“Shore Thing Sleepers” isn’t your ordinary fantasy football Week 12 start/sit article. Instead, our analyst duo of Seth Woolcock and Nate Polvogt highlight lower-valued players that can provide starting-caliber production for a specific week. These are usually players near the end of your bench or even on the waiver wire/free agency. You can catch an additional sleeper pick live at the end of our weekly in-season Friday podcast episode.
Rostership percentages are based on ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues.
Week 12 Start/Sit Consideration: Shore Thing Sleepers
Noah Fant (TE, Seattle Seahawks) | 32.6 Percent
Seahawks bookend Noah Fant has been a disappointment for much of 2022. Despite being third on the team in targets (38), receptions (30) and receiving yards (306), he has failed to be fantasy-relevant outside of two games this season. However, I expect a third solid performance out of the Seattle tight end this week.
The Seahawks host a Las Vegas team in Week 12 that has struggled to cover tight ends. They have allowed an average of five receptions, 50.3 receiving yards and 11.7 PPR points through 10 games.
I know this certainly isn’t the most exciting sleeper pick. However, when you have a tight end with a solid top-12 floor, you run with it. Fant is averaging 4.5 targets per game since Week 5, including three games of five or more targets. I expect this to be his third week of double-digit PPR points. If he finds the end zone, he could finish this week as a top-five PPR tight end. – Polvogt
Michael Carter (RB, New York Jets) | 83.2 Percent
In the four games last season where Mike White saw snaps at quarterback, Michael Carter averaged 18.9 PPR points. That was the result of 31 targets across those contests.
While I don’t expect quite that production for Carter in Week 12, he has a favorable matchup against Chicago. This season, the Bears have allowed the sixth most PPR points to opposing RBs. This includes a staggering 14 total Tds to the position (tied for second-most).
Carter currently sports a 75.6 percent catch rate and has just one drop this season. This should subsequently allow him to make the most of his opportunities against the Bears, justifying him as a start. – Woolcock
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