5 Fantasy Football Buy-Low Candidates Heading into Week 6

Fantasy football is hitting the midway point of the season already, and trade deadlines in most leagues are looming in the coming weeks.

Value is, as always, the name of the game in fantasy, and this time of fall is perfect for finding the best bargains around your league.

Look out for players whose owners may be disheartened, and try to pounce on that opportunity. The window may be small, so try to make those moves quickly before this weekend.

Here are five ideal buy-low candidates heading into Week 6.

LeSean McCoy

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Shady has been the biggest mystery of the 2014 NFL season so far. What the heck is going on?

He's gotten plenty of touches, too, but he just hasn't been able to produce like normal. His 14 catches for 69 yards on the season is ridiculously low, and he's scored one measly touchdown in five games.

His longest run on the season is 21 yards, he's averaging only 2.9 yards per carry and the Eagles offensive line is a mess.

But Lane Johnson is back now, and Philly faces off against only two more elite rushing defenses (for fantasy purposes) in 2014: Arizona in Week 8 and Seattle in Week 14. McCoy will be just fine the rest of the way.

Percy Harvin

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For such an explosive football player, Harvin has been anything but that for fantasy purposes. Yet he is possibly my favorite buy-low option right now.

He's way down outside the top 40 (or even top 50), depending on what format you play in, and his owners have to be about ready to give up on him.

But he's had a lot of bad luck, including a ridiculous three touchdowns called back due to penalties in Week 5. Russell Wilson is on fire right now, and Harvin will benefit soon.

Week 6 is going to be his time, as he gets to face off against a pitiful Dallas secondary. 

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

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For those of you searching for a low-cost tight end, look no further than Witten, who has been suffering statistically in Dallas' new run-heavy scheme.

But he and Tony Romo have a great rapport, and he has caught at least four passes in every game this season. His owners are likely shelving him at this point, however, as he has only had single-digit fantasy games through five weeks.

Jump on him before he has that explosive game and gets back to his old top-10 ways. Even if that breakout doesn't happen, he's got to start scoring touchdowns eventually, and his value will rise quickly once that happens. 

Just make sure he's on your team when that happens.

Cordarrelle Patterson

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Patterson owners were riding high after his monster Week 1 performance (I would know, considering I am one). 

He had only three catches for 26 yards, but his 102 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown cemented him as one of the early breakout candidates.

But he's completely disappeared since then, posting consecutive single-digit fantasy performances and never amassing more than 61 total yards. My Bleacher Report colleague Darren Page summed things up nicely in this article about the Vikings needing to get their star playmaker more involved in the offense.

They lack explosiveness, to say the least, and Patterson can provide that if he's just getting in the right situations. It's partially up to the coaching staff, but the 23-year-old can step up as well. If he does that, then you could have yourself a dynamite trade acquisition. 

Montee Ball

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Ball is the lone player who finds himself on this list mostly due to injury. He's been banged up this season and is expected to miss roughly three weeks, according to ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold.

Obviously, that's not a good sign for current owners, and many of them may find themselves in a bind with other injuries and bye weeks piling up.

Ball is still a valuable commodity in Denver's offense, however, and if you are an owner with bench flexibility, I would make a deal right away.

Stashing him at the bottom of your bench for a few weeks will pay off mightily down the stretch, and especially come fantasy playoff time. Trust me on this one.