As bye weeks begin in Week 5, starting lineups become harder to fill out.
On the waiver wire, a player’s floor becomes a greater focus when you only need a respectable performance to get through the week. As the barrage of injuries continues, star players get replaced by average ones, leaving fantasy gamers with seemingly nothing but floor plays from the waiver wire.
There are a couple of players, though, whose talent and upside will soon be realized as a result of those injuries. As always, this column runs weekly on Tuesdays throughout the regular season. Percentages are based on ESPN’s rostered player data.
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (34.0%)
Fields enjoyed his best game of the season against the Colts, throwing one touchdown while running in two. Fields won’t face the Colts’ bottom-tier defense and rush for two touchdowns every week, but as one of the elite rushing quarterbacks in the NFL, he’s been a must-roster player ever since Russell Wilson hurt his calf.
Running Backs
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (21.6%)
Hunt took over as the Chiefs’ lead back Sunday against the Chargers after Carson Steele stumbled as the interim starter. Hunt’s pass-catching ability and familiarity with Andy Reid‘s system make him likely to hold onto the job for the foreseeable future. He simply looked like the most dynamic running back on the team.
Trey Sermon, Indianapolis Colts (0.8%)
Sermon is the next man up for the Colts after Jonathan Taylor suffered a high-ankle sprain Sunday against the Steelers. Sermon is one of the worst runners in the league, and the Colts will reap what they’ve sown after ignoring the lack of depth behind Taylor. Still, fantasy success at the running-back position largely comes down to opportunity and offensive environment, and with a mobile quarterback keeping defenses honest, perhaps even Sermon can muster flex-worthy performances.
Wide Receivers
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (9.6%)
With Christian Watson going down early against the Vikings with a high-ankle sprain, Wicks took advantage of his increased opportunity share, yielding 78 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets. While drops have been an issue early in the season, Wicks will remain a trusted playmaker looking to build on an impressive rookie season in which he recorded over two yards per route run.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (25.0%)
Legette posted the best game of his young career Sunday against the Bengals, catching six of 10 targets for 66 yards and a touchdown. Andy Dalton‘s first two starts have come against lackluster defenses, so fantasy points might be harder to come by against the Bears. But when young show promise, it’s important to pounce early before the full-blown breakout.
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (27.1%)
Despite sitting near the top of the league in targets, fantasy enthusiasm around Robinson has remained low, likely due to the stench of the Giants. Robinson is most valuable in full-PPR formats where his reception totals are rewarded most, but he’s still valuable with the floor he provides in half-PPR with bye weeks now upon us.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (8.8%)
Downs earned 30% of the team’s targets between Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco Sunday. Downs and Michael Pittman are the clear top options on this offense, and Downs should be rostered even though the Colts are a low-volume passing attack with Anthony Richardson at the helm.
Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams (3.8%)
Whittington took advantage of his spike in playing time Sunday against the Bears, catching six of eight targets for 62 yards. While not the most dynamic athlete, Whittington offers toughness and reliable hands. While Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua remain sidelined, Whittington is the receiver to own in L.A.
Ja’Lynn Polk, New England Patriots (15.6%)
Polk was another rookie who saw his snaps increase in Week 4, and he’s been an excellent separator when on the field. The problem, though, is he plays for the Patriots. The offense is a mess and can’t sustain drives. Drake Maye could see playing time this year, but it would be an act of negligence by the team to put him out there. Still, Polk is a good bet on talent who could prove valuable in a pinch.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (4.7%)
Slowly but surely, Kraft has proven himself the more reliable and effective player than fellow tight end Luke Musgrave. Green Bay falling behind early against the Vikings led to a pass-heavy game script, and Kraft’s nine targets will likely end up a season-high, but any tight end showing signs of life must be added.
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