Fantasy Football Week 5 Projections: Stevan Ridley and More TD Vultures

As fantasy owners, we're enamored by the yardage that our running backs and receivers can rack up every week, and rightfully so. 

However, it's the guys who can punch it in the end zone that become the big-time point producers. 

Which players do I think will get those critical red zone touches this week and score touchdowns?

Let's take a look. 

Stevan Ridley

His touches have increased in the last two weeks and he is fresh off a 100-yard (total) game against the Raiders in Week 4.

It looks like Bill Belichick is beginning to favor Ridley over BenJarvus Green-Ellis. With Danny Woodhead's status in doubt, it's likely the rookie runner will get a good amount of touches. 

Tom Brady will undoubtedly throw the football often. However, with the Jets more susceptible to the run, Ridley has a fantastic opportunity to get into the end zone. 

A sleeper start this week. 

Darren Sproles

I'm excited about the Saints-Panthers game, purely because I love offense and I think there will be plenty of that in this one. 

We think of New Orleans as a passing team (why wouldn't they be? They've got Drew Brees) but Carolina is 31st against the run right now and I fully expect Sean Payton to exploit their weakness. 

Darren Sproles averages 8.9 yards-per-rush and 8.6 yards-per-catch—why wouldn't they get the ball into his hands?

With the Panthers likely putting an onus on stopping Brees, Sproles has a fine chance to reach the end zone, while he hides behind his big offensive lineman.

Owen Daniels

With Andre Johnson out, I expect Owen Daniels to become Matt Schaub's favorite target—forget Jacoby Jones. 

Yes, the Texans will run the football often with Arian Foster, but Daniels is a great candidate for those play-action, red-zone targets. 

Remember, the Raiders secondary is certainly the weakness of their defense.