Well, we’ve come to that point in the season where we need to make some tough decisions. Do we kick back and relax, resting on the laurels of a well-executed draft strategy and some strong Ws early on? Or consider completely blowing up our tanking squad? If you’re in as many fantasy football leagues as I am, the answer is probably both; as some have gone very well and others not so well.
But in order to rest easy in Week 6 and beyond – especially as bye weeks have begun to kick our fantasy season into full swing – it’s important to build in a safety net or two to help us eke out wins in these lean times.
And that’s where I’m hoping these deep plays can come in handy the most.
After a stretch of ineffective selections to begin the season, I’m hitting my stride, recommending two very good plays in last week’s article. That’s got me feeling confident, as more play has yielded more to lean on when trying to outsmart a collection of the industry’s best and brightest. Truly, it’s more of an effort to outsmart your leaguemates; as the consensus is the consensus for a reason. But assuming the average fantasy football player has a foundational knowledge of who to play week in and week out, you need to find a leg up (or two legs up) somewhere.
Before we get too comfortable with the expert’s consensus ranks for Week 6, let’s kick off our shoes and have a look at some of my pretty decent Week 5 calls.
Week 5 Review
Teddy Bridgewater, QB – Teddy didn’t exactly meet expectations, but that’s hard to do when you’re immediately ruled out for a minor concussion. This, a week after a major concussion scandal sidelined incumbent starter Tua Tagovailoa; which is the only reason Bridgewater was starting in the first place. The Jets beat the Dolphins handily, so it would’ve been a nice spot for Teddy to throw a ton. Instead, ill-prepared rookie Skylar Thompson saw his first-ever game action and was predictably bad. Had this been Bridgewater’s game, he might have been a good start, as the industry surmised. But, alas, it was a lost day for Teddy and whatever might have been. Had Thompson somehow been the call, his very poor numbers wouldn’t have helped you at all.
- Projected (Bridgewater): 260/2/0 passing; 4/25 rushing
- Actual (Thompson): 166/0/1 passing; 0/0/0 rushing
Travis Etienne, RB – Despite the lack of a touchdown, Travis Etienne officially broke out in Week 5. He had over 100 scrimmage yards and a greater opportunity share than James Robinson. Etienne was also more efficient with his touches, especially in the running game, outpacing Robinson 7.1 to 2.7 in yards per carry. That’s significant given Robinson’s early season success. It’s at least possible Etienne has already earned the 1A role in this backfield.
If Doug Pederson and his staff continue to roll with Robinson as the lead dog, it’s at least clear that Etienne should not be denied a larger piece of the pie. Even if his production came against a lowly Texans team. Etienne looked electric this week. He produced 14.4 PPR points for your fantasy football team in the flex, too. That’s a huge W for the ECR RB33.
- Projected: 11/60/0 rushing; 4/30/1 receiving
- Actual: 10/71/0 rushing; 3/43/0 receiving
Khalil Shakir, WR – I hedged against a potentially inactive Isaiah McKenzie by adding Khalil Shakir to my recommended starts last week. I discussed wanting as many Buffalo wide receivers against a putrid Steelers secondary as possible; and Shakir delivered while McKenzie sat. Truthfully, so too did Gabe Davis (last week’s WR1) and Stefon Diggs (WR7). But Shakir wasn’t far behind his studly teammates, posting a WR16 finish and finding the end zone. Though Shakir only saw 5 targets, he managed to turn in a big day; earning a 16.1% target share and helping himself to 16.5 PPR points and crushing it in your lineups this week as the Bills rolled all over Pittsburgh in a 38-3 drubbing.
- Projected: 5/55/1
- Actual: 3/75/1
Tyler Conklin, TE – Conklin did absolutely nothing in Week 5, but he didn’t need to. With Bridgewater out, the Jets focused on utilizing the backfield. Together, Breece Hall and Michael Carter accounted for 50% of the Jets TDs and 71% of their overall yardage on the day. It was a dominant effort for the dynamic RB duo that left little else for New York’s passing game weapons. In fact, Corey Davis led the way for said weapons with a 2 for 38 line as no pass catcher saw more than 2 receptions. While Conk was targeted once, his snap percentage was down with the emergence of CJ Uzomah this week, who ended up with a 2 for 12 line.
- Projected: 5/60/1
- Actual: 0/0/0
We’re beginning to find our footing with this deep sleeper recommendations. Here’s to more Ws for this column and your fantasy football squads this week.
But, before we nod off and enjoy some sweet dreams of Week 6, here’s a reminder of how I’m defining fantasy football sleepers and my wins and losses in their selection:
- Players ranked outside of the QB12, RB30, WR40 and TE12 for a given week based on the weekly PPR Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) on Fantasy Pros are eligible to be chosen. That’s roughly guys at or beyond the consensus top-100.
- For a player to ‘hit’, I’m requiring a finish just about within the top-60 overall players. That means he was a serviceable starting piece that contributed meaningfully to your lineup; and he also exceeded expectations in a significant way. Historically, he put up at least 15 PPR points.
- For QBs and TEs, I’ll require a top-8 finish, though very close calls will be explored further to see if they helped you win your week.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to it.
Shulman’s Sleepers: Week 6
QB: Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Fantasy Pros ECR: QB17
Honestly, QB2 has been a wasteland this season. With Geno Smith now firmly entrenched in the ECR’s top 10, there are no sure things left in this barren expanse of Zach Wilsons and Matt Ryans. So I’ll go with Danny Jones; because he can and has gotten it done with his legs in the early going.
