Week 5 Deeper Sleepers: Players Who May Still Be Available

Evan O. analyzes Week 5 fantasy football sleepers (PPR and non-PPR). Target these waiver wire sleeper running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and quarterbacks after Week 5 waivers.

The season is nearly 1/4 over, and many of the early waiver wire gems are gone.  We’re scrounging deep now.  If you missed out on your big targets on the week 5 waiver wire, here are some guys that could help your fantasy football team.

Digging Deeper - Potential Week 5 Waiver Wire Sleepers

Darrin Reaves - RB, Carolina Panthers

6% Owned in Fleaflicker

Running backs for Carolina have been a headache for years.  Ever since Jonathan Stewart’s rookie year, both he and DeAngelo WIlliams have failed to meet expectations on a consistent basis.  With both of them nursing somewhat severe injuries, and also being without Mike Tolbert, Darrin Reaves steps in as the possible lead back this week ahead of Fozzy Whittaker (ouch).  Reaves is a well-built and somewhat quick back who lacks explosion and has not been impressive so far this season.

From what I watched of the game last week, Reaves had trouble finding any room and didn’t run with any authority behind that line, and he doesn’t have the look of a fantasy asset who's value will grow.  However, the volume should be there this week by default, and combined with his pass catching ability, that could make him a sneaky RB2 for week 5, especially if he can find the red zone.  Even though the Bears shut down Eddie Lacy, they were absolutely abysmal against the run last year, and had not been good this year until last week.  If you missed out on Lorenzo Taliaferro or Jerick McKinnon, Reaves wouldn’t make the worst bye-week filler-- just don’t count on him for much more than that once Stewart and Williams return.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins - TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

10% Owned in Fleaflicker

The Bucs are going to most likely be trailing against the Saints this week, which means they’re probably going to be throwing it.  Even if they do surprisingly hold a lead, they will probably still be throwing against what has been a completely outmatched Saints secondary this season. With Mike Evans missing time, Seferian-Jenkins becomes the #2 target for Mike Glennon behind Vincent Jackson.  With Jackson going against Keenan Lewis this week (who fared pretty well against Dez Bryant and Cordarrelle Patterson so far, not so much Julio Jones), expect the promising rookie tight end to get some looks.

Seferian-Jenkins actually played every snap this past week, and caught three passes.  With Evans out of the picture for a few weeks, he should average between five and seven targets a game, with some of them being in the red zone.  He’s a great add for this week against the struggling Saints, and he could give you TE1 numbers with a touchdown.

Marvin Jones - WR, Cincinnati Bengals

22% Owned in Fleaflicker

I’m pretty shocked that Jones has only a 22% ownership tag to his name on Fleaflicker.  Even with missing the first four games, he should be owned in almost every league at this point, because he was just a pure terror to defensive backs in the second half last year.  He amassed 10 touchdowns, and broke the Bengals playoff receiving record this past season.  There were games where he actually outshined A.J. Green.

Jones is one of the better deep threats in the league.  He’s listed at 6’4'', has exceptional speed and great leaping ability.  He plays similarly to Green, and has some pretty comparable natural talent (although his football skills don’t yet compare).  With the Bengals throwing more than expected, and with Green drawing heavy coverage on a consistent basis, Jones could be a WR2 on multiple occasions this year.  Next week he plays a Patriots team that just got scorched by the Chiefs and is playing on a short week, while Green will be playing against Revis.  Jones may be eased into the rotation for one week, but he will eventually be unleashed, and fantasy owners should buy now before they miss out.

Andre Holmes - WR, Oakland Raiders

4% Owned in Fleaflicker

New week, new coach.  With Dennis Allen out of Oakland, look for Tony Sparano to actually involve Andre Holmes.  He put up a great line this past week, but caught only five of 12 targets, and had a drop.  Allen consistently struggled playing the right players in Oakland, as the breakout by Holmes this past year proved that he needs to be getting looks.  With Rod Streater missing time, Holmes should be owned in most leagues, and the targets will be there from Matt McGloin and Derek Carr.  McGloin actually had a strong connection with Holmes this past year, and he makes for a sneaky start once they are out of the bye this next week.  He could be targeted more than James Jones on a weekly basis.

Other possibilities

Andre Roberts - WR, Washington Redskins

6% Owned in Fleaflicker

The Redskins have a tough matchup, especially for Garcon and Jackson.  I’m having my doubts that the Redskins will be able to go entirely vertical this game, and I expect them to attempt to be careful and stay close to the sidelines to avoid turnovers.  Roberts could get some pretty decent targets this week, with both Paul and Reed expected to miss this game.  He’s been very inconsistent this year, but if you’re still reading at this article, you likely need a body, and Roberts could be a sneaky add this week.

Louis Murphy - WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1% Owned in Fleaflicker

With Mike Evans out, Murphy took his place.  He put up a pretty nice line of 6-for-99 on 11 targets this past week, but I expect that to decrease substantially.  Murphy has an issue with physicality for his size, and probably won’t see more than five targets. However, he’s a decent deep threat, and could turn in something nice for fantasy owners that need a gamble.  He’s probably getting more looks than most on the wire.

Previous Sleepers I've Highlighted Who Should Absolutely Be Owned in Deep Leagues

Week 1: Isaiah Crowell, Justin Forsett, Brian Quick, Larry Donnell

Week 2: Davante Adams, Jerick McKinnon

Week 3: Allen Robinson, Jeremy Kerley, Blake Bortles