5 Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 13 (2024) – Sneaky Starts
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 13 brings another round of lineup challenges and opportunities to find under-the-radar gems. One of the most frustrating parts of fantasy football is setting the right lineup and watching a player you almost started put up big points on your bench. Today, we’ll take a look at 5 fantasy football sleepers and sneaky starts for Week 13.
Starting your superstar players every week, regardless of the matchup, is an easy call. However, what about the rest of your roster? Let’s get right into the picks.
Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 13
Arguably, the most frustrating part of fantasy football is setting your lineup each week. Everyone hates seeing a player you almost started go off on your bench, leading to your opponent taunting you all weekend.
Starting your superstar players every week, regardless of the matchup, is an easy call. However, what about the rest of your roster?
Let’s look at 5 undervalued fantasy football start options for Week 13.
Bryce Young (QB – CAR) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the biggest duds in recent years, Bryce Young is the QB35 for the year, averaging only 8.3 fantasy points per game. The second-year pro was awful before getting benched, completing 55.4% of his pass attempts for 245 yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and 11.6 fantasy points over the first two weeks. However, he has played better since returning to the starting lineup. Young is coming off his best fantasy performance this year in a near-upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Last week, the second-year pro completed 60% of his pass attempts for 263 yards, a touchdown, and 16.5 fantasy points, setting season-highs in yards and fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have surrendered 22 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the second-most in the NFL this year. Furthermore, Tampa Bay has surrendered 3.2 passing touchdowns and 26.4 fantasy points per game over their previous six contests before last week’s matchup against Tommy DeVito. Despite the struggles, Young might be a sleeper candidate in Week 13.
Bucky Irving (RB – TB) vs. Carolina Panthers
The former Oregon star has been the clear-cut top rookie running back. Bucky Irving is the RB22 for the year, averaging 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, Rachaad White is the RB25 this season, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per contest. The rookie running back had the best fantasy performance of his career in Week 12 against the New York Giants, totaling 18 touches for 151 scrimmage yards, a touchdown, and 24.1 fantasy points.
Furthermore, Irving played more snaps than White for the first time this year last week (34 vs. 32). He has had 25 rushing attempts for 160 yards, two touchdowns, and 40.3 fantasy points over his past two contests. Meanwhile, the Panthers have surrendered 27.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, the most in the NFL. They have given up at least one rushing touchdown to running backs in 72.7% of their games.
Brian Thomas (WR – JAC) vs. Houston Texans
It’s no secret, the Jaguars have had a disappointing season this year. However, the lone bright spot has been rookie Brian Thomas Jr. Impressively, the rookie is the WR12 for the year, averaging 11.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Thankfully, Trevor Lawrence should play Sunday after missing the past two weeks with a shoulder injury. Thomas has averaged 5.9 targets and 12.5 fantasy points per game with Lawrence under center. Meanwhile, he has a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Texans on Sunday.
Houston has surrendered 30 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the seventh-most in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 11.8 fantasy points to Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. More importantly, Thomas was outstanding in the Week 4 matchup against the Texans. The rookie wide receiver had six receptions on nine targets for 86 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 18.9 fantasy points against the division rivals. Fantasy players should expect similar production in Sunday’s rematch. Despite the concerns with the offense and recent struggles, Thomas might be a Week 13 sleeper.
Marvin Harrison (WR – ARI) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately, Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s rookie season has been a disappointment. The former Ohio State star is the WR26 for the year, averaging 9.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, posting a lower average than Allen Lazard (12.3) and Jordan Addison (11.1). While fantasy players expected the Cardinals to feature Harrison, making him the focal point of their offense, he has averaged only six targets per game this season. Harrison has had eight or fewer in all but one contest.
However, the rookie wide receiver is prime for a massive fantasy performance against the Vikings in Week 13. Minnesota has surrendered 33.7 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. They have given up over 230 receiving yards and at least one touchdown to wide receivers in back-to-back games. More importantly, DJ Moore had seven receptions for 106 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 23.4 fantasy points against Minnesota last week.
Cade Otton (TE – TB) vs. Carolina Panthers
The former Washington star is the TE7 for the year, averaging 8.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Otton was outstanding with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of the lineup, averaging 10.3 targets and 18.8 fantasy points per game from Week 7 through Week 9. Unfortunately, he has struggled lately. Otton had only one reception for 35 receiving yards last week, scoring 3.5 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 2.
Many have blamed Evans’ return for Otton’s poor performance. However, he struggled because of a poor fantasy matchup. Thankfully, the star tight end has an excellent matchup against the Panthers. Carolina has surrendered 26.1 or more fantasy points to tight ends in three of their past four games. This includes last week, per our free fantasy football tools. Furthermore, the Panthers have allowed 1.4 touchdowns and 21.7 fantasy points per game to tight ends over their past five matchups.
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