Wide receiver was supposed to be the deepest position for Fantasy managers, but we've been decimated by injuries this season, with Rashee Rice (knee) and Christian Watson (ankle) the latest casualties from Week 4. Now, heading into Week 5 with four teams on a bye, the depth at receiver will be tested.
Along with the receivers on the injury report, we're also missing Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, who are on bye. Thankfully, some receivers have stepped up to fill the void.
Xavier Worthy and Dontayvion Wicks benefit because of the injuries to Rice and Watson, and both should be considered No. 3 Fantasy receivers in the majority of leagues. Wan'Dale Robinson has crept into must-start territory in PPR, and Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell are worth using as sleepers in PPR -- because of injuries to Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle).
I'll also have interest in Michael Pittman and Josh Downs this week if Joe Flacco starts for the injured Anthony Richardson (hip). The Colts have a great matchup against the Jaguars, who are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, but I would only fully trust Pittman and Downs if Flacco starts. Otherwise, Pittman and Downs are just No. 3 receivers in the majority of leagues.
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WRs to Start
Projections powered by
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I'm starting a pair of Packers this week with Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, and both should have the chance for a big game with Christian Watson (ankle) out. Reed has played two games with Jordan Love this season, and he scored at least 27.1 PPR points in both. And Wicks just had five catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets in Week 4 against Minnesota in the game where Watson was injured. The Rams are No. 9 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and Reed has top-10 upside in Week 5, while Wicks a high-end No. 3 receiver in all formats.
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I'm starting a pair of 49ers this week with Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and this should be the first time where both of San Francisco's top receivers go off. Samuel scored at least 18 PPR points in his first two games of the season before missing Week 3 with a calf injury. He returned in Week 4 and scored just 10.2 PPR points against New England, but I'm expecting him to get back to his dominant ways in Week 5. He has scored at least 21 PPR points in two of his past four meetings with the Cardinals. Aiyuk has scored at least 16 PPR points in three of his past five games with Arizona, and hopefully this matchup gets him going. Aiyuk has yet to score even 10 PPR points in any game this year. Both 49ers receivers have top-20 upside this week.
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I'm starting a pair of Jaguars receivers this week with Thomas and Christian Kirk, and I love the matchup for both against the Colts, who are No. 7 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Thomas is coming off a huge game in Week 4 at Houston with 21.9 PPR points, and this is the second time in four outings where he's scored at least 14.7 PPR points. And Kirk is rolling now with at least 15.9 PPR points in each of his past two games, including 22 targets over that span. Kirk has scored four touchdowns in his past three games against the Colts, who have already allowed five receivers to score at least 15.2 PPR points this year.
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I'm starting a pair of Browns receivers this week with Cooper and Jerry Jeudy, and I love the matchup for both of them against the Commanders, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Cooper only has one game this season with more than 7.5 PPR points, but it was the last time he was in Cleveland in Week 3 against the Giants when he scored 27.6 PPR points. Jeudy just had six catches for 72 yards on nine targets at the Raiders in Week 4, and he's now scored at least 11.5 PPR points in three of four games this season. Six receivers have scored at least 15.5 PPR points against Washington this season, and Cooper should be considered a solid No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, with Jeudy a high-end No. 3 option.
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Higgins got on track in Week 4 at Carolina with six catches for 60 yards on 10 targets, and 12 PPR points will hopefully be his floor moving forward. He has a great history against the Ravens with two games of at least 28 PPR points in his past four meetings, and Baltimore has already allowed five receivers to score at least 13.2 PPR points this season. Ja'Marr Chase and Higgins should both have dominant performances in this matchup, which is projected to be the highest-scoring game of the week at 50.5 points.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Keep an eye on Malik Nabers (concussion), and hopefully he will play in Week 5. If Nabers is out then Robinson might be looking at double digits in targets once again. Robinson just had 11 catches for 71 yards on 14 targets in Week 4 against Dallas, and that's his third game this season with at least eight targets and six catches. He's also scored at least 13.1 PPR points in each of his past two games and has just one game this season below 11.8 PPR points. Robinson should be considered a No. 3 PPR receiver for Week 5 at Seattle, and the Seahawks defense is dealing with several key injuries heading into this game.
