Deeper Waiver Wire Sleepers: Players Who May Still Be Available

DId you lose someone to injury last week and want a stash? Perhaps you need a bye week filler and you missed out on C.J. Anderson or Jarvis Landry?  No worries, there are always more waiver wire sleepers out there for you to consider. We’re digging deep every week for some waiver wire adds that can help propel your team into the fantasy playoffs. I'm going to take a look at some players that are almost definitely available in your league who could provide quite a boost to your team for this week and through the season.

In this piece, I’ve attempted to identify some deeper sleepers who may have either fallen off the radar, or are not getting enough love from fantasy football owners and are still underowned. Some of these players may be available in your leagues, depending on the league size and format, so feel free to pick them up and stash them if they’re still sitting out there.

You never know0-- any of these players could emerge in Week 12 or beyond to become difference-makers for fantasy football owners– especially in deeper leagues. Remember, we’re digging deeper here, so let’s see what the free agent pool has lying around.

Digging Deeper - Potential Waiver Wire Sleepers

Josh McCown - QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

And he’s back.  After his dismal performance in Atlanta on Thursday, and a finger injury, McCown was thought to have played his last down as a starter in Tampa Bay.  With Mike Glennon being no more than a game manager (even with his big arm), McCown was able to win his job back, and he sure has impressed over the past two weeks, putting up 301 and 288 yards and four total touchdowns.

Both of the defenses that McCown faced were uninspiring, but there is hope nonetheless. The Buccaneers play at Chicago this week, and while it’s not a dream matchup, the Bears have struggled against the pass lately, and they haven’t generated the strongest pass rush (which will mean the world to a terrible Tampa offensive line).  With Mike Evans's emergence as a bonafide, I believe in McCown to continue his trend of strong fantasy performances.  In a possible shootout, McCown is a low-end QB1 with a surprising amount of upside.

Isaiah Crowell - RB, Cleveland Browns

32% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

The murky Cleveland backfield just got a little clearer with the release of Ben Tate, leaving just Terrance West and Crowell as the difference-making backs.  I’m giving the nod to Crowell as the player who can help you in the stretch run to the playoffs.

Blessed with good speed for his massive frame, Crowell is a physical specimen who has regularly produced on the field, rushing for at last 4.9 yards per carry in three of the four games in which he received over 10 carries.  He’s also scored five touchdowns.  While West has received more carries in total, his yards per carry is way lower, and he’s scored two fewer touchdowns.

West doesn’t bring the same level of speed and power that Crowell does, and the coaching staff seems to feel the same way, as Crowell has still received carries despite his slight tendency to put the ball on the ground.  With Cleveland in the playoff race, look for Pettine to use Crowell more frequently than West.  With Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron returning soon, the running lanes are going to be there. He could have some RB2 value down the stretch and he has absolute cake matchups for the playoffs (Colts, Bengals, Panthers).

Charles Johnson - WR, Minnesota Vikings

1% Owned in Fleaflicker leagues

This guy was a favorite of mine when he was with Cleveland to start the year.  When Minnesota claimed him off the practice squad, I figured it would take at least a year before he would emerge as a starter on a team, but that time might be now.  Johnson is an athletic freak in the mold of Andre Holmes or a less-talented Josh Gordon.

With injuries to Jarius Wright and Greg Jennings, Johnson was able to make an impact this week, catching an impressive six of seven targets for 87 yards.  With both Jennings and Wright questionable for next week, Johnson immediately becomes a WR4 with immense upside in a pass-first game against the Packers, even with Bridgewater’s struggles.  Cordarrelle Patterson has still failed to make an impact as a receiver, and Kyle Rudolph may still be on a snap count.

Johnson may be Bridgewater's primary target in this game, which would mean a whole lot for his fantasy value.  If he does end up winning a starting job, he has a rough playoff matchup (Lions, Dolphins), but the three games leading up to Week 15 are mouth-watering.  If he has a good game against the Packers, he immediately becomes a must-add.

Tight Ends to Target In Week 12

Tight end has been nothing short of a mess this year, with multiple players failing to meet expectations, whether that's due to injury or performance: Jordan Reed, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Ladarius Green, Zach Ertz, Jordan Cameron, Vernon Davis, Charles Clay, Dennis Pitta.  It’s unheard of that this many players are legitimate busts at their position at this point in the season.  Here’s two guys that I would scoop off the waiver wire if you've had some tight end woes:

• Niles Paul - This guy was a TE1 when he started for Reed to begin the season. He’s actually been playing just as much as Reed even when Reed was healthy, so the coaching staff trusts him.  He’s fast for his size and is a great seam stretcher who can be a true difference-maker.  (He was even a kick returner two years ago!)

• Mychal Rivera - He may be already owned in your league, but he’s Derek Carr’s safety valve.  He’s a smaller, less nimble Larry Donnell without the playmaking hands, but he’s been a consistent red zone target.