By Winsto (10/01/2024)
There are a few names here to consider for Week 05 and beyond. Keep in mind that the Lions, Chargers, Eagles, and Titans all have their Bye Week this week, so there will be several fantasy relevant players not playing.
(The following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.)
QUARTERBACK
Geno Smith (Seattle)–Smith has been solid so far this season, getting at least 1 TD a game and going over 280 passing yards in 3 out of 4 starts. His Week 05 opponent (NYG) is not a defense I would shy away from. He is a good Bye-Week fill in and a solid back up/QB2 to have for the rest of the season.
Joe Flacco (Indianapolis)–This is dependent on the health of Anthony Richardson, but Flacco fared okay against a tough Steelers defense in relief of the injured Richardson in Week 04. He also proved to be a fantasy hero down the stretch last season. Could he do it again???? He faces a Jacksonville defense in Week 05 that has given up the 2nd most passing yards (1135) and 3rd most YPA (8).
Justin Fields (Pittsburgh)–Pittsburgh suffered its first loss last week, but Fields is still playing okay. Through 4 games, Fields is on pace for a career year in YPA, Completion %, and passing yards per game. Do I trust him? Not necessarily, but he can be a useful fill in against an apparently moveable Dallas defense.
Deshaun Watson (Cleveland)–This comes with some risk, as he has not played particularly well and there is a greater than 0 chance the coaches may decide to give Jameis Winston a chance. But, Watson is going up against Washington’s defense, who have given up 10 TDs passing (league worst) with 0 INTs.
RUNNING BACK
Kareem Hunt (Kansas City)–I discussed him late last week as someone to look at, as the tea leaves suggested he would take over the backfield very soon. I did not expect very soon to be this past Sunday, but a Carson Steele fumble, his 2nd of the season, opened the door. Hunt then barged his way through and shut it behind him, averaging almost 5 ypc (14 rushes for 59 yards) and playing 45% of the snaps in his first game of the season. He added 2 receptions for 16 yards as well. His playing time is only going up. I think he will prove to be a borderline RB2/3 until Isiah Pacheco returns.
Dameon Pierce or Cam Akers (Houston)—Same situation as last week. Again, this is dependent on the health of Joe Mixon. It will also depend on the health of Pierce. Akers served has the main bell-cow of Houston’s offense with Mixon and Pierce missing time thus far, but Dare Ogunbowale is the preferred pass-catching back over Akers and can cap his ceiling.
Trey Benson (Ari) and Blake Corum (LAR)—I suppose this is just going to be a weekly reminder. I am not sure how these players are under 50% rostered. They are both one injury away from being borderline RB1s, and neither James Conner nor Kyren Williams have been models of durability. These are two of the best lottery picks to stash on your bench.
Tank Bigsby (Jacksonville)–Simply put, he has played pretty well in support of Travis Etienne. He is not going to catch many passes, though (1 career reception for 6 yards), but he has run the ball well. He may have limited stand-alone value, but he could enter RB2 discussion is something happened to Etienne.
Dalvin Cook (Dallas)–He is on the practice squad. Dallas may shake up their backfield soon, so he may get his chance. How well he performs, however, is very much a question.
WIDE RECEIVER
Dontayvion Wicks (Green Bay)–Wicks immediately stepped into role vacated by the injured Christian Watson in Week 04 and saw a team leading 24% target share (13 targets) for the game. He pulled down 5 of them for 78 yards and 2 TDs. Yes, that is not the most efficient of numbers, but the point is that Jordan Love gives him opportunities, and this is a potent offense. Watson looks like he will miss multiple weeks, so Wicks has the looks of a WR3 for the next few games. In addition, the Week 05 opponent, the Rams, do not have a defense to shy away from.
Josh Downs (Indianapolis)–This add may be contingent on Joe Flacco starting. He was the main beneficiary of Flacco coming into the game, being targeted on 8 of Flacco’s 26 attempts (31% target share) and hauling 7 of them down for 71 yards and a TD. Jacksonville’s unthreatening defense is on deck for Week 05.
Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell (Los Angeles Rams)–The Rams finally upped Whittington’s snap count (played 97% of the snaps after not seeing more than 50% in any of his first 3 games), and he responded with 6 receptions for 62 yards. He also saw the highest target share (28%) of the team. He may be stepping into that target monster role on that offense. Meanwhile, however, Atwell continues to produce, with back-to-back games of 80 or more receiving yards. For as long as Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are out, both of these receivers can serve as solid Flex plays with upside.
Xavier Legette (Carolina)–A 25% target share (10 targets) is not too shabby. 6 receptions for 66 yards and a TD is okay as well. He added 2 rushes for 10 yards. That may be the norm for as long as Adam Thielen is out. The question is can he continue this production against a stingy Chicago defense in Week 05. I think he may be able to.
Allen Lazard (New York Jets)–He will score the occasional TD with Aaron Rodgers throwing. The ceiling is probably a WR3 here, but there is value with that. So far, he has caught at least 1 TD every other week, and he did NOT catch one last week. Just saying….
TIGHT END
Taysom Hill (New Orleans)–Sooner or later, it was bound to happen, right? Six carries for 24 yards and 2 TDs! The only issue is that he got injured again. He has already missed time due to injury, and this new injury may cause more time missed. The 34 year old QB/FB/RB/TE may be showing some wear, but he still has the potential to win a fantasy week for you. Given the landscape of the position, how many Tight Ends can do that?
Tucker Kraft (Green Bay)–He seems to have taken command of the position over Luke Musgrave. He also finished 2nd in targets in Week 04, going for 6 receptions, 53 yards, and 1 TD (and also a fumble lost). There will probably be volatility here, as there are so many pass catchers, but at least there is some upside.
IDP
Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams (Buffalo)–As long as Terrel Bernard is OUT, both guys are showing well. Each had 10 or more total tackles in Week 04–Spector also had a sack and fumble recovery while Williams had a forced fumble.