IDP: Fantasy Football Sleepers of Week 5
|
October 2, 2008 @ 13:41:35
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green
In this article KFFL breaks down fantasy football sleepers of the week. We will avoid marquee names, because players of that caliber are rarely benched, regardless of their matchup. Instead, we will focus on the players that make your fantasy lineup decisions stressful each week. Read on to learn which midrange to low-end players that you wouldn't necessarily consider that you need to get into your lineup.
Fantasy football sleepers: Defensive linemen
Ty Warren, New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 3
- Warren is averaging four tackles (three solo) per game, but he has yet to register a sack this year.
- The 49ers are allowing 17.8 total tackles (15.2 solo) and a league-high four sacks per game to the position over the last four weeks.
- San Francisco's offense gave up six sacks last week to the New Orleans Saints and eight sacks to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.
Travis LaBoy, Arizona Cardinals vs. Buffalo Bills
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 3
- Over the season's first four weeks, LaBoy has averaged 2.5 total tackles (2.2 solo) and 0.5 sacks per game.
- The Bills are allowing 23.8 total tackles (17.8 solo) and 2.5 sacks per game to the position so far this year - just two teams have surrendered more sacks per game to opposing defensive linemen.
- LaBoy finished with just one tackle last week after registering five in Week 3.
Juqua Parker, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 3
- Parker leads the team with 0.9 sacks per game this season - he is also averaging 2.8 total tackles (1.8 solo) per contest.
- Opposing defensive linemen are averaging 23.2 total tackles (17.8 solo) and 1.0 sack per game against the Redskins this year.
- The Redskins have given up just seven sacks all season, but they offer a lot of opportunities for defensive linemen to make tackles.
Fantasy football sleepers: Linebackers
Clint Session, Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 2
- Session is averaging seven total tackles (6.3 solo) per game over the first four weeks of the season.
- The Texans are allowing 24 total tackles (19 solo), 1.5 sacks and 0.3 interceptions per game to this position this year.
- Houston struggles in pass protection at times and can be sloppy with the football, which makes this an attractive matchup for Session.
Omar Gaither, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 2
- Over the first four weeks of the season, Gaither is averaging 5.5 total tackles (4.5 solo) and 0.4 sacks per game.
- Opposing linebackers are averaging 35.5 total tackles (25 solo) and 0.5 sacks per game against the Redskins this year.
- The Redskins are averaging 30.8 rushing attempts per game this year (seventh in the league) and also favoring a short passing attack, which should give Gaither a chance to rack up the tackles this week.
Shaun Phillips, San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 1
- Phillips is averaging five tackles (3.8 solo) and 0.6 sacks per game this season, ranking second among the team's linebackers in both categories.
- The Dolphins have allowed an average of 28.7 total tackles (22.3 solo) and 0.3 sacks per game to the position.
- Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington isn't one to work deep down the field, so San Diego's linebackers should have ample opportunities to make plays this Sunday.
Fantasy football sleepers: Defensive backs
Antoine Bethea, Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Fantasy value: Weak No. 1 or strong No. 2
- Bethea leads all Colts defensive backs with 7.7 total tackles (five solo) per game.
- Houston is allowing 29 total tackles (25.3 solo) and 1.3 interceptions per game to opposing defensive backs over their three games this year.
Aaron Ross, New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 2
- Ross is first among Giants defensive backs with an average of 5.7 total tackles (5.3 solo) per game on the year.
- The Seahawks are giving up 31.7 total tackles (27.3 solo), 0.3 sacks and 0.7 interceptions per game to the position this season.
- Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck should have a couple of familiar faces back this week - receivers Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee) - which could help Ross' tackles if the Seahawks have more success in their passing attack.
Marquand Manuel, Denver Broncos vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 2
- Manuel is averaging 6.2 total tackles (4.8 solo) and nothing else per game this year.
- Opposing defensive backs are averaging 28.5 total tackles (24.2 solo) and 1.2 interceptions per game against the Buccaneers this year - quarterback Brian Griese has thrown six interceptions in the past two weeks.
- With Griese struggling the Bucs may rely on their running game this week, which bodes well for Manuel, who had nine tackles (seven solo) against the Kansas City Chiefs when ran a ton last Sunday.
More Articles You Will Like
