The first month of the NFL season is over. That means it’s time to evaluate your team’s position in fantasy football.
While the players near the top of the league standings are trying hard, those at the bottom are desperately looking for answers to get them out of the basement. Regardless of the team’s standings, Week 5 is the start of the bye week, so most fantasy managers should start making adjustments to their lineups. Do you need to replace your star running back or receiver?
With a month left, trends are starting to build as to which players can be trusted to have solid games and others are just one-game miracles.
Fantasy football players added in week 5
Because of the wide variation in league types and individual team needs, the players listed here are at the lowest to highest participation rates in ESPN leagues, and may or may not match participation rates on other platforms. , may not match.
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Rashard White was considered to be the Buccaneers’ jack-of-all-trades when the season started, but Irving, as a rookie, received significant playing time. The number of carries he gets has increased and he is on track to score his first career NFL touchdown. Tampa Bay will also face an Atlanta team that ranks at the bottom of the rushing defense.
A touchdown merchant may have appeared in New York. After Breece Hall failed to get into the end zone on a goal-line carry, Jets coach Robert Saleh hinted that Allen might receive a touch while trying to punch in. If New York finds itself in a goal-to-go situation, Allen could easily score a touchdown. .
Dallas isn’t running the ball much, but it’s clear they have a new lead back. Dowdle has had his best performance of the season in carries and yards over the past three weeks, surpassing the returning Ezekiel Elliott. Doodle has become more reliable in a high-octane passing game.
Aaron Rodgers and Lazard’s long-standing relationship is clearly evident in New York. Even when the Jets offense couldn’t reach the end zone, Lazard tied for the most goals on Sunday and remained a reliable option for Rodgers. Lazard has scored at least 10 points in three of the last four games played in PPR leagues.
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua yet to make the trip to Los Angeles, Parkinson is a more reliable target for Matthew Stafford. He has scored at least five goals in three of the first four games, making Parkinson a solid backup option if someone is out with Sam Laporta or Dallas Goedert this week.
Malik Nabors was the Giants’ headliner, but Daniel Jones found a reliable short-target option in Robinson. He completed a whopping 14 targets and had a season-high 11 receptions and 71 receiving yards. He has scored at least 11 points in three games this season and could draw a lot of attention to Nabers to continue piling up the goals.
The Packers didn’t have a reliable receiver for Malik Willis to start under center, but the return of Jordan Love should reinvigorate the passing game. After a mediocre start to the season due to the strong performance of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubes has a chance to get more targets. It’s also a good time for Green Bay to face a Rams team that has struggled defensively.
With Adam Thielen sidelined, Leggett got another chance to play his best game of his rookie season. He had six catches for 66 yards and one touchdown. Andy Dalton threw the ball well, but Carolina’s defense couldn’t stop it much and they were forced into more aerial battles. With more passing play calls, Leggett has more opportunities to get behind Diontae Johnson.
In his first game back against his old team, Hunt quickly became Kansas City’s go-to running back over Carson Steele and Samaje Perine. Hunt had a significant amount of carries compared to other backfield options and was the only player to have some production in receiving. Kansas City’s offense is still trying to sort out its mess, but Hunt could emerge as the lead until Isaiah Pacheco returns.
One of the top performers in Week 4 was Derrick Henry, but it was his backup, Hill, who went under the radar. Although not as good at carries as Henry, Hill led the Ravens in receptions and also had a touchdown reception. Baltimore loves to run the ball, but Lamar Jackson rarely goes deep when it comes to passing, and Hill has been reliable to give Henry some breathing room.