Week 11: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains

Here is the only picture of Blaine Gabbert you will ever see in a fantasy article this year. Read on to see why Yahoo Fanalyst Liz Loza believes he can produce in Week 11.

It’s time for a TGIF edition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains. I made good on three of my picks last week (Robert Woods – WR1, Orleans Darkwa – RB24, Garrett Celek – TE2) Let’s try to do it again (or better!) this go-around.

To review … all of these players are owned in less than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues (at time of writing) and/or are a significant value in our daily game. They’re not the obvious picks, and they’re not without their risks, but that’s why they’re so cheap and available! I’d never advocate taking all of these guys, but rather utilizing them if a manager were in a pinch at a position or aiming to build a “stars and scrubs” sort of DFS lineup.

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Arizona Cardinals ($20)
Such a week for QBs! With brand names like Tom Savage and Nathan Peterman starting under center, there’s room for the dude who was replaced by Blake Bortles to make some noise. First of all, I don’t think he’s much worse than Drew Stanton. Gabbert does have solid arm strength, excellent mobility, and has shown the ability to produce against subpar defenses.

In fact, in 2016 he posted QB1 fantasy numbers in two of his five games as a starter. The outings in which he struggled were (with the exception of Dallas) against top 10 pass defenses (LAR and SEA). This Sunday he’ll face the Texans, a unit that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs over the last month. For reference, each QB who has faced Houston since the team’s Week 7 bye has passed for over 300 yards and at least two TDs and has managed top-10 FF stats (Wk8: Russell Wilson – QB1, Wk9: Jacboy Brissett – QB9, Wk10: Jared Goff – QB3). Plus, as Bruce Arians so eloquently stated, things are different in Arizona. #glasshalffull

Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars ($12)
Sometimes fantasy is about taking a leap of faith. This pick is just that. Westbrook has a massive opportunity this Sunday … and I think he’s got the goods to deliver. Sure, he’ll be on a limited snap count, but with Allen Hurns expected to sit (ankle), the speedster WILL get looks. After all, Blake Bortles is throwing the ball more. In fact, with Leonard Fournette on the field in Week 10, the Jags’ QB managed 51 attempts! Furthermore, the matchup for Westbrook this Sunday is solid, as he’ll face a Cleveland defense that’s allowed the third-most receiving scores (19) in 2017. FF: 5-69-1

Bruce Ellington, WR, Houston Texans ($11)
I’ve been a longtime Ellington enthusiast, dazzled by his blazing speed and acrobatic athleticism. Unfortunately, injuries have oft-plagued the metrics darling. This week, however, they may be working in his favor. Expected to take on a larger role in the stead of the fellow fleet-footed Will Fuller (ribs), Bill O’Brien has vowed to get Ellington more involved.

Targeted eight times in back-to-back outings, and with a red zone look in each of his last two contests, Andre’s cousin posted his second-best stat line of the season in Week 10, managing 41 yards and a score on four grabs. Tom Savage under center is never a positive, but with Patrick Peterson likely to shadow DeAndre Hopkins, it’s reasonable to believe that Ellington can rack up the receptions.

Charcandrick West, RB, Kansas City Chiefs ($12)
Meh. I’d feel better about this pick if the Chiefs weren’t coming off a bye, but there’s no denying that Kareem Hunt has stalled out over the past few weeks. While West’s carries haven’t gone up as a result, his usage in the passing game has increased. In fact, in Week 9 he out-targeted and out-produced Hunt, grabbing 5 of 6 balls for 30 yards. Facing a listless Giants defense, there’s a possibility that West gets loose during garbage time. After all, Matt Breida broke off a long run late in last week’s tilt against the seemingly uninterested G-Men tacklers. Regardless of this Sunday, it may be a wise idea to stash West as insurance down the stretch.

Tyler Kroft, TE, Cincinnati Bengals ($16)
A red zone presence on an offense in desperate need of a secondary scoring threat, Kroft has the team’s third-most receiving TDs (three). Since subbing in for Tyler Eifert (back), the Rutgers product has averaged nearly 4.5 targets per game with over 31 percent of those looks occurring in the end zone. In Week 11, he’ll face a Broncos squad that’s allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing TEs and has given up three scores to the position over the last month. Kroft is a solid stream and top-10 play this Sunday.

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Dig Deep with Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF.