Week 14 NFL DFS Sleepers
Quarterback
QB Nathan Peterman vs. IND – Tyrod Taylor was apparently battling a knee injury all game after getting hurt in the first quarter, and he tapped out in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Patriots. He was carted to the locker room and can be considered questionable ahead of a juicy Week 14 matchup against the Colts' porous pass defense. Nathan Peterman may be able to bounce back from his disastrous NFL debut a couple of weeks ago since he’s facing a Colts team that ranks 28th in DVOA pass defense and allows the most passing YPG (271.6) this season, so give him a look if you’re desperate.
Running back
RB Mike Davis @ JAX – It’s virtually impossible to pass on the Jaguars elite secondary, so teams have taken to running against Jacksonville, which ranks first in DVOA pass defense but 24th in DVOA run defense this year. Mike Davis is clearly the primary candidate for touches out of the Seahwaks muddled backfield since he piled up 64 yards on 16 carries in a brutal matchup against Philly on Sunday night. He played on 73 percent of offensive snaps in that contest and could benefit if Seattle is unable to move the ball any other way at Jacksonville.
RB Andre Ellington vs. SF – Especially in PPR formats, Ellington is a sneaky great play this week. Lamar Miller is banged up and D’Onta Foreman is done for the year, so the former Cardinals back is a candidate to get some work if game flow turns positive for Houston this week. Yet with Jimmy Garoppolo turning the 49ers offense into a competent unit, Houston may be playing from behind, which would lead to more looks for Ellington. He caught 5-of-6 targets for 56 yards against the Titans last Sunday and is playing as more of a slot back out of necessity since Bruce Ellington, Braxton Miller, Will Fuller and TE C.J. Fiedorowicz are dealing with injuries.
Wide Receiver
WR Zay Jones vs. IND – More than Nathan Peterman, the Bills receivers are worth a look against a Colts secondary that can’t stop a nosebleed right now. While the box score doesn’t indicate great results, Jones saw 7 targets last Sunday including a look in the end zone that was nearly a TD before Stephon Gillmore broke it up. The Patriots greatly improved secondary is far superior to that of the Colts and Jones should continue to function as Buffalo’s top target regardless of who is under center in Week 14.
WR Kenny Golladay @ TB – Seemingly just a flash in the pan after blowing up in Week 1 and fading away due to hamstring woes shortly after, Golladay’s been consistent with two catches in four straight appearances and a total of 221 receiving yards during that span. He’s healthier at this point and draws a great matchup against a Tampa team that ranks 30th in DVOA pass defense. The Bucs have allowed the second-most passing YPG (267.3) and third-most pass plays of 40-plus yards (10) this season, and Golladay is a great downfield weapon for Matt Stafford and the Lions.
Tight End
TE Dwayne Allen vs. MIA – Allen should be one of the more popular pick ups on the waiver wire this week for good reason, as Rob Gronkowski will almost certainly be suspended for his cheap shot on Bills CB Tre’Davious White. Martellus Bennett (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve and that leaves Allen as the only TE with experience on the roster. Even though he was ignored for the greater portion of the year, Tom Brady still went to his oversized target in a key spot against Denver to produce a TD, and the Dolphins defense has been extremely vulnerable at all levels to any capable offense.
