Fantasy Football: Top 5 sleepers to consider in Week 5

Optimize your fantasy football lineup with the top sleepers heading into Week 5.

Welcome to Week 5 of the fantasy football season. By now, you have your roster set with your every week starters, and you have cushioned yourself among the top-tier of your league. Or, you haven’t.

Week after week you have to plug and chug players that show up on the injury report, have a bye week, or just turn out to be a bust. This week, the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a bye week.

It is important to strategically choose which sleepers are worth the start. Starting too many sleepers could result in a huge loss, so don’t go overboard.

After analyzing this week’s matchups and previous performances, I have identified the top five fantasy football sleepers entering Week 5. Buckle your seatbelts, here we go!

5. Derrick Henry, RB Tennessee Titans

It has been difficult putting your trust in Derrick Henry, as the RB1 is producing RB2/3 numbers. However, Henry can have an explosive Week 5.

This week, the Tennessee Titans are taking on the Buffalo Bills. The Bills haven’t been able to dominate time of possession this season, which means the Titans offense should see a ton of field time.

The Bills currently rank 26th against opposing running backs, surrendering seven touchdowns to the position this season. This could be the week we see Henry finally earn double-digit fantasy football points. He’s worth a low-end RB3 or Flex this week.

Henry has yet to find the end zone this year, but I’m expecting a touchdown from him in Week 5. He’s worth using as a flex in all leagues.

Next: 4. Give this struggling quarterback a start

4. Alex Smith, QB Washington Redskins

I would like to start with a disclaimer. I am not an Alex Smith fan, nor do I suggest using him on a weekly basis in fantasy football leagues due to his inconsistency.

Last week, he completed 12-of-20 passes for a measly 220 yards. His fantasy football production this season has been below average, barely hitting the 20-point mark in a couple of his matchups.

However, given the right matchup, he has the potential to score big. Not to mention, he is coming off a bye week. This week, Smith takes on the New Orleans Saints, who allowed the third most fantasy football points to the position. His value also increases due to Adrian Peterson’s ankle injury.

If Peterson doesn’t suit up, Smith will have a heavy workload. He’s a must-start in all leagues, especially if your quarterback is on a bye.

Next: 3. Stepping up due to injury

3. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR Green Bay Packers

Unfortunately, one man’s injury is another man’s spotlight. Which is exactly the case with Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

When Randall Cobb was ruled out of Week 4, Valdes-Scantling was the next man up. He played 54 snaps and completed 1-of-3 passes for 38 yards.

Not only is Cobb’s status still questionable, but it’s looking like Geronimo Allison will miss Week 5 due to concussion protocols.

Valdes-Scantling could expect to see more targets this week as the Green Bay Packers take on the Detroit Lions. He’s worth a WR3 this week.

Next: 2. A tight end on the rise

2. Ricky Seal-Jones, TE Arizona Cardinals

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We don’t hear enough about Ricky Seals-Jones. A tight end that earns 17 fantasy football points in his last two matchups is someone who should be on your radar if you’re in a PPR league.

Seal-Jones has back-to-back 30-yard completions in the past two weeks. In the last four weeks, he has one touchdown and has completed 10-of-19 passes for 123 yards.

This week, the Arizona Cardinals prepare to take on the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have surrendered a touchdown to the position every week thus far, and Seals-Jones looks to continue that trend.

He is projected to earn double-digit fantasy points and will make a great TE2 option in your Week 5 starting lineup.

Next: 1. A running back set for a huge day

1. T.J. Yeldon, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

T.J. Yeldon enters Week 5 as an RB1. With Leonard Fournette ruled out of Sunday’s matchup, Yeldon is looking to make a statement during this game.

After Fournette left last week’s game, Yeldon jumped in and carried 18 times for a little over 50 yards and a touchdown. He also completed 3-of-3 passes for almost 50 yards and a touchdown.

This week, the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who have surrendered the second-most points to the position. They have also allowed the third most receptions to backs.

On paper, Yeldon is RB1 material and a must start in all leagues. If he proves his worth in Week 5, he could just pave his way to an every week starter.