Week 5 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet for Deep Sleepers Who Could Emerge

If you're playing in a season-long fantasy football league this year, there's a good chance that you're already going deep into the bench.

We've seen stars like Joe Burrow, George Kittle, James Conner, Tyreek Hill and Malik Nabers suffer significant injuries. We've also seen top 2024 performers like Ladd McConkey and Brian Thomas Jr. underwhelm.

On top of everything else, bye weeks have started—the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are off this week.

The good news is that a few viable sleepers should still be available on the waiver wire. Before we dive into this week's top waiver targets, though, let's run through our updated point-per-reception (PPR) flex rankings.

Week 5 Flex Top 40

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Rams WR Puka Nacua

1. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
4. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
6. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
7. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
8. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
9. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
10. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
11. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
12. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
13. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
14. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
15. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
16. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
17. Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys
18. Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams
19. George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
20. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
21. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
22. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
23. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
24. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
25. Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
26. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
27. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
28. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
29. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
30. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
31. Deebo Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders
32. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
33. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
34. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
35. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
36. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Denver Broncos
37. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
38. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
39. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
40. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

*PPR scoring

Sleeper Cheat Sheet, Week 5

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Giants QB Jaxson Dart

Quarterback

1. Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
3. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
4. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
5. Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings

Running Back

1. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Woody Marks, Houston Texans
3. Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
4. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
5. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

Wide Receiver

1. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
2. Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans
3. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
4. Darius Slayton, New York Giants
5. Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos

Tight End

1. Mason Taylor, New York Jets
2. Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins
3. Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
5. Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks

Deep Sleeper: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Marta Lavandier

With Hill out for the season, the Miami Dolphins will need pass-catchers to respond. This should lead to sleeper opportunities.

Starting slot receiver Malik Washington is an obvious candidate for an increased role. However, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is a deep sleeper who might actually have a higher ceiling.

Assuming Washington stays in the slot, Westbrook-Ikhine is likely to replace Hill on the perimeter. He's a dangerous deep threat who can add a decent facsimile of Hill's big-play ability. Westbrook-Ikhine has played just 35 percent of the offensive snaps in Miami but was a regular contributor for the Tennessee Titans last season.

In 2024, Westbrook-Ikhine averaged an impressive 15.5 yards per catch while scoring nine touchdowns. The Carolina Panthers, who have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers, will be a tough matchup for all Dolphins wideouts, but Westbrook-Ikhine is a boom-or-bust waiver target whose value could skyrocket.

Westbrook-Ikhine is available in over 95 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Deep Sleeper: Isaiah Bond, WR, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

This isn't a great week to totally trust any Cleveland Browns receiver. The Browns are set to start rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel in London against a very good Minnesota Vikings secondary.

No team has surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing receivers this year than Minnesota.

However, Browns rookie receiver Isaiah Bond is worth a look in deeper leagues. The Texas product caught three of six targets for 58 yards in Week 4 and has seen a steady increase in targets. With Cedric Tillman headed to injured reserve with a hamstring injury, Bond's role is likely to keep increasing.

Bond has low-end flex value this week but could be a steady fantasy performer moving forward. He's still available in nearly all Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.