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| Tuesday, October 5, 2021 |
| Monday's game between the Raiders and Chargers was kind of a disappointment for everyone except Austin Ekeler. Just in case there were any questions about whether Ekeler is an elite Fantasy option -- there shouldn't be at this point -- his current 16-game pace is 1,132 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 72 receptions, 564 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. And he hasn't even been that good as a receiver, his best trait, yet. Yeah, he's elite. |
| Derek Carr, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams left us with some more questions, and Justin Herbert probably had his worst overall game of the season, though that didn't necessarily show up in the Fantasy score. I'm still optimistic about that whole crew, but if you were skeptical, they gave you some reason to be Monday. |
| We'll have to figure out what to make of all of them and the rest of the field for Week 5, amid another crowded injury report. We'll have updates on all of the injuries you need to know about in tomorrow's newsletter, but first, let's set our expectations for Week 5 with a first look at the rankings for each position. Plus, we've got Jamey Eisenberg's top waiver-wire targets for you today. |
| For more on what will be another busy week on the injury front, make sure you tune in to Fantasy Football Today on CBS Sports HQ at noon ET, and for help locking in your waiver-wire claims join Jamey, Adam Aizer, and me on the FFT YouTube stream tonight at 8 p.m., where we'll be taking your questions live for an hour. If you've got any questions before then, as always, you can email me at Chris.Towers@CBSi.com with the subject line "#AskFFT" to be included this week -- including in tomorrow's trade mailbag. |
| And here's what we've got on tap in today's newsletter: |
| ➕Top Week 5 Waiver Wire Targets📈Week 5 Rankings📉 |
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| ➕Top Week 5 Waiver Wire Targets |
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| Injuries have created another couple of opportunities for waiver-wire targets to make a big impact. Here are Jamey Eisenberg's top targets plus one more for each position -- and you can read Jamey's breakdown of the top targets at every position here: |
| Jamey Eisenberg's top targets |
| Damien Williams (16% rostered) -- David Montgomery (knee) seems likely to miss upwards of a month, and could be out until the team's Week 10 bye, so Williams is the first potential long-term starter on the wire who actually has a track record of being good. Williams will likely take on an every down role for the Bears against the Raiders and beyond and is a top-24 back for me this week and likely until Montgomery returns.. Samaje Perine (8%) -- If Perine were to get the start for the Bengals in Week 5, I might like him even more than Williams for the week, considering he plays in a better offense. The problem is, Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters Monday he views Joe Mixon (ankle) as more day to day than week to week. Of course, Taylor was overly optimistic publicly about Mixon's foot injury all last season, so take that with a grain of salt. Laviska Shenault (60%) -- With DJ Chark (ankle, IR) leaving Thursday's game early, Shenault had his best game of the season, catching six of seven passes for 99 yards. 52 of those yards came on a broken play, and otherwise Shenault was still mostly used on short-area targets, however, I think there's still a decent chance he's the team's top target moving forward, with Marvin Jones taking on some more of Chark's deep role. Parker isn't my top WR if you need a Week 5 starter, but he's worth adding for the potential that he breaks out and becomes a start. He has that kind of talent. DeVante Parker (52%) -- Parker came into the season with less hype than his other Dolphins teammates, but he's been the best one of them so far with at least seven targets in all four games. With Will Fuller (hand) out for Week 5 at least, Parker isn't a bad starting option if you need one. Jamison Crowder (31%) -- All Crowder does when he's healthy is earn targets, and he led the Jets with nine in his debut in Week 4. If you need a starter in PPR, he's not a bad option at all. |
