NFL Week 5 DFS Sleepers

Houston DST was the crown jewel of Week 4 sleeper picks in this column, though Tyjae Spears put together a quietly solid day. Still, we’ll be aiming for a lot more success in Week 5. 

Let’s jump right into those sleeper picks that stand out in your tournament formats! 

This weekly column will provide you with the information you need before choosing a sleeper in DFS. Prices are sourced from DraftKings and FanDuel. 

Sleeper Picks

Quarterback

Ryan Tannehill @ IND, $4,900 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel

I highlighted both Daniel Jones and Joshua Dobbs as sleeper picks in my DFS Stacks article. But a third name is worth mentioning, and that’s Ryan Tannehill.

Feel free to take a deep breath before continuing. Tannehill has been mostly tough to watch. But no secondary has been gouged like the Indianapolis Colts, allowing the fifth-most passing yards in the league and the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Every quarterback that has faced the Colts has enjoyed massive success thus far, aided by Anthony Richardson’s ability to put points on the board. Tannehill showed he could still put up borderline QB1 numbers in Week 2 when he finished as the QB15. With just two fantasy points separating him from QB9 on the week, Tannehill can still put up strong fantasy days in top-tier matchups.

Running Back

Jaylen Warren vs. BAL, $4,900 on DraftKings, $5,800 on FanDuel

Jaylen Warren has yet to show the ceiling to make him worth a play in DFS, but that could change against Baltimore. His snaps have steadily increased each week since the start of the season, carving out a near-1B role next to Najee Harris.

Whether Kenny Pickett plays in Week 5 or not there will always be an emphasis on the short passing game in Pittsburgh under Matt Canada. But there would be an even greater focus on Warren in the receiving game should Pickett play while dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, especially with left tackle Dan Moore already ruled out.

Warren could have a heavy PPR day akin to Alvin Kamara in Week 4 should Pickett suit up.

Wide Receiver

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine @ IND, $3,500 on DraftKings, $5,500 on FanDuel

If you want to stack Ryan Tannehill with someone, go cheap with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Though truthfully, you may want to go with one or the other than betting it all on the Titans passing attack.

Everything that rung true for Tannehill rings doubly true for Westbrook-Ikhine, who caught five balls for 51 yards and a score against Cincinnati last week. He owns the WR2 role in Tennessee while Treylon Burks is sidelined and with him expected to miss yet again, Westbrook-Ikhine should have a strong snap count once more.

The Colts have allowed monster fantasy days to Calvin Ridley, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Puka Nacua thus far this season. Westbrook-Ikhine could certainly catch a long ball for a touchdown and make good on a $3,500 price tag.

Tight End

Jonnu Smith vs. HOU, $2,900 on DraftKings, $5,000 on FanDuel

What a cruel joke this is. Arthur Smith and the Falcons traded for Jonnu Smith over the summer to reunite the tight end with his offensive coordinator in Tennessee, and now that same tight end is becoming fantasy-relevant in Atlanta. Kyle Pitts must not be healthy from his 2022 knee injury. 

Either way, Jonnu Smith has seen six or more targets in three consecutive weeks. He saw a substantial leap in his yards before the catch, suggesting he is being used downfield more. Fantasy managers have already seen Jonnu Smith thrive in an Arthur Smith-led offense, using his athletic ability to the maximum.

Jonnu Smith now gets Houston, a tough matchup on paper. But given that the Texans have faced backup Isaiah Likely, Indianapolis’ committee room, and an injured Pat Freiermuth, that’s not much to go on. Jacksonville’s Evan Engram managed seven receptions for 67 yards against Houston in Week 3.

Defense

Arizona Cardinals vs. CIN, $2,800 on DraftKings, $3,700 on FanDuel

Imagine telling someone over the summer that you’re OK playing the Cardinals' defense against Joe Burrow and the Bengals. What a wild month of football it has been.

The Cardinals are averaging three sacks a game, tied for 11th-best in the NFL. It’s not perfect — the passing defense leaves much to be desired — but Burrow’s Bengals have yet to punish a defense for lapses in the secondary.

Only Kirk Cousins has been hurried more than Burrow this season. While the sacks allowed haven’t matched that high figure, Jonathan Gannon’s defense can put Ohio’s Golden Boy on the ground.