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Sutton has at least nine targets in three of four games this season, and he scored at least 13.8 PPR points in each of his past two games against Tampa Bay and the Jets. He should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues in a plus matchup against Las Vegas in Week 5. The Raiders have already allowed five receivers to score at least 13 PPR points, and Sutton has scored at least 13 PPR points in three of his past four games against Las Vegas.
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Keep an eye on Shakir's ankle since he missed practice Wednesday, but as long as he's active he should be considered a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. Shakir has scored at least 13.2 PPR points in two of four games this season, and the Texans are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. In four games, six receivers have already scored at least 12.4 PPR points against this Houston defense.
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I like Whittington and Tutu Atwell as No. 3 Fantasy receivers this week against the Packers. Whittington just had six catches for 62 yards on eight targets at Chicago in Week 4, and Atwell has consecutive games with at least 12.2 PPR points with eight catches for 175 yards on 11 targets over that span. I like Whittington better than Atwell in PPR, but both should be productive this week against the Packers, who have allowed six receivers to score at least 15.4 PPR points in four games this season.
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It's worth taking the chance on Worthy as at least a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues now that Rashee Rice (knee) is hurt. Worthy has yet to eclipse four targets in any game this year, but that's about to change. And despite the low volume, Worthy still has two games this season with at least 16.3 PPR points. He doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 5 against the Saints, but the past three No. 1 receivers against New Orleans (CeeDee Lamb, DeVonta Smith and Drake London) have all scored at least 12.4 PPR points. I'm hopeful Worthy can do better than that as the new top receiver for Patrick Mahomes in Week 5.
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WRs to Sit
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D.J. Moore is the only Bears receiver to trust in Week 5 against Carolina, and he gets a revenge game against his former team. Allen has to show he can co-exist in this crowded receiving corps for the Bears and connect with Caleb Williams consistently. The two have played just two games together this season, but Allen only has seven catches for 48 yards and no touchdowns on 14 targets. I'm hopeful better days are ahead for Allen, but he's just a low-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in most leagues for Week 5.
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Addison returned from a two-game absence with an ankle injury with a bang in Week 4 at Green Bay with 22.9 PPR points. He scored two touchdowns, one on the ground, but he only had four targets and three catches for 72 yards. I'm hopeful we'll get more volume for Addison moving forward, but this is a tough matchup to trust him against the Jets. They are No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and while Justin Jefferson remains a must-start option in all leagues, Addison should only be started in three-receiver formats in Week 5.
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Meyers is the No. 1 receiver for the Raiders again in Week 5 with Davante Adams (hamstring) not expected to play. That means Meyers will likely be facing Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain, who we are calling "The Eliminator." Through four games this season, Surtain has eliminated the opposing No. 1 receiver, holding DK Metcalf (three catches for 29 yards on four targets), George Pickens (two catches for 29 yards on four targets), Mike Evans (two catches for 17 yards on three targets) and Garrett Wilson (five catches for 41 yards on eight targets) to minimal production. Meyers is next, and he should only be used in a desperate situation in most leagues.
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Dell missed Week 4 with a rib injury, but he's expected to play in Week 5 against the Bills. He should only be considered a low-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues. Nico Collins is the best receiver for the Texans, and Stefon Diggs is playing at a high level. This is also a revenge game for Diggs, so expect him to be peppered with targets. Dell has struggled so far this season with 11.2 PPR points or less in his first three games before missing Week 4. He'll have to prove himself first before Fantasy managers can trust him again, and this is a tough matchup against the Bills, who are No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers.
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Bust Alert
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It's time to consider benching Hill in two-receiver leagues with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) sidelined. We're already benching Jaylen Waddle outright in the majority of leagues, and Waddle has scored 8.5 PPR points or less since Week 2 when Tagovailoa got hurt against the Bills. Hill has scored 8.2 PPR points or less over that same span, and it's tough to watch. Now, Hill needs one play to change his Fantasy fortune, as we're all aware. But trusting Tyler Huntley to help Hill make any plays is frustrating. I'm still starting Hill in all three-receiver leagues, but it's time to consider benching him in two-receiver formats, possibly until Tagovailoa returns in Week 8.
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