| One (more) target for each position |
| QB: Trey Lance (50%) -- It's no guarantee Lance actually starts, but if Jimmy Garoppolo's calf injury keeps him sidelined, Lance is going to be a starting-caliber Fantasy QB if he can even be decent as a passer, given his rushing ability. RB: Brandon Bolden (6%) -- Bolden has been the clear beneficiary of James White's (hip) absence, and he's worth an add in PPR formats. WR: Rashod Bateman (24%) -- I'm not sure what to expect of Bateman when he returns from preseason groin injury, which could come any day now. The team's first-round pick has plenty of upside, however, and if he does hit the ground running, this is your chance to get in ahead of the rush.TE: Tyler Conklin (32%) -- Conklin was a disappointment if you started him in Week 4, but the process was sound. Despite being limited during practice, he played a season-high 85% snap share and was targeted six times. He has a healthy role in the offense right now and is one of the more interesting streamers at the position ahead of a great matchup. |
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| 📈Week 5 Rankings📉 |
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| Here's where things stand for me in my first run through of the Week 5 rankings for PPR leagues. You can find Jamey, Dave, and Heath's rankings right here: |
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| Quarterbacks |
| Josh Allen @KCPatrick Mahomes vs. BUFLamar Jackson vs. INDKyler Murray vs. SFJalen Hurts @CARTom Brady vs. MIAJustin Herbert vs. CLEDak Prescott vs. NYGMatthew Stafford @SEA Aaron Rodgers @CINRussell Wilson vs. LADerek Carr vs. CHIKirk Cousins vs. DETDaniel Jones @DALTrey Lance @ARISam Darnold vs. PHIJoe Burrow vs. GBMatt Ryan vs. NYJTaylor Heinicke vs. NO Jared Goff @MINZach Wilson @ATLRyan Tannehill @JAXMac Jones @HOUTrevor Lawrence vs. TENBaker Mayfield @LACJacoby Brissett @TBAndy Dalton @LVBen Roethlisberger vs. DENDrew Lock @PIT Carson Wentz @BALJameis Winston @WASDavis Mills vs. NE |
| Running backs |
| Derrick Henry @JAXAustin Ekeler vs. CLEDalvin Cook vs. DETAaron Jones @CINNajee Harris vs. DEND'Andre Swift @MINSaquon Barkley @DALEzekiel Elliott vs. NYGAlvin Kamara @WAS James Robinson vs. TENDarrell Henderson @SEAChase Edmonds vs. SFJosh Jacobs vs. CHILeonard Fournette vs. MIAJonathan Taylor @BALAntonio Gibson vs. NONick Chubb @LACMike Davis vs. NYJKareem Hunt @LAC Samaje Perine vs. GBCordarrelle Patterson vs. NYJClyde Edwards-Helaire vs. BUFDamien Williams @LVChris Carson vs. LADamien Harris @HOUJamaal Williams @MINMiles Sanders @CARMelvin Gordon @PITMichael Carter @ATL Chuba Hubbard vs. PHITrey Sermon @ARITony Pollard vs. NYGNyheim Hines @BALMyles Gaskin @TBDevin Singletary @KCJavonte Williams @PITAlexander Mattison vs. DETLatavius Murray vs. INDJames Conner vs. SF Zack Moss @KCBrandon Bolden @HOUJ.D. McKissic vs. NOKenyan Drake vs. CHIJeremy McNichols @JAXKenneth Gainwell @CARMark Ingram vs. NEDavid Johnson vs. NETy Johnson @ATLLe'Veon Bell vs. IND Sony Michel @SEAAJ Dillon @CINRonald Jones vs. MIARoyce Freeman vs. PHIMalcolm Brown @TBDarrel Williams vs. BUFPhillip Lindsay vs. NECarlos Hyde vs. TENAlex Collins vs. LAPeyton Barber @LV Salvon Ahmed @TB |
| Wide receivers |
| Davante Adams @CINTyreek Hill vs. BUFStefon Diggs @KCCooper Kupp @SEAD.J. Moore vs. PHIJustin Jefferson vs. DETD.K. Metcalf vs. LACalvin Ridley vs. NYJKeenan Allen vs. CLE Diontae Johnson vs. DENTerry McLaurin vs. NOCeeDee Lamb vs. NYGDeebo Samuel @ARIMike Williams vs. CLEChris Godwin vs. MIATyler Lockett vs. LADeAndre Hopkins vs. SFAmari Cooper vs. NYGBrandin Cooks vs. NE Ja'Marr Chase vs. GBMike Evans vs. MIATyler Boyd vs. GBOdell Beckham @LACMarquise Brown vs. INDAntonio Brown vs. MIAKenny Golladay @DALAdam Thielen vs. DETJakobi Meyers @HOUDeVonta Smith @CAR DeVante Parker @TBCourtland Sutton @PITJaylen Waddle @TBRobert Woods @SEAMichael Pittman @BALAllen Robinson @LVCole Beasley @KCCorey Davis @ATLEmmanuel Sanders @KCDarnell Mooney @LV Jamison Crowder @ATLMarvin Jones vs. TENLaviska Shenault vs. TENHunter Renfrow vs. CHISammy Watkins vs. INDRobby Anderson vs. PHIJuJu Smith-Schuster vs. DENHenry Ruggs @LVAJ Green vs. SFBrandon Aiyuk @ARI Rondale Moore vs. SFTim Patrick @PITMecole Hardman vs. BUFKadarius Toney @DALChristian Kirk vs. SFCurtis Samuel vs. NOJalen Reagor @CARNelson Agholor @HOUNick Westbrook-Ikhine @JAXZach Pascal @BAL Collin Johnson @DAL |
