When identifying potential sleepers, snap count and target share are the name of the game. The difference between a player being a sleeper or just some bench piece is a very fine line. It is all about how productive a player can be with the limited looks that they receive. It is also important to consider their matchup and their team’s offensive scheme. The conclusion of Week 11 has left us with some more useful data points. Things are getting down to the nitty-gritty. The waiver wire is bone dry. So based on that, I’ve decided that there was a need to give you a couple more names to pick from. Without further adieu, here are six Week 15 sleepers who could provide a spark for your fantasy squad.
Week 15 Sleepers
Elijah Moore- WR, New York Jets
I absolutely love picking on the Detroit Lions when it comes to finding a good sleeper pick. This week is no different as Elijah Moore headlines my Week 15 sleepers. It has been an up-and-down (mostly down) year for Moore. However, things seem to be turning around after Moore was targeted a season-high 10 times last week against the Buffalo Bills. Moore was able to turn those 10 targets into six receptions for 60 yards. Modest production, but definitely a step in the right direction for Moore.
I believe that he will be able to build on this momentum this week. The Lions’ secondary is will still be tending to fresh burns provided by Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and KJ Osborn. Jefferson went off for 200+ receiving yards while Adam and KJ each scored a TD. That makes five passing touchdowns allowed in the last three games for the Lions. Elijah Moore has been inconsistent all season, but with Corey Davis in the concussion protocol, the volume should be there for Moore in a game where the Jets will likely need to score a ton to have a chance of winning.
Chris Moore- WR, Houston Texans
You want more Moore? I’ve got one more Moore for you. It’s not likely that you’ve rostered any Houston Texans not named Dameon Pierce. But for those of us who are in desperation mode, we’ll take production anywhere we can get it. I believe that Moore can be one of those Week 15 sleepers to provide you with a solid score. Lining up as the number one receiver last week thanks to injuries to Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins, Chris Moore had a day. He reeled in a rather impressive ten catches on eleven targets. Moore was able to eclipse the century mark for the first time this season, putting up 124 yards.
Resounding feeling in the Texans locker room was frustration letting that game slip away. And some even wondered why didn’t head coach Lovie Smith throw a challenge flag on the questionable Chris Moore play that could have been a touchdown,which would have sealed the game. pic.twitter.com/yZSfs5oIDm
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) December 11, 2022
Nico Collins is dealing with a foot injury, while Brandin Cooks is nursing a soft-tissue (calf) injury. Seeing as they’re both wide receivers, feet and calves are vital to their success on the field. Both injuries appear to be nagging, meaning that Moore could be in the same increased role that he was in this past week. This week Moore will square off against a Chiefs secondary that struggles to stop anybody. This is a defense that just allowed Russell Wilson and Brett Rypien to combine for four passing touchdowns last week. Just like the Jets, the Texans will need to do unholy things on offense to have a prayer. Look for Moore to get all the looks he can handle this week.
Najee Harris- RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
I know what you’re thinking, Najee Harris? A sleeper? Yes, have you looked at this man’s game log? He has not been a sure thing week in and week out. I am not the only one who sees this, DraftKings is pricing Harris at a ridiculously low $5700. Having Harris below $6k last season would have been the easiest free square anybody has ever seen. A poor offensive line and inconsistent quarterback play have plagued Harris’ season. As bad as it has been, I believe that Harris can provide a punch as the most well-known of my Week 15 sleepers.
With low rushing totals and a lack of real involvement in the passing game, Najee Harris has evolved into a very touchdown-dependent option. The rushing numbers have begun to creep up. Harris was able to eclipse 80 yards on the ground in three of the last five games. But when the running game is broken, it’s really broken. In the two games that he failed to reach 80 yards, Harris had only 35/33 rushing yards. The Panthers haven’t given up a rushing TD since they let Lamar Jackson into the end zone on November 20th. Seeing as they’ve only seen the likes of Latavius Murray, Marlon Mack, and Travis Homer since, I’d expect that streak to be snapped this week.
