Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 5 of the 2024 NFL Season

It’s only been 4 weeks, but it feels like we’ve already been through so much with all the injuries that have occurred from week to week. Hold on tight as we continue fighting the good fight heading into Week 5 of the NFL season…

 

Cowboys – 20 @ Giants – 15

• Rico Dowdle(12/56/1) reasserted himself as the lead back in Dallas on Thursday. He’s still only owned in 49% of leagues currently and should be added where you can get him. The bad news is that Dallas plays a top tier Steelers defensive front this week.

 

• Wan’Dale Robinson(11/71) is somehow only owned in 29% of leagues, despite being WR25 on the season. Pick him up, especially since Malik Nabors is in concussion protocol this week. Even if Nabors plays, Robinson needs to be owned.

 

• Darius Slayton(3/56) will be in the mix this week as well, if Nabors can’t go.

 

Eagles – 16 @ Buccaneers – 33

• The Eagles bye couldn’t come soon enough, as AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and OT Lane Johnson all sat in WK4. Their injuries are not long term, and they should all be in action in WK6.

 

• Bucky Irving and Rachaad White had an identical line on the ground(10/49) Sunday, aside from the TD that Irving was able to punch in. White had more yards receiving(35), but Irving contributed a catch for 6 yards as well. The Bucs backfield is evolving into a committee with Irving potentially being the 1A. He’s still available in over half of leagues, so go get him ahead of Thursday night’s game.

 

• TE Cade Otton(6/52) had his 2nd consecutive week of 8 or more targets on Sunday. He makes for a reasonable streaming option this week against a Falcons team that is a top 15 matchup for TEs.

 

• With Trey Palmer(3/26/1) currently concussed and Jalen McMillan dealing with a hamstring, Sterling Shepard(3/51) could run as the 3rd WR for Tampa this week. He’s only usable in 14-16 team leagues in that case.

 

Broncos – 10 @ Jets – 9

• The Broncos simplified the game for Bo Nix, and he pulled out a win. The blueprint was predicated on running the ball and targeting Courtland Sutton(3/60/1) almost exclusively. Outside of Sutton and Jaleel McLaughlin, no Broncos player garnered more than 1 target on the day.

 

• Tyler Badie was getting the opportunity for more carries in the Denver backfield before suffering a back injury and ultimately leaving on a stretcher. He may be placed on IR. Denver was forced to resort to a combo of Javonte Williams(18/75) and Jaleel McLaughlin(10/46), with Williams leading the effort. Both have some juice going up against the Raiders’ pitiful run defense this week.

 

• There’s a committee brewing in New York, as Braelon Allen(9/46) proved to be more effective against the Broncos. HC Saleh said the team would look into giving Allen more goal line carries moving forward, as Breece Hall(12/18) was denied twice by the Broncos. Hall would still be an elite option, as he can score from anywhere, but Allen taking goal line carries would boost him into RB2 territory. Allen needs to be owned in all formats.

 

• Allen Lazard(5/58) remains an integral part of the offense, even with Mike Williams on the field. He tied Garrett Wilson for the most targets(8) for a Jet on Sunday and is an asset in the red-zone.

 

Steelers – 24 @ Colts – 27

• Even in a loss, Justin Fields displayed why he’s such a potent fantasy QB, rushing for 55 yards and 2 TDs, in addition to throwing over 300 yards and a TD. It was the Steelers first loss of the season, and though he hasn’t been named the starter, it is likely that Fields will be under center against the Cowboys this week. He’s unowned in just under 70% of leagues.

 

• Cordarrelle Patterson8/62) looked like Pittsburgh’s best “back” before succumbing to an ankle injury on Sunday. He’s worth stashing whether he makes it back this week or not.

 

• Anthony Richardson suffered a hip pointer on Sunday, but the team is hoping he misses little or no time moving forward. If he can’t suit up this week, Joe Flacco would replace him and actually makes for a solid streamer against Jacksonville. He actually might be an upgrade on Richardson in regards to Colts pass-catchers too.

 

• Josh Downs(8/82/1) was a favorite target of Flacco’s, tying Michael Pittman for team lead in targets(9). If Flacco is QB this week, Downs makes for a high upside flex.

 

Jaguars- 20 @ Texans – 24

• Tank Bigsby(7/90) was the Jags’ most effective back on Sunday, as Travis Etienne(12/60)missed time with a shoulder injury. Etienne re-entered the game, but the Jacksonville struggling mightily right now at 0-4, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them give Bigsby more opportunity moving forward.

 

• Cam Akers(13/53) was a little better this week as Houston’s lead back, though he still wasn’t usable in fantasy, as he got no action in the passing game. If neither Joe Mixon nor Dameon Pierce can go this week, I’d rather use Dare Ogunbowale(6/54/1) against Buffalo.

 

Vikings – 31 @ Packers – 29

• Jordan Addison(4/79/2) re-entered game action in a major way on Sunday, scoring twice. Jailen Nailor(1/31) fell back into the 3rd WR role, and though his output was meager, it’s hard to tell if he should be dropped this week, as Justin Jefferson was the only WR to get more than 4 targets(8). Nailor is only a deep league option this week.

 

• Jordan Love(42/389/4/3) threw 3 picks in WK4, but at least he played the whole game, which we weren’t sure would be the case. Even in a loss with several turnovers, Love still posted over 30 fantasy points. Fire him up in WK5.

