10 WR sleepers to target for fantasy football week 5

Get set up for success this fantasy football week 5 by checking out these top 10 WR sleepers for the week who should out-perform expectations.

One of my top WR sleepers for the week is Will Fuller (15) who put on a show last week including returning a punt for a touchdown in this picture during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

No position is more directly affected by matchup than wide receiver. If a top WR gets a tough cornerback matchup, they could definitely struggle. On the other hand even a so-so receiver can go off if he’s left open. Some of these WR sleepers are in great matchups this week which boosts them into my top ten.

The other key factor that WR sleepers need to have go their way is usage. Unlike running backs or quarterbacks, WR need the QB to throw the ball their way or else they won’t be able to produce. The WR sleepers on the following pages should be set up for good usage in tasty matchups which gets them onto our list this week.

Getting the right WR sleepers can power you to a win in any format, so check out my top 10 potential WR sleepers for this week on the following slides.

FanSided has assembled some great tools to help you get your lineup set for fantasy football each week. You can find all our coverage by checking out (and bookmarking) the fantasy football hub where you’ll find the top 10 matchups to attack for the week as well as full Week 5 rankings. Make sure to check out my top 10 RB sleepers for this week. You can also get any specific lineup question answered by checking out the new start/sit tool.

Just so we’re clear on the parameters of who qualifies for our “WR sleepers.” My goal is to find options who will out-perform their expectations. They may be mid-range starters who I think will be among the top performers, or they could be players toward the bottom of the rankings who have serious potential to step up and give you startable production. These options can be used as DFS plays for the week or given a bump up your rankings to get them in your lineup this week. The last few options are actually available in many season-long formats on the waiver wire.

By definition, these WR sleepers do come with more risk than some the top options. However, I expect each of them to exceed expectations in week 5. One more quick reminder before we start–these are sleeper WRs so don’t go crazy and take a flier on one of them over a more established play. For example, I like Cameron Meredith this week, but I wouldn’t start him over Allen Robinson, Marvin Jones Jr., or even Tyrell Williams. My picks are listed in general order from most well-know to deepest sleeper.

With those formalities out of the way, let’s get rolling with this week’s version of my top ten last-minute WR sleepers for week 5.

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs with the ball as he is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrell Williams-San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are in Oakland this afternoon in what should be a profitable matchup for fantasy football owners on both sides of the ball. San Diego has put together a very nice passing attack even without Keenan Allen and without Antonio Gates the last few weeks.

One of the main targets for Phillip Rivers in their absence has been one of my favorite WR sleepers all season long. Tyrell Williams is a second-year UDFA from Western Oregon who has freakish athletic skills and should be set up for success this week.

Last week, Williams took a back seat to Dontrelle Inman’s huge game, but Williams should be back to working ahead of him this week. Against New Orleans, Williams was targeted eight times and only finished with five catches for 40 yards. He should fare better than that this week against the Raiders who allow the third-most fantasy points in the NFL to opposing WR.

Oakland has allowed a WR touchdown in three of their four games this season and only once have been able to hold the opposing receivers under 190 yards. There should be plenty of fantasy points out there on Sunday, and I think Williams will pull in enough to qualify him as one of my WR sleepers for Week 5.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) reacts after being hit by Washington Redskins corner back Josh Norman (24) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sterling Shepard-New York Giants

The Giants head to Green Bay to take on the Packers on Sunday Night Football, and they’ll probably be without Rashad Jennings in the backfield for the third straight week. With Jennings joining Shane Vereen on the sideline, the G-men will have to go pass heavy against the Packers especially since Green Bay’s defense has been great against the run but very beatable through the air.

So far this season, Green Bay is allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing WR, and they were just torched by Marvin Jones Jr. for a monster game before their bye week. Coming out of their bye, the still don’t have Sam Shields leaving them short-handed in the secondary again this week.