Rashid Shaheed- WR, New Orleans Saints
At what point do we stop recognizing Shaheed’s performances as fluky? I’d say right about now. Rashid Shaheed is a certified playmaker and is the bonafide deep threat for the New Orleans Saints. He and QB, Andy Dalton have displayed nice chemistry connecting on multiple deep balls this season. For back-to-back weeks, Shaheed has seen at least 50% of snaps on offense. He’s been fairly productive with his increased opportunities, putting up stat lines of 2-53-0 and 4-75-0 in that time span. His four catches on four targets for 75 yards last week were enough to lead his team in receiving last week.
Rashid Shaheed Longest Rec Over 9.5 ✅
Let’s go!!!! pic.twitter.com/WPGeawjQpl
— Sean Koerner (@The_Oddsmaker) December 6, 2022
Following their bye week, the Saints will be taking on the Atlanta Falcons at home. The Falcons represent the sixth-best matchup for opposing wide receivers. This is a secondary that isn’t shy about giving up huge plays to wide receivers, just ask Ja’Marr Chase. Rashid Shaheed absolutely has the speed to blow the top off of any defense, but especially this one. The bye week should have given Shaheed and Dalton more time to get on the same page. Shaheed is one of the riskier Week 15 sleepers, but he also has the potential to provide the largest output.
Isiah Pacheco- RB, Kansas City Chiefs
The good times keep on rolling for Isiah Pacheco and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs offense. I must admit it is still strange to see a Kansas City running back provide the team with consistent production on the ground. It’s a bit stranger even to see Andy Reid continue to call his number. I keep waiting for the Chiefs to go back to throwing the ball 50+ times a game, completely abandoning the run game. Alas, that has not happened yet, and with Pacheco running the way he is, I don’t foresee it ever coming to pass. Even with fellow running back Jerick McKinnon making all the headlines (and scoring all the TDs) these past two weeks, Pacheco has still churned out some good games on the ground.
Isiah Pacheco is a star. Here is on 2nd-and-10 to ice the game, just so explosive and physical. pic.twitter.com/P0UlrGjiXT
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) December 12, 2022
What is scary about Pacheco is the fact that he’s slowly becoming more involved in the passing game. His targets have increased by one in each of his last three games. Of all my Week 15 sleepers, Pacheco has by far the best matchup. His brutal running style is going to give the Houston Texans’ rush defense fits. Last week the Cowboys only gave their running backs 25 carries, a number that is too low if you’re asking me. Still, Zeke and Pollard were able to combine for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns. Pollard averaged 4.1 yards per carry, while Zeke averaged 4.2. There isn’t much the Texans can do to fix their rush defense before their meeting with Pacheco in five days.
Laviska Shenault- WR, Carolina Panthers
Okay okay, the Panthers are showing some signs of life. They’re also showing that they may be able to produce fantasy viable options from time to time. This season any Panthers not named Christian McCaffrey (for a short while) or D’Onta Foreman has been hard to trust. For a couple of games there we got the old DJ Moore back, which was nice to see. Unfortunately, Moore may miss this week’s game as he’s day-to-day with a knee sprain that he suffered in last week’s victory against the Seahawks. Moore’s knee injury is what placed Shenault in the Week 15 sleepers discussion.
Laviska hasn’t been used much, but when he’s in the game there’s a good chance that the ball will be coming his way. Only on the field for 29% of the snaps last week, Shenault ended the game with a perfect four catches on four targets for 31 yards. He also added one carry for seven yards. If DJ Moore is out (highly likely) or even limited, I would expect Shenault’s playing time and usage to both increase. The Panthers have won three of their last four and will look to keep things rolling against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh hasn’t been great at stopping anybody this season, WR or RB. Shenault’s hybrid-type playing style may be a problem for a Steelers defense that has the eighth most missed tackles this season.