Week 13 NFL DFS Sleepers
Quaterback
QB Jimmy Garoppolo @ CHI – The matchup is far from ideal against an underrated Bears secondary, but it’s hard to find a QB with Garoppolo’s talent floating out there on the waiver wire. While C.J. Beathard believes he avoided a serious injury toward the end of Sunday's loss to Seattle, he's likely to cede his job to Garoppolo if he's at anything less than 100 percent. As the only other QB active, Garoppolo made his Niners debut in garbage time and completed two passes for 18 yards, so he could be forced into action this week.
Running Back
RB Jacquizz Rodgers vs. GB – An ineffective Doug Martin was ruled out last Sunday with a concussion in a loss at Atlanta. In relief, Peyton Barber scored a pair of short TDs and he could start in a road game at Green Bay in Week 13. Yet the Packers' defense is far more vulnerable against receiving backs, so look at Jacquizz Rodgers as the preferred option in PPR formats should Martin sit next week.
RB Austin Ekeler vs. CLE – After producing double-digit FPs in a third consecutive game, it’s safe to say that Ekeler’s production is no fluke. He’s a matchup nightmare for linebackers in coverage and an elusive runner between the tackles, while Melvin Gordon’s continued struggles in terms of YPC ensures that Ekeler will continue to get touches. Up next is a juicy matchup against the winless Browns and Cleveland’s better against interior rushes, which could lead to more work for Ekeler as a receiver.
Wide Receiver
WR Cordarrelle Patterson vs. NYG – Amari Cooper was placed in the league's concussion protocol and Michael Crabtree was ejected early in a win over Denver, so he could be suspended ahead of a Week 13 date with the Giants. The Raiders might be very thin at receiver and Cordarrelle Patterson is functioning as a true dual threat with big play potential for them. His versatile role should help him avoid shadow coverage from Giants shutdown CB Janoris Jenkins and he would be worth a dart throw for desperate owners if either Cooper or Crabtree is out this Sunday.
WR Zay Jones @ NE – When taking a receiver against the Patriots, volume is assured at the very least because their opponents often wind up getting down big. The Bills bounced back with a road win at Kansas City last week and will certainly be fired up to take on the AFC East leaders this week, while Jones should continue to serve as the team’s top target with Jordan Matthews (thumb) and Kelvin Benjamin (knee) injured. Jones has compiled 13 catches for 154 yards and 2 TDs over his last 3 appearances and is stepping up as the top receiver Buffalo hoped they drafted.
Tight End
TE Ricky Seals-Jones vs. LAR – There’s no reason to ignore Seals-Jones after he scored again in a tough matchup against Jacksonville this past Sunday. The 22-year-old TE has totaled 7 catches for 126 yards and 3 TDs over two appearances as he’s running circles around fossilized incumbent Jermaine Greshman. While he draws another tough matchup this week against the Rams, Seals-Jones should continue to see plenty of targets with another elite secondary game planning to stop a quasi TE in Larry Fitzgerald, an approach that contributed to the rookie’s success last Sunday.
