Fantasy Football Week 6: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position
We're about midway through October, and coaching staffs have started to tap into the potential of unheralded rookies, young players with room to grow and veterans who may have started the NFL season in a backup spot or buried on the depth chart. At this time, fantasy football managers should pounce on several sleepers who could bubble to the surface in the coming weeks.
For the most part, rookies who didn't come into the league as first-rounders need to earn roles in a gradual process. A second- or third-round running back may have to make the most of a few targets and a handful of carries per game. If he does, fantasy managers can put him in the deep flex category. A young wideout has to earn his quarterback's trust before he sees a consistent flow of targets.
Ah, patience.
Now that we're five weeks into the season, let's take a look at several young playmakers who have shown early signs of fantasy potential as well as recognizable faces who belong on the radar.
All sleeper options are recommended for point-per-reception scoring settings and available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues as of Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo at Atlanta Falcons (34 Percent Rostered)
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In terms of fantasy scoring, Jimmy Garoppolo had his best outing last week against the Carolina Panthers' 17th-ranked pass defense, throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns, which totaled 18 fantasy points.
In Week 6, Garoppolo will face the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the fourth-most passing yards and the 10th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2022. He could light up one of the league's worst pass defenses with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle, who's had an underwhelming start to the season (11 receptions for 99 yards and a fumble lost).
Garoppolo has thrown for 211-plus yards in three consecutive outings, and his numbers in that category have been on the incline since he took over for Trey Lance, who's out for the season with a fractured ankle.
Though San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan operates a run-heavy offense, this is a good spot to get Garoppolo going in the aerial attack before a potential high-scoring matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7.
QB Daniel Jones vs. Baltimore Ravens (27 Percent Rostered)
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While this suggestion sounds like a longshot, stick with me. The New York Giants have certainly relied heavily on Saquon Barkley and own the third-most carries going into Week 6, but the star running back isn't the only one running the ball.
Out of the pocket, Daniel Jones has a major role in the Giants' ground attack. In five games, he's registered 41 rush attempts for 230 yards and two touchdowns with 68-plus rushing yards in two out of the past three contests.
In addition to Jones' rushing production, he's going to face the Baltimore Ravens who have allowed the most passing yards this season, which puts him on the radar for viable streamers at his position. By the way, the Ravens won't have ball-hawking safety Marcus Williams (dislocated wrist) in the secondary, and they've given up the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Even though Jones has yet to throw for more than 217 yards in a game this year, he could finally rack up 250-plus yards against arguably the league's worst pass defense. If rookie second-round wideout Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) or Kadarius Toney (hamstring) suit up this week, that's another reason to take a chance with Jones in Week 6.
RB Mike Boone at Los Angeles Chargers (36 Percent Rostered)
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Denver Broncos lead running back Javonte Williams tore his ACL in a Week 4 contest with the Las Vegas Raiders, which opened up some opportunities for Melvin Gordon III and Mike Boone last week.
Against the Indianapolis Colts, Boone registered seven carries for 38 yards along with three receptions for 47 yards. Behind Gordon, he should get enough touches to warrant consideration for a flex spot in lineups.
Even though Latavius Murray's presence could muddle the Broncos' backfield a bit, he hasn't been much of a pass-catcher over the past two years with just 11 receptions for 83 yards in that time span.
Furthermore, Boone could still handle some carries while the Broncos ease Murray into the rotation. With a handful of rush attempts and targets, the former still has fantasy flex appeal in a highly favorable matchup.
Managers in PPR leagues should add Boone ahead a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, who allow the most fantasy points to running backs and give up the most yards per carry (5.8) this season.
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RB Rachaad White at Pittsburgh Steelers (34 Percent Rostered)
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Over the past couple of weeks, Rachaad White has carved out a role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' short passing game, registering eight receptions for 78 yards. In Weeks 4 and 5, he played 38 and 39 percent of the offensive snaps, respectively.
Though running back Leonard Fournette will dominate the touches in the Buccaneers' backfield, White's pass-catching role puts him on the radar in PPR leagues. Any manager flustered with bye-week inactives—including Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Dameon Pierce, D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams—should take a flier on White.
