Andre Williams Is Ideal Sleeper Starter for Week 6 with Rashad Jennings Injured

Andre Williams heads into his first-ever NFL start coming off two breakout performances, and more of the same should be expected from the New York Giants rookie until starter Rashad Jennings makes his return.

Jennings started the year contending for the league lead in rushing with 286 yards through three games, but a Week 5 MCL sprain is expected to keep him out "at least a few weeks," according to ESPNNewYork.com's Dan Graziano. 

Injuries, especially to impact players, can never come at a right time for a team. But for Williams, the extra touches he's sure to receive in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles come just as he's finding success for the first time, and that should bode well for his fantasy status on Sunday Night Football.

A slow start through three weeks (19 carries, 39 yards) tempered expectations around the rookie fourth-round pick. But when he was unleashed late in a lopsided Week 4 win over Washington, he dazzled with 66 yards and a touchdown.

Jennings sprained his knee early against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, and the rookie stepped in with 20 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown in a comeback win.

Rookies have already begun taking larger roles across the league in 2014, from Bishop Sankey to Jeremy Hill. But Tom Coughlin has been high on his rookie since the draft, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. And that's continued as the rookie is being thrust into action, per NFL.com's Conor Orr:

"

I am very confident (in Williams taking a bigger role). The other thing that he did that was great was the third-and-7 first-down run. A lot of that was on his own outside the flank of our blockers. He was able to pick up that first down.

That was really indicative of people trying to tackle the ball and get the ball out, and he made that play. ... He has done a good job when he has been in there. He is going to have to do even better.

"

Williams' breakout performance with Jennings injured came against a third-worst Falcons run defense, but the Giants' Week 6 opponent isn't much better. The Eagles have given up 660 rushing yards on the year, fifth-worst in the league.

But while the Giants' run game has been strong from the onset, Eli Manning's development in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's new offense has opened up run lanes even more. Philadelphia's secondary—28th against the pass—will have a tall task containing Manning, which has been a big focus for the Eagles defense, according to Philadelphia Daily News' Les Bowen.

If the G-Men struggle, as they did in 2013, and the Eagles get to the quarterback, it could stalemate the run game. But Manning has been on fire as of late with eight touchdowns and one interception in his last three games (all wins), which should strike fear into a secondary that has been torched by Andrew Luck, Kirk Cousins and even Austin Davis this year.

That will open things up even more for Williams, who doesn't boast a strong yards-per-carry average (3.1) but has a nose for the end zone in recent weeks. With the way Manning has been moving the ball down the field and how porous the Eagles have been on defense, he should get his chance to punch in another score or two.

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The 5'11", 230-pound back can lower his shoulder for extra yardage and push the pile like Jennings, but he also adds another element of speed to help an improving Giants offensive line. That may make it tough for him to rack up 100 yards, but 20 carries for 60 yards looks a whole lot better with a touchdown alongside.

Only two teams enjoy byes for Week 6, so there may or may not be space in your starting lineup to squeeze in the rookie. But few backs face a more favorable matchup over the weekend, and he's still available in over 34 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues to pick up.

At the very least, the outlook for the Giants' backfield over the next few weeks makes Williams an obvious waiver pickup. But as long as Jennings is on the shelf, Williams is worth a close look as a sleeper-starter option starting in Week 6.