Week 5 Deep Sleepers
Many people play in very deep leagues and don’t have the luxury of choosing between good players. There are more big injuries with impact players sitting out in Week 5 and some under the radar players will need to be inserted into lineups. While these players aren’t ideal plays, if you’re looking for a deep sleeper, here are a few to consider.
QB Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are coming off a terrible offensive performance in a 27-3 loss to the Steelers. They couldn’t move the football, but they showed some good signs the first three games. The offensive line remains a problem, but Dalton should have a lot of pass attempts against a team that likes to play at a high pace. The Cardinals have allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and allowed 290 passing yards per game with 10 touchdown passes without an interception. Dalton averaged 326 passing yards through his first three games before a dud last week.
RB Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
Marlon Mack didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday due to an ankle injury. Even if Mack plays, Hines could still be involved in the offense. The Chiefs are 11-point favorites at home and if they build a lead, Hines could see more snaps with the Colts playing from behind. Hines saw a lot more snaps last year when the Colts were trailing compared to this season, but if Mack isn’t 100 percent it could change. In a game script that had the Colts playing from behind last week against the Raiders, Hines had six catches for 39 yards.
RB Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins
The Patriots defense has been stout, allowing one offensive touchdown through four games. The Redskins offense is a mess and they haven’t named their starting quarterback for the game. No one wants to start any Redskins players this week. The Redskins are 15.5-point underdogs at home and when the Redskins are playing from behind, it means Thompson is on the field more. Thompson has at least four receptions in each game this season.
WR Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals
Tate will step into a bigger role with John Ross on the injured reserve and A.J. Green still sidelined. Tate was producing even with Ross on the field over the last two games. He caught six passes for 88 yards on 10 targets in Week 3 and had four catches for 50 yards on six targets against the Steelers last week when the Bengals only scored three points. He has played at least 88 percent of the snaps in two straight games. It’s a good matchup against the high-tempo Cardinals.
WR KeeSean Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Christian Kirk and Damiere Byrd are expected to miss this week and Johnson will become a starter. He has played 55.4 percent of the snaps this season and is in line to play a lot more this week. Johnson has been quiet since Week 1 when he caught five passes for 46 yards on 10 targets in an overtime game. Johnson gets a good matchup against the Bengals and if you’re digging deep at receiver, he’s in play.
WR Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers
Pettis was the highest drafted 49ers wide receiver and after a slow start to the season, including playing two snaps in Week 1, he was dropped in many leagues. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Pettis has got better each week and he caught the winning touchdown in Week 3. In that game, George Kittle led the team with eight targets and Pettis was second with five, catching four for 20 yards with a score.
TE Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Knox is playing more snaps each week and he’s getting better. Knox caught three passes for 67 yards with a touchdown in Week 3 and caught all three of his targets for 58 yards last week. This week the Bills play the Titans, who allowed a touchdown to a tight end in each of the first three games and then allowed Austin Hooper to catch nine passes for 130 yards in Week 4.
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