Fantasy Football Week 5: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position
One month into the 2024 season, some fantasy managers need an emergency plan at key positions because of injuries and Davante Adams' lukewarm trade request.
This week, we will focus on potential fill-ins for the Kansas City Chiefs' injury-riddled offense, how to exploit a glaring weakness in their defense and a few players who have earned more snaps or been effective in expanded roles.
Among the eight sleepers, you will recognize one player who pulled through for fantasy managers in need of a running back in Week 3.
Now, let's dive into Week 5 sleepers, starting with a quarterback who should be on your roster for the remainder of the season.
These selections are available in at least 50 percent of leagues based on FantasyPros' consensus roster percentages.
QB Geno Smith vs. New York Giants (40 Percent Rostered)
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Geno Smith threw for a career-high 395 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions. He can stay hot in a matchup with the New York Giants.
By the way, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback leads the league in completions (115) and passing yards (1,182). He'll face a Giants team that allowed Dak Prescott to finish 11th among QBs in fantasy scoring with 221 passing yards and two touchdowns last week.
In three of four weeks this season, Smith finished within the top eight in fantasy scoring among quarterbacks. He can certainly do it against a 14th-ranked New York pass defense that has surrendered six touchdowns in four contests.
If he is available in your league, pick him up. He's QB8 in fantasy points for the season.
RB Alexander Mattison at Denver Broncos (31 Percent Rostered)
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You may remember Alexander Mattison from our Week 3 sleepers list. Well, he's back and may have an even bigger role going forward.
On Monday, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Mattison has "earned more reps. And he's gonna get them."
In the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, the 26-year-old logged five rush attempts for 60 yards, and he's been more efficient with his touches than starting running back Zamir White.
Mattison has outpaced White in three out of four games in scrimmage yards. Now set for a bigger workload, he could lead the team in carries against the Denver Broncos.
Moreover, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that wide receiver Davante Adams won't suit up against the Broncos because of a hamstring injury. Also, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Adams "prefers" to play elsewhere.
Adams' likely absence could open up more pass-catching opportunities for Mattison, who has seven receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown this season.
If you're still holding on to White, drop him for Mattison.
RB Kareem Hunt vs. New Orleans Saints (40 Percent Rostered)
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With Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve, the Kansas City Chiefs will likely move forward with a running back committee that includes Kareem Hunt, Carson Steele, Samaje Perine and perhaps Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
For now, Hunt seems like the Chiefs' lead tailback. Last week, he led the backfield in touches (16) and racked up 85 scrimmage yards.
The Athletic's Nate Taylor broke down how Kansas City could distribute touches among Hunt, Steele and Perine for Week 5.
"Hunt could be the Chiefs' starter Monday night against the New Orleans Saints," he wrote. "If that happens, Steele would be the primary backup, an option on short-yardage plays, and seven-year veteran Samaje Perine would remain in his role as the third-down back."
The Saints have a stout defensive front, but they're allowing 4.8 yards per carry, which ranks 26th leaguewide. If Hunt gets the bulk of the work on the ground, he's a decent RB2 or flex option.
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RB Trey Sermon at Jacksonville Jaguars (5 Percent Rostered)
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Fantasy managers should monitor the Indianapolis Colts' injury report this week. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, running back Jonathan Taylor suffered a mild high ankle sprain, though a source said, "he's OK."
The Colts haven't considered placing Taylor on injured reserve, a sign that he's not facing a lengthy recovery time.
Though he may have avoided a major injury, he could still miss time. If he's out this week, Trey Sermon is next in line in the Indy backfield.
The 25-year-old didn't find much room to run against the Pittsburgh Steelers' third-ranked run defense last week, recording five carries for eight yards, but he could have more success, specifically in the red zone, against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars have given up a rushing touchdown in every game this season, and they're allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs.
Sermon has notable upside if Taylor sits or plays in a reduced role.
WR Dontayvion Wicks at Los Angeles Rams (19 Percent Rostered)
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According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Christian Watson suffered a high ankle sprain. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he will miss "at least a week or so" of action.
Without Watson, Dontayvion Wicks will likely slide into a starting position in three-receiver sets. Dating back to his 2023 rookie campaign, he's been productive in a limited role, catching 47 passes for 685 yards and seven touchdowns.
This year, while on the field for 56 percent of Green Bay's offensive snaps, the 23-year-old has eight catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns, scoring twice last week.
With more opportunities, Wicks is a must-add player for Week 5.
The Packers have Jordan Love back under center. The Los Angeles Rams are giving up the most yards per pass attempt, and they're tied for third in passing touchdowns allowed.
Because of his impressive touchdown rate, Wicks has WR2 potential in a favorable matchup.
WR Tutu Atwell vs. Green Bay Packers (9 Percent Rostered)
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Over the last two weeks, Tutu Atwell has filled a void in the Los Angeles Rams passing attack in the absence of Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (PCL), hauling in eight of his 11 targets for 175 yards.
According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, the Rams may hold Kupp out until after their Week 6 bye, and Nacua might be out until Week 8.
In the meantime, fantasy managers can stock up on backup L.A. receivers playing in bigger roles while the starters recover from injuries.
For now, Atwell's expanded role seems secure ahead of a matchup with the Green Bay Packers who are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers. They rank 24th in passing yards allowed, and they're tied for third in touchdowns surrendered through the air with eight.
Atwell has at least one more week as a top sleeper option.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. New Orleans Saints (1 Percent Rostered)
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The Kansas City Chiefs have voids to fill in the backfield and within their wide receiver corps, so Kareem Hunt isn't the team's only potential sleeper this week.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler (h/t Fantasy Alarm), the Chiefs could use JuJu Smith-Schuster in the same way they featured Rashee Rice, who's out with a knee injury.
If the Chiefs increase Smith-Schuster's workload in that manner, he'll see several targets in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
In Week 2, against the Atlanta Falcons, Smith-Schuster hauled in two out of three targets for 17 yards and a touchdown. He should see a higher volume of targets as the potential replacement for Rice.
Because of injuries, the 2018 Pro Bowler missed several games with the New England Patriots last season. In his second stint with the Chiefs, he can put together a vintage performance Monday night.
Going against the Saints' 25th-ranked pass defense, Smith-Schuster is a high-floor sleeper option who could crack double-digit fantasy points.
TE Juwan Johnson at Kansas City Chiefs (6 Percent Rostered)
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The New Orleans Saints haven't featured their tight ends consistently, but they could turn to their big-bodied targets on Monday.
The Kansas City Chiefs allow the most fantasy points to TEs, which makes this matchup an ideal situation for Juwan Johnson or Foster Moreau.
Though Saints quarterback Derek Carr has a history with Moreau that dates back to their time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Johnson has been more of a pass-catching threat over the last two seasons.
In Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons, the 28-year-old only caught two passes for 13 yards, but he played 68 percent of the Saints' offensive snaps. Moreau didn't see a target while on the field for 57 percent of the offensive snaps.
As versatile playmaker (and part-time tight end) Taysom Hill deals with a rib injury after his two-touchdown performance last week, the Saints may turn to Johnson through the air in a tight end-friendly matchup.
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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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