Fantasy Football Week 14 Sleepers: Mike Williams charges into WR1 role; plus winning DFS lineups

Keenan Allen is out for Sunday’s game against the Giants after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week. That should allow the Chargers to have other players step up in his place and create some sleepers for Week 14.

The obvious player to benefit is Mike Williams, who should be considered a starter in all leagues. He also was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, but he’s expected to be active against the Giants.

Williams broke out of his slump in Week 13 at Cincinnati with five catches for 110 yards on seven targets, and he’s done well this year when he’s had at least seven targets in a game. That’s happened six times this season, and he scored at least 16 PPR points in five of those outings. Allen averages 10.3 targets per game this season, so Williams should get an uptick in targets with Allen out. 

You can also look at Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer as sleepers with Allen out. Guyton just had a big game in Week 13 at Cincinnati with four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown on four targets, but that’s his only game this season with more than seven PPR points. And Palmer hasn’t scored more than nine PPR points this year either. 

But both should be more involved with Allen out, and I would consider Guyton as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues, with Palmer more of a desperation play. The Giants have allowed 18 receivers to score at least 11 PPR points this year, so hopefully Williams, Guyton and Palmer can step up with bigger roles.

Jared Cook could also be considered a sleeper tight end. He only has two games with exactly 10 PPR points in his past six outings, including one touchdown over that span, but Cook could be more involved with Allen out. The Giants have allowed three tight ends to score at least 11 PPR points in their past four games.

I’m still confident in Justin Herbert even with Allen out. Austin Ekeler will be heavily involved in the passing game, and Williams should have a big week. We’ll also see if guys like Guyton, Palmer and Cook can step up with Allen not playing.

Allen will be missed by Fantasy managers in Week 14, but there are many other injuries that we’re also dealing with at all positions. It’s created plenty of sleeper options, so let’s show you some replacement players who could turn into starters this week.

Editor’s Note: Projections are provided by CBS Sports and not Jamey Eisenberg. Projected points are for PPR leagues.

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Week 14 Sleepers

DraftKings

QB: Taysom Hill (at NYJ) $5,600

RB: Javonte Williams (vs. DET) $5,900

RB: D’Onta Foreman (vs. JAC) $5,700

WR: Chris Godwin (vs. BUF) $7,100

WR: Amari Cooper (at WAS) $5,900

WR: Jalen Guyton (vs. NYG) $3,400

TE: Travis Kelce (vs. LV) $7,400

FLEX: Antonio Gibson (vs. DAL) $6,000

DST: Seahawks (at HOU) $3,100

Hill is my Start of the Week, and I’m expecting him to have a huge game against the Jets. You don’t need to stack him with anyone, and he should have a dominant game with his legs.

I’ll stick with Williams this week despite Melvin Gordon (hip) coming back for the Broncos, and Foreman is my favorite Titans running back against the Jaguars. I also love the ability to have Gibson in the flex spot, and I’m not worried about him losing production if J.D. McKissic (concussion) is able to play.

At receiver, I’m expecting huge weeks from Godwin and Cooper, and Cooper has a fantastic history against Washington. I also love the potential of Guyton with Keenan Allen out, especially at Guyton’s minimal cost. And any time you can play Kelce it’s great, and he should be awesome against the Raiders at home.

FanDuel

QB: Dak Prescott (at WAS) $8,100

RB: Alvin Kamara (at NYJ) $9,000

RB: D’Onta Foreman (vs. JAC) $5,900

WR: CeeDee Lamb (at WAS) $7,800

WR: Terry McLaurin (vs. DAL) $7,100

WR: Hunter Renfrow (at KC) $6,700

TE: Austin Hooper (vs. BAL) $5,000

FLEX: Russell Gage (at CAR) $6,200

DEF: Chiefs (vs. LV) $3,700

The Cowboys should put up points against Washington, and Prescott will connect in a big way with Lamb in this matchup. He’s one of my favorite receivers this week, along with Renfrow and McLaurin, who should break out of his recent slump against Dallas.

Kamara should help Hill run through the Jets, and it’s great having him back after he’s been out with a knee injury since Week 9. He should benefit with Mark Ingram (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Hooper has huge upside with Njoku and Bryant out, and Gage has been awesome for the Falcons of late. He’s an excellent flex option to complement this stacked lineup.

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