The first month of the NFL season is complete, and that means it’s time to assess where your team stands in fantasy football.
Those near the top of their league’s standings are cruising, while those at the bottom are desperately looking for answers to get them out of the cellar. Regardless of where a team stands, most fantasy managers will have to start making adjustments to their lineup because Week 5 is the beginning of bye weeks. Do you need a replacement for your star running back or receiver?
With one month down, trends are starting to build of which players can be trusted to have a solid outing, and which others are just one-game miracles.
Fantasy football players to add for Week 5
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the lowest to highest availability rates in ESPN leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms.
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RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (49% availability)
Heading into the season, Rachaad White was seen as the do-it-all back for the Buccaneers, but the rookie Irving has inserted himself into getting considerable playing time. The number of carries he gets have gone up and he’s coming off his first career NFL touchdown. Tampa Bay is also going against an Atlanta team that ranks in the bottom half of rushing defense.
RB Braelon Allen, New York Jets (55% availability)
A touchdown merchant might have emerged in New York. After Breece Hall was unable to get in the end zone on goal line carries, Jets coach Robert Saleh hinted Allen could get touches when trying to punch it in. Should New York get in goal to go situation, it may be Allen getting the easy touchdowns.
RB Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (57% availability)
While Dallas doesn’t run the ball much, clearly there’s a new lead back. Dowdle has outrushed the returning Ezekiel Elliott the past three weeks and he’s coming off a season-best performance in carries and yards. Dowdle is also becoming more reliable in the heavy passing game.
WR Allen Lazard, New York Jets (60% availability)
The years-long relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Lazard is clearly evident in New York. Even when the Jets offense couldn’t get in the end zone, Lazard was tied for the highest amount of targets Sunday, continuing to be a reliable option for Rodgers. Lazard has scored at least 10 points in three of the four contests so far in PPR leagues.
TE Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (66% availability)
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua still out for Los Angeles, Parkinson has become a more reliable target for Matthew Stafford. He’s gotten at least five targets in three of the first four games, and if someone has Sam LaPorta or Dallas Goedert out this week, Parkinson is a solid backup choice.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (73% availability)
Malik Nabers has been the headliner for the Giants, but Daniel Jones found a reliable short-target option in Robinson. He’s coming off a season-high 11 receptions and 71 receiving yards after a whopping 14 targets. He’s gotten at least 11 points in three games this season and can continue to rack up targets with so much attention on Nabers.
WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (75% availability)
No Packers receiver was reliable to start with Malik Willis under center, but with Jordan Love back, the passing game should be rejuvenated. With Christian Watson banged up, Romeo Doubs has a chance for more targets after a mediocre start to the season. It also comes at an opportunistic time with Green Bay playing a Rams team that has struggled on the defensive end.
WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (75% availability)
With Adam Thielen out, Legette took advantage of more opportunities with the best game of his rookie season. He exploded for six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Andy Dalton has done well throwing the ball, and Carolina is forced to go to the air more with its defense unable to stop much. With more passing plays called, Legette gets more chances to break free behind Diontae Johnson.
RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (79% availability)
In his first game back with his old team, Hunt quickly became the go-to back for Kansas City, ahead of Carson Steele and Samaje Perine. Hunt had a significant amount of carries compared to the other backfield options and the only one that had some production in receiving. Kansas City’s offense is still trying to figure out its mess, but Hunt may be emerging as the lead back until Isiah Pacheco returns.
RB Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (91% availability)
One of the top performers in Week 4 was Derrick Henry, but flying under the radar is his backup Hill. While he doesn’t get the carries like Henry, Hill led the Ravens in receptions and had a touchdown reception to go with it. Baltimore loves to run the ball, but when it comes to passing Lamar Jackson rarely goes deep, and Hill has been reliable when giving Henry a breather.
