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

Week 4 was a rollercoaster of busted coverages, breakout stars, and some head-scratching coaching decisions. As always, I’m here to help you sift through the madness and figure out what’s real, what’s noise, and who you need to snag before your league-mates get wise. Here’s the fallout going into Week 5…

Seahawks 23 @ Cardinals 20 

Kenneth Walker III (19-81-0) carried the load on the ground, showing good burst while handling a true workhorse role, but Zach Charbonnet(12/39/1) got his too. We could be looking at a split backfield soon.

Trey Benson(8-35; 5-19) was slightly underwhelming in his first start, but the average yards per carry(4.4) and target share(5) were encouraging. He’ll be a better play this week against a pitiful Titans front.

Emari Demercardo(2-8; 2-13-1) was used in comeback mode but was underutilized otherwise. Maybe he gets more run moving forward, but this is Benson’s backfield.

Steelers 24 @ Vikings 21 

Carson Wentz (350-2-2) put up volume in catch-up mode, though turnovers and missed chances ultimately cost him. Both Justin Jeffesron and Jordan Addison went over the century mark, but it was Zavier Scott(6-43-1, 8 tgt) who had an interesting line. The hybrid RB has had back-to-back weeks of 9 or more targets/touches and should continue to see considerable touches while Aaron Jones is out.

Kenneth Gainwell (19-99-2; 6-35) did a better Jaylen Warren impression than Jaylen Warren(knee) does. The Steelers have a bye this week, so Gainwell may not get to repeat this performance, but he should get more touches moving forward, if the Steelers know what’s good for them.

Falcons 34 @ Commanders 27

The Commanders performed admirably considering that both Jayden Daniels(knee) and Terry McLaurin(quad) were both sidelined. Deebo Samuel(6-72-1) led the way, but Luke McCaffrey(2-21-1) was able to find the endzone. McLaurin is likely out WK5, so both pass-catchers are on the table for WK5

Chris Rodriguez(7-59) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt(7-47; 2-10) split carries in the loss. Rodriguez did most of his damage on one 48-yard run, probably doing just enough to keep it a timeshare this week. 

It seems like every other week, Tyler Allgeier(16-51-1) has a usable line in fantasy, surprisingly in the harder matchups thus far. The Falcons have a bye this week, but with Atlanta leaning heavily on the run to support Penix, Allgeier is worth owning.

Drake London (6-110-1) had another strong outing as Penix’s clear go-to receiver, and Kyle Pitts(5-70-1) had his best line of the season thus far. He’s having his best campaign since his rookie season and should be owned in most formats.

Bills 31 @ Saints 19

Kendre Miller(11-65-1) had his best game of the season yet, and his highest touch total(11). It’s gone up every week and should continue to grow as the Saints look for ways to mitigate Spencer Rattler’s shaky play.

The Bills WR corps is a motley crew, but Khalil Shakir (6-69-0) led all Bills’ receivers and proved he’s their most viable PPR option moving forward.

Lions 34 @ Browns 10

Quinshon Judkins(21-82-1; 4-33) was the lone bright spot on the Browns offense on Sunday, though Isaiah Bond(3-58) has seen his targets go up each week. Bond will only get more involved.

Joe Flacco has performed worse in each successive game this season, and it won’t be long before the Browns make a change – perhaps after their WK5 tilt overseas.

Patriots 42 @ Panthers 13

Bryce Young targeted TE Tommy Tremble(5-42-1) 8 times, as he filled in for Ja’Tavion Sanders(ankle). Sanders will likely be back this week, so no need to move on Tremble.

Stefon Diggs (8-101-0) crossed the 100-yard mark and looked every bit of New England’s WR1. It should be said that Kayshon Boutte(1-18) was 2nd in targets with 3. 

Hunter Henry (2-39-1) continued to be a reliable red-zone weapon and is becoming a rare commodity in fantasy leagues.

Rhamondre Stevenson(9-38; 1-3) led the Pats backfield in carries, but he was their most ineffective back. Both TreVeyon Henderson(7-32-1; 2-14) and Antonio Gibson(6-27-1) outperformed him. I prefer them over Stevenson this week against the Bills

Giants 21 @ Chargers 18

Omarion Hampton (20-128-1) carried the Chargers’ offense with his physical running style. In fact, he was the only Chargers RB to touch the ball. 

This is the Quentin Johnston (8-98-1) I was expecting when he entered the league a couple seasons ago. With a handle on his handles, Johnston is developing into LA’s WR1. 

The worst news of the week and probably the season for some was Malik Nabers’ season ending ACL injury. Wan’Dale Robinson will see an uptick in volume moving forward and should be owned in all formats. Darius Slayton(3-44) and Theo Johnson(3-17-1) both deserve long looks too. 

Jaxson Dart (13-111-1; 10-54-1) looked comfortable in a big win, avoiding major mistakes in his first NFL start. He came out with a hamstring injury but should be ok for WK5. Look for him to lean on his RBs and his TE as he acclimates. 

Cam Skattebo (25-79; 2-11) wasn’t terribly impressive in his first start, considering his wealth of touches, but he held up in a winning effort. He’ll continue to get the lion’s share of touches as long as Tyrone Tracy is out and maybe longer. 

---

Eagles 31 @ Buccaneers 25

A.J. Brown(2-7) disappeared again after going gangbusters in WK3 and despite getting 9 targets. His lines are becoming infuriating and I don’t blame you for shopping him. Things aren’t looking up against a tough Denver secondary this week.

Bucky Irving (15-63-0; 6-102-0) was a dual threat for Tampa in their comeback effort. Rachaad White(6-17; 4-29) had 10 touches, but he was pretty useless fantasy wise.

Chris Godwin(3-26) had 10 targets in his first game back, but didn’t do much with them, which could’ve been expected. Things won’t be much easier for him this week as he tries to shake off the rust against Seattle, but he’ll be heavily involved nonetheless.

Texans 26 @ Titans 0

Woody Marks (17-69-1; 4-50-1) led the Texans’ rushing attack and isn’t likely to give it back to Nick Chubb. This might be the last week you can get him in most leagues, so make him a high priority.

Epic Ayomanor(2-44) led the Titans in targets(7), but Cam Ward looked completely overwhelmed again this week. I still think he has the mentality of a winning QB, but perhaps he wasn’t ready to be thrown into the fire in WK1.

Rams 27 @ Colts 20

Kyren Williams (13-77; 3-17) was steady but Blake Corums’ (9-21; 2 – -5) 11 touches are disconcerting. Williams was easily the more effective back though and will retain his role as lead back this week.

Adonai Mitchell(3-96) led the Colts in receiving, but most of his yards came on one play, a 75 yard catch and run that culminated in a touchback when he fumbled out of the endzone on what should’ve been a TD. He might not get another shot at a big game anytime soon, as Alec Pierce(concussion) is likely to return from concussion protocol this week.

Jaguars 26 @ 49ers 21

Travis Hunter(3-42) had his best line of the season, but he’s unusable in fantasy right now.

Ricky Pearsall(4-46) injured his PCL and looks questionable for WK5. Jauan Jennings(2-24) and Jake Tonges(3-58-1) are in line for major targets this week. Kendrick Bourne has an outside shot in DFS too. 

Chiefs 37 @ Ravens 20

Tyquan Thornton(1-17-1) managed another TD, but Xavier Worthy(2-38; 5-83) reclaimed his role as the no.1 WR in KC on Sunday in his first game back since injuring his shoulder in WK1. He’s good to go. 

Kareem Hunt(13-34; 1-13) out-carried Isiah Pacheco(7-35; 2-13-1) 13 to 7 on Sunday, though Pacheco had the better day. With a tough schedule ahead for the foreseeable future, the KC backfield is one I want to avoid if possible, though it looks like Hunt will get more opportunities. 

Justice Hill (3-76-1; 5-41-1) paced Baltimore’s backfield, giving the Ravens at least one offensive bright spot on a day when they lost their QB to a hamstring injury. Most of his damage was done on a 71-yard scamper though and he won’t see much usage unless Derrick Henry goes down. 

The Ravens passing game is already sketchy with Jackson under center, so I can only imagine how spotty it will be if Cooper Rush has to start this week. Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews will be the only options in that case. 

Bears 25 @ Raiders 24

So much for Luther Burden’s(2 – -4) WK3 monster. He’s worth a hold in dynasty, but he’s not useful for redrafts right now. 

I guess the return of Raheem Mostert(4-62; 1-11) lit a fire under Ashton Jeanty(21-138-1; 2-17-2), as he had the breakout game we’ve all been waiting for. Mostert is still probably worth adding in deeper formats, as the Raiders need playmakers.

Packers 40 @ Cowboys 40 (OT)

Everyone got a piece in this one, as the game ran long, but it was Romeo Doubs(6-58-3) who showed out for the Pack WRs with a hat trick. Still, he’s highly TD dependent and has pretty mediocre lines if he doesn’t score.

George Pickens(8-134-2) feasted in CeeDee Lamb’s(ankle) absence. Look for him to continue to roll for the next 2 or 3 contests. Behind him, Jalen Tolbert(4-61) and Jake Ferguson(7-40-1) will get considerable targets this week in a winnable matchup with the Jets.