• Green Bay Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks will get an enormous alternative in Week 5: With teammate Christian Watson sidelined on account of an ankle damage, Wicks led the Packers with a career-high 13 targets, and he additionally discovered the tip zone twice. Now he’ll face a weak Los Angeles Rams’ secondary in Week 5.
• Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Jordan Whittington is on the verge of a breakout recreation: While each Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp stay sidelined, Whittington noticed an enormous bounce in enjoying time in Week 4 when he was on the sector for almost 97% of the Rams’ offensive snaps. He will get a juicy matchup towards the Packers in Week 5.
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Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Heading into Week 5 of the NFL season, you could not solely be struggling to set your lineups on account of accidents however there are additionally 4 groups on bye. The excellent news is that there are nonetheless gamers who’re sitting on waivers which can be set as much as have a giant fantasy day this weekend. Here are 5 gamers to contemplate including from the waiver wire heading in Week 5 for those who’re in a pinch.
QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson has but to move for 200 yards or rating greater than 16 fantasy factors in a recreation this season, however issues ought to get simpler for him shifting ahead. Not solely is he anticipated to get again TE David Njoku quickly, however the Browns might lastly have their beginning offensive line intact this weekend — each offensive tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin and beginning middle Ethan Pocic are again at follow this week. Over the subsequent three weeks, Watson will face three weak defenses: the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals.
If Watson can’t put collectively an excellent recreation towards the Commanders this Sunday behind a wholesome offensive line, we might even see Jameis Winston underneath middle sooner relatively than later.
Available in 73.5% of ESPN leagues and 77% of Yahoo! Leagues.
RB Trey Sermon, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ beginning working again, Jonathan Taylor, will seemingly miss this week whereas recovering from a excessive ankle sprain suffered late in Week 4. Last season when Taylor missed time, Shane Steichen principally utilized only one again at a time. Taylor missed Weeks 1-4 and Weeks 13-15 in 2024 — Deon Jackson performed 71% of the Colts’ offensive snaps in Week 1, Zack Moss performed 84% of the snaps from Weeks 2-4 after which 90% of snaps in Week 13-14 earlier than getting harm early in Week 15. Trey Sermon noticed a career-high 17 carries in Week 15 when each Taylor and Moss have been injured.
Sermon ought to see a variety of quantity, plus all of the goal-line work in Week 5 in an excellent matchup. The Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed a working again to attain greater than 15 fantasy factors in three of 4 weeks this season.
With 4 groups on bye, plus a number of accidents throughout the working again place, Sermon is a stable beginning choice this week.
Available in 74.7% of ESPN leagues and 66% of Yahoo! Leagues.
WR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
With Christian Watson taking place on account of an ankle damage within the first quarter in Week 4, Dontayvion Wicks performed on a season-high 76% of Green Bay’s offensive snaps, whereas main the Packers with a career-high 13 targets and two touchdowns. Wicks led the NFL with seven red-zone and 4 end-zone targets in Week 4.
Watson will not be anticipated to play in Week 5, which opens the door for Wicks to be on the sector for many passing snaps this Sunday towards the Los Angeles Rams. Over the primary three weeks of the season, the Rams allowed Jauan Jennings, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jameson Williams to every put up over 24 fantasy factors towards them. Wicks teammate, Jayden Reed is certainly one of my favourite fantasy performs this week, however there may be room for each to have a giant efficiency.
Available in 55.7% of ESPN leagues and 41% of Yahoo! Leagues.
WR Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams
Sixth-round rookie Jordan Whittington noticed his enjoying time drastically enhance in Week 4 when he was on the sector for 96.7% of the Rams’ offensive snaps. Whittington led the Rams with 31 routes run, eight targets and 6 receptions final Sunday in a tricky matchup towards the Chicago Bears. Whittington additionally noticed one of many workforce’s two finish zone targets in Week 4.
Whittington and the Rams will face the Packers in Week 5, who’ve allowed no less than one vast receiver to attain 15-plus factors every week this season – each Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson scored greater than 20 fantasy factors towards them final Sunday.
Available in 91.1% of ESPN leagues and 92% of Yahoo! Leagues.
TE Erick All Jr., Cincinnati Bengals
The arrow is pointing up for fourth-round rookie tight finish Erick All Jr. who performed on a career-high 59.7% of the Bengals’ offensive snaps in Week 4. All is averaging 2.34 yards per route run this season, the very best amongst Bengals gamers and the second-high amongst tight ends throughout the NFL (minimal 30 routes run).
All seemingly would have been drafted sooner than the fourth spherical within the 2024 NFL Draft if it weren’t for him tearing his ACL in October 2023. It is spectacular how briskly he has been capable of bounce again and earn enjoying time within the NFL.
All Jr. will not be an ideal choice to position into beginning fantasy lineups simply but, particularly contemplating he will get a tricky matchup towards the Baltimore Ravens this week, however the breakout could possibly be coming sooner relatively than later. If your fantasy roster is struggling on the tight finish place, like most are, you must stash All Jr. in your bench now. If his snaps and routes proceed to extend this week, he could possibly be a viable beginning choice in Week 6 towards the New York Giants.
Available in 98% of ESPN leagues and 98% of Yahoo! Leagues.