Fantasy football analyst Sal Vetri focuses on key players and matchups for Week 5 in the NFL. He highlights Dontayvion Wicks as a pick-up-and-play option due to an expanded role with Christian Watson out. Wicks led the Packers in targets and had a strong performance in Week 4. Facing the Rams, who allow the most passing yards per play, Wicks is a confident start for Week 5. Brian Thomas Jr. is also recommended for his consistent performance and favorable matchup against the Colts.
On the other hand, Breece Hall is in a sketchy spot for Week 5, as he has been sharing workload with Braelon Allen and facing issues with the Jets’ run-blocking. Hall will be up against the Vikings, who are tough against the run, so managers should temper their expectations for him. Chase Brown is trending up in the Bengals backfield after a strong performance in Week 4. He leads the NFL in broken tackle rate and true yards per carry, making him a potential trade target. Rashid Shaheed is also trending up on the Saints, showing versatility in the middle of the field and receiving more targets.
In contrast, Travis Etienne Jr. is trending down as his role in the Jaguars backfield is diminishing. Tank Bigsby has outperformed Etienne on the ground when given the opportunity, indicating a shift in the Jaguars’ offense. Etienne’s usage has decreased in recent games, making him a less attractive fantasy option. Rome Odunze is considered a must-start for Week 5 despite a poor performance in the previous week, as he faces a favorable matchup against the Panthers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a buy-low candidate with a strong role in the Seahawks’ offense and upcoming favorable matchups against the Giants, Rams, and 49ers.
The bounce-back player of the week is Najee Harris, who had a disappointing performance in Week 4 but faced challenges with injuries and missing linemen. Harris is expected to have a better outing against the Cowboys in Week 5, as Dallas allows a high EPA per rush attempt. With a solid workload and potential injuries to other running backs on the team, Harris is poised for a bounce-back performance. Fantasy managers are advised to consider these players and matchups for Week 5 to maximize their chances of victory in fantasy football.