 

• Emanuel Wilson(8/27) is averaging 10 touches over the last 2 games. Josh Jacobs is still the lead back, but Wilson should be owned if he keeps these touches up. It makes sense to get as much ownership of the dynamic Packers’ offense as possible.

 

• Christian Watson suffered a high ankle sprain and may have to go on IR, depending on the severity. Either way, he’ll miss time so Dontayvion Wicks(5/78/2) is a necessary addition in the meantime. He led the team in targets(13) with Watson out.

 

Rams – 18 @ Bears – 24

• Tutu Atwell(4/82) led LA in receiving yards, but Jordan Whittington(6/62) led the team in targets(8) and catches. Both are on the fantasy radar this week, while Demarcus Robinson(2/37) and Tyler Johnson(1/0) are fading into fantasy obscurity.

 

• Roschon Johnson(7/26/1) managed to find the endzone on Sunday, despite D’Andre Swift(23/165/1) asserting himself in the Bears backfield. Swift remains the bellcow, but Johnson may have grabbed goal line duties. He’s a deep league flex against Carolina this week.

 

• Keenan Allen(3/19) came through his first game, after missing 2 contests with a heel injury, unscathed. His output wasn’t noteworthy, but the same could be said for all Bears pass-catchers. He’s good to go this week.

 

Bengals – 34 @ Panthers – 24

• Chase Brown(17/92/2), blew up on Sunday, matching Zack Moss(19/78) in carries(15). Brown has now had 2 straight double-digit TD games and could be in line for significant touches against a Ravens team that is hard to run right up against. Brown is available in almost 40% of leagues.

 

• With no Adam Thielen around, Xavier Legette(6/66/1) soaked up 10 targets. If Thielen sits again this week, Legette makes for a strong PPR option, even against a pretty stout Bears secondary.

 

Saints – 24 @ Falcons – 26

• Taysom Hill(6/24/2) managed to score twice on Sunday, but he bruised his ribs in the process. Even is he doesn’t miss time, Hill’s production is too spotty to rely on on a weekly basis.

 

• Ray-Ray McCloud(6/52) has played almost every offensive snap for the Falcons this season. He doesn’t have a ton of upside, but he has a decent PPR floor.

 

• Tyler Allgeier(10/80) is averaging 8 touches over the last 3 weeks. He actually out gained Bijon Robinson(7/28) on the ground in WK4. He’s more of a detriment to Robinson’s fantasy value than he is an asset in fantasy at this point.

 

Patriots – 13 @ 49ers- 30

• Ja’Lynn Polk(3/30) led the Pats in targets(7), but New England just isn’t producing high-yield targets. He’s a stash in dynasty, but you can’t use him right now.

 

• Antonio Gibson(9/79) popped on Sunday due to a 50 yard reception late in the game. He’s still a backup, but with the Pats’ passing game severely lagging, Gibson should get more touches. Hopefully the coaching staff realizes that.

 

• Jauan Jennings(3/88) led the 49ers in receiving, even with Deebo Samuels(5/72) back in the mix. Jennings is here to stay as a fantasy contributor.

 

Commanders – 42 @ Cardinals – 14

• Jeremy McNichols(9/74) ran in for 2 scores on Sunday, with Austin Ekeler sidelined. The journeyman makes for a deep league option if Ekeler(concussion) can’t make it out of protocol in time.

 

• Olamide Zaccheaus(6/85) led the Commanders in receiving. It seems that it’s a game of musical chairs behind Terry McLaurin in regards to who gets the targets on a weekly basis, but it makes sense to grab a piece of this ascending Commanders offense.

 

• Trey Benson(9/50) had close to double digit touches, but he only does so in blow outs thus far. The Cardinals play the 49ers this week, so he could actually see a bit of run, as the Cardinals project to trail much of the game.

 

Browns – 16 @ Raiders – 20

• Nick Chubb is expected to start practicing this week. Jeremy Ford has done a respectable job as the Browns lead back thus far, but we have to think Chubb will regain a significant role when he gets up to speed. He’s available in about 25% of leagues right now.

 

• The Raiders are realizing that Alexander Mattison(5/60) is a better backfield option than Zamir White(17/50), and they’re beginning to plan accordingly. He’s owned in only 32% of leagues, so make sure to scoop him this week.

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Chiefs – 17 @ Chargers – 10

• Kareem Hunt(16/85) leapfrogged Carson Steele(3/6) and Samaje Perine(5/14/1) to become the lead back for KC on Sunday. He may lose some goal line touches, but Hunt is the KC back to own right now.

 

• Rashee Rice(knee) suffered what may be a season ending injury on Sunday, depending on the severity. There isn’t one particular player who would benefit from his absence, but Hunt, Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy would all see a boost in targets. It’s all noise outside of them.

 

• It was all pretty middling behind Ladd McConkey(5/67/1) for the Chargers on Sunday. He’s unowned in over half of leagues, but McConkey needs to be on rosters, especially PPR ones.

 

Bills – 10 @ Ravens – 35

• Keon Coleman(3/51) matched his best output for the season, but it was a blowout and he’s splitting time with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mack Hollins now, after getting full compliments of snaps in the first 2 games. He’s only worth holding in dynasty right now.

 

• With Derrick Henry running roughshod over the Bills, the other Ravens were rarely called on to participate in the festivities. It is worth being said that Justice Hill(6/78/1) led the team in receiving though. Only owned in 14% of leagues, Hill’s arrow is pointing up, and he should be on your rosters moving forward.