Who to Start? Week 5
by Josh Gaier
Josh Gaier helps you identify the best sleeper starters for your fantasy team in Week 5.
New fantasy players are emerging from the pack, and playing the waiver wire is more important now than ever. Keeps your eye on all transactions occurring in your league so you can be the one to capitalize on somebody else’s mistake. Below is a list of a sleeper to start at each position and rankings of the top five players at each position to start this week.
Quarterback: Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills
Edwards has been exceptional this year and has surpassed all expectations fantasy owners placed on him this preseason. He’s developed dynamic chemistry with receiver Lee Evans and has pumped excitement into the entire Bills organization. Sunday, Edwards goes up against an Arizona Cardinal team whose secondary looked more than shaky last week against the New York Jets. Edwards will continue to bloom as the season wears on, and, if he still hasn’t been picked up in your league, jump on him before somebody else does. Edwards is playing with extreme confidence and has already commanded the respect of his entire teammates despite being a second-year quarterback drafted in the third round.
Runner-Up: Brian Griese, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Running Back: Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Forte started off the season with a boom against the Colts on the first Sunday night game of the year, but since then has seen his production drop in each game. However, expect his numbers this week to be reminiscent of his 123-yard, one-touchdown game in Week 1. Forte goes up against a division foe, but that foe, the Detroit Lions, is far from intimidating. The Lions rank dead last in rush defense, allowing more thn 200 yards a game. The Chicago Bear mentality is to pound the rock on the ground, play impeccable defense, and have their quarterback play mistake-free football. Forte will be the force of the Bears offensive attack this week, and his numbers will resemble that.
Runner-Up: Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks
Wide Receiver: Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints
The Saints love airing the ball out, and, since the injury to Marques Colston, Lance Moore has emerged as the top wide receiver on the Saints roster. Sunday, more had more than 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns and is riding a ton of momentum into his Monday night game against the Minnesota Vikings. With the Vikings possessing a run defense that is capable of altering a game plan, expect the Saints to attack Minnesota through the air. Moore has had seven receptions in each of the past two games, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see those numbers increase this week.
Runner-Up: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
Tight End: Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins
Fasano faces a Charger secondary that has struggled this season. The Dolphins looked like a franchise rejuvenated as they roasted the toast of the NFL, the New England Patriots. The Dolphins task is a difficult one again, but Pennington has a command of the offense, and it is playing with creativity. If the Dolphins are able to find their way into the red zone, Pennington will be able to use his smarts and accuracy to get Fasano the ball.
Runner-Up: Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Defense: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are going up against a Steelers offense that won’t have its top two running backs and has an offensive line that can’t seem to block anybody. Despite the Jags being a letdown on defense and being crippled with injuries along their defensive line, their four main rushers should still be able to get to Big Ben. Add in the fact that the Jags have had the Steelers’ number of the past couple of seasons, and their defense should have a field day. The Steelers might look like an explosive on offense on paper, but their line is to inconsistent and unreliable, and an excellent Jaguars defense should take advantage of it.
Runner-Up: Carolina Panthers
Top 5 Players for each position for Week 5:
Quarterback
1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
2. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
3. Payton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
4. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
5. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
Running Back
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
3. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
5. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Wide Receivers
1. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
2. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
4. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
5. Larry Fitzergerald, Arizona Cardinals
Tight Ends
1. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
2. Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos
3. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
4. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
Defense
1. Tennessee Titans
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Green Bay Packers
4. New York Giants
5. Dallas Cowboys