Fantasy Football Week 15 Sleepers

About to leave for the semi-finals of my brother’s weekend basketball tournament. Time to fire off some quick sleepers for Week 15:

Sleeper – RB Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts

Perhaps this one is too easy. Joseph Addai will most likely not play on Sunday and Dominc Rhodes has averaged over 70 yards and a TD in the three games that he has received 17 or more carries this year for the Colts. I like that kind of production, especially with the Colts going up against the putrid Detroit Lions. Plug Dominic Rhodes in at your #2 RB slot and be confident.

Sleeper – RB Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

Brandon Jacobs is injured and out this weekend as well. Typically, Derrick Ward gets the bulk of the carries, with Ahmad Bradshaw having an increased but lesser role. This week, the Giants play a Dallas defense that has been performing much better recently. And the Giants passing game is without its big play threat in the suspended Plaxico Burress. Anyone else see Domenik Hixon do his Braylon Edwards impression and drop the wide open bomb last week? Yeah, something tells me that Eli Manning may be a little bit more reluctant to take chances downfield.

That should mean more opportunities for Bradshaw. With the Giants passing game struggling, and running still being their bread and butter, I look for them to get Bradshaw at least 10 touches, and maybe 15. He is averaging 5.9 yards per carry after averaging over 8 yards per carry last year. He doesn’t catch the ball much out of the backfield, but he could break loose for a big run at some point and find his way to the endzone with the increased touched. Derrick Ward is a fine #2 RB for Week 15, but I’d also feel good about Ahmad Bradshaw as a flex.

Sleeper – WR Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins

Last week, I told you to pick up Ted Ginn Jr., who I thought would benefit from the absence of Greg Camarillo. Ginn responded with 1 catch for 18 yards only 29 return yards. My apologies. What I failed to realize is that Camarillo’s value came from being Chad Pennington’s underneath security blanket, a guy who could make catches over the middle and pick up a few extra yards with his scrappiness. That will never be Ginn, but it is a good description of rookie Davone Bess, who has been a revelation as an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii.

Some guys are just productive football players, like Wes Welker for instance. And while Davone Bess is far from being in Welker’s category, he could certainly be desribed as a poor man’s Welker. Bess makes tough catches, picks up yards after the catch, and knows how to get open against zone coverages. Last week, Bess had 9 catches for 74 yards and proved that he can be the new Camarillo in the Dolphins offense. And here’s the thing: Davone Bess was not a one-week wonder. He has 20 catches for around 250 yards in the last three games. He is not a big red zone threat, and has only one TD this season, but Bess has a lot of value in PPR leagues.

Sleeper – RB Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks

Maurice Morris will get the start for the Seattle Seahawks this weekend when they take on the St. Louis Rams. Both of these teams pretty much suck, but Morris could have a decent day against a pretty awful defense. Morris has not scored a TD this year, but he did rumble for over 100 yards against Washington in Week 12. If you’re desperate for a #2 RB or flex fill-in who will get touches, Maurice Morris could have a decent day.

Sleeper – Indianapolis Colts Defense

First off, they are playing the Detroit Lions. A Big 12 defense might be a good play this week against the Detroit Lions. Additionally, Bob Sanders is back and that changes the entire complexion of the Colts D. The Colts are a good choice if you need a defense for Week 15.

And finally…

Sleeper – WR Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers

While researching my own sleeper picks, I came across the following article in Yahoo talking about Malcolm Floyd as a potentially strong play this weekend. Sounds good to me. I’ll give it my own stamp of approval and link you there.

I’m not sure if we are doing another start em, sit em chat tomorrow. Stay tuned. But feel free to ask any last-minute questions in the comment area and I’ll be sure to get to them as soon as I am able. Good luck in Week 15 everyone!

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