If you’re a Michael Thomas, Devonta Freeman, or Mohamed Sanu owner, the first round of the fantasy playoffs have gotten off to a nice start. Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and Matt Ryan owners were not as lucky as all three disappointed (Kamara suffered a concussion early on). The point is, as you prepare for the rest of this week’s games, you’ll want to make sure you’re aware of what could be in store for the rest of your lineup.

So if you did suffer at the hands of Kamara, Ingram, or Ryan, and you’re looking for an upside play, our featured experts are naming who they like as a deep sleeper and explaining why. On the flip side, they’re also providing an early warning on why you should temper your expectations when it comes to some of the higher ranked players they’ve named below.

If you don’t see any of your players covered, be sure to check out our Who Should I Start? tool. You can also import your team into My Playbook for instant advice specific to your team.

How the pros dominate college bowl pools

Q1. Give us a player outside of our top 100 Flex that represents a deep sleeper start and tell us why you think he has upside this week.

Zay Jones (WR – BUF): vs. IND
“If you’re searching for a player who’s available on most waiver wires after countless subpar performances, Zay Jones makes for a solid spot-start against the Colts. Not only did they cut Vontae Davis. Not only did they lose free safety Malik Hooker. Not only did they lose their cornerback who was playing the best football (Rashaan Melvin). But now they just lost their third cornerback Pierre Desir for the season. The Bills are going to run the ball a ton, but when they do throw, Jones is the only logical solution. Jordan Matthews is on IR, Kelvin Benjamin might be dead (I’m kidding), and Charles Clay hasn’t been the same since returning from his surgery. Jones should see six-plus targets in a phenomenal matchup.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

“Indianapolis is down to third-stringers in their secondary and were pretty crummy to begin with. Even though Nathan Peterman could be the one throwing passes, you’ve got to consider Zay Jones as a solid fall back option this week. The matchup couldn’t possibly be better, as even Blake Bortles performed quite well against the Colts. Plus, Jones has 45 targets and a whopping 554 air yards over his past six games so he should continue to see plenty of opportunities.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Tyrell Williams (WR – LAC): vs. WAS
“Williams is a deep sleeper this week as he faces off against a Redskins team traveling across the country and facing red-hot QB Philip Rivers. On the snaps that Josh Norman lines up against Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams should have the opportunities to make some plays and as a deep sleeper, it’s all about opportunities. Mike Williams is also questionable so that only helps.”
– Scott Whitfield (Roto Rankings)

Chris Hogan (WR – NE): at MIA
“With Rob Gronkowski suspended for Week 14, Patriots QB Tom Brady has about seven targets up for grabs. And wouldn’t ya know it, wide receiver Chris Hogan is expected to make his return on Monday night after a four game absence. Hogan has practiced in full this week, a positive sign he’s recovered from his shoulder injury. Hogan reached 60 or more yards in six of the first eight games and scored five TDs during that span.”
– Bill Enright (FFChamps)

D.J. Foster (RB – ARI): vs. TEN
“The Cardinals are going to be without RB Adrian Peterson for a second straight game. Kerwynn Williams will be the featured back, just as he was in Week 13. But D.J. Foster has a great upside because of his usage in the passing game. In the last two weeks, he averaged 4.5 targets per game. The Titans are a team that has allowed the most receiving yards to RBs (675) and the second most receptions to RBs (76).”
– Mauricio Gutierrez (Estadio Fantasy)

Trent Taylor (WR – SF): at HOU
“Taylor caught all six of his targets last week against the Bears. In week 14 he faces a Houston defense that certainly isn’t anything to be worried about. With Jimmy Garoppolo making his 2nd start. Taylor could be looking at WR4/FLEX consideration.”
– Rich Piazza (Fantasy Shed)

Q2. On the flip side, what player inside the top 40 Flex is likely to disappoint fantasy owners this week?

Alex Collins (RB – BAL): at PIT
“Be wary of Collins in Week 14. With four TDs in the last five games, Collins has been putting up fantasy points but he’s lacking in yards. He’s rushed for 60 or fewer yards in three of the last four games making him extremely TD dependent. Pittsburgh is giving up the 4th fewest points over the last five weeks to backs, with Jamaal Williams being the only back in the last six games to post more than 10 points vs. the Steelers.”
– Bill Enright (FFChamps)

Jordan Howard (RB – CHI): at CIN
“Howard was in the best possible situation last week. At home, against a team who allows a ton of carries, and in a game the Bears could stay competitive throughout. He didn’t get it done in that matchup and will now be going on the road to play against a much better run defense in a game they could get blown out. He’s likely to disappoint a lot of fantasy owners.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

DeMarco Murray (RB – TEN): at ARI
“I’m not sure how you can feel good about playing DeMarco Murray at this point. He has fewer than 11 carries per game over the Titans’ last five contests and as we know, is among the least efficient running backs in football this year. Add on a matchup against a top five run defense in football and I’m not sure you can expect even 40 yards from Murray on the ground.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR): vs. MIN
“McCaffrey has failed to be a top 15 RB (Standard and PPR) in the last two weeks. The TDs and the involvement in the passing game are saving his value as an RB2. The Panthers will play against the Vikings who have allowed only 4 TDs to RBs (3 rushing and 1 receiving) and the fewest fantasy points to RBs this year (12.3). Be careful, McCaffrey could disappoint and finish outside the top 24.”
– Mauricio Gutierrez (Estadio Fantasy)

Todd Gurley (RB – LAR): vs. PHI
“In the battle of draft picks 1 and 2 just a year ago in Carson Wentz vs. Jared Goff, the top 40 flex player likely to suffer is Gurley. He faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed the second fewest fantasy points to running backs on the season and the fewest over the last four weeks. While the Rams are likely to try and utilize Gurley to take pressure off of Goff, it’s likely to not bear a lot of fantasy goodness. His day will likely have to be saved by a long run or goal-line carry.”
– Scott Whitfield (Roto Rankings)

Latavius Murray (RB – MIN): at CAR
“Murray has put up double-digit fantasy points in four straight games, but faces a tough Carolina defense that gives up the sixth fewest fantasy points to running backs. This will be a McKinnon week.”
– Rich Piazza (Fantasy Shed)

Thank you to the experts for naming their sleeper starts and sits. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.

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