Fantasy football deep sleepers: Ravens connection among hidden values in Week 15
It’s crunch time in season-long fantasy leagues — semifinal round in most and first round in the rest — and one of the last weeks in which daily fantasy players will have the entire league to choose from. Either way, sleepers are as or more important than ever.
Here are a few under-the-radar players who could help your squad from Ourlads.com.
QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Flacco has actually looked pretty good in his last two games. He’s thrown for 269 yards in both including a total of four touchdowns against only one interception. This week he faces a below-average Cleveland Browns pass defense that ranks 21st in the league.
Fantasy rankings: How the players stack up at each position in Week 15
WR Mike Wallace, Baltimore Ravens
Wallace has been Flacco’s favorite receiver for the last month. After tallying 72 receiving yards last week at Pittsburgh, Wallace is averaging 73 yards over his last four games. The good times should continue Sunday at Cleveland.
RB Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Henry is still splitting time with DeMarco Murray, but he has a touchdown in each of his last two games. Moreover, before he was held to 20 yards by Arizona’s seventh-ranked rushing defense last week, he averaged 94 yards on 12 carries in the two games prior. Look for Murray to get back on track vs. San Francisco’s 25th-ranked run defense.
RB Wayne Gallman, New York Giants
With the firing of Ben McAdoo and the promotion of Steve Spagnuolo to Giants’ head coach, Gallman’s role suddenly increased. It may have also had something to do with Orleans Darkwa being less than 100%, but whatever the case, Gallman proved worthy by rushing for 59 yards on 12 carries and catching seven passes for 40 yards last week vs. Dallas. The Giants will likely continue to feed the rookie from Clemson.
RB Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Barber took a back seat to Doug Martin last week upon Martin’s return from a concussion. However, late in the first half, the Bucs realized they had made a mistake and reinserted Barber into the lineup. Barber produced by gaining 58 yards on 12 carries, a week after rushing for over 100 yards. Expect Barber to get the bulk of backfield work for the entire game Sunday vs. Atlanta.
TE Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers
James has been inconsistent, to say the least, but he was targeted a season-high 12 times and caught 10 passes for 97 yards Sunday night vs. Baltimore. It’s hard to imagine Ben Roethlisberger abandoning James a week later, particularly against a New England pass defense that gave up big numbers to Jay Cutler and the Dolphins.
WR Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
Nelson has been a complete non-factor in fantasy over the last seven weeks, since Aaron Rodgers’ broken collarbone. Well, Rodgers is set to return to action this week, so Nelson’s owners should insert him in lineups instantly. Prior to Rodgers’ injury, Nelson was his typical double-digit fantasy self.
For more fantasy analysis go to Ourlads.com.