Fantasy football deep sleepers: Eli Manning-Sterling Shepard combo could pay dividends

In most fantasy football leagues, the playoffs are here. If you were good and lucky enough to make it to your league’s big dance, chances are your team is solid at most positions. However, injuries and slumps don’t stop for the playoffs, so deep sleeper starters remain crucial to further success.

Here are a few under-the-radar players who could help your squad from Ourlads.com.

QB Eli Manning, New York Giants

Fantasy football owners are understandably numbers- and stats-driven. However, it is important to remember football is a human and emotional game and those emotions can result in favorable fantasy stats.

Fantasy rankings:  How the players stack up at each position in Week 14

Manning regains his starting quarterback spot for the Giants after the firing of his coach and general manager. These events are very popular with Giants fans and the atmosphere at Met Life Stadium will be ripe for a big, pride-driven performance by Eli against a Dallas Cowboys pass defense that ranks 21st in the league.

WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants

Shepard was back on the field last week after missing two games due to migraine headaches. He wasn’t great with Geno Smith at quarterback, but he should benefit from the return of Manning.

Manning will surely target his best wide receiver against a Cowboys team that has given up the third-most fantasy points to the position.

RB LaGarrette Blount, Philadelphia Eagles

Coming off a loss at Seattle, the Eagles will likely get back to basics. Blount had eight carries for 26 yards in that game, but expect him to come closer to the 15 carries he received two weeks ago against the Rams and their 27th-ranked rushing defense.

TE Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Those looking to replace the suspended Rob Gronkowski would be smart to have Witten on their roster. Witten had only one reception last week (a touchdown), but the last two times he caught only one pass, he followed the poor showing with seven receptions in his next game. Expect a similar result Sunday against the Giants, who have given up the most fantasy points to the tight end position.

RB James White, New England Patriots

After very little production over the previous three weeks, White resurfaced a bit for the Patriots in their win at Buffalo. White caught four passes on six targets for 32 yards to go along with his five carries in the running game. With Gronkowski suspended, White should play a bigger role in the New England passing game against Miami’s average defense.

WR Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions

Golladay has recorded only two receptions in each of his last five games, but the rookie from Northern Illinois is averaging close to 25 yards per catch. Golladay could be in line for a breakout game this Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, whose pass defense is next-to- last in the league.

For more fantasy analysis go to Ourlads.com.