Anyone can look at fantasy football rankings, but what if you like risks and want to swing for the fences? That is where this article will come in for you. As the season goes on, this will be the spot for you to find the sleepers to start in your fantasy football league. Even more so when byes and injuries start to pile up. Each week I will be picking one fantasy football sleeper at each position. These players are set to outperform their ranking and help win your week on the way to becoming a League Winner! Welcome to Fantasy Football 2023: Week 5 Sleepers.
Now let’s look at what we are picking from:
- I’m defining a sleeper as someone ranked outside of the top 30 for WRs and RBs who will finish in the top 20 at the position. That would be around 14 fantasy points based on the average of last year.
- For QBs and TEs, I am defining them as outside the top 15 but will finish in the top 10. Last year using average points per game that would be 21 fantasy points for QB and 11 fantasy points for TE.
- PPR Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) on Fantasy Pros will be used. These players may not be on the waiver wire but could be big
- I will track the hit rate based on the above settings but also how far the picked sleepers outperform their initial rankings for the week.
Week 4 Review
Another rough week! I ended up going one for three since Bryce Young ended up starting instead of Andy Dalton. Now after four weeks we are 5/15 on sleepers and dropped down to 8/14 picks finishing ahead of their initial ranking. I was completely wrong on the Shaheed and Everett. Let’s bounce back this week!
So, now let’s take a look at some fantasy football sleepers for Week 5 of the NFL season.
QB: Joshua Doubs vs the Cincinnati Bengals
Fantasy Pros ECR: QB18
Joshua Dobbs has only four touchdowns this year, but is the QB16 in fantasy football. He has scored over 20 fantasy points in two of the last three games. A big plus to Dobbs is his rushing ability, as he has over 40 rushing yards in each of the last three games. The Bengals allow the 13th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks; and with the struggles of their offense, the Cardinals won’t have to go away from running the ball. Bad teams can be a gold mine in fantasy and Dobbs has shown that.
RB: Jaleel McLaughlin vs the New York Jets
Fantasy Pros ECR: RB33
Jaleel Mclaughlin had only seven touches in the first three weeks but was called into action against the Bears when Javonte Williams was injured. McLaughin received 10 touches to Samaje Perine’s eight, but did more with his opportunities. He ended with over 100 total yards and a touchdown, on an amazing 10 yards per carry. Williams still looks to be hobbled and I think McLaughlin earned a higher snap share this coming week. The Jets’ defense is tough but is giving up the 11th-most fantasy points to running backs and last week allowed a huge game to Isiah Pacheco.
WR: Romeo Doubs vs the Las Vegas Raiders
Fantasy Pros ECR: WR35
With the injuries to Christian Watson, Doubs has become a favorite of Jordan Love. He has 25 targets in the last two games and turned that into 14 receptions for 168 yards. Watson returned last week but only had two receptions on four targets. This week the Packers get the Raiders, who are giving up over 30 fantasy points to wide receivers. Love obviously feels comfortable with Doubs and I do not see that changing this week.
TE: Jonnu Smith vs the Houston Texans
Fantasy Pros ECR: TE20
Jonnu Smith has had a reinvigoration to his career this year by being reunited with Arthur Smith. In each the last three games, he has had over six targets. This has led to him having over 10 fantasy points each game, with his best game against the Jaguars in London where he finished as the overall TE3. The Atlanta offense has not been getting the ball to Kyle Pitts or Drake London as much as they should but this means Smith will continue to benefit.
Good luck to everyone this week! Hopefully these Week 5 sleepers can take your fantasy football team over the top. Make sure to follow our content all year so we can help you to be a League Winner!
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Brandon Haye
Brandon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and works as a health insurance data analyst. He has no children, but two fur babies - Squirt and Brownie. He and his wife, Katie, spend their time playing poker and enjoying time with their pups. Brandon is a huge Michigan Wolverine and Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He at one time was in 77 fantasy leagues and loves the game of football. Brandon started writing for The Leauge Winners in 2021.