Fantasy football sleepers: TE - Week 16

December 24, 2009 @ 18:00:00

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Tim Heaney

Fantasy football sleepers: QB | RB | WR | TE | PK | DT

In this article KFFL breaks down the fantasy football sleepers of the week. We will avoid marquee names because players of that caliber are rarely benched, regardless of their matchup. Instead, we will focus on the players that make your fantasy lineup decisions stressful each week. Read on to learn which midrange to low-end players that you wouldn't necessarily consider that you need to get into your lineup.

Note: All statistics are from Week 10 to Week 15, unless otherwise noted.

Fantasy football sleepers: Tight ends

David Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Fantasy value: No. 1 or flex

• Jeremy Shockey (toe) missed last week's game with what is believed to be turf toe, so he could be out a while. It isn't official by any means, so watch this fluid situation unfold.
• Even before Shockey's absence, Thomas was ceding looks from him. He averaged 4.4 targets per game in the five weeks leading up to Week 15; against the Dallas Cowboys Drew Brees looked to Thomas 10 times.
• If you're in the market for a quality tight end play this week, look no further than Thomas. He is available in 97 percent of leagues polled.
• The Buccaneers are weak against the position, allowing 6.00 receptions for 55.8 yards and 0.50 touchdowns per game in their past six. Last week, the Seattle Seahawks' John Carlson shredded them for a 7-86-1 line. Thomas went 4-66-1 on the Bucs in Week 11 with Shockey healthy.

Dante Rosario, Carolina Panthers at New York Giants

Fantasy value: Flex or bench

• The Panthers have targeted Rosario 4.67 times per game. His averages of 2.50 receptions for 26.8 yards without a score may make league owners hesitant, but his Week 16 opponent should change your mind.
• The G-men have been the worst team in the league this year against the position. In the past six weeks, New York has been walked all over by these soft-handed offensive line extensions by giving up 8.60 receptions for 101.2 yards and 0.60 touchdowns per game.

Fantasy football sleepers: QB | RB | WR | TE | PK | DT

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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