RADIO
These unpredictable times we are living in are causing fantasy football players to make adjustments on the fly and prepare for anything to happen. We have your Week 5 lineup contingency plans here. With uncertainty surrounding a few teams, and two on byes, you may have to dig deeper for lineup options.
Some of the players listed here may still available on free agency after your initial waiver wire runs. You may have to add them and be ready to use them if needed. Many of these players won’t be regarded as ideal starters for sure, but they will have to get consideration in worst-case scenarios. In leagues where your commissioner allows you to designate a “contingency” player for possible postponed games, these are viable options.
Players at each position are listed in order of preference for Week 4 usage. The rundown ranges from potentially adequate replacements to desperation options.
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Running Backs
Myles Gaskin: Even in a matchup with the 49ers, who allow the least Fantasy Points Per Game to RBs, you have to strongly consider using Gaskin because he is most likely to lead the Miami backfield in touches again. Availability may be more important than concerning yourself with matchups in some situations this week. The priority fill-in guys are the ones who will likely get the most possible touches.
D’Ernest Johnson: For those who acquire him off free agency, you might have to plug him in right away. The Colts are fourth-best in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs, but as with Gaskin, it’s about availability.
Devonta Freeman, Giants: He is only two weeks into his Giants tenure, but he can catch some passes out of the backfield and Dallas is obviously vulnerable to the running game. They allowed the 26th-most Fantasy Points to running backs in Week 4 as they were ripped up by the Browns on the ground.
Justin Jackson: If you add Jackson, you may have to start him immediately in Week 4. He should assume part of a time share with Joshua Kelley, especially because the rookie has fumbled in two consecutive games.
Malcolm Brown: The Rams backfield is highly unpredictable right now, but the veteran already has 45 carries in four games, so he will make some contributions.
Chase Edmonds: He appears to be deserving of a growing role in the Arizona offense, and the Cardinals face the Jets this week.
Duke Johnson: The Jaguars allow the 27th-most Fantasy Points Per Game to RBs, and Johnson could start to see his role increase in the offense a bit more this week.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn: He registered his first NFL TD in Week 4 and the Buccaneers will likely continue to utilize him if Leonard Fournette sits out again. But Tampa Bay plays Thursday, and you would have to make an early decision to use him.
Nyheim Hines: His output can wildly fluctuate from week to week, but he will always get some touches, especially in the passing game, and sometimes near the goal line.
Gus Edwards: The Bengals rank No. 20 in Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game to RBs. The Ravens backfield is the most unpredictable in the league, but he did lead the team with nine rushing attempts last week.
Chris Thompson: If the game with the Texans becomes a shootout, or if the Jaguars fall behind, Thompson could contribute some receptions. He had five catches in Week 3.
Wide Receivers
Laviska Shenault Jr.: The rookie is rapidly emerging, and Shenault admirably battles hard for extra yardage after the catch. He deserves strong lineup consideration as the Jaguars take on the Texans.
Zach Pascal: He had four games with five-plus receptions, two 100-yard outings and five TD catches in 2019. Injuries have forced him into a role where he may become a frequent target for Philip Rivers.
Greg Ward: He has 18 targets in the past two games and may continue to be the top WR target for Carson Wentz. You can’t let a Steelers matchup scare you away. Again, it’s about availability. Plus, defenses don’t always win matchups in today’s high-scoring NFL.
Justin Gage: Julio Jones continues to deal with hamstring issues. Gage may be needed to step forward to make more plays this week.
Christian Kirk: He returned to action last week and faces the Jets next. One of his best performances of the year could come this week. The New York secondary is certainly very vulnerable to just more than one wide receiver, and will have enough major trouble trying to contain DeAndre Hopkins.
Randall Cobb: We saw him total 95 yards and score in Week 3. He has some upside potential vs. Jacksonville this week.
David Moore: He has re-emerged as a big-play threat for the Seahawks, with two TD catches so far. The Vikings allow the 29th-most FFPG to WRs. Defenses focus heavily on Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, and that frees up Moore for some downfield opportunities and TD chances. Russell Wilson does not hesitate to spread the ball around or gun to a familiar target like Moore.
Anthony Miller: The inconsistent Miller may have been dropped in some leagues, but he still has TD potential. Miller does have two TD catches this year.
Cedrick Wilson: He had a 100-yard game two weeks ago and six targets in Week 4. Wilson can make a a splash play in the high-volume Cowboys passing game at any time, especially in a possible shootout with the Giants. Wilson is an upside play with no real floor.
Jeff Smith: Pushed into a larger role, he caught seven passes for 81 yards in his season debut in Week 4. Smith may be needed to make significant contributions in the Jets passing game again this week.
Isaiah Ford: Preston Williams is not looking like he is fully healthy. Ford had 10 targets in Week 4 and nine in Week 2.
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert: He is still available in some leagues despite throwing for 290-plus yards in all of his starts so far. Herbert faces the Saints, who rank 26th in FFPG allowed to QBs.
Teddy Bridgewater: He faces the Falcons.
Kirk Cousins: The Vikings remain a run-first team, but Cousins has two-plus TD potential vs. Seattle.
Daniel Jones: We could see his better statistical form in a high-scoring affair vs. Dallas.
Tight Ends
Eric Ebron: The Eagles allow the third-most FFPG to TEs.
Jimmy Graham: He remains a TD threat, a short-yardage back at the TE position.
Greg Olsen: The longtime Panther and new Seahawk has two double-figure Fantasy outings so far.
Dan Arnold: He has disappointed so far, but a TD is a good possibility vs. the Jets.
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