Week 5 Waiver Wire: 6 Can't-Miss Sleepers Destined for Points Bonanzas

Now that we're into bye weeks and dealing with injuries, it's the ultimate time to start looking at sleepers to put in your starting lineup.

The definition of sleeper is a little loose, but here's the only standard:

As of right now, they have to be starting in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues.

If that is the case, it indicates one of three things to me.

1) They may be on your bench.

2) They may be free agents.

3) They may be on someone else's team, but available for a decent trade.

If any of that is true, find a way to get these guys into your starting lineup.

Since fantasy football usually includes quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and defenses, we'll be taking a look at one of each.

QB: Jay Cutler

On the surface, I understand some apprehension here. The Lions' defensive front and the Bears' offensive front makes for a lethal combo.

But as long as they don't lose the ball, sacks don't really hurt quarterbacks in fantasy.

All that matters in fantasy is numbers. So, take a look at those.

Let's look at what the Detroit defense has allowed this year:

Week 1: Josh Freeman. 259 yards

Week 2: Matt Cassel. 133 yards

Week 3: Donovan McNabb. 211 yards

Week 4: Tony Romo. 311 yards

Of all of those quarterbacks, Cutler and Romo are most comparable. But those aren't bad numbers. Even Cassel's performance came when the team was hopelessly outmatched.

The Bears may lose, but Cutler will give his fantasy owners some nice point totals.

RB: Mark Ingram

After seeing what Matt Forte did against the Panthers defense, it's likely that the Saints will look to run the ball a little more than normal.

Don't get me wrong—Drew Brees will throw plenty of passes, but Ingram should be more of a target as well.

His improvement this year has been solid and steady, just not spectacular. But seeing that Ingram is starting in just over 42 percent of leagues makes me think his value to some is too low.

Take advantage of that and enjoy the late-season payoffs.

WR: Jordy Nelson

When Aaron Rodgers trusts you, good things are going to happen.

When you have other elite receiving options on your team to draw the attention of the defense, good things are going to happen.

Nelson has Rodgers throwing him the ball, and Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley to take the attention of the opposition's best defenders.

While receiver is a deep position, the fact that Nelson isn't even starting in a third of fantasy leagues is surprising. Start him and rack in the points.

TE: Greg Olsen

Someone is going to catch Cam Newton's passes.

Olsen is just one Panthers tight end or receiver that's enjoying a nice revival as Newton rewrites the rookie record books.

Olsen has been a reliable threat all year and has caught a touchdown in each of the last two games. Against New Orleans, another nice day awaits.

He's actually available in some leagues and starting in just over 34 percent of them.

With some banged-up tight ends around the league (Antonio Gates, Aaron Hernandez), Olsen is a great temporary replacement, if not more.

Defense: New York Giants

First of all, despite the amount of injuries they have had to deal with, the Giants defense has been quite competent this year.

Second (and more importantly), they are playing the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks are just not a very good team—and are especially bad on the road.

This matchup is a good one for the Giants. Actually, given the likely amount of turnovers, sacks and few points, any team against the Seahawks is a good bet.

Even if the Seahawks don't lose, the game will likely have plenty of defense.

K: David Akers

Returning home will be good for Akers. The 49ers' offense has done a good job of moving the ball in the last game and a half.

Still, they have a hard time punching the ball in the end zone.

Akers only kicked one field goal against the Eagles, but missed two and had three PAT's. The opportunities for points will be there for the 49ers' kicker.

He's still a good move and plays on a team that will allow fantasy owners to earn a lot of points from Akers.