Week 5 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Deshaun Watson, Alexander Mattison, Keon Coleman, Juwan Johnson and More

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

Darnold is generally being ranked just inside the top 20 QBs this week despite being one of the best fantasy QBs all season. This is mostly because of the matchup against the New York Jets. I, on the other hand, don't fear the Jets like many other owners do and think they are skating by on their reputation more than their qualifications based on this season.

They currently rank second against fantasy quarterbacks, which is respectable. However, they have also played four games and their last three matchups were against Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett and Will Levis. The fourth guy was Brock Purdy. We understand that you can only play who is in front of you and we believe that are a good pass defense. However, we aren't so sure that they are so scary that you should be benching the current QB4. 

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

No one wants to start Watson, but the matchup this week is incredible. The Browns take on the Washington Commanders, who have one of, if not the worst secondary in the league. What makes them different this season is the fact that they also have a quarterback that can force you to keep scoring points with them. This is a great matchup for Watson and we expect him to take full advantage. 

Running Backs

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Brown is only a sleeper because the matchup against the Baltimore Ravens is such a bad one. Otherwise, he'd be a start. This is a tough one though and there is a chance the Bengals just can't run the ball.

However, it's clear that he's slowly but surely taking over that backfield, and if one of their running backs does pop this week it's Brown - especially when you consider that the game script could call for more passing and he is the superior pass-catching back. You might be looking at 10 carries and six targets this week, or something close to it. 

Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders

This is another back who is taking over his backfield. In Mattison's case, it's even more obvious because the coaches have flat-out come out and said it. His matchup isn't nearly as bad against the Denver Broncos, but his supporting cast also isn't nearly as good. Any player in the Raiders' offense feels like a sketchy option this week. Nevertheless, he's probably on the waiver wire and will see RB1 usage this week for Vegas.  

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

As we get deeper into the week, it's looking more and more like Devin Singletary could sit out this week due to a groin injury. If he does, Tracy will be handed the reins and he's looked good so far.

This is the type of player that could not only turn into a great starter this week, but could lead to bigger and better things for the rookie moving forward. The matchup against the Seahawks is also good but not great. They are bottom half of the league, allowing the 14th-most fantasy points to running backs this season. It's the player and opportunity we are looking at more than the matchup. In our pre-draft rookie running back rankings, we ranked him as the RB6 and bumped him up to the RB4 after the draft based on his landing spot. You're seeing exactly why right now.  

Wide Receivers

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

Khalil Shakir is dealing with an ankle injury and is trending towards not playing this week. That will open up an opportunity for the other Bills' wideouts to step up. We're putting our money on Coleman to be the guy. If you believe more in a guy like Curtis Samuel then take your pick, but we think Coleman could be in line for a breakout game.

Josh Allen is going to have to throw on someone and the Houston Texans will need to be attacked through the air. They have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season and sixth-fewest to running backs. 

Jordan Whittington, Las Angeles Rams

All preseason, the fantasy and NFL community were pegging Whittington as a potential star if he was able to somehow get an opportunity behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Welp, they are both hurt and we saw the beginning of the breakout in Week 4. He led the team with eight targets which he turned into six receptions for 62 yards. There is a strong possibility that was only the start of him taking over the WR1 job in LA while their top duo is hurt. 

Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

Davante Adams will not play this week due to an ankle injury, or so they're claiming in Vegas. The Raiders are also playing the Denver Broncos, which means that Jakobi Meyers will be matched up against Patrick Surtain Jr. who has looked like every bit of the best cornerback in the league this season. That could leave Tucker to see a ton of volume and have a huge day. He's a sneaky good start this week that most people will overlook. 

Tight Ends

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

Johnson came into the season injured and has taken some time to be built back up. He has steadily seen his snaps and targets go up as he overtakes Foster Moreau for the TE1 job. Week 4 was the first time he led the group in snap percentage, playing 68% of offensive snaps to Moreau's 57%.

Taysom Hill is also dealing with broken ribs, which have left him limited. This week the Saints take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed by far the most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Week 5 will be Johnson's coming out party for 2024.