Jones has averaged 46 yards per game on the ground this season. That’s the equivalent of throwing an extra TD per game in standard scoring leagues. Last week, facing a tough Green Bay unit and having even fewer weapons available to him, he still managed to throw for his most yards on the season. Jones was efficient through the air while cementing the victory in London in stunning fashion over the Packers.
This week, Jones faces one of the worst secondaries in the game in the Ravens; now without Marcus Williams for the next four weeks due to a dislocated wrist. Even with its own injuries at WR, the Giants should find some space in the passing game. Even if they can’t, Jones is a proficient and somehow still underrated rusher in his own right.
While Saquon should have a big day yet again, I’m expecting Jones to be a viable streamer this week; especially if your top QB is on bye. Start him and expect production.
Prediction: 220 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 8 rushes, 60 yards, 1 TD = 24.8 points
RB: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy Pros ECR: RB34
With bye weeks now in full effect, it’ll be harder to find those deep dive diamonds in the rough at RB. But, at least there’s one or two guys you can use in a pinch this week. For my money, Rachaad White stands out as a massive plug-and-play option that you should consider using this week.
White has now seen two straight weeks of a snap share north of 35%, while also being utilized in the passing game. Of course, we know Brady loves to get his backs involved as he slings the ball all around the field. White has seen 9 targets over the past two weeks in what still amounts to limited action. He’s not the full-fledged passing downs back just yet. But if he keeps up his efficiency, he has the chance to at least grab that role going forward.
While Leonard Fournette continues to see an insane amount of targets himself, there is clearly more than enough to go around; as Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, Russell Gage and other injured WRs continue to find their way back to 100% health. Facing a completely lost Steelers D who just got dismantled by Josh Allen, I’m not expecting much better from them here. To be honest, if Brady continues to throw the ball 50 times per game, there’s plenty of room for White to eat; and even work late in the contest to salt away the win should this one get out of hand.
I love firing up Rachaad White this week, especially if you lost an RB or two to the bye week and injury. He’s averaging 11.4 PPR points over his last two games, and now he gets the Steelers. I’m more than happy to start White on my fantasy football team this week.
Prediction: 7 carries, 30 yards; 4 receptions, 40 yards; 1 TD = 17.0 points
WR: Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Fantasy Pros ECR: WR41
There are a lot of fringe-y WRs to love; but give me all of the Rondale this week against a weak Seattle unit that should have its hands full on D while putting up a slew of points on O this week. This should be one of fantasy’s friendliest matchups on the docket, and I’ll take all the pieces I can get.
Even with Isaiah McKenzie, Michael Gallup and Alec Pierce available to choose from this week, I want Arizona’s second-year man. The one who finally overcame his injury issues to step into the role Kliff Kingsbury drafted him to occupy.
Given all of the production Greg “Who?” Dortch was able to amass in the first month of the season, all Moore has done since occupying the slot full-time is average 6.5 targets, 5 catches and nearly 40 yards per game. That may not seem like a lot, but the 2021 second-round pick is now fully healthy; and this week he faces a Seahawks defense that has given up a ton everywhere except WR. Fortunately for Moore, a lot of that is due to rookie standout corner Tariq Woolen limiting perimeter WRs. Moore should operate primarily out of the slot, and rookie nickel Coby Bryant has not been good this season.
I expect a lot of points on the board and a lot of production on the field for both teams. Give me an undervalued Rondale this week in what very well could be a breakout game.
Prediction: 6 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD = 19.0 points
TE: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Fantasy Pros ECR: TE14
Like the rest of the fantasy football community, I’m sick and tired of these TE2s. So, I’ll go with a QB/RB/TE hybrid who only scored touchdowns when given extended work. Even when the defense knows it’s coming, Taysom “One-Trick Pony” Hill still finds a way to get the better of the 11 guys on the other end vying to stop him on every play.
Just one year ago, the Saints starting QB was considered a massive cheat code as fantasy football managers on certain platforms were allowed to slot him in at TE. The controversy was real, with some leagues divided over whether or not a man who takes most of his snaps under center should be allowed to be considered a TE. Now, one year and a whole lot of similar injuries later, Hill again has an insane opportunity ahead of him to deliver for fantasy managers. The only difference is, now we all accept him as a TE. So why not take advantage as Taysom plays the Cincinnati Bengals, one week removed from his 3 TD game?
The Bengals have mostly been a stout unit. But Taysom Hill provides the ability to get in the end zone for a team that sorely lacks that with Andy Dalton steering the ship. While I wouldn’t expect 3 TDs, it’s at least a good possibility Hill finds paydirt at least once. When picking between him, Conklin, Dissly or Hunter Henry, give me Taysom every time.
Odds are, Hill finds the end zone for a team sorely in need of sustained offense. I’ll bet on that upside this week, even if Will Dissly does play the hapless Cardinals.
Prediction: 40 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs; 8 rushes, 60 yards, 1 TD = 13.6 points
We’re on to Week 6. Here’s hoping all your dreams come true and your fantasy football teams don’t end up getting steamrolled by a Mac truck through the season’s first bye week.
Jeremy Shulman
Jeremy is an avid football fan from New York who lives in Amsterdam and roots for the Patriots. This walking contradiction has played fantasy football for over than 20 years. He is now a Senior Dynasty Writer at The League Winners. In his spare time, he writes and edits professionally.