The Sporting News fantasy team is back with our fantasy football sleepers for Week 5. Last week we gave names like Justin Fields, Chuba Hubbard, and Zack Moss, all of whom went on to have strong weeks. Fields actually had the best fantasy performance of any quarterback this season.
The NFL and fantasy seasons move quickly, so it’s already time to shift our focus to the next set of games. Week 5 offers a brand new slate of games with matchups that we can look to exploit in fantasy football.
If you don’t have time to dive into the outlook for each game, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve taken a deep dive into each matchup of the Week 5 slate to pinpoint which situations and matchups we should attack in fantasy football. Three of our fantasy analysts have identified a player at each position who is in a position to thrive this week.
WEEK 5 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 5
Michael O’Hara: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars — Trevor Lawrence has been a disappointment in every way possible this season. His numbers have been poor, the film shows him missing throws, and the Jaguars are 0-4. Week 5 presents a bounce-back spot for Lawrence, and it’s crucial that he takes advantage of it. The Colts have allowed 300-yard games in two straight weeks to quarterbacks who aren’t exactly regarded as elite passers – Caleb Williams and Justin Fields. Indianapolis’s defensive scheme that heavily utilizes Cover 3 has gotten them into trouble, and Lawrence should be the next quarterback to take advantage of a susceptible secondary.
Ed Williams: Anthony Richardson (or Joe Flacco), Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson has not lived up to the hype this year. And when he left Week 4 with a hip pointer against the Steelers, Joe Flacco came on in relief and led Indianapolis to victory. The Colts hit the road in Week 5, but will be facing the winless Jaguars. Jacksonville has struggled mightily this season, and their defense is a unit that can be attacked in fantasy. Even though Richardson has struggled throwing the ball, this would be a good get-right spot for him. And even if he sits, I can see Joe Flacco having another nice game here as he tries to replicate the magic he had in Cleveland last season.
Vinnie Iyer: Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers —Assuming they stick with him over recovering Russell Wilson, Fields can take it to the Cowboys at home on Sunday night. They are still undisciplined against the run and have allowed good yardage and scoring production to rushing QBs early. Fields is feeling it, and his increased confidence will come through in prime time.
Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 5
O’Hara: Trey Sermon, Indianapolis Colts — Jonathan Taylor is likely to miss Week 5 with a high-ankle sprain. The next man up is Trey Sermon who is in line for a juicy workload. Sermon will take the rushing work that Taylor leaves behind. Indianapolis has also shown that they are comfortable using Sermon in passing situations, so he should see a healthy number in terms of his route participation. Sermon projects to have an elite role while Taylor is sidelined and can be used as a plug-and-play RB2.
Williams: D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears — When the Bears said that Roschon Johnson was going to get a longer look at RB in Week 4, it was assumed that Swift would fade into the background, at least for the time being. Well, that didn’t play out at all for Swift. While Johnson did see more run, eliminating any value from Khalil Herbert, but Swift had his biggest game of the season, and it wasn’t even close. Swift racked up 93 rushing yards on 16 carries and a touchdown, but he also led the team in receiving with seven catches for 72 yards. While we don’t expect to see another stat line quite that robust, he could have another RB2 game against the Panthers.
Iyer: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos — The running game came full circle with Tyler Badie’s injury vs. the Jets, setting up Williams to usurp feature duties again with 16 carries for 77 yards. That’s great timing, because now Williams will now get to work often against the Raiders’ atrocious run defense at home.
WEEK 5 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver Wire list | Top Players to Target | How to spend FAAB
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 5
O’Hara: Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams — Sean McVay had seen enough of Tyler Johnson – he was completely replaced in Week 4 by preseason MVP Jordan Whittington. The rookie led the team in both routes run and targets in a loss to the Bears. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will both be off the field for another few weeks, so Whittington’s fantasy shelf life will extend into October. The other receiving talent in Los Angeles (Tutu Atwell and Demarcus Robinson) doesn’t provide a whole lot of target competition, so Whittington could continue to see in the range of seven targets for the next few weeks. He can be started in the Flex as a bye-week streamer or on banged-up rosters.
Williams: Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts — Downs was the primary slot receiver for the Colts last season, en route to 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie year. He missed the first two games of the season with an ankle injury, but now he’s back. Even in his first game back, where you’d expect him to be eased into action and shaking off some rust, but he was targeted five times right off the bat. Downs only hauled in three balls for 22 yards, but then he turned nine targets against the Steelers into eight catches for 82 yards and a score. Look for Downs to eat against the Panthers, regardless of who is under center for Indianapolis as Anthony Richardson tries to return from a hip pointer.
Iyer: Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills — Josh Allen will need to chuck often in a high-scoring affair with C.J. Stroud and should want to unlock the rookie more downfield to match Stroud’s wide receiver weaponry. Coleman keeps getting the high-leverage targets as the Bills try to stretch the passing game again. Allen will also be motivated to get Coleman going with his former go-to guy Stefon Diggs on the other side.
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 5
O’Hara: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints — We’re at the point with tight ends that if they have a pulse and legitimate chance to score seven PPR points, they’re getting jammed into starting lineups. The bar for a starting tight end is so low that it’s hard to find a sleeper. At this point with a sleeper tight end, you’re just playing pin the tail on the donkey with someone who could find the endzone. If you’re going to play the touchdown lottery, there’s no better number to select than No. 7 on the Saints. Taysom Hill’s role in red zone and goal line packages gives him scoring opportunities at a far higher rate than other tight ends.
Williams: Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders — While Taysom Hill is a good option if you’re chasing a touchdown at the tight end position like Michael advised, if you are looking for more of a floor option, then the reliable veteran Zach Ertz could be your guy. Ertz only had three catches for 22 yards in Week 4, but the Commanders pulled away from the Cardinals and didn’t have to keep airing it out. With the Browns boasting a much stronger pass rush behind Myles Garrett, rookie Jayden Daniels may have to look to Ertz more often as a security blanket option when under duress.
Iyer: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears — Kmet went back to cooling off vs. the Rams, but that’s more because Caleb Williams didn’t target him enough as he hauled in all three looks for three catches and 34 yards. Kmet should be busier at home for Williams against the Panthers, who have had major issues covering tight ends of all varieties early in the season.
Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 5
O’Hara: Miami Dolphins — The New England Patriots have quickly become an offense to target with defensive streamers. The offensive line is atrocious and has allowed Jacoby Brissett to be pressured at the highest rate in the NFL. It shouldn’t come as a shock to see Brissett tied for third in sacks. Poor offensive line play also makes it difficult for the offense to find its rhythm because plays simply can’t develop. This offense needs a serious overhaul and it’s not going to happen before they take the field against Miami on Sunday.
Williams: Green Bay Packers — Just as the Patriots are an offense to attack at the D/ST position in fantasy, the same can be said for the Rams — at least while Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua remain sidelined. While the Packers fell behind 28-0 against the Vikings last week, they also held them scoreless in the second half as they came up just short in their comeback attempt. Against a much more vulnerable offense with a leaky offensive line, look for the Packers defense to come up big in Week 5.
Iyer: Washington Commanders — They got things going up front for Dan Quinn a little more in Arizona as the consistent scoring offense keeps putting pressure on the opponents. Coming off a 4-sack game, they should drop Deshaun Watson multiple times with a chance to force a couple takeaways at home.
