Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 5 of the 2023 NFL Season

Sail the seas of streamers as we head into our first bye week. This is the fallout going into Week 5…

 

Lions – 34 @ Packers – 20

• Well, David Montgomery(34/131/3) looks like the steal of the draft at RB. Jahmyr Gibbs acolytes(12/54) will have to deal with him taking a back seat to Montgomery for the near and distant future it seems. Much more than simply a goal line back, Montgomery is an RB1. Gibbs hasn’t sniffed the end-zone, and he’ll be an RB3 until that starts to happen.

 

• Josh Reynolds(3/69) led the Lions in receiving yards, but after the NFLPA reached a new agreement on gambling Friday, Jameson Williams is eligible to play in WK5. Go get him.

 

• Christian Watson‘s(2/25/1) day was saved by a TD grab, but he only had 26 snaps to Romeo Doubs‘(9/95) 50. Watson’s looks will increase, but Doubs seems to be entrenched as Jordan Love‘s favorite target. Doubs is still unowned in 46% of leagues.

 

Falcons – 7 @ Jaguars – 23

• Jonnu Smith(6/95) led the Falcons in receiving and is averaging 7 targets and 60 yards per game. He’s outplaying Kyle Pitts(2/21), and Smith needs to be owned considering the TE wasteland that we’re in.

 

• It appears that Christian Kirk(8/84) might actually be the 1A WR in Jacksonville. Aside from a WK1 clunker, Kirk has been a target monster. Calvin Ridley(2/38/1) seems a bit more volatile, as he would’ve had 3 straight subpar games if he hadn’t scored. Ridley has another potentially low scoring outing ahead this week, as the Jags will face the Bills.

 

Dolphins – 20 @ Bills – 48

• The passing of the RB torch may have happened in Miami, as Devon Achane(11/120/2) out-touched Raheem Mostert(10/45) 11 to 10. Achane is still somehow unowned in 10% of leagues. He’s a must start moving forward.

 

• Braxton Berrios(7/54/1) fared pretty well with River Cracraft out until at least WK8. He’s worth sniffing in PPR formats.

 

• Latavius Murray(6/56) out-gained all Bills RBs on the ground, and though he didn’t score, he’s had 2 TDs over the last 3 weeks. With the RB situation in fantasy growing direr by the week, he’s not a bad bye week flex.

 

Broncos – 31 @ Bears – 28

• Javonte Williams will miss little if any time with a hip injury, but he may start to lose touches to Jaleel McLaughlin(10/104/1), who played well in his absence.

 

• Roschon Johnson(6/15) only got 6 touches on the day, but he’s often utilized when the Bears play from behind. As Chicago led most of the game, Khalil Herbert(22/122/1) was used to eat the clock. Johnson will likely see more action when the Bears visit the Commanders this week.

 

• Chase Claypool was a healthy inactive on Sunday and seems destined to part ways with the Bears, which may not be a bad thing for either party. His absence/departure will open up looks for DJ Moore(8/131/1), Cole Kmet(8/86/2) and Darnell Mooney(4/51).

 

Ravens – 28 @ Browns – 3

• Justice Hill(3/33) was out-touched 17-3 by Gus Edwards(17/49) in his first game back after missing WK3. He was likely just being eased back in, but he’s an unreliable option nonetheless, as Lamar Hill is operating as the goal line back.

 

• It was a split backfield behind Jerome Ford(14/45), with both Pierre Strong(5/49) and Kareem Hunt(5/12) carrying the ball 5 times. All of Strong’s work came when the Browns were down badly, so you have to take his usage with a grain of salt. That being said, there seems to be opportunity for touches for all of the Browns backs right now, as Jerome isn’t exactly running away with the job.

 

• Deshaun Watson has the bye week to get his shoulder right, but the Browns are going to be in trouble if he can’t get back in WK6. Dorian Thompson-Robinson looked completely overwhelmed on the way to a 18.8 QB rating, though David Njoku(6/46) owners are praising him, as he used the otherwise useless Njoku as a safety blanket.

 

Steelers – 6 @ Texans – 30

• Kenny Pickett suffered a knee injury that, fortunately, does not seem season ending. Pickett was coming off of his best performance this season in WK3, so this is a bummer for those connected to his arm in fantasy. Mitch Truibisky will fill in for the interim, with the Ravens up next. I’d advise fading all Steelers pass-catchers if possible.

 

• Jaylen Warren(14/55) received just 1 fewer touch than Najee Harris(15/103) on Sunday, though Harris was effective with his touches. The Steelers want Warren to take as much as he can handle, but he’s not much more than a deep league PPR flex fight now.

 

• When are y’all going to go get CJ Stroud? The uber impressive rookie is averaging 25 FPPg over his last 3 contests, and he’s only getting better. He’s still owned in less than 50% of leagues, and that has to change.

 

• Tank Dell(3/29) took a step on Sunday after a WK3 breakout, but Stroud found something he liked in Nico Collins‘ coverage and peppered him all day. Also, the Texans were playing with a comfortable lead, so there wasn’t much need. He’ll be more necessary this week with the tougher Falcons defense on board. It was encouraging that he played almost as many snaps(50) as Collins(54) and Woods(51).

 

Rams – 29 @ Colts – 23

• RB Ronnie Rivers(11/57) had 11 touches behind Kyren Williams(28/132/2) on Sunday. The Rams were playing with a comfortable lead for much of the game, so it may have been an artifact of that. In any case, it probably makes sense to stash Rivers where you can. He would be in for a world of touches if something were to happen to Williams.

 

• Tough times may be in store for Zack Moss(18/70). Even if Jonathan Taylor doesn’t return this week, his next 4 games are against top 10 run defenses. I doubt you can sell him for much, but you might want to add him to offers this week.

