The byes are finally over. All 32 teams will suit up and take the field in what is largely our last opportunity to sneak into the postseason or improve our playoff seeding. This comes at the perfect time for many fantasy owners, allowing them to put forth a more formidable starting lineup since they can finally decide who to play between all of their healthy (enough) options. This may give rise to even tougher lineup decisions, though. Regardless, we’ve got you covered, as our featured analysts have taken the time to highlight their favorite sleeper starts along with which bigger names you should keep your expectations in check for.

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Q1. Who is a player outside of our top 100 flex rankings that is a deep sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?

Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE) 
“Meyers has been an intriguing player in certain spots throughout the season. In Week 12, he saw an expanded role and he thrived in that by hauling in four passes for 74 yards on nine targets. Heading into Week 13, Meyers could once again shine in a matchup against a very soft Texans secondary that is allowing 24.0 FPPG to opposing wideouts. With the Patriots expected to be thin yet again at the receiver position, Meyers may prove to be a pivotal free-agent pickup for teams looking to nail down a fantasy playoff spot. Scoop Meyers up and don’t be afraid to slide him into your WR3 spot if your typical starters are looking at tough matchups.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)

Auden Tate (WR – CIN) 
“It was surprising to see Tate play last week after dealing with what seemed to be a bad neck injury in Week 11. He played his normal number of snaps, too. He only saw three targets, although that was the first time since joining the starting lineup that he saw fewer than six targets. It may have been due to missed practice time, so we should pay attention to his participation this week. The Jets are a great matchup for perimeter receivers, as they’ve allowed 18 receivers to finish as top-36 options against them, with 15 of them being primarily perimeter receivers. With Andy Dalton back, the Bengals’ offense should at least be competent.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Anthony Miller (WR – CHI) 
“Miller has racked up 20 targets over the past two weeks. Only eight players have more. He ranked 17th in the league in air yards per target last week, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, and ranks 55th among 125 qualifiers for the season — even as Chicago’s No. 3 in that category. The Bears have been more pass-heavy than they probably should be, including a 67.8% passing share even in the first half of games over the past four weeks. The Lions’ defense presents a positive matchup in all phases and Miller looks well set up to be a WR4 with upside into the WR2 range.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)

LeSean McCoy (RB – KC) 
“Like everyone else, my favorite deep flex plays this week are Auden Tate, Anthony Miller, and Jakobi Meyers, but if it’s a running back you need, I’m also fond of McCoy. Playing backfield roulette with the Chiefs hasn’t been profitable this season, but it seems like they gave us an indication before the bye that McCoy would be the man moving forward. He was given more than twice as many snaps as Damien Williams despite coming fresh off an injury the week before. With a full week of rest, it wouldn’t be any surprise if he runs wild with the starting opportunity versus Oakland.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

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

Joe Mixon (RB – CIN) 
“Mixon had been a focal point of the offense with Finley under center, as he’s racked up 63 carries in three games, so you must wonder if that continues with Dalton. He’s turned those carries into 279 yards and a touchdown, but again, the lack of production in the passing game crushes all hope. He’s caught just three passes in the last three games. Seriously, someone needs to tell Zac Taylor that Mixon’s not LeGarrette Blount. The Jets have been a brutal matchup for running backs who aren’t involved in the passing game, as they’ve allowed just one running back more than 76 yards on the ground this year. That back was Ezekiel Elliott, who carried the ball 28 times. There have been four running backs who’ve totaled double-digit carries against the Jets and still finished with 8.1 PPR points or fewer, including Saquon Barkley a few weeks ago. They’re allowing a league-low 3.01 yards per carry on the year, which has led to just 64.6 rushing yards per game to opponents. If Mixon can’t get much yardage, he needs touchdowns. If he can’t get touchdowns in this offense (one rushing touchdown all year), he needs receiving. He has received many more targets with Dalton than he did with Finley, so that’ll help. Mixon should be looked at as an RB3 who’s in a tough spot this week.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Chris Carson (RB – SEA) 
“It seems as though the fumbling problems have finally caught up to Carson and Pete Carroll’s affinity for him. Coughing up the ball 10 times on the season led to his lowest output in carries in Week 12 with only eight. Now Carroll is hinting at a timeshare with Rashaad Penny after his performance this past week. Add in the difficult matchup against a Vikings defense that is near the bottom in points allowed to the position (14.6 FPPG) and it spells doom for Carson owners looking to lock up a spot in the fantasy playoffs. Carson has been a player that has been locked into the RB2 spot for owners all season long. Now that we’re in crunch time, he could prove to disappoint right when he is needed most.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)

Leonard Fournette (RB – JAC) 
“Chris Carson is primed to disappoint in a matchup that heavily favors passing over running. However, he’s too obvious after last week, so I’ll elaborate on Fournette. Football Outsiders not only still rates Tampa Bay tops in run defense, but also No. 2 in pass coverage on running backs. The Bucs saw improved play from their corners against the Falcons, which should help a talented linebacker corps key on Fournette. Plus, Jacksonville has been quick to pass with Nick Foles back, chucking it 95 times over the past two games. Don’t be shocked if Ronald Jones outscores Fournette.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)

Tevin Coleman (RB – SF) 
“Although he is still startable, I’m having a hard time getting on board with Coleman anywhere near his current consensus ranking. We are talking about a fringe RB2/RB3 who has had one great game. Beyond that, he has done nothing more than split the workload with Matt Breida or Raheem Mostert. While that can lead to useful or even strong performances here and there, he has by no means bean reliable, nor is he a must-start against Baltimore this week.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Thank you to the experts for giving their sleeper starts and duds for Week 13. 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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