NFL Fantasy Football Sunday Sleepers: Week 5

Looking for a sleeper option who may be available on your waiver wire who could make a major impact this week?  Let’s take a look at a few options (for consideration on this listing from week-to-week, a player must be owned in less then 50 percent of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues):

Quarterback

Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams – at Detroit

Shaun Hill would have been an easy call here, but I already dubbed him a starter in the Start/Sit column (click here to view).  Instead, Sam Bradford, who will be starting opposite Hill this week, gets the nod.

Bradford has been erratic at times, which should be expected from a rookie quarterback.  He’s thrown at least one interception in all four games he’s played, but he’s also had at least one touchdown and has been getting progressively better.  Just look at the numbers from the first four weeks:

Week 1 vs. Arizona – 32-55, 253 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Week 2 at Oakland – 14-25, 167 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Week 3 vs. Washington – 23-37, 235 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Week 4 vs. Seattle – 23-41, 289 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Coming off his best start yet, he draws a Lions team who has allowed the seventh most passing yards per game this season at 241.0.  They have also allowed the second most passing touchdowns at eight.

He’s developed a great rapport with Mark Clayton (22 receptions, 300 yards, 2 TD) and Danny Amendola (21 receptions, 208 yards), and it certainly looks like he’s in store for another solid performance.

Bradford is currently owned in 47 percent of Yahoo leagues and 27.7 percent of ESPN leagues

Wide Receiver

Kenny Britt – Tennessee Titans – at Dallas

Constantly in the doghouse, necessity may have thrown him directly into the fire in Week 5.  Justin Gage is hurting and there’s a chance he’s not going to play, meaning Britt is the likely replacement in the lineup.

He hasn’t done much yet this season as the third wide receiver, with just 10 catches for 90 yards and 2 TD in three games of action.  Remember, as a rookie in 2009 he showed flashes of brilliance, with two 100-plus yard games under his belt.

Jeff Fisher was quoted in the Tennessean (click here for the full article) as saying, “When Justin went down against the 49ers (last season), Kenny stepped up and made a lot of plays.  He had a great day today and is looking forward to helping the offense.”

Obviously, the news is going to determine his ultimate value.  If Gage does play, Britt’s potential diminishes significantly.  At this point, however, it appears likely that Gage’s hamstring injury keeps him out.  With Britt’s ability, you have to like his potential to produce.

Britt is currently owned in 34 percent of Yahoo leagues and 37.1 percent of ESPN leagues

Running Backs

John Kuhn – Green Bay Packers – at Washington

In Ryan Grant’s absence, the Packers have struggled to find a true No. 1 running back to carry the load.  It was at first thought that Brandon Jackson would get the bulk of the carries, but he just hasn’t delivered to date.  In 45 carries he has amassed just 137 yards, averaging 3.0 yards per carry.

Kuhn, meanwhile, has gotten 26 carries for 121 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.  In the Week 4 matchup with the Lions, both Kuhn and Jackson had nine carries, though neither was overly impressive (Kuhn had 39 yards, Jackson had 33 yards).

At this point, you have to think the Packers will ride the hot hand, no matter who that is.  The Redskins rushing defense has allowed 101.0 yards per game, but only one run of at least 20 yards.  That lends you to believe that you need to grind it out against them, being as physical as possible to amass yards.  That certainly sounds like a job for the 6’0”, 250 lb. Kuhn.

Of course, the Packers will likely focus on the pass (the Redskins have allowed 305.0 passing yards per game, second worst in the league).  Still, they need to run some to keep them off balance.  They also could try to grind out the clock if they get up.

Kuhn is currently owned in 13 percent of Yahoo leagues and 33.6 percent of ESPN leagues

What are your thoughts of these players?  Would you use any of them in Week 3?  Have any other sleepers you’d suggest?

Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 5 Rankings:

Top 25 Quarterbacks
Top 40 Running Backs
Top 60 Wide Receivers
Top 20 Tight Ends
Top 15 Kickers
Top 15 Defenses
Waiver Worthy
Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em

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