Streaming Sleepers: Week 11

By :: Juan Carlos Blanco (@jcblanco22)

Each week, Streaming Sleepers will highlight at least five non-QB skill-position players and one team defense that currently have start or roster rates of 20% or less in season-long leagues but may be prudent options this week due to matchups and other circumstances, particularly in deeper formats. 

Additionally, the plays suggested here could be viable DFS large-field tournament options for the coming slate and are likely to carry modest ownership rates in that format as well.

Christian Watson, GB at NYG - 11% start rate

Watson is back for a third consecutive week, as he not only looks like he’s on the verge of upping his production exponentially, but he may have just the right circumstances for it this week. The speedy wideout is being targeted down the field consistently by Jordan Love, and although the latter turned in a mostly forgettable performance in the Week 10 loss to the Eagles, he did connect with Watson for completions of 23 and 25 yards.

That’s been a common occurrence since Watson made his delayed season debut three games ago, as Watson has averaged 23.5 yards per reception on his eight catches to date, and five of those grabs have gone for 20+ yards. Watson has four targets apiece in each contest, but this week, he may be looking at a boost in volume due to the possibility at least one of Matthew Golden (shoulder) or Romeo Doubs (chest) is sidelined alongside Tucker Kraft (IR, knee).

Cade Otton, TB at BUF - 19% start rate

Otton is the first of three total Buccaneers we’re mentioning this week. The fourth-year tight end has been thrust into a larger role for several weeks thanks to the ongoing absences of Mike Evans (IR, collarbone/concussion) and Chris Godwin (fibula), and that could remain the case in this interconference matchup after Otton posted a combined 29-319-0 tally on 37 targets in the last five games.

Otton is averaging an impressive 2.85 yards per route run in the aforementioned sample, and he’s seen at least five targets in each of those contests. The Bills’ thoroughly uninspired offensive performance in Week 10 against the Dolphins notwithstanding, Tampa Bay will go into this matchup knowing it will have to maintain a certain level of aerial aggression despite Buffalo’s issues stopping the run; in such a scenario, Otton could well be a beneficiary. 

Tez Johnson, TB at BUF - 11% start rate 

Johnson is also in play for the same reason cited at the end of Otton’s entry, not to mention the rookie wideout’s recent body of work. Johnson got into the end zone two more times in the Week 10 loss to the Patriots, doubling his season/career TD total in the process. The rookie seventh-round pick has an 18-247-4 line on 27 targets in the last five games, averaging 2.31 yards per route run while also logging four looks in the red zone. 

The Bills have been tough on wide receivers overall, but they’re still surrendering 13.1 yards per catch to the position. Johnson has an elevated 11.4-yard aDOT and has been targeted on 25.2% of his routes in the aforementioned five-game sample, and with Godwin likely out again this week, the ascending pass catcher is in play.

Colston Loveland, CHI at MIN - 18% start rate 

Like Watson, Loveland makes a return appearance this week after delivering a solid 4-55-0 line on four targets in Week 10 against the Giants, with two of those catches going for 20+ yards. The rookie first-round pick has at least three receptions in four consecutive contests, and he’s been targeted by Caleb Williams on 32.4% of his routes in the last two games.

Position mate Cole Kmet was available in Week 10 after exiting the wild Week 9 win over the Bengals due to a concussion, but he notably drew only two targets and appears to have clearly fallen behind his rookie teammate. The Vikings have also surrendered a 52-501-6 receiving line to tight ends, along with the seventh-highest yards per completion (10.5) per home game.

Tre Tucker, LVR vs. DAL - 17% start rate

The combination of Tucker’s speed, depth-chart slotting in the wake of the Jakobi Meyers trade, and the Cowboys’ questionable secondary play all conspire to make the Raiders’ No. 1 receiver a potential Monday night hammer in your season-long leagues this week. Tucker has a 34-455-4 line overall this season, and seven of his receptions have gone for 20+ yards.

Tucker did have a muted performance in his first game as the top wideout option, but that opportunity just so happened to come against the Broncos defense in Denver. This scenario is a full 360 in terms of the matchup, as the Cowboys have given up the third-highest yards per completion (11.2), along with a 69.7% catch rate, 14.5 yards per reception and an NFL-high 16 TDs to wide receivers. 

Washington Commanders Defense vs. Miami Dolphins - 8% roster rate

Some of our team defense calls have been a bit of a tough sell this year on the surface given we’re working with the 20%-and-under start/roster rate rules, with rare exception. This week’s selection of the Commanders might really jump off the screen for the wrong reasons, but there’s a chance we see a bit of a resurgence from a unit that will now be getting its play calls from head coach Dan Quinn.

That automatically gives the beleaguered unit a bit of a boost, considering Quinn’s know-how, experience and impressive past body of work as a coordinator. Then, there’s the matter of the neutral-site game in Madrid and the possibility of a lower-scoring game overall, considering international games often seem to take something out of the participants due to the overseas travel. 

Additionally, the Commanders are facing a turnover-prone Tua Tagovailoa, who, even in the impressive Week 10 win over the Bills, tossed another two interceptions. Miami is also getting by with a particularly thin pass-catching corps overall since Tyreek Hill (knee) and Darren Waller (pectoral) hit injured reserve. Consequently, Quinn could have an opportunity to up the aggressiveness as part of his quest to give his struggling defense a jolt of confidence, perhaps designing a gameplan that hones in on erasing Jaylen Waddle. 

ALSO CONSIDER ::

Emari Demercado, ARI vs. SF- 17% start rate

Could be set to operate as No. 1 back in Week 11 if Bam Knight (ankle) is unavailable and Trey Benson doesn’t return from IR; has 182 total yards on 22 touches last two games. 

Sean Tucker, TB at BUF - 8% roster rate 

Could continue eating into Rachaad White’s workload after turning 21 carries into 95 yards and a TD last two games, and may have a chance to do so against a Bills defense surrendering 5.4 RB yards per carry and ranked No. 28 and No. 32 in second-level and open-field yards per carry allowed, respectively.