| Tight ends |
| Travis Kelce vs. BUFDarren Waller vs. CHIGeorge Kittle @ARIT.J. Hockenson @MINMark Andrews vs. INDKyle Pitts vs. NYJNoah Fant @PITDalton Schultz vs. NYGTyler Higbee @SEA Dallas Goedert @CARMike Gesicki @TBTyler Conklin vs. DETDawson Knox @KCAnthony Firkser @JAXEvan Engram @DALJonnu Smith @HOUJared Cook vs. CLERobert Tonyan @CINC.J. Uzomah vs. GB Austin Hooper @LACZach Ertz @CARHunter Henry @HOUDan Arnold vs. TENCole Kmet @LVBlake Jarwin vs. NYGTommy Tremble vs. PHIDavid Njoku @LACCameron Brate vs. MIAMo Alie-Cox @BAL Maxx Williams vs. SF |
| Top-150 Flex Rankings |
| Derrick Henry @JAXAustin Ekeler vs. CLEDavante Adams @CINDalvin Cook vs. DETCooper Kupp @SEAAaron Jones @CINTravis Kelce vs. BUFTyreek Hill vs. BUFNajee Harris vs. DEN Stefon Diggs @KCD.J. Moore vs. PHID'Andre Swift @MINKeenan Allen vs. CLEJustin Jefferson vs. DETEzekiel Elliott vs. NYGAlvin Kamara @WASSaquon Barkley @DALCalvin Ridley vs. NYJDarrell Henderson @SEA James Robinson vs. TENDarren Waller vs. CHIDiontae Johnson vs. DENDeebo Samuel @ARITerry McLaurin vs. NOCeeDee Lamb vs. NYGChris Godwin vs. MIAChase Edmonds vs. SFTyler Lockett vs. LABrandin Cooks vs. NE Mike Williams vs. CLED.K. Metcalf vs. LAMike Davis vs. NYJLeonard Fournette vs. MIAJa'Marr Chase vs. GBDeAndre Hopkins vs. SFMike Evans vs. MIAJonathan Taylor @BALAntonio Gibson vs. NONick Chubb @LAC Kareem Hunt @LACTyler Boyd vs. GBAmari Cooper vs. NYGOdell Beckham @LACJosh Jacobs vs. CHISamaje Perine vs. GBCordarrelle Patterson vs. NYJAntonio Brown vs. MIAClyde Edwards-Helaire vs. BUFDamien Williams @LV Jakobi Meyers @HOUAdam Thielen vs. DETKenny Golladay @DALJaylen Waddle @TBRobert Woods @SEAMichael Pittman @BALGeorge Kittle @ARIMarquise Brown vs. INDDeVonta Smith @CARChris Carson vs. LA T.J. Hockenson @MINMark Andrews vs. INDDeVante Parker @TBAllen Robinson @LVCole Beasley @KCCourtland Sutton @PITCorey Davis @ATLEmmanuel Sanders @KCDarnell Mooney @LVJamaal Williams @MIN Jamison Crowder @ATLMyles Gaskin @TBMelvin Gordon @PITMarvin Jones vs. TENMichael Carter @ATLLaviska Shenault vs. TENKyle Pitts vs. NYJChuba Hubbard vs. PHITrey Sermon @ARITony Pollard vs. NYG Hunter Renfrow vs. CHISammy Watkins vs. INDMiles Sanders @CARDamien Harris @HOUNyheim Hines @BALRobby Anderson vs. PHIJuJu Smith-Schuster vs. DENDevin Singletary @KCJavonte Williams @PITMike Gesicki @TB Noah Fant @PITAJ Green vs. SFHenry Ruggs vs. CHIDalton Schultz vs. NYGAlexander Mattison vs. DETJames Conner vs. SFBrandon Aiyuk @ARIZack Moss @KCTyler Higbee @SEARondale Moore vs. SF Brandon Bolden @HOUCurtis Samuel vs. NODallas Goedert @CARTim Patrick @PITTyler Conklin vs. DETJ.D. McKissic vs. NOMecole Hardman vs. BUFKadarius Toney @DALChristian Kirk vs. SFLatavius Murray vs. IND Jeremy McNichols @JAXKenyan Drake vs. CHIDawson Knox @KCJalen Reagor @CARNelson Agholor @HOUAnthony Firkser @JAXEvan Engram @DALNick Westbrook-Ikhine @JAXKenneth Gainwell @CARZach Pascal @BAL Mark Ingram vs. NEDavid Johnson vs. NEJonnu Smith @HOUJared Cook vs. CLERobert Tonyan @CINCollin Johnson @DALK.J. Osborn vs. DETC.J. Uzomah vs. GBTy Johnson @ATLAustin Hooper @LAC Le'Veon Bell vs. INDTerrace Marshall vs. PHIZach Ertz @CARHunter Henry @HOUKendrick Bourne @HOUVan Jefferson @SEASony Michel @SEADan Arnold vs. TENAJ Dillon @CINDemarcus Robinson vs. BUF Cole Kmet @LVRandall Cobb @CINMarquez Callaway @WASRonald Jones vs. MIABlake Jarwin vs. NYGTommy Tremble vs. PHIDavid Njoku @LACChester Rogers @JAXTyron Johnson vs. TENCameron Brate vs. MIA Royce Freeman vs. PHI |
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