StixPicks 
We always discuss “getting contrarian” in NFL DFS so it’s about time we posted an article to arm you with some NFL DFS Sleepers. Whether you’re eating or fading this weeks’ chalky plays, here are some players that may help you differentiate in NFL DFS GPP tournaments.
If you read the article and have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly on Twitter or sign up for Premium Gold to join our Discord channel.
Like usual, it’s another great week to use 50% or more of your bankroll towards single entry cash games. Please check out my Cash Game Checkdown before you set your DFS lineups for Sunday.
Sign up NOW for WIN DAILY Premium Gold right here! Projections, wagering info, 24/7 expert chats and more!
The purpose of this weekly article is to identify players in positive situations that the public may be overlooking in NFL DFS. If you’re going to be playing a lot of chalky players like Le’Veon Bell, Alvin Kamara, Julio Jones, Michael Thomas and some other players with ~30% ownership in Week 12, it’s never a bad idea to find a player or two that will help differentiate your lineup from the rest of the field. Look no further than Stick’s Sleepers.
Week 12 – Stick’s NFL DFS Sleepers
Mitch Trubisky (DK $5,100 / FD $7,000)
Typing out Trubisky’s name almost made me sick, but here he is. This is a much more optimal play for DraftKings at that price tag – so please don’t fire him up like crazy on FanDuel at $7k.
First off, the Giants’ pass defense ranks 28th in DVOA – yikes. If you take out the Week Four game against the Redskins, the Giants’ have given up 28.89 points per game – which is among the worst in the NFL.
In addition to that, this team is giving up and average of ~23 DraftKings’ points per week to opposing QBs (and ~47 to opposing receiving cores) over the past month! Trubisky’s pass attempts (and execution) haven’t really been there on a consistent basis, but if the Giants’ can score some points in this game, Trubisky should have no issues carving up their secondary and finishing around 20 DraftKings’ points – which would put him at 4x value (on DraftKings) at ~2% ownership.
Trubisky isn’t going to break the slate, but you can easily stack him with Allen Robinson or Taylor Gabriel and barely make a dent in your lineup’s salary cap.
Saquon Barkley (DK $7,900 / FD 7,900) & Golden Tate (DK $5,700 / FD $6,400)
No, Saquon Barkley is not a “sleeper” but in Week 12, he’s going to be under 12% owned… I’m in. I clearly am okay with pairing up Trubisky and a Bears’ wide receiver in my NFL DFS GPPs this week and I really like the idea of running it back with Saquon Barkley and/or Golden Tate.
Tate has a matchup against Buster Skrine in the slot and should have no issues tearing him up. Evan Engram is out with injury again and it just so happens that Tate has had his best games of the season in both games Engram.
Week Six: 6 catches – 102 yards – 1 TD
Week 10: 4 catches – 95 yards – 2 TDs
Tate is going to be the most targeted player in the Giants’ passing game and should continue to thrive in Engram’s absence. You can game-stack Trubisky-Robinson-Barkley-Tate and still have plenty of salary left over for guys like Kamara and Julio Jones.
Kenny Golladay (DK $6,600 / FD $7,800)
Kenny Golladay at 3-5% ownership is something I’ll always be interested in. I don’t love the chemistry with Jeff Driskel, but I’m not afraid of it in a GPP format. In terms of “blow-up potential”, Golladay certainly has that (so does Marvin Jones, so this isn’t a lock play by any means) and that is something I look for when adding players into my GPP player pool.
Golladay should see a decent amount of Josh Norman in coverage and that is a matchup I know Golladay can exploit. Can Driskel get him the ball in areas where he can make big plays? I’ll take that risk this week.
Chris Conley (DK $4,100 / FD $5,700)
Conley hit value for us last week in the inaugural Stick’s Sleepers article and he finds his way back into it this week. Conley may not have 20+ point upside, but I have projected for right around 13 DraftKings’ points. I pick on LeShaun Sims as much as possible in DFS and that is the matchup Conley will have most of the day on Sunday. If he can find his way into the end-zone, Conley should make for a nice salary-saving, contrarian GPP play.
NFL DFS Sleepers – Honorable Mention
- Ben Watson (DK $3,100 / FD $5,300)
- Tim Patrick (DK $3,000 / FD $5,300)
- D.K. Metcalf (DK $6,300 / FD $6,700)
- David Montgomery (DK $5,500 / FD $6,600)
- Jaylen Samuels (DK $7,200 / FD $6,900)