 

• TE Drew Ogletree(3/48/1) led the Colts in receiving, but Indy utilized 3 TEs on Sunday. Mo Alie-Cox(1/35/1) also scored and Kylen Granson(2/24) led the team in targets(5). Nothing to see here unless Granson goes down.

 

Vikings – 21 @ Panthers – 13

• Cam Akers(7/51) was out-touched by Alexander Mattison(18/98) 18 – 7. Akers wasn’t bad, but he’s not challenging Mattison for the top spot as of now.

 

• Jordan Addison(0/0, 1 tgt) had the first goose egg of his short career on Sunday. It’s a miserable floor, but he’ll likely bounce back this week in a shootout with the Chiefs.

 

• The RB hierarchy was turned on its head Sunday, as Chuba Hubbard(16/63) had a 52.8% snap count over Miles Sanders(16/32). They had the same total touches, but Hubbard was more efficient on the ground. It may not be a sea change, but Hubbard should probably be added in deeper formats. They’re both playing behind a rotten O-line.

 

• Terrace Marshall(9/56) reared his head on Sunday to lead the Panthers in receiving targets(10). He was only starting because Jonathan Mingo hadn’t practiced after being concussed the previous week.

 

Buccaneers – 26 @ Saints – 9

• Mike Evans injured his hamstring and exited the game Sunday, leaving Deven Thompkins(4/45/1) and Trey Palmer(2/6/1) to get some extra looks. The injury looks minor though, and the Bucs have a bye this week, so there’s no need to panic yet.

 

• Derek Carr‘s sprained AC joint forced him to pepper Alvin Kamara(24/84) in his first game back from suspension. Kamara led the team in targets(14) and rendered other Saints backs useless for the time being. As much as we love Kendre Miller, his fantasy value is sapped unless Kamara gets hurt.

 

Commanders – 31 @ Eagles – 34

• Curtis Samuel(7/51) was the Commanders leading WR until Sunday, when Terry McLaurin(8/86) eclipsed him. All 3 starting WRs are viable this week against Chicago.

 

• It’s confirmed, D’Andre Swift(18/79/1) is the lead back in Philly. Kenneth Gainwell(6/21) can go back to benches.

 

Bengals – 3 @ Titans – 27

• Tee Higgins may have a cracked rib and could miss several games. It’s essential that you go out and grab Tyler Boyd if you can. Though, the Bengals offense is a shadow of its former self right now, as Joe Burrow doesn’t look like he’s all the way back from injury.

 

• Nick Westbrook Ikhine(5/51/1) had a decent line with Treylon Burks(knee) sidelined. He could be a decent PPR flex this week against Indy, in a pinch.

 

• Tyjae Spears(8/58) continues to get action, but he’s rarely in position to score. He should probably be owned, but he can’t be used outside of the deepest leagues.

 

Raiders – 17 @ Chargers – 24

• Jimmy G wasn’t able to clear concussion protocol, so Aidan O’Connell(/13241/1/1) started in his place. The Raiders actually had a shot in this one, even with O’Connell under center. He wasn’t good, but he wasn’t abysmal either. Anyway, Garoppolo should be back in WK5, so it may not even matter. If for some reason, O’Connell starts this week, Jakobi Meyers(2/33) is off limits.

 

• Josh Palmer(3/77, 8 tgt) was the main beneficiary of Mike Williams‘ absence, though he didn’t find the endzone. The Chargers have a gauntlet of solid secondaries for 5 of the next 6 games after the bye, but Palmer and rookie Quentin Johnson are both better off being owned.

 

Patriots – 3 @ Cowboys – 38

• There’s nothing much to take away from the Pats’ performance on Sunday. Rookie Demario Douglas(2/45) did lead the WRs in receiving, though he was 4th in snap count. He could get more looks going forward, as the Pats search for sparks in their offense.

 

• Michael Gallup(5/60, 6 tgt) appears to be the no.2 over Brandin Cooks(4/27, 4 tgt) based on the last couple of games. Gallup is only owned in 19% of leagues, and he’ll be necessary this week in a huge matchup with the 49ers this week.

 

• Jake Ferguson(7/77) led the Cowboys in receiving, and he’ll probably serve as a safety blanket for Dak Prescott this week, as the 49ers will definitely bring the pressure.

 

Cardinals – 16 @ 49ers – 35

• Don’t look now, but Joshua Dobbs is averaging 24.6 FPpG in his last 3 starts. He’s actually a decent streamer this week against a flailing Bengals squad.

 

• I loved him at the Senior Bowl, and Michael Wilson(7/77/2) is starting to shine as a rookie in the NFL. He’s had over 55 yards in his last 3(56,86,77) games, and he may have usurped Rondale Moore as the no.2 at this point. He needs to be owned.

 

• George Kittle(1/9) did more blocking than anything else in this one, and he could be in for a similar role against Dallas this week. Be wary.

 

Chiefs – 23 @ Jets – 20

• It was mainly Pacheco and Kelce in this one, but Rashee Rice‘s(3/32) role continues to grow in this offense. His 5 targets led all KC WRs. The Chiefs have a 4 game run of powderpuff secondaries ahead, so grab Rice while you can.

 

• The Jets, of course, lost, but this was Zach Wilson‘s(28/245/2) “best” outing so far. Both Allen Lazard(3/61/1) and Garrett Wilson(9/60) are on the fantasy radar with the lowly Broncos up next.

 

• We may not truly see the Jets unleash Breece Hall(9/69) until after their bye in WK7, and that’s if they’re still in contention. He and Dalvin Cook(6/18) can be flexed this week against Denver, but that might be your best bet for a while.