Odell Beckham is obviously a great DFS play if you can afford him, but don’t overlook his rookie teammate who has also been putting together a strong start to the season. Sterling Shepard had a down week last week against the Vikings who limited him to 30 yards on four catches while holding the Giants offense largely in check as a whole. Before that game, though Shepard had either a touchdown or 100 yards in his first three NFL contests.

Overall this year, Shepard has hauled in 20 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Against the Packers, I think he’s in store for a big night, so look to him as one f the WR sleepers who could be a top-ten option this week even though he hasn’t gotten top-ten hype.

Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a reception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Will Fuller-Houston Texans

Much like Sterling Shepard, Will Fuller has the benefit of working across the field from an elite receiving option to start his rookie early. Fuller has out-performed DeAndre Hopkins the last few weeks, and he has shown the play-making ability that pushed him into the first round of last year’s draft despite his drop issues.

Last week, Fuller had seven catches on nine targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. He added a brilliant punt return for a touchdown and dominated the Titans all game long.

He’ll be in a much tougher matchup this week as he and the Texans visit the Vikings stingy defense, but I still think he could be a top 15-20 starting option since he just needs a little space to create a lot of fantasy points. Fuller has been a regular in my WR sleepers this season, and he has usually risen to the occasion.

Sep 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) is tackled by Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Hogan-New England Patriots

The Patriots get Tom Brady back this week as they travel to Cleveland to tangle with the winless Cleveland Browns. Most people are predicting monster numbers for Brady, and I agree that he’ll light up the scoreboard as he starts his revenge tour.

While Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski will be his primary options, don’t forget that Brady and Chris Hogan showed some great chemistry this preseason. Both Edelman and Gronk are also a bit banged up which could lead to more work for Hogan.

Last week, he didn’t have a catch with Jacoby Brissett under center since his skill set never seemed to mesh with what the Patriots had in place for the rookie. With Brady back in under center, Hogan becomes an interesting flier especially against a Browns defense that has been beaten up all season. Hogan is a risky play, but I think he could be one of the WR sleepers that surprises people this week.

Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith (81) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Quandre Diggs (28) during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Meredith-Chicago Bears

The Bears are quickly running out of options at WR, so check out this converted QB as one of the deeper WR sleepers who I like this week. Cameron Meredith played QB at Illinois State, but he has found some success this season in his second year with Chicago after signing as an un-drafted free agent.

Last week, Meredith caught four passes for 38 yards and played a ton of snaps after Kevin White went down injured. With White lost for the season and Eddie Royal not practicing all week, Meredith could be the Bears No. 2 receiver today as they take on the Colts. Even Alshon Jeffery is questionable which could literally end up making Meredith slide all the way up to the top WR spot. Jeffery will likely play, though, with Meredith getting plenty of run on the other side.

Meredith is in a good matchup against the Colts as the Bears look to pick up their second win in a row amid plenty of mounting injury issues. Meredith is a flier who I think has lots of upside since the opportunity is in front of him.

Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) and wide receiver Robert Woods (10) take the field to begin a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Woods-Buffalo Bills

With the Bills having to go without Sammy Watkins, they’ve turned to Robert Woods as their top pass-catcher for Tyrod Taylor and the offense. While Woods hasn’t blown up, he’s quietly turned in a couple solid performances and is definitely on the radar as a safe and solid PPR play today.

Woods hauled in seven catches for 89 yards last week in Buffalo’s win at New England after pulling in six catches for 51 yards against the Cardinals the week before. With Watkins out for the next couple of months, look for Woods to get close to ten targets a game which is enough opportunity to make almost any receiver one of the WR sleepers to keep an eye on.

This week, Woods is back in LA where he starred at USC. This time, he’ll be taking on the LA Rams in a matchup that should allow him to produce above where many people have him ranked this week. He’s definitely a flex consideration in PPR leagues, and he could even be used in standard leagues as low-risk play with a fairly low ceiling as well.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler (19) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second quarter at Levi

Brice Butler-Dallas Cowboys

With the Cowboys transitioning to Dak Prescott this year and rolling out Ezekiel Elliott as part of their youth movement as well, they also seem ready to bring in some fresh blood at WR. Part of the reason that Butler is making his second straight appearance on my WR sleepers list is the injury to Dez Bryant, but there have been some rumblings that Dallas isn’t all that thrilled with their star receiver’s behavior.

If they do back off on Bryant, one of the options to step up will be Brice Butler. Butler was impressive last week hauling in five catches on nine targets against the 49ers. He ended up with 41 yards and a touchdown while being targeted again later for what could have been his second score of the day.

Butler led all Dallas receivers in snaps played, and he has shown a strong connection with Dak Prescott dating bak to their work in the preseason. Butler has play-making ability when he gets the ball in his hands, and he’s an interesting flier this week as he and the Cowboys host the Bengals.

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) catches a pass against the New York Giants in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Cordarrelle Patterson-Minnesota Vikings

If injuries have left you thin at WR and you need a deeper flier, check on playmaker extraordinaire Cordarrelle Patterson of the Vikings. Minnesota has made headlines this season for its defense, but Sam Bradford is doing pretty good on the offensive side of the ball as well. He had been relying pretty heavily on Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph since taking over, but Stefon Diggs is currently listed as doubtful this week.

With Diggs unlikely to suit up, there should be more work for Patterson who emerged from the shadows last week and caught five of the six passes thrown his way for a total of 38 yards. He did most of his work on short passes that were designed to give him space to create lots of yards-after-catch (YAC). Patterson had just two catches for 14 yards in the first three games of the season, so his involvement was a marked gameplan shift for the Vikings coaching staff.

The Vikings offense needs weapons, and with Diggs out they’re even more desperate this week against the Texans. Coach Mike Zimmer has praised Patterson’s hard work and said he has “earned” playing time on offense. Look for him to step up this week while Diggs is out making him one of the WR sleepers to take a flier on if you need a plug-and-play option this week.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood (28) celebrates his
1-yard touchdown run during the third quarter with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (17) and wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Steelers, 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Agholor-Philadelphia Eagles

The Lions are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing WR this season, so another place to look for WR sleepers is on the Eagles as they come off their bye week and host Detroit. Philadelphia is looking to continue their hot start which they punctuated with a huge win against Pittsburgh in Week 3.

One of the weapons that rookie Carson Wentz has been making fantasy relevant is Nelson Agholor who has largely been a disappointment since being a first-round pick out of USC last year. He has been playing better this year, though, and continues to be the team’s second receiver. So far, he has hauled in 11 passes for 120 yards in his three games and found the end zone in Week 1.

While Jordan Matthews remains the top receiver in Philadelphia by a sizable margin, Agholor is getting enough looks to be considered if you’re desperate. I see him as a WR4 with upside, and he’s just one injury away from being the team’s go-to option which would instantly make him a must-own option. Even in his current role as the team’s second receiver he’s on the fringes of most leagues’ roster.

Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) attempts a catch while defended by Seattle Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead (35) in the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Robby Anderson-New York Jets

After getting enough buzz last week to make it in as one of my deepest WR sleepers, Robby Anderson did indeed get teh starts for the Jets alongside Brandon Marshall and Quincy Enunwa. While Enunwa will get most of Eric Decker’s targets, it’s Anderson who moves into the starting lineup for as long as Decker is out.

However, even though he started, Anderson only ended up with two catches for 12 yards. He was targeted six times which is promising, but going against the Seahawks’ defense is a hard way to have a breakout week. This week, he’s in a better matchup against the Steelers, and he could get more work if Enunwa is sidelined or slowed by a knee injury which has him questionable for today’s contest.

Anderson is an extremely deep option in my WR sleepers today, but I think he’s worth watching especially going forward since he has raw ability and could emerge in a Jets offense that is thin at WR.