Week 5 is here, and with the Falcons, Bears, Steelers, and Packers on their bye week, fantasy lineups are looking thinner than ever. Add in injuries to key players like Malik Nabers, Bucky Irving, Chuba Hubbard, and Trey Benson, and suddenly you might be staring down some tough start/sit decisions. That’s where the sleepers come in: those under-the-radar names who could sneak into your lineup and deliver the points you need for a Week 5 dub.
This week’s batch of potential difference-makers includes Rico Dowdle, stepping into the Panthers’ lead role, Michael Carter, who could headline Arizona’s backfield, and Stefon Diggs, looking to turn his revenge game against Buffalo into a fantasy fireworks show.
Whether you’re scrambling to cover bye weeks or searching for that unexpected edge, these Fantasy Football Week 5 sleepers might just help you steal a win and keep your season rolling.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 5 SLEEPERS & STREAMERS
JAXSON DART, QB NY GIANTS
Jaxson Dart is set to start again in Week 5 against the Saints after a rock-solid debut. The rookie led the Giants to a 21-18 upset win over the Chargers in his first NFL start, throwing for 111 yards and a touchdown while adding 54 yards and another score on the ground. Despite taking five sacks, Dart looked confident, showcased his mobility, and delivered nearly 20 fantasy points in his debut.
With coach Brian Daboll confirming he’ll be a full-go this week, Dart now draws a juicy matchup against a Saints defense that’s given up the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, nine passing TDs, and almost 100 rushing yards through four games. If you’re looking for a sneaky streamer or a QB with real Konami-code potential, Dart’s worth a dart throw in Week 5 off the waiver wire.
RICO DOWDLE, RB CAROLINA PANTHERS
Rico Dowdle is set to make his first start of the season in Week 5 against the Dolphins, with Chuba Hubbard sidelined due to a calf injury. HC Dave Canales confirmed Dowdle will lead the Panthers’ backfield, and while Hubbard is considered day-to-day, this could be a one-week showcase for Dowdle to prove he deserves more work going forward. The veteran back hasn’t done much in his reserve role so far, averaging 3.0 yards per carry on 28 attempts, but he’s no stranger to heavy workloads after racking up over 1,000 rushing yards last year as the Cowboys’ lead back.
With Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas only set to mix in for change-of-pace touches, Dowdle should get the bulk of the carries and goal-line work in a sneaky good matchup. The Dolphins have given up the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs this year, making Dowdle a solid plug-and-play RB2 or flex for Week 5. Somehow, he’s still available in more than half of leagues.
MICHAEL CARTER, RB ARIZONA CARDINALS
Michael Carter looks poised to take over Arizona’s backfield heading into Week 5 against the Titans, even if Jonathan Gannon won’t come right out and say it. With James Conner done for the year and Trey Benson on IR, Carter went from scout team standout to first-team reps in just days, even hinting that he’ll be “starting the next game.” While Gannon insists that “they’ll all have their roles,” it’s clear Carter is in line to handle the bulk of the early-down work, with Emari Demercado likely rotating in on passing downs and Bam Knight mixing in sparingly.
There’s some uncertainty here, but in fantasy, opportunity often trumps everything, and Carter’s about to get plenty of it. The matchup couldn’t be much better either: the Titans have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, surrendering six rushing touchdowns and another through the air. If you need a volume-based flex or RB2 streamer, Carter deserves a long look in Week 5.
STEFON DIGGS, WR NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Stefon Diggs finally broke out in Week 4, hauling in six of seven targets for 101 yards in the Patriots’ 42-13 win over the Panthers, and just in time for a revenge game against his former team. Drake Maye threw for only 203 yards in the blowout, but nearly half of that went to Diggs, who looked every bit like the alpha New England hoped he’d be when they added him in free agency. His 33-yard grab was his longest as a Patriot and a reminder of the big-play ability that once terrorized Buffalo defenses in practice.
Now, Diggs gets a primetime shot at his old squad in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the week. The Bills have already surrendered the third-most receiving touchdowns (five) to wideouts this season, and you can bet Diggs will be plenty motivated to add to that total. Expect Maye to feed his star receiver early and often in this revenge narrative made for Sunday Night Football.
RASHID SHAHEED, WR NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Rashid Shaheed has quietly become a steady presence in the Saints’ offense, hauling in four of five targets for 47 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Bills, which was his third straight game with exactly four catches. The speedy wideout has seen a consistent 5–6 targets per week and continues to operate as the clear WR2 behind Chris Olave. While the big plays haven’t quite hit yet (just one catch over 20 yards this season), the volume gives Shaheed a solid weekly floor.
This week, he draws a dream matchup against the Giants, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points and the most receptions to opposing wide receivers this year. If there’s ever a spot for Shaheed to break a long one and post his first big game of 2025, this is it. He’s a sneaky flex play with legit boom potential in Week 5.
TOMMY TREMBLE, TE CAROLINA PANTHERS
Tommy Tremble looks locked in as Carolina’s top tight end again this week with Ja’Tavion Sanders sidelined by an ankle injury. In Sanders’ absence last Sunday, Tremble stepped up in a big way, running a route on nearly 58% of Bryce Young’s dropbacks, commanding a 22% target share, and turning eight targets into five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. He even saw two red-zone looks and finished as the TE6 on the week, giving Carolina’s offense a much-needed spark over the middle.
Tremble draws another juicy matchup against the Dolphins, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points and the most receiving yards to tight ends this season. With his usage trending up and a clear path to volume again, Tremble is a strong tight end streaming option for Week 5.
