The biggest stars aren’t always the best picks in fantasy football. It might take a bold move, but sometimes benching your best player in favor of a sleeper can be the difference for your fantasy team.
Few would have guessed it going in, but you would have had a much better showing in Week 5 with surprise performers like Josh McCown, Thomas Rawls and Allen Hurns than Peyton Manning, Eddie Lacy and Antonio Brown.
There are a few similar situations forming in Week 6 with top players likely to have quiet weeks while unheralded players prepare to explode. Here is a look at some options to help you set the best lineup possible for the weekend.
Sit ‘Em
Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
The consistency is there, but Russell Wilson hasn’t been putting up the numbers many have expected after taking him in the first few rounds of their fantasy drafts. With six touchdowns in five games, Wilson has only once finished with more than 15 points in a game this year in standard leagues.
Seattle’s entire offense has struggled this season with only seven total offensive touchdowns in five weeks, although Wilson isn’t blaming the offensive line:
This is a nice sentiment, but 22 sacks says otherwise. It isn’t likely to get any easier against a Carolina Panthers squad featuring the return of Luke Kuechly. With the way Josh Norman has played at cornerback, this is a tough matchup for the Seahawks offense.
Without time to throw or open receivers to toss to, this will be another tough game for Wilson.
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins
A coaching change is the best possible scenario for Lamar Miller, who averaged just over nine carries per game over the first four weeks of the season. He was a starting running back, but could barely get any touches in the struggling offense.
ESPN’s James Walker thinks this will be different under the new regime:
The problem is we simply don’t know what will happen. This is almost like Week 1 for the Dolphins with no preseason; everything is a mystery. Miller still has talent, but it is unclear if the carries will pick up or if the offensive line can even clear space on run plays.
With the Tennessee Titans also giving up the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, it’s best to keep Miller on the bench for now.
James Jones, WR, Green Bay Packers
As far as fantasy points are concerned, James Jones has been one of the more consistent players in the 2015 season. He has at least eight points in every game with five scores in five weeks.
The problem is, 12 of his 13 fantasy points scored in Week 5 came on one play, a 65-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. He only had one other catch for 12 yards and was targeted just three times all game. Opposing defenses are finally remembering Jones has talent and are covering him, and Aaron Rodgers is just as confident throwing to other targets.
Meanwhile, only the Denver Broncos have allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing receivers this year than the San Diego Chargers, who the Packers will face in Week 6. Jones has been a pleasant surprise to this point, but his luck is sure to run out.
Start ‘Em
Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
The start of the season was awful, but Sam Bradford is slowly getting more comfortable with the offense. Over the last two weeks, the former No. 1 overall pick has 603 total passing yards with five touchdowns. Those numbers could have been even better if not for two interceptions in the end zone last week.
Head coach Chip Kelly also noted the improved rapport off the field:
If he can keep trending in the right direction and avoid mistakes, he could be set for a big game against the New York Giants in Week 6. The Giants currently rank dead last in the NFL with 304 passing yards allowed per game, and Bradford has the talent and weapons around him to truly take advantage of the opportunity.
C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos
A first-round pick in many fantasy leagues has now become a sleeper based on his poor play to start the season. C.J. Anderson only has 15 combined points in standard leagues this season with six being a high for the year.
Even with the struggles, however, Anderson has still played in more than half the snaps in every game this season, per Pro Football Focus. He could potentially get even more playing time in Week 6 with Ronnie Hillman reportedly dealing with a hamstring injury.
Most importantly, the Broncos are set to face the Cleveland Browns Sunday, a team allowing 149.4 rushing yards per game. Only the Dolphins have been worse this season. If Anderson is ever going to have a good performance again, this is it.
Anquan Boldin, WR, San Francisco 49ers
It seemed the 49ers passing attack was dead, but Colin Kaepernick brought it back to life in Week 5 against the Giants. This led to a big game for Anquan Boldin, who finished with eight catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in his best showing of the season.
This earned him high praise from ESPN’s Field Yates:
While this offense is difficult to trust, Boldin has a chance at another big game against his former team in the Baltimore Ravens. This defense has struggled with injuries to start the year and has allowed tons of big plays through the air all season. With the veteran receiver wanting to get revenge on the team that gave up on him, Boldin could be set for more big numbers.
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