. And I’m expecting Williams to get 8-10 touches, just as he’s been accustomed to. With any backup RB, you’re hoping for volume and a decent shot at a touchdown. Given who might still be available on waivers in your league, Williams could be the highest-probability RB3 remaining.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Sleepers | WR and TE
A free agent WR could net you 12+ points. The same goes for a tight end who finds the end zone. Who’s my favorite WR sleeper and TE sleeper for Week 14?
Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns
Jarvis Landry is tied at WR50 in fantasy points per game. I think that qualifies him as a Week 14 sleeper. Heading into this season, he and Odell Beckham Jr. were supposed to anchor a proficient passing attack backed by an elite running game.
Cleveland’s running game fell apart (somewhat) due to injuries. The passing attack has fallen apart due to injuries to Baker Mayfield and his top three wideouts, as well as dumping OBJ midseason.
Landry is a tentatively screaming buy heading into Week 14’s faceoff against the Ravens. Baltimore is tough against the run, but easily beatable against the pass.
Landry is the Browns’ clear-cut No. 1 receiver. In his last game against the Ravens (Week 12), he exploded for 6 catches and 111 yards. Few managers can trust the continually ailing Mayfield. But at some point, we have to take a leap. Landry is still available in 20% of FleaFlicker leagues and could be had for cheap if your league trade deadline hasn’t passed.
Tyler Conklin, TE, Minnesota Vikings
When Adam Thielen got hurt in Week 13, Tyler Conklin stepped up with 7 catches for 56 yards. It was his second 7-reception day of the season, but far from his first good TE fantasy day. In fact, he has 9.5 or more fantasy points in five of his last seven contests. Most managers lacking a locked-in TE1 would take those points in a heartbeat.
Minnesota’s offense is relatively top-heavy, usually featuring one running back, two wideouts, a third wideout with a minor role, and a tight end. This isn’t a spread-it-around system. Conklin will continue to get looks, including in the red zone, which he’s shown a knack for finding. Among all non-TE1s this week, I’d stream Conklin.