With the first set of bye weeks commencing and injuries continuing to pile up, finding reliable pivot options -- off your bench or on the waiver wire -- is as important as ever. Our Week 5 fantasy sleeper list is here to identify those pivot options, including Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Boyd, and Dalton Kincaid.
We always stress that any of our sleeper picks could disappoint in Week 5. We like to take some chances with our sleeper picks because recommending a bunch of "must-starts" simply isn't needed. You shouldn't start our sleeper picks over proven, early-round studs, but if your roster is already loaded with stars, then you don't need our advice anyway. If nothing else, our sleeper picks can help you find DFS values, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
In what was a relatively wacky Week 4, we still got solid fantasy performances from Jaylen Warren, De'Von Achane, Matthew Stafford, Brock Purdy, Adam Thielen, Broncos' D/ST, and the Buccaneers D/ST, but we didn't hit on our sleeper picks at the rate we're capable of. Bank on us bouncing back this week.
WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE: Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
As Week 5 nears, here are our top sleeper picks.
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Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 5
Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos vs. Jets (Musial). With Javonte Williams (hip) likely missing Denver's Week 5 tilt against New York, McLaughlin's in line for a significant workload as the team's early-down back. Fellow RB Samaje Perine will likely be the team's go-to option in short-yardage situations and third downs, but there's enough volume for McLaughlin to churn out an RB2/flex-caliber performance. He also draws a quietly decent matchup against a Jets defense allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to RBs.
Breece Hall, Jets @ Broncos (Vinnie Iyer). If the Jets have been paying attention, they should see the Broncos give up a lot of big runs to speedy, explosive backs. They got killed by the Dolphins and Bears in such fashion in consecutive weeks. Hall needs to get only 10-12 touches to go off in a must-win road game.
Dalvin Cook, Jets @ Broncos (Matt Lutovsky). Cook’s touches have dwindled each week, but a matchup against Denver’s last-ranked run defense will allow both him and Breece Hall to post at least flex-worthy numbers. The Broncos’ RB stats are inflated by Miami’s eight-TD bonanza against them in Week 3, but Denver allowed a running back to post at least 20 fantasy points in Weeks 2 and 4, too.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 5
Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. Eagles (Musial). Stafford and the Rams' pass-heavy offense could feast against an Eagles pass defense that's a shell of its 2022 self. Philadelphia has conceded the seventh-most fantasy points per game to QBs and came close to yielding over 300 yards to Sam Howell last week. In a game featuring the second-highest total of the Week 5 slate (over/under set at 50 points), a top-10 finish for Stafford is well within the realm of possibility.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders vs. Packers (Iyer). Jimmy G should start again assuming he’s cleared from concussion protocol well before Monday night. He’s tied to Davante Adams, who can have a big revenge game, and Jakobi Meyers and Josh Jacobs will shine, too. That’s good enough for some nice shootout points opposite Jordan Love.
Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Cardinals (Lutovsky). Can Burrow really be considered a "sleeper?" Well, when half of his owners want to bench him, then yes. Give him one more chance against a Cardinals' pass defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs. Yes, the matchup was just as rosy last week when Burrow busted, but he's too talented to be held down for long.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 5
Tyler Boyd, Bengals @ Cardinals (Musial). Although the Bengals offense looks lost, Boyd's likely to see a high target share as Joe Burrow's No. 2 option in the passing game. With Tee Higgins likely sidelined due to a rib injury, Cincinnati's slot man will see an increased workload. A 10-plus target day is conceivable, making him a viable bye-week or injury fill-in.
Rashee Rice, Chiefs @ Vikings (Iyer). The rookie’s role has been ramped up in terms of snaps, and he’s about to see an uptick in targets as Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes trust him more. The matchup this week is beautiful against Minnesota’s awful corners.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans @ Colts (Lutovsky). Westbrook-Ikhine stepped up in Treylon Burks’ absence last week, catching five-of-six targets for 51 yards and a TD. He’s now scored in two of the past three games, and with a matchup against Indy’s 28th-ranked pass defense, he profiles as a solid WR3/flex in 12-team leagues.
WEEK 5 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 5
Dalton Kincaid, Bills vs. Jaguars (Musial). While Kincaid's yet to post a double-figure PPR performance in his young career, we think Sunday's matchup against the Jags is his breakout game. Jacksonville hasn't defended TEs well through four weeks, surrendering the second-most fantasy points per game to the position. With Buffalo utilizing plenty of two tight-end sets, the opportunity is there for the rookie to show out in London.
Tyler Conklin, Jets at Broncos (Iyer). He’s getting a little more work each week for Zach Wilson, who seems more confident in other guys away from Garrett Wilson. Conklin dents the end zone half as many times as Cole Kmet did vs. Denver.
Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. Bengals (Lutovsky). Ertz has seen at least eight targets in three-of-four games this year, and he dropped a sure touchdown last week in a tough matchup. The Bengals allow the sixth-most fantasy points to TEs, so this is a great spot for Ertz to finally top 60 yards and/or get in the end zone.
Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 5
Houston Texans @ Falcons (Musial). Any defense facing the Desmond Ridder-led Falcons is a must-start. C.J. Stroud's early-season successes could lead to the Texans potentially controlling the game script, forcing Ridder to pass at a high clip. That spells trouble for the Falcons' offense.
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants (Iyer). Do we dare deploy defensive Dolphins vs. Danny Dimes? Dangerous dominant dudes, definitely.
Detroit Lions vs. Panthers (Lutovsky). In the three games in which Bryce Young has started, Carolina has allowed 11 sacks, five takeaways, and a D/ST TD while averaging just over 11 offensive points per game. The Lions are dominating against the run this year and tied for sixth in sacks, so it should be a long day for the Panthers in Detroit’s noisy dome.
