Streaming Sleepers: Week 14

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.

Blake Corum, LAR at ARI - 3% start rate

Kyren Williams exited the Week 13 loss to the Panthers for a spell due to an ankle injury, and although the latter returned to the game and doesn’t appear any worse for wear, Corum still put together an impressive 7-81-1 rushing line. The second-year back has logged between seven and 13 carries in the last six games, a stretch that includes three contests with at least 12 rush attempts.

The Cardinals have been a much more vulnerable run defense on the road, but they’re surrendering a fairly elevated 112.6 rushing yards per game overall and 4.4 RB yards per carry. Arizona also ranks 20th in open-field yards per carry allowed, while Corum boasts an impressive 20.2% broken-tackle rate. Then, it’s also worth noting the Cardinals are tied for the second-most red-zone rushing touchdowns allowed (12), while Corum has 18 red-zone touches through 12 games.

Evan Engram, DEN at LVR - 14% start rate

Engram’s involvement in the Broncos’ offense has fluctuated throughout his first season with the team, but the veteran tight end is coming off a season-best six-catch, 79-yard effort against the Commanders in Week 13. Engram has flashed a reasonable floor with at least four receptions in seven of 11 games, and he’s eclipsed 40 receiving yards on three occasions.

Engram is averaging 5.4 targets per game, and in Week 14, he’s facing a Raiders defense that’s surrendered 10.2 yards per completion, including 12.0 in the last three contests. Las Vegas has generally done a good job against tight ends, but the Raiders are still yielding a 68.3% catch rate to tight ends and 10.7 yards per reception to the position. Engram has the ability to build on his showing against Washington, making him a viable option at a tricky position.

Chris Godwin, TB vs. NO - 20% start rate 

Godwin delivered nicely as a Week 13 suggestion, seeing a bump in snap count as expected after being limited to just 25 plays from scrimmage in his Week 12 debut. Godwin bumped up to 36 plays in Week 13 and had a chance to work with Baker Mayfield for all four quarters, resulting in a 3-78-0 line on five targets. A deeper look at those numbers offers even more reason for optimism, as Godwin saw two targets inside the 10-yard line and gained over 20 yards on all three catches. 

The veteran wideout could be due for even more opportunity in Week 14, and the Saints check in allowing the seventh-most yards per completion per road game (10.9), along with a 67.3% completion rate overall. New Orleans is also conceding a 65.4% catch rate to wide receivers, along with 12.6 yards per reception to the position. 

Chris Rodriguez, WAS at MIN - 7% start rate 

Rodriguez appears to be taking over the lead-back role in Washington, logging double-digit carries in three of his last four games and scoring a rushing touchdown on three occasions during that span as well. The third-year back has averaged 4.6 yards per carry in that sample, and 11 of his rush attempts have come in the red zone. 

Given recent history, Rodriguez should continue to spearhead the ground attack in the Week 14 road matchup against a Vikings defense allowing 121.6 rushing yards per home game, and 137 per contest overall in the last three games. Minnesota is also yielding 4.5 RB yards per contest and ranks No. 22 in open-field yards per carry allowed, while Rodriguez is gaining 71% of his yards after contact (3.2 yards after contact per carry). 

Adonai Mitchell, NYJ vs. MIA - 1% start rate

Mitchell is undoubtedly a popular waiver-wire pickup in season-long leagues this week and should garner his fair share of ownership in DFS contests, but as of mid-week, he’s still carrying a minuscule start rate in the latter. Naturally, Mitchell has a fair share of well-earned skepticism to overcome, but his 8-102-1 line on 12 targets in Week 13 against the Falcons likely went a long way toward accomplishing that.

Mitchell now has a chance to carry over the momentum into a Week 14 meeting with a Dolphins defense allowing 236.3 passing yards per game. Miami is also yielding a 68.1% catch rate to wide receivers, and the Fins have allowed an average of a touchdown catch per game to the position as well. Additionally, while Miami has played zone just over 75% of the time in the last five contests, Mitchell is averaging 2.3 yards per route run against that coverage and just ran his most routes (30) since joining the Jets during the Week 13 win.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense vs. New Orleans Saints - 22% start rate

We have a Saints recommendation in our Also Consider section below and Tampa Bay is also just a hair above our preferred 20%-start-rate threshold, but we have to be slightly flexible with that figure on occasion when it comes to team defense. The Bucs are at home and facing a rookie QB in Tyler Shough who’s certainly had his moments and should be getting better with each start, but he’s still subject to making plenty of mistakes, especially against a veteran defense led by a seasoned coordinator like Todd Bowles. 

The Bucs have recorded 11 interceptions and recorded 29 sacks, and they also own the seventh-highest pressure rate (33.8%), including an even more impressive 35.1% figure at home. Meanwhile Shough has already taken 14 sacks and has an elevated 2.4% interception rate, and he’s also lost a pair of fumbles. Given homefield advantage and a likely aggressive gameplan, Tampa Bay’s defense could pay some nice dividends as a streaming option this week.

ALSO CONSIDER ::

Colston Loveland, CHI at GB - 15% start rate 

Has only one true breakout game to date, but he’s averaging 50.3 receiving yards and 5.0 targets per game in his last seven contests.

Harold Fannin Jr., CLE vs. TEN - 15% start rate

Went for 3-43-1 against the 49ers in Week 13, has drawn 11 targets in Shedeur Sanders’ first two starts, and faces a Titans defense allowing an 80% catch rate to tight ends.

Jayden Higgins, HOU at KC - 17% start rate

Draws tough matchup, but continued his ascension in C.J. Stroud’s Week 13 return by posting a career-high 65 receiving yards vs. Colts.

Dontayvion Wicks, GB vs. CHI - 1% roster rate 

Broke out on Thanksgiving for a 94-yard, two-touchdown tally against the Lions, and the Bears are surrendering an NFL-high 12.0 yards per completion on the road.

Pat Bryant, DEN at LVR- 2% roster rate 

Has taken over the No. 3 receiver role and boasts a 13-227-1 line (22 targets) and 2.67 yards per route run over his last five games.

DeVaughn Vele, NO at TB- 1% roster rate 

Has clear possession of the No. 2 receiver role and is coming off a season-best 8-93-1 line against the Dolphins in Week 13.