Once again, we are in the midst of an exciting NFL season. Now begins the process of setting the best lineup possible on a weekly basis. Each week, we have you covered as we go through options at both the quarterback and tight end positions. Let us dig into some Week 12 Quarterback Sleepers and Streamers along with some Week 12 Tight End Sleepers and Streamers.
Week 12 Quarterback Sleepers and Streamers
Quarterback Sleepers
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
Let’s kick things off with our sleepers and streamers by following a theme that will resonate here; follow the matchup. Gardner Minshew gets the benefit this week of facing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that is in the top five of allowing points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
While the veteran is not an elite player, he did break the 300-yard mark in consecutive weeks earlier in the season. The problem with that, is in one of those games, Minshew also threw three interceptions while offsetting it with just one interception. In the last two weeks, Minshew has thrown for just 301 yards and a touchdown so don’t go crazy in chasing the matchup here unless you truly need to.
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
It clearly was not the best situation for Jake Browning when he entered the game last week in place of an injured Joe Burrow. Not only were the Cincinnati Bengals trailing, but they were doing so on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. While Browning didn’t lead the Bengals to victory, he did complete eight of 14 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps of greater fantasy importance, he added 40 yards on the ground with four carries.
Following last Thursday’s game, Browning had a few extra days to prepare as a starter, so that should certainly help. With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, Browning has a plethora of weapons and his disposal along with a strong running game led by Joe Mixon. I’m not saying that Browning will save your season against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, but he may surprise you as well.
Quarterback Streamers
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Back to the dependable veteran we go. Matthew Stafford returned to action after missing a game with a thumb injury, and we got more of the same from him. Throwing for 190 yards and a touchdown is not going to jump off the page, but it does the job. Perhaps a little concerning is the fact that Stafford did throw an interception for the third straight week, but in general, he isn’t going to hurt you too badly. There is enough here to hold down the fort and let all of your other players bring home the victory.
Facing the Arizona Cardinals this week also helps the case for Stafford as they rank towards the bottom against opposing quarterbacks this year from a fantasy perspective.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
We need Derek Carr this week. In fact that probably rings true every week when it comes to sleepers and streamers as the depth is simply not out there. I do need to qualify that with the fact that Carr’s health is clearly more important than our fantasy aspirations. However, after a full practice on Wednesday, it does appear that Carr will be cleared to take the field on Sunday. That is a good thing as the quarterback has a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Carr has four games of at least three hundred yards passing this season while throwing for 10 touchdowns against just four interceptions this season. The veteran is generally efficient and has enough skill players at his disposal to make something happen. If for some reason Carr doesn’t get cleared, while there is some more risk, you can plug Jameis Winston into this spot.
Week 12 Tight End Sleepers and Streamers
Tight End Sleepers
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week, Pat Freiermuth made his return after being out of action since Week 4. Making the call on Freiermuth as one of our sleepers and streamers didn’t pan out too well, but back to it we go for Sunday. While we can put some of the blame on Kenny Pickett, he’s not going anywhere this week, so that remains. However, last season and also prior to his injury, Freiermuth did have success with Pickett, so we should be alright there.
Instead, let’s just blame it on the injury and hope that Freiermuth gets more than one target this week; which he caught for seven yards.
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Michael Mayer in the second round for a reason. Now they just need to work on expanding his role in the offense. A week after catching three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown, Mayer had four receptions for 46 yards. It was the second straight week in which he was targeted five times as the Raiders started involving him more in the game plan.
This week figures to be a situation in which they are playing from behind against the Kansas City Chiefs, so Mayer should benefit from a passing game perspective. The Raiders just need to truly let him loose.
Tight End Streamers
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Following the injury to Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely was one of the more popular waiver wire additions for this past week. The question then is, how warranted was it?
Aside from one game of four catches for 42 yards, Likely hasn’t had more than one catch in a game this season. Granted that is with Andrews playing, but even last year, Likely didn’t jump off the page in terms of production when Andrews was out of the lineup. There is some potential and upside here, and he might be more talented than what is left on your waiver wire, but don’t do anything rash here either.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It is a good matchup for Cade Otton with the Indianapolis Colts in the bottom of the league when it comes to points allowed to opposing tight ends. Over the past five weeks, Otton has been targeted 29 times, and that is sure to capture our attention. Last week, Otton turned that into four receptions for 49 yards which, almost surprisingly, made him the leading receiver on the day for Tampa Bay.
Otton’s role has been increasing in the Buccaneers offense, but perhaps of more importance is that he has proven to be up to the task. In all but one of those aforementioned games, Otton has at least four catches so there is a decent floor here.
Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty