Fantasy Football Week 12 Sleepers: Should You Start Darnell Mooney, Andrei Iosivas, Jared Goff?

Remember in the early weeks when we were celebrating the lack of injuries? That ship has longggggg sailed.

With four teams on bye, including fantasy-heavy teams such as the Chargers and Commanders, we again have to throw darts and hope they stick. Except, maybe not a Jaxson one, he can’t help you…

A majority of leagues have three regular season weeks left to qualify for the postseason. Or, find a way to avoid the league punishment. 

The uncertainty of NFL powerhouses remains, as do the Jekyll and Hyde performances of many players. How them Josh Allen owners feeling? Very happy I usually can’t add Thursday players for this…

Back by popular demand this season: the top five sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, more times than not so far this season, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball.

What you may need is that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with. 

Last week, we saw Texans’ QB Davis Mills, Broncos’ RB R.J. Harvey, Falcons’ RB Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals’ WR Michael Wilson, Bears’ WR Luther Burden III and Steelers’ tight end Pat Freiermuth make the list.

The people who have reached out saying Wilson was the difference in their matchups warms the RSJ hearts.

To help you make more decisions this week, this article contains my top five sleepers of the week, and why. 

Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.

FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 12 SLEEPERS

Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

Vs New York Giants

I’m sorry Wolf, but having Jared Goff in Tier 4 this week is disrespectful.

But, I’ll use it to my advantage.

The Giants have allowed multiple passing touchdowns to three of the previous four quarterbacks they’ve faced, with at least two of them not as good as Goff.

Mac Jones (2), Jordan Love (2) and Jalen Hurts (4) have taken advantage of an injured New York team in that span. Caleb Williams, who had one passing score, added another one on the ground, too.

Goff had a poor game in Week 11 on national television, but being back at home against a weaker team should see him rebound. The fact that Jameis Winston is getting his second start in a row, too, should bolster Goff’s performance. The game could turn into a shootout instead of a one-sided affair since Winston is in.

Goff ranks in Tier 4 (QB 17) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Vs Tennessee Titans

In one of the most lopsided games on the week, the resurgence of Kenneth Walker couldn’t have come at a better time.

The media is trying to give the storyline of this game about learning a lot about Seattle should they struggle. Tennessee is likely down its top two receiving options, traded away veteran Tyler Lockett and has had a running back rush for more than 70 yards just once this season.

Whether Seattle builds a big lead early and can move to more reserve players as it goes on, or it emphasizes the run game, Walker fits in both scenarios.

The Titans are the worst team in the NFL and they’re allowing the eighth-most points to running backs this year. This includes 14 rushing scores, allowing Walker to make this his second streak of the year with touchdowns in consecutive games.

Walker ranks in Tier 4 (RB 26) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.

Andrei Iosivas, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Vs New England Patriots

I’m going to start Andrei Iosivas this week, even if I die trying.

Ja’Marr Chase will miss Week 12 due to a one-game suspension, meaning Tee Higgins elevates to the No. 1 receiver role, likely drawing New England corner Christian Gonzalez.

Iosivas steps in as the No. 2 option against a mediocre 21st-ranked Patriots pass defense. And no matter what Joe he has under center, Flacco or Burrow, this game could be high-scoring.

That, along with Cincinnati needing to replace Chase’s nearly 12 targets per game, sets up a prime sleeper week for the third-year wideout.

He only has one touchdown this season, but he was quietly a favorite six times last season. I like him to find the end zone on Sunday.

Iosivas ranks in Tier 9 (WR 95) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.

Darnell Mooney & Kyle Pitts, WR & TE, Atlanta Falcons

@ New Orleans Saints

The injury bug slammed the Falcons this week, as quarterback Michael Penix (ACL) is out for the year, and top receiving option Drake London (PCL) is missing at least Week 12.

New Orleans is decent against the pass (15th), but I don’t expect Kirk Cousins to flounder like he did when Penix was out in Week 8, and more importantly, someone has to catch the ball for Atlanta.

Darnell Mooney has at least seven targets in each of his last two games, gaining more trust from the coaching staff to be more involved since returning from injury. I like him more in PPR, but he could be a safety blanket and a deep option for Cousins.

Furthermore, Kyle Pitts has a few of the same reasons as to why he is a sleeper. Aside from catching the ball, Cousins has loved working with tight ends throughout his career. Pitts proved that in Week 8 with Cousins, catching all nine of his targets.

I’m weary that New Orleans has been better than average against tight ends fantasy-wise, but the lack of passing options pushes me to favor Pitts over the New Orleans defense.

Mooney ranks in Tier 7 (WR 64) and Pitts ranks in Tier 4 (TE 12) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.

Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets

@ Baltimore Ravens

If it wasn’t for the quarterback change and the unknown about the Jets passing game, rookie Mason Taylor wouldn’t even be a thought.

But the move from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor tells me New York wants to see what it has as receiving options.

Those receiving options may have the biggest question mark currently in the NFL. Both Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III were trade deadline additions to the team, who will make up the No. 1 and 2 receiving options with Garrett Wilson (knee) on injured reserve.

At one time this season, the Ravens were posting the worst pass defense. Now healthy, it’s better, but with the uncertainty of who to cover, I suspect more resources to gravitate to receivers.

Even if they don’t, I like Taylor in garbage time. I feel good saying he sees at least five targets, but will also caution that he likely needs a touchdown to make for a worthy fantasy day.

Taylor ranks in Tier 6 (TE 26) on The Wolf’s Week 12 Rankings.