Michael Thomas NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 11: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NFLBy Chase Ruttig on

In Week 5 of the NFL and fantasy football season, some teams began getting their bye weeks on the schedule. That possibly left several fantasy players with significant holes to fill, especially if you didn’t draft or pick up suitable reserves on the waiver wire. Or maybe you benefited from your opponent missing an important contributor or two. But that situation will come back around on you, depending on which teams have byes during a particular week and you need to be prepared.

So if you have some holes to fill because of bye weeks, or you’re looking for someone to provide production you’re not getting at a certain position, here are some sleepers that could still be available in your fantasy league.

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints passing attack has long been spread out by quarterback Drew Brees, which has made it difficult to find the best fantasy wideout on their roster for years now. However, a promising rookie could finally provide some consistent fantasy value out of the Saints’ group of receivers.

Michael Thomas, the Saints newest wideout addition out of Ohio State, has quickly become Brees’ favorite target this season. The rookie has been the recipient of 20 targets in the Saints last two games, quickly developing into the number one guy in New Orleans.

Most importantly for fantasy value, Thomas has also led the Saints in red zone targets this season with six. Thomas is clearly on the fast track to top wideout levels of targets and production, and should be considered a must-add in any league that still has the Saints rookie left on the waiver wire.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

Those looking for a sleeper quarterback should look at whomever is facing the weak Cleveland Browns defense this season. Such an opportunity that presents itself again this week, with Marcus Mariota looking like a value start against the porous Browns pass defense.

Mariota is a risky start as a quarterback, yet to have a dominant passing performance in his career. But this should be the week when the Titans offense puts up its biggest numbers of the season. It is easy to bet against the Browns defense these days, but with Delanie Walker and Tajae Sharpe as targets, the odds of Mariota having a career game are solid this week.

Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sammie Coates should be a popular waiver wire add this week after a big game in Week 5 against the New York Jets. Coates appears set to become the clear secondary option at wideout in Pittsburgh alongside Antonio Brown following what has been a strong first half of the season.

Coates had a two-touchdown game against the Jets and is slowly becoming a more frequent target of Ben Roethlisberger as the season progresses. An uptick in targets should continue after Coates registered back-to-back six-catch games over the past two weeks.

Coates currently ranks near the top of the league in Fantasy Points Per Opportunity per Pro Football Focus, so if you can still land Coates, it is a no-brainer at this point. Those in need of a cheap DFS option for the rest of the season should also keep Coates on their radar. He should be good for a handful of big plays throughout the season as a deep ball threat for Big Ben.

Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills

Woods hasn’t lived up to the hype so far as a fantasy sleeper since Sammy Watkins was lost for the year in Buffalo. But it isn’t time to give up on him just yet. A favorable match-up against the San Francisco 49ers provides yet another chance for Woods to be a valuable sleeper on Sunday as the Bills’ top receiving target.

Woods saw his fantasy value plummet last week due to quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s struggles as Taylor completed just 12 passes in the Bills win over the Los Angeles Rams. Numbers that can only improve as the Bills get a better matchup this week against a weaker 49ers defense.

Woods isn’t going to fill the box score, but he will be the Bills primary target and should produce after a down week against the Rams. For those who are desperate for a secondary wideout option or a final flex player to round out their Week 6 lineup, Woods is a high target player with a nice matchup to roll the dice on one last time as a super sleeper.

Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

When it comes to tight ends who could find the end zone this week, the Packers’ Richard Rodgers could be a deep sleeper who deserves your attention. The next man up for the injured Jared Cook is a more than likely candidate for some potential red zone love from Aaron Rodgers after the tight end was given plenty of praise for his performance against the New York Giants.

Rodgers played in over 90 percent of the snaps last week with Cook injured, and with the confidence of red zone upside, he’s an easy choice for a tight end sleeper. Long-term value won’t be there with Rodgers, as with other players on this week’s sleeper list. But with a high snap count and the Cowboys giving up plenty of points to tight ends this season, there is an immediate benefit to be had.

About Chase Ruttig

Chase Ruttig is a Canadian sportswriter who covers North American sports for various outlets.

View all posts by Chase Ruttig