Need a last-minute fill-in for this week? 4th and 26 is here to throw you a couple deep sleepers, guys available in at least 90% of Fleaflicker leagues that could give your fantasy football team a big boost.With the emergence of Jerome Harrison on our report card from last week, we're again searching for possible gems available in deep leagues. The success rate of these types of players (backup RBs, No. 3 WRs) is bound to be slim, so temper your expectations. Yet, sometimes all you're looking for is a wild card, a quick pickup that might pay dividends as a substitute for an injured player.
Remember to come by the Sunday Tailgate chat in the 150 minutes leading up to opening kickoff, and we'll tackle all your fantasy questions as the clock ticks down on Week 5. Now, let's pick our lottery tickets for this week.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Patriots. The year was 2008. The Patriots were thin at running back in the middle of the season and turned to an unknown out of Mississippi by the name of BenJarvus Green-Ellis. BGE scored touchdowns in each game over the course of Weeks 7-10, with the climax coming in Week 10 with a 26-carry, 105-yard performance. With Fred Taylor out, likely for the rest of the season, it wouldn't be crazy to see the Patriots turn back to BGE to play a prominent role in their RB committee.
Ladell Betts, RB, Redskins. Betts hasn't received much work this year, which is surprising considering the injury concerns that orbit Clinton Portis on a continuous basis. Despite being questionable with a calf injury, Portis was handed 25 carries by the Redskins, while Betts received just one carry and a couple receptions. Look for Washington to scale Portis' workload back as the season drags on. If that happens today, Betts could have quite a good game, as a running back doesn't need too many carries to have a successful performance against the Panthers.
Austin Collie, WR, Colts. Up against the we-can-stop-the-run-but-you'll-pass-all-over-us Titans, the Colts and Peyton Manning should have a great game through the air. All members of the Colts passing offense should benefit, including third WR Austin Collie, who had a mini-breakout last Sunday by catching six balls for 65 yards and a touchdown. Jaguars third WR Mike Thomas caught five passes against the Titans last week, although he didn't accrue a ton of yardage. If Collie's open enough this week to catch five balls, one of them should be a TD. Look for a line much like Collie's Week 4 line.
Sam Hurd, WR, Cowboys. Roy Williams is out for the Cowboys, meaning Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin are going to line up as the starters. Hurd moves into the third-WR role, where he's shown a penchant for hitting the deep play. He caught three passes for 62 yards last week and should come close to the same point total in Week 5. The Chiefs defense really isn't very good at stopping any offense, and the Cowboys will look to get Hurd mismatched on a safety throughout the game. This wild card is a boom-or-bust type, as you're either getting a no-catch game or a very good game from Hurd.Randy McMichael, TE, Rams. Guess which team gives up the most points to tight ends? Since I know you're smart people, you probably see a Rams TE listed here and figure that the Vikings are the answer. Minnesota has done the worst job of defending the tight end in the league, surrendering 30 catches, 378 yards and four TDs through the first four weeks. These weren't your elite TEs either -- Minnesota has faced Cleveland, Detroit, San Francisco, and Green Bay. Vernon Davis broke out against them in Week 3. Jermichael Finley had a huge Week 4. McMichael could be the next success story on the list.
