Fantasy Football: Top 10 sleepers for Week 12

Heading into Week 12 fantasy football, make sure to keep an eye on these top 10 sleepers that are entering favorable match-ups.

Nov 8, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch while defended by New Orleans Saints strong safety Jamarca Sanford (33) in the second quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

It is Week 12, which marks three quarters of a completed season. The first 11 weeks offered heartbreaking injuries, fantasy upsets and an endless roller coaster of ups and downs for fantasy football owners.

Coming into Week 12 we are missing Joe Flacco, the five starters on the Green Bay Packers offensive line, Marshawn Lynch and other valuable fantasy players.

So, if you are looking to fill an injured player, or just trying to secure a spot in the fantasy playoffs, this list of Week 12 sleepers will offer you some value. Let’s explore this week’s top 10 fantasy sleepers you should consider starting.

Next: 10. This Texan is back and ready to fight

Nov 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer (7) attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

10. Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer has been confirmed as the Houston Texans’ starting quarterback in Week 12. After missing last week’s game against the New York Jets, Hoyer has passed concussion protocols.

Hoyer has managed to offer fantasy owners 17 or more points per game in five match-ups this season. He enters Week 12 a QB1 option in his battle against the New Orleans Saints.

On average, New Orleans has offered the most points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and have allowed about four touchdown passes in the last three games. Hoyer is only owned in about 10 percent of fantasy teams and is a great pick-up for Week 12.

Next: 9. CJ2K is back

Nov 15, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

9. Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson has been a little shaky for fantasy owners. He earned less than 10 points in more than five games this season. Last week didn’t look good either.

However, Johnson has scored over 20 points in at least three games so far. His biggest fantasy week was against the San Francisco 49ers and Johnson prepares to meet San Francisco again this weekend in their Week 12 match-up.

San Francisco enters Week 12 allowing the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. With these statistics, and San Francisco’s season track record, Johnson is sure to explode in this game.

Next: 8. A bright spot on the Ravens

Nov 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Javorius Allen (37) runs after the catch during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated St. Louis Rams 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

8. Javorius Allen

Last week was an upset for Justin Forsett fantasy owners as we watched him break his arm in the Week 11 match-up against the St. Louis Rams. Javorius Allen will be the new starting running back after a successful fill-in during last week’s game.

Allen rushed 22 times for 67 yards. He caught 5-of-6 targets for 48 yards as well. With these dual-threat capabilities, Allen works great as a runner and a pass catcher.

Entering Week 12 as a RB2, his game against Cleveland Browns game will allow him a chance to truly shine. Cleveland allows the ninth most points to opposing running backs. Allen is only owned in only about eight percent of fantasy leagues. Get him while you can!

Next: 7. This Titan is starting to impress

Nov 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) is defended by Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) during an NFL football game at EverBank Field. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

7. Delanie Walker

Delanie Walker has finally showed up to fantasy scoreboards. Walker has scored double-digit points in two of his last three games, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down in Week 12.

Walker caught 8-of-10 targets for 109 yards in the Tennessee Titans’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Week 12 seems like a better match-up for this tight end.

This week, Tennessee meets the Oakland Raiders on the playing field. This TE1 is a good sleeper pick-up this week in his battle against Oakland whose defense has offered the most tight end fantasy points per game this season.

Next: 6. A Seahawk trying to create his own mode

Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) stiff arms away from a tackle by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) for yards after the catch to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

6. Thomas Rawls

If you do not have running back Thomas Rawls, now is the time to add him to your roster. Last week he posted over 30 fantasy points depending on the point values of your fantasy football league.

Rawls caught 3-of-3 targets for 46 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 30 times for 209 yards and another touchdown in the Seattle Seahawks win over the San Francisco 49ers last week.

Yes, these numbers were against a poor San Francisco team however, if you have Marshawn Lynch, he will be out for at least 4 weeks and Rawls is a fantastic back-up. Not to mention Rawls has already exceeded Lynch’s rushing yards by 200.

Rawls is a definite play in this Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and is expected to earn double-digit fantasy points.

Next: 5. This Jaguar is in it to win it

Nov 19, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; at Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson (16) runs during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

5. Denard Robinson

Watch out, the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming through. Once the laughing stock of the NFL, Denard Robinson and Jacksonville still have a shot to make the NFL Playoffs.

Last week Robinson rushed seven times for 27 yards in their victory over the Tennessee Titans. He only has 77 yards and 22 rushes for this season. But, don’t let that scare you.

If you need a running back,  Robinson is definitely a sleeper this week in the running back position. His Week 12 match-up against the San Diego Chargers assumes a good week for Robinson, as they have one of the worst defenses in the league. This running back deserves a chance to start in your lineup in this week’s game.

Next: 4. This Steeler will shine once again

Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) runs the ball against Cleveland Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

4. Heath Miller

This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a very interesting match-up. Pittsburgh takes on the Seattle Seahawks in this Week 12 game and are ready to once again start winning football games when it matters most at this point of the season.

Heath Miller seems like a household name but he is owned in only 30 percent of fantasy leagues. Grab him before it’s too late because he is projected double-digit points against the Week 12 match-up against the Seahawks.

This may sound ironic as Seattle has a great defense; on the contrary, Seattle entered Week 11 allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game to tight ends. With the return of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Miller is a definite sleeper coming into Week 12.

Next: 3. This Brown is ready to deliver after bye

Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) runs the ball past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Will Allen (20) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

3. Travis Benjamin

This week’s true sleeper alert goes to Travis Benjamin, who has not been a consistent value to fantasy owners. However, he is coming into Week 12 fresh off a bye and he is ready to rock.

Before entering the bye, Benjamin caught 7-of-11 targets for 113 yards.  I know this doesn’t sound appealing, but wait, there’s more.

Benjamin enters this week’s match-up against the Baltimore Ravens, who on average allow the most points per game to opposing wideouts. In his last match-up against Baltimore, Benjamin caught six passes for 83 yards. This Week 12 game seems promising for Benjamin.

Next: 2. He’s the leading receiver on the Ravens

Nov 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) catches a touchdown over St. Louis Rams cornerback Marcus Roberson (47) in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kamar Aiken

The Baltimore Ravens cannot catch a break this season with numerous injuries, and now quarterback Joe Flacco has been ruled out for the season. What is Baltimore going to do? That’s easy, they are going to rely on Kamar Aiken to get them through the rest of the season.

Aiken caught 5-of-8 targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in their Week 11 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Aiken is currently the leading active receiver for Baltimore coming in strong with over 450 receiving yards.

Week 12 introduces Baltimore to the Cleveland Browns who have the 30^th ranked defense in the league. Aiken is projected to earn double-digit points this week, and with less than 40 percent ownership in most leagues, Aiken is a great Week 12 option.

Next: 1. Watch out for this Giant

Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Dwayne Harris (17) stretches for a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Justin Coleman (22) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

1. Dwayne Harris

My number one sleeper alert for Week 12 goes to Dwayne Harris of the New York Giants. Coming off a bye, Harris enters Week 12 as a WR3 option.

In his Week 10 loss to the undefeated New England Patriots, Harris caught 6-of-9 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. He offered fantasy owners double-digits points and it seems like the fantasy victory is only going to continue.

Next: Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 12: NYJ defense

With Victor Cruz out for the season, Harris has successfully stepped up to the plate. This week’s game against the Washington Redskins doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a challenge for Harris as Washington has allowed eight wideouts double digit fantasy points in their last five games. Harris is a sure sleeper coming into Week 12.