Welcome to our season-long segment at RotoBaller where we will be targeting players owned in 25% or less of Fleaflicker leagues.

Not to toot my own horn, but if you followed my picks last week you killed it in Week 5. Josh McCown, Gary Barnidge, Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin, and the Falcons Defense all had excellent outings on Sunday. And to top it all off, my sleeper RB Charcandrick West just saw his value sky-rocket with the potential season-ending injury to Jamaal Charles. So, in short, you're welcome.

Same as last week, I'll include a player from every position (including D/ST) each week - as long as the options are worthy of discussion. This week includes a few WR options while we have to dig a bit deeper for owners needing bye-week replacements at QB/TE. Let's get to it.

 

Digging Deeper - Potential Week 6 Waiver Wire Sleepers

Willie Snead (WR, NO)

22% Owned in Fleaflicker

Honestly, Willie Snead should have been included in last week's segment. Snead continued his emergence as a top option in the Saints' passing attack, racking up six catches on 11 targets for 141 yards. His 11 targets led the team in Week 5.

There's reasonable debate as to who is the top receiver in New Orleans: Brandin Cooks or Willie Snead. Here's a look at their numbers through five games.

Cooks has Snead in both receptions and targets, but Snead is leading the team with 381 reception yards and has been the big-play receiver Drew Brees loves to utilize. That's evident by Snead's team-high six 20+ yard plays. With Marques Colston dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 5, Snead should continue to see a heavy dosage of targets. He's become a must-own in all leagues and will cost a pretty penny in FAAB leagues. But he's worth it.

FAAB: $20

 

DeVante Parker (WR, MIA)

21% Owned in Fleaflicker

Here's a name you've had shoved down your throats by fantasy pundits (myself included) only to see marginals returns to this point. He only has four catches on eight targets for 49 yards, so it's understandable why most owners have jumped ship. But it's time to consider giving the rookie a second shot.

Parker is an athletic freak with the raw talents to become a top tier wide receiver in the NFL. In four years at Louisville he caught 33 touchdowns including averaging 20 yards per catch his senior year. The main drawback has been playing time as he's recovered from a foot injury in the preseason but I see new Head Coach Dan Campbell as one who wants to revamp the Dolphins gameplan. Expect to see much more Lamar Miller and hopefully our man Parker. The Dolphins play the Tennessee Titans, a team ranked 2nd overall in passing defense according to Football Outsiders. But dig deeper and you'll see the Titans have a DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) of 74.6% to #2 wide receivers, 2nd worst in all of football. With Jarvis Landry expected to be the main point of concern on Sunday, Parker has a chance to finally emerge in Week 6.

FAAB: $5

 

Marcel Reece (RB, OAK)

15% Owned in Fleaflicker

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice.. you get the idea. After stating that Latavius Murray was not benched in Week 4, Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio rolled with Jamize Olawale, Roy Helu, and Marcel Reese in the second half on Sunday. Del Rio stated after the loss that the team was "focused on Murray's health," but also that "he was a little banged up, but he was available." Murray did drop a pitch which resulted in a fumble versus the Broncos, which coincidentally was his last play of the game. It sounds like we have a conflict between the coach and the (supposed) lead back.

If the Raiders do end up rationing the touches out of the backfield, it's hard to trust any of the contingency plans in Oakland. Reece represents the best option of the trio, considering his pass-catching skills and big body for goal-line touches. Reese caught seven-of-eight targets for 49 yards and a score, making him particularly useful in PPR formats. Reece has averaged 62 targets over the last three seasons and has averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his career. Should Murray lose his spot (I'm not buying it) after the bye, Reece would be the target to snag.

FAAB: $5 - Murray Owners in PPR

 

Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, NYJ)

25% Owned in Fleaflicker

Back to the Harvard well! We focused on Fitzy in our Week Four edition and he returned modest results (16.72 in standard scoring). He gets the call here... well mainly because the options are so slim. Seriously, here your other options that are owner in under 25% of leagues: Kirk Cousins (at NYJ), Mike Vick (vs ARI), Josh McCown (vs DEN), Brian Hoyer (at JAC). I would've gone with McCown again if it wasn't for that vaunted Broncos defense, so here we are.

Fitzpatrick is a low-ceiling, high-floor play at quarterback for QB-needy lineups. He's yet to amass more than two touchdowns or 283 passing yards in a game, but he does have two top-notch receivers (Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker) to keep the chains moving. In four career starts versus Washington, Fitzpatrick has been the definition of average: 63.1% completion rate, 210 Y/G, and four touchdowns. Again, these were without Marshall and Decker at his disposal.

The Redskins have the 21st ranked pass defense according to Football Outsiders and while they looked good versus Atlanta, a part of me thinks that was due to Julio Jones played injured. It's unlikely you start Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Nick Foles, or god forbid Brandon Weeden unless you play in a 2QB format, but if so I approve of plugging Fitzpatrick into your Week 6 lineups.

FAAB: $3

 

Benjamin Watson (TE, NO)

8% Owned in Fleaflicker

We're officially running on fumes for sleeper tight ends. The Saints offense continues to be a work in progress, with roles still being solidified from wide receiver (hello, Willie Snead) to tight end. A lot of preseason hype was given to Josh Hill to take over for Jimmy Graham, but that was a dud.

That brings us to Watson. He has been the definition of ordinary, with highs of four catches and 42 yards so far in 2015. But the Saints are heading into a Thursday Night Football outing with division rival Atlanta in a must-win environment. The Falcons have been stingy versus tight ends this year (5th overall) but they did give up a score to Derek Carrier in Week 5 and this game should be a shoot-out. Watson makes for a TD-dependent play for TE-needy owners.

FAAB: $2

 

Minnesota Vikings Defense

22% Owned in Fleaflicker

The pickings are once again slim for defenses this deep so I'm going to make this short and sweet. A team coming off a bye facing a Chiefs team that just lost their best play-maker? Sign me up. The Vikings defense has struggled versus the run but excelled in the passing game. This should be a fun stream.

FAAB: $1

 

 

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