7 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 5

A quarter of the season is in the rearview mirror, which means it's getting harder to find good sleepers on the waiver wire. Most leagues have adjusted to early-season performances, leaving us few players with guaranteed roles available to be plucked up.

The lack of great waiver wire options forces us to become more focused on game scripts, which allows us to find sleepers in smaller roles who will likely see an increased workload in a given week.

For the purposes of this list, we'll limit sleeper selections to any player with less than 60 percent ownership on Yahoo's fantasy football platform. Additionally, I'll select one super-sleeper, with under 10 percent ownership, to help out those of you who may be playing in deeper leagues. All references to betting totals and spreads are from the NCAAF odds.

Jacoby Brissett, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Yahoo Ownership: 49 percent

The Kansas City Chiefs defense isn't terrible, but since teams must throw the ball to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes, they're a favorable matchup for opposing quarterbacks. Kansas City has allowed over 20 fantasy points to quarterbacks in three of four games this season. Jacoby Brissett is coming off back-to-back 20-point games of his own against the Oakland Raiders and Atlanta Falcons and may get his top weapon, T.Y. Hilton, back from injury this week.

Malcolm Brown, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Yahoo Ownership: 33 percent

The Los Angeles Rams have been cautious with Todd Gurley, limiting him to fewer than 20 touches in every game. Malcolm Brown hasn't been able to capitalize on his opportunities filling in, aside from his two-touchdown performance in Week 1, but he could see an increased workload in this game. The Rams are on a short week, visiting the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. Assuming Los Angeles is still trying to protect Gurley, it would make sense for Brown to play a more significant role in on short rest.

Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Yahoo Ownership: 23 percent

Alexander Mattison's fantasy value is heavily game-script dependent, as Dalvin Cook is dominating touches early in games. However, the Minnesota Vikings have become one of the most run-heavy teams in the league and have shown an interest in getting Mattison on the field when possible. In the Vikings' last blowout victory over the Raiders, Mattison received 12 carries and reached the end zone. This week's matchup with the New York Giants presents another opportunity for Minnesota to build a big lead, potentially giving Mattison a solid second-half workload.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Yahoo Ownership: 34 percent

This matchup between the Falcons and Houston Texans carries the highest total of the week at 49 points, and it looks like the best bet to turn into a shootout. If the game lives up to expectations, that should create plenty of opportunities for Mohamed Sanu, who is coming off a season high nine receptions on 12 targets in Week 4. Sanu's fantasy value is more dependent on volume than big plays -- he's been on the receiving end of just 2 of Atlanta's 17 passes of 20 or more yards this year -- making this potential shootout the ideal spot to utilize him.

Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers

Yahoo Ownership: 32 percent

Davante Adams has yet to practice this week due to a toe injury, and if he's unable to go on Sunday, it creates a significant opportunity for Geronimo Allison. Aaron Rodgers has targeted Allison just 11 times through four games, but this is their fourth year as teammates, so there is likely a good amount of trust between the two if Allison needs to step into a bigger role. Allison started four games for the Green Bay Packers in 2018, and scored at least 12 points (PPR scoring) in each.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Yahoo Ownership: 19 percent

Despite a rare stretch of good health, Tyler Eifert has yet to make much of a fantasy impact. However, he's seen five targets in three of four games and leads the team with four targets in the red zone. So the opportunities have been there, and are likely to increase this week with John Ross injured. Eifert also draws the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, who have surrendered the most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Here's a closer look at the tight ends who have lit up Arizona's defense:

Super Sleeper: Auden Tate, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Yahoo Ownership: 6 percent

Cincinnati Bengals second-year receiver Auden Tate has seen an increased role the past two weeks, surpassing rookie Damion Willis on the depth chart. Against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, Tate saw 16 total targets while hauling in 10 receptions for 138 yards. On Sunday against the Cardinals, Tate should get bumped up in the pecking order at receiver again due to John Ross' absence. The 6'5" Tate also makes for an ideal red zone target and the Bengals should be able to make more red zone trips than usual against a weak Arizona defense. According to Sports Info Solutions, Tate is also the only Bengals receiver other than Ross to see a target at 15 or more yards downfield over the last two weeks, making him a likely candidate to replace Ross as Andy Dalton's primary deep threat.