White gets a decent matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who allow the 14th-most fantasy points to running backs and rank 23rd in run defense. If the Buccaneers pull out to an early lead over the Kenny Pickett-led Steelers, the rookie third-round tailback may see more touches on the ground and as a pass-catcher late in the game.
WR Alec Pierce vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (32 Percent Rostered)
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Since his Week 3 return to action from a concussion, Alec Pierce has seen a steady increase in targets from five to six to nine over the past three weeks. He's also started in three out of four games and played more than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in two of those contests.
In Week 5, the Indianapolis Colts leaned on the passing game a little more without Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Nyheim Hines, who exited the game on the first drive with a concussion. Head coach Frank Reich is optimistic about the former's return for Sunday's contest.
Nonetheless, with wide receiver Ashton Dulin on injured reserve with a foot injury, Pierce could see several targets in the upcoming game. He's carved out a decent role in the Colts' passing attack, listing second on the team in targets (22) and receiving yards (222) while averaging 14.8 yards per catch.
Pierce doesn't have a mouth-watering matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars' 14th-ranked pass defense, but the rookie second-rounder has worked his way into the No. 2 wide receiver spot on the depth chart, and he's racked up 80-plus receiving yards in back-to-back outings.
WR Darius Slayton vs. Baltimore Ravens (2 Percent Rostered)
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In Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers' second-ranked pass defense, New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton hauled in six out of seven targets for 79 yards, leading the club in all three categories.
With wideouts Kenny Golladay (knee), Kadarius Toney (hamstrings), Wan'Dale Robinson (knee) and Sterling Shepard (torn ACL) all out with injuries, Big Blue needed someone to fill a major void in its 31st-ranked passing attack, and Slayton answered the call. The Giants may need him to do it again.
Going into last week’s game, The Athletic's Dan Duggan gave Robinson a 50/50 chance to play after the rookie second-rounder went through two limited practices before a DNP (did not participate in practice) Friday. He started the week off with another limited session, though even if the first-year wideout makes his regular-season debut Sunday, the Giants will still need a veteran presence at the position.
Slayton deserves more playing time, and the Giants may have to feature him out of necessity because of a depleted receiver unit. In a decent role, he could post WR3 or flex numbers in a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens' 32nd-ranked pass defense. By the way, the AFC North club has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wideouts this season.
TE Will Dissly vs. Arizona Cardinals (18 Percent Rostered)
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Will Dissly is a touchdown-dependent sleeper, but he's a viable one because he's scored in three out of five games this season. The fifth-year pro has played at least 61 percent of the offensive snaps in all but one contest through the first five weeks, so the team's addition of tight end Noah Fant hasn't cut deep into his playing time.
Dissly gets a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends.
Over the past three games, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has thrown for an average of 304.3 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception. At this rate, his production can support another high-end fantasy pass-catcher other than wideouts DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Dissly may be able to rack up a good number of yards to go along with a score against a Cardinals defense that's vulnerable to pass-catching tight ends.
TE Adam Trautman vs. Cincinnati Bengals (0 Percent Rostered)
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Last week, we highlighted the wrong New Orleans Saints tight end. Instead of Juwan Johnson, Adam Trautman (two catches for 32 yards and a touchdown) made the most of a favorable matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, who lead the league in fantasy points allowed to tight ends.
Let's not make the same mistake this week.
The Cincinnati Bengals have surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points to tight ends. If Taysom Hill isn't available, take a look at Trautman since the Saints have a banged-up wide receiver group.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, New Orleans expects Michael Thomas (foot/toe) to suit up for Week 6, but Jarvis Landry missed the previous game with an ankle injury and rookie first-rounder Chris Olave exited the last outing with a concussion.
Even if Thomas plays, the Saints may have to lean on their tight end group to fill a void or two in the passing game. Trautman could rack up some yards and find the end zone in consecutive weeks.
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Fantasy points scored against statistics are provided by FantasyPros.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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