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Jacory Croskey-Merritt Projects as RB3 Option for Week 5 vs. the Giants
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has struggled as the team's primary runner through the first month of the season and will look to continue that role against the New York Giants. The second-year back ranks last out of 48 qualified running backs with -70 rushing yards over expected, per Next Gen Stats. Croskey-Merritt is averaging just 3.2 yards per touch and saw his fewest touches (11) in a game this season in Week 4 against the Colts. There is more uncertainty in the backfield now with his struggles and veteran Austin Ekeler rejoining the team last week and immediately drawing a 26.2% snap share and figures to be a consistent piece of the backfield moving forward, along with Rachaad White (shoulder), who will return in Week 5. The Giants' run defense is a favorable matchup for opposing running backs, allowing 4.7 yards per carry so far this season, the eighth-worst in the league; plus the return of Jayden Daniels (elbow) will benefit the entire offense. Croskey-Merritt ranks as RotoBaller's RB24 in PPR formats for Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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Michael Penix Jr. Outside QB2 Ranks Despite Banged Up Ravens Defense
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has led his team to two consecutive wins since returning from injury, although much of the success can be attributed to the one-two punch at running back of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson. The left-handed quarterback is averaging about 240 yards passing per game, but has just two touchdowns to show for it (and one interception), with the Robinsons accounting for eight touchdowns in the last two games with Penix under center. Having such a capable ground game will limit Penix from a fantasy perspective, though Week 5's matchup against the Ravens puts the former first-round draft pick up against a pass defense that has been middle-of-the-road to this point but will now be without pass rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger) and could potentially be missing cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf/hamstring) as well. Still, look for the Falcons to lean on the run as much as possible in the red zone, leaving the 26-year-old outside the ranks of QB2 in Week 5 (QB No. 25 at RotoBaller), albeit with QB2 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
New York Jets D/ST Offers Limited Week 5 Streaming Appeal
New York Jets D/ST carries some risk as a Week 5 streaming option against a Cleveland offense that has played better than expected. The Browns have won three straight games behind Deshaun Watson, although their quarterback has been sacked 11 times through four weeks. That gives New York a potential opening after the defense forced two turnovers against Chicago, including its first interception of the season. The problem is that the Jets also surrendered 492 total yards to the Bears, and their pass rush has struggled to generate consistent pressure. Edge rusher Will McDonald IV (calf) is questionable, creating another concern for a defense that needs more disruptive plays. RotoBaller has the Jets D/ST at 14th in its Saturday rankings. The matchup offers some streaming appeal, particularly at home, but the unit is better suited to deeper leagues than managers looking for a dependable weekly starter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Browns Defense Has Chance to Shine in Week 5
The Cleveland Browns' defense is RotoBaller's fifth-ranked defense in Week 5 as it faces a New York Jets offense that has struggled to move the football this season. The Jets have averaged just 286 yards per game, the eighth-worst mark in the NFL, while averaging just 19 points per contest, also the eighth-worst mark in the league. Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland allowed the Steelers to gain 269 yards through the air but intercepted Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice and sacked him five times. Cleveland is projected to score eight fantasy points against the Jets in Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
No Resolution in Sight for Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remains on the reserve/left squad list, and there's no indication that he'll be returning to play anytime soon. Aiyuk missed most of 2024 and all of 2025 while recovering from numerous knee injuries. He's healthy again this year, but some off-the-field antics prompted the 49ers to commit to never playing him again. At the same time, there seems to have been minimal trade interest in the veteran receiver. It wouldn't have been crazy to assume that a couple of receiver-needy teams made calls for Aiyuk, but there's no indication that has happened. Instead, Aiyuk remains off the field, perhaps making it difficult for him to get back up to full speed once he does play again. The 28-year-old has minimal value in dynasty leagues right now, so managers in many leagues could justify dropping him to waivers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandin Cooks a Riskier Week 5 Play Despite Veteran Status
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandin Cooks should be active for Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks, given the number of injuries plaguing the rest of the receiver room. As a result, he is starting to warrant some consideration as a low-end flex option in fantasy football. The Niners are marching into this divisional battle shorthanded on both sides of the ball, but perhaps no position group has been impacted by injuries more than the wide receivers. With Mike Evans (ribs) questionable and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Christian Kirk (calf), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) all sidelined, the 49ers will turn to a group of Cooks, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Jacob Cowing to step up. Evans played through his rib injury last week, keeping Cooks and Cowing off the fantasy radar. However, if the veteran receiver isn't able to play on Sunday, we could see one of Cooks or Cowing possess some flex appeal alongside Samuel. Cooks can be left on waivers for now, but he's not a bad streamer once the inactives are announced and we know whether Evans will be playing.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Downs Has Upside In Week 5 Despite Disappointing Week 4
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been separating from defensive coverage very well this season. His problem has just been that he hasn't gotten the ball enough. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones hasn't been a productive passer, and it's dragged the whole offense down. Downs was only targeted four times in Week 4, but that could be simply an impossibly low number for Week 5, as Indy is dealing with yet more injuries to its already thin pass-catching corps. WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 5, and WR Keenan Allen (groin) is dealing with a groin strain and is questionable to play. It's possible that Jones continues to be stubborn, and simply gives extra targets to WR Darius Slayton (knee), but it would be unwise. Downs is a reliable target, but it's obvious now that Jones prefers to hit his bigger-bodied wideouts. If he decides he wants to get easy completions and move the chains, and perhaps even win the matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, Downs should bounce back.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kendrick Bourne Immediately Stepping Into a Fantasy-Relevant Role
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Kendrick Bourne should have immediate fantasy relevance as a WR3/flex now that the team is finalizing a trade of Marvin Harrison Jr. The biggest factor holding back Bourne this year was his position as the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart, but now that Harrison is being dealt, the veteran receiver will jump to second on the depth chart (and third in the pecking order behind Michael Wilson and Trey McBride). The Cardinals aren't flashy by any means, but they absolutely throw the ball enough to support two fantasy-relevant wide receivers. Even after catching zero passes last week, Bourne should be an early favorite to bounce back as a WR3/flex now that Harrison is gone. He's especially intriguing in fantasy football for Week 5, given that his opponent, the Lions, have surrendered the most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
KC Concepcion Jr. Looks to Continue Strong Start
Cleveland Browns rookie first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. has been productive to begin his first professional season, recording 17 receptions for 144 yards through his first four NFL games. He has yet to score a touchdown, but has a chance to in Week 5, when the Browns will go up against a New York Jets pass defense that, while keeping Chicago Bears pass catchers out of the end zone, gave up 268 yards through the air last week. Chicago's WR2, Luther Burden III, finished the game with four receptions for 63 yards. Concepcion is RotoBaller's 37th-ranked wide receiver and is projected to score nine points against the Jets this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals Trading Away Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Arizona Cardinals are finalizing a trade centered around wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The trade destination was not initially reported, and the deal is not yet official. However, Schefter reports that the Cardinals have already informed Harrison of the trade, telling him that he will be inactive on Sunday as they wait for the transaction to become official. This marks the end of a disappointing two-plus years in Arizona for Harrison. The former No. 4 pick peaked as the WR30 in fantasy leagues his rookie season, and he has taken a step backward ever since. His draft capital shows that there's still plenty of upside here, as Harrison has the potential to be a high-end WR2 even if he hasn't looked like one lately. He's also an affordable offensive weapon for his new team, carrying a very modest $776,000 salary this year and a $1.19 million base salary next year.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Justice Hill Offers Little Standalone Value vs. Falcons
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill is listed as the second running back on the team's depth chart, but he operates far behind starter Derrick Henry. Hill, Henry and the Ravens have a difficult Week 5 matchup against an Atlanta Falcons team that ranks as the No. 1 rushing defense in the league, giving up just 48.3 rushing yards per game. Hill has played 103 offensive snaps through four games in 2026, compared to Henry's 151. Hill has recorded 14 carries for 60 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and five receptions for 44 yards (8.8 yards per catch) this season. He is yet to receive a red-zone touch or score a touchdown. Unsurprisingly, Henry has dominated the touches in the running game with 89 carries for 374 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns, while quarterback Lamar Jackson (who will miss Week 5 with an ankle injury) has recorded 144 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Hill is RotoBaller's No. 53 running back for Week 5 and is projected to score 4.2 fantasy points. He does not have enough standalone value to be in lineups for Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Pitts Sr. a Low-Floor TE3 in Tough Week 5 Matchup
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. has underwhelmed to begin 2026 after a career year in 2025, but at the very least, he appeared to take a small step forward last week, catching all three of his targets for 47 yards. The 6-foot-6 tight end had just two catches for 20 yards in the three games before last week's contest. The Atlanta offense has looked much more potent with Michael Penix Jr. under center, and this week the team will face the Baltimore Ravens in a home matchup in the dome at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However, the Ravens are allowing just 36.3 yards per game to opposing tight ends, with only two touchdowns scored against them by TEs. The matchup is shaping up as a tough one, although with the Ravens missing LB Trey Hendrickson (finger) and potentially CB Marlon Humphrey (calf/hamstring), it could open things up in the passing game a bit. Even so, the 26-year-old looks like a risky, low-floor fantasy play in Week 5, as he's ranked as a high-end TE3 at RotoBaller.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Harold Fannin Jr. With Three Touchdowns in Last Two Games
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has found the end zone three times over his last two games, recording 10 receptions for 78 yards combined during wins over the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Fannin Jr. finished a Week 4 triumph over Pittsburgh with three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown and will now take on a New York Jets pass defense that allowed Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland to record six receptions for 57 yards last week. Fannin Jr. is RotoBaller's 10th-ranked tight end and is projected to score eight fantasy points against the Jets this weekend.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denzel Boston Remains a Quality Play in Week 5
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston is RotoBaller's 29th-ranked wide receiver as he and the Browns go up against the New York Jets in Week 5. Boston has been incredibly productive to start his rookie season, averaging 71 yards per game and 21.8 yards per reception which recording a couple of touchdowns through his first four games. This past week during a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Boston finished with four receptions for 89 yards. He is projected to score nine fantasy points against the Jets, who gave up a six-reception, 94-yard day to Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze last week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Najee Harris Remains a Handcuff Against Commanders
New York Giants running back Najee Harris had nine carries for 30 yards in the 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Despite an increased workload over the last two weeks, Harris fumbled in the fourth quarter and did not receive another touch after the mistake. Since Week 3, Harris has played 20% of snaps, starter Cam Skattebo 69%, and third-string Tyrone Tracy Jr. 9%. They face a difficult test against the Washington Commanders, who have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. With Skattebo (shoulder) off the injury report, Harris should remain out of fantasy lineups as a handcuff until he earns a larger role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Skattebo Faces Tough Commanders Run Defense
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (shoulder) is off the injury report and set to play against the division-rival Washington Commanders. After being limited in Wednesday and Thursday's practices, Skattebo was a full participant on Friday and is set to play in Week 5. In four games, he has 68 carries for 235 yards and one touchdown, plus eight receptions for 67 yards. The second-year back has been the team's workhorse, averaging 65% of snaps this season. However, his lack of efficiency has been a problem, and against the Commanders' run defense, which has allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, he could have issues again. Fantasy managers can start Skattebo as a low-end RB2, though he's likely to be touchdown-dependent against a stout Washington run defense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quinshon Judkins Has Tasty Matchup in Week 5
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is coming off a solid performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers and hopes to keep it rolling against a leaky Jets run defense. New York has given up 123.5 yards per game on the ground this season, the eighth-worst mark in the NFL. This past week against the Chicago Bears, the Jets allowed Bears running back Kyle Monangai to rumble for 146 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 30 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per carry along the way. Chicago racked up 232 yards rushing on a 4.3 yards-per-carry average in the win. Judkins recorded 53 yards rushing and a touchdown on 17 carries while adding six receptions for 43 yards during a win over the Steelers last week. He is RotoBaller's 18th-ranked running back and is projected to score 13 fantasy points against the Jets.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Could Khalil Mack Return to the Bears?
With the Los Angeles Chargers beginning the 2026 season with an 0-4 record, multiple league sources have told The Athletic's Jonathan Jones that the Chicago Bears make sense as a potential landing spot for Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack in a trade. Sources have told Jones that Mack's trade value is likely a fifth-round pick. Mack signed a one-year, $18 million deal with the Chargers, which includes $8 million in base salary. With Mack on an expiring contract, and the Bears in need of pass-rushing help and with the necessary cap space available, it appears a reunion between the 35-year-old Mack and the Bears is something to watch. Mack played for the Bears from 2018 through 2021, with Chicago trading for him in 2018. Mack leads the Chargers with three sacks this season, and he has also recorded 14 total tackles so far.
Source: Jonathan Jones - The Athletic
Source: Jonathan Jones - The Athletic
Isaiah Williams Worth Monitoring After Week 4 Touchdown
New York Jets wide receiver Isaiah Williams provided one of the few offensive highlights against Chicago, catching two passes for 73 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown from Geno Smith. The score accounted for nearly half of Smith's passing yardage and gave Williams his first receiving touchdown of the season. He's been getting more opportunities with Adonai Mitchell sidelined by a finger injury, and Mitchell has now been ruled out for a third straight game. That could keep Williams involved against Cleveland, although Mason Taylor's return and Tim Patrick's possible season debut could change how the Jets distribute their targets. Williams has 10 catches for 135 yards through four games, and his biggest contribution came on one explosive play last week. He's worth monitoring in deeper leagues, but there isn't enough consistent volume yet to make him a reliable fantasy starter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kenyon Sadiq Faces More Competition for Targets in Week 5
New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq came crashing back down to earth against Chicago, failing to catch any of his four targets after his seven-catch, 105-yard breakout against Detroit. The Jets ran only 32 plays, which certainly didn't help, but Sadiq's role could become more complicated this week. Mason Taylor (thumb) practiced fully and is expected to return Sunday after missing the previous two games. Taylor's presence creates additional competition for snaps and targets, something Sadiq didn't have to deal with during his big Week 3 performance. The rookie has 12 receptions for 143 yards through four games, along with a receiving and rushing touchdown. RotoBaller has dropped him to TE23 in its updated Week 5 rankings. Sadiq remains worth holding in deeper formats, but with Taylor returning and the offense struggling, he's a difficult player to trust in starting lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Garrett Wilson Remains a Strong WR2 Despite Recent Struggles
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson managed just three catches for 27 yards against Chicago, although the entire offense struggled in a game where Geno Smith attempted only 15 passes. Wilson still accounts for a significant portion of New York's passing game, with 24 receptions for 270 yards and two touchdowns through four weeks. The Jets will be without Adonai Mitchell again Sunday, and that should keep Wilson heavily involved against Cleveland. The matchup isn't ideal, particularly with the Browns recording at least three sacks in three straight games, but Wilson's target share gives him a much better outlook than the team's recent offensive performances might suggest. RotoBaller has him at WR15 for Week 5. The Jets need to give Smith more opportunities to throw if Wilson is going to produce, but he's still their best fantasy option in the passing game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
More News About Jacory Croskey-Merritt
