Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins made his 2024-25 debut versus the Commanders by catching three passes for 39 yards. Fantasy managers were still expecting more despite the wideout missing the first two games because of a hamstring injury. However, he played better in the Week 4 win over the Panthers, amassing six grabs (10 targets) for 60 yards. Cincinnati will meet Baltimore in Week 5 for an AFC North showdown. While Higgins remains a risky option for managers, his upside makes him worthy of a start in any format.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had a rough start to the 2024-25 campaign. The former LSU Tiger had only 10 grabs through the first two weeks. Even worse, he didn't find the end zone. Yet, with Tee Higgins suiting up for the Week 3 clash with the Commanders after sitting out the Bengals' first two contests because of a hamstring injury, Chase finally got some breathing room, finishing with six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. While he wasn't as productive in Sunday's win over the Panthers, he still found the end zone for the third time this year. With that in mind, Chase is one of the NFL's top wideouts, so there's no way to justify keeping him out of any fantasy lineup for Week 5 versus the Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) appeared on the injury report throughout the week. However, he's logged full practice sessions and doesn't carry a designation heading into Sunday's AFC North clash with the Ravens. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick has looked good this season, throwing seven touchdowns, one pick, and 978 yards off an efficient 95-for-134 passing (70.9%). With the Bengals coming off their first win of the 2024-25 campaign, Burrow will look to lead his team to another victory in Week 5. He last met the Ravens in November of last season. Unfortunately, the signal-caller would suffer a wrist injury that put him on the shelf for the remainder of the year. Without question, Burrow will have that on his mind on Sunday, which could give him even more motivation to produce. Regardless, he has played too well this season, so he should be featured in all fantasy lineups versus Baltimore.

From RotoBaller

The Denver Broncos defense/special teams was an afterthought in fantasy entering the 2024 season, but through four weeks, they have proven to be one of the stingier units and are now a must-start heading into their Week 5 contest this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders will be without both receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and running back Zamir White (groin). Denver's D ranks sixth in fantasy points through four weeks with 16 sacks, five takeaways and two safeties. Meanwhile, the Raiders have been a top-10 matchup for opposing defenses and are tied for third with six giveaways. The Broncos defense also ranks third in points allowed per game (13.8), second in total yards allowed per game (256.5), third in passing yards allowed per game (146), and 12th in rushing yards allowed per game (110.5). Raiders QB Gardner Minshew II has been sacked 13 times this year, tied for sixth-most in the NFL.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich hasn't been anywhere near the fantasy radar so far in 2024, and that doesn't figure to change in Week 5 as the team takes on the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Dulcich enters this weekend outside of the top-50 tight ends in half-PPR scoring, having caught five of his 12 targets for 28 yards and no touchdowns through four weeks. All of his production came in the first two weeks of the season against the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers. In the last two games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets, the team's two wins, Dulcich has no catches on just one target. Denver's low-scoring offense has not had nearly enough passing volume with rookie quarterback Bo Nix to support more than one fantasy relevant pass-catcher. The 24-year-old Dulcich belongs on the waiver wire in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz has a good opportunity for a bounce-back performance in the Week 5 divisional tilt at home in the thin air of Denver against the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to kickers per game so far in 2024. Lutz is coming off his worst performance of the year, missing his first kick of the season. He made just one field goal and one extra point in the 10-9, Week 4 upset over the New York Jets in rainy and wet conditions last weekend. Denver's offense has been among the worst in the NFL so far this year, but Lutz surprisingly ranks as the No. 10 kicker heading into Week 5, thanks to 10 successful field goals and four extra points. The floor will continue to be low for Lutz with quarterback Bo Nix running the show, but Denver's offense should be able to move the ball better this weekend against a Raiders defense that could be without All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (ankle). Lutz is in the streaming conversation at kicker.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (foot) is rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues and shouldn't be anywhere near starting fantasy lineups for the team's Week 5 matchup at home against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Reynolds surprisingly entered the Week 4 tilt against the New York Jets leading the team in receiving yards after three weeks, but he proceeded to put up a donut last Sunday with no catches on only two targets in the 10-9 upset win. Conditions should be more favorable against a softer Raiders defense this weekend, but Reynolds belongs on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues as the WR2 in one of the weakest offenses in the NFL. At best, he's a volatile WR4/flex for those desperate in deeper formats. Reynolds has 11 catches on 17 targets for 174 yards and no touchdowns through four games, placing him outside the top-50 wideouts in half-PPR scoring.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) is expected to be a game-time decision for Week 5 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He was limited this week and is officially listed as questionable to play on Sunday. Fowler notes that Richardson can't necessarily worsen his current injury, so his Week 5 status primarily hinges on pain tolerance and functionality. The 22-year-old has been an underwhelming fantasy option over the last three weeks, but he'd have a real chance to turn things around this weekend against a Jaguars defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. If healthy, he'd rank as a low-end QB1. Otherwise, Joe Flacco would earn the start.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers promoted LB Marquis Haynes from their practice squad to the active roster Friday, Oct. 4. In another move, CB Justin Hardee was released from the practice squad.

From TheHuddle

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is still searching for his first game of the season with double-digit fantasy points. The veteran has been an upside-based, big-play threat so far, playing at least 85 percent of snaps in all four weeks but failing to catch more than two passes in any of his last three games. Robinson has been utilized as an option deeper downfield, which naturally leads to more contested passes and fewer receptions. Still, every game, he's one big gain away from having WR3/FLEX relevance, especially in his increased role with Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) still sidelined. This week, he's facing a Green Bay Packers defense that has allowed the eighth-most touchdowns and ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Fantasy managers can evaluate him as a low-end WR4 for the time being.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson has streaming appeal as a fringe top-12 player at the position heading into Week 5 versus the Green Bay Packers. Parkinson has delivered modest production through four games so far, catching 12 passes for 113 yards. His usage has been impressive as he played 100 percent of snaps in Week 3 and commanded a season-high seven targets in Week 4. This week, Parkinson has a favorable matchup against the Packers, who have allowed the most touchdowns and the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year. With Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puca Nakua (knee) still sidelined, there are extra targets available for Parkinson. He's a matchup-based fringe TE1 this week.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (left knee) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Friday. This was an improvement after he missed two consecutive practices, but it still leaves some uncertainty about his availability. The Cardinals are officially listing him as questionable for Week 5 versus the San Francisco 49ers. Prater has remained quite effective in his age-40 season, converting all 10 of his extra points attempts and all six of his field goal attempts. Fantasy managers can continue to start Prater in leagues with 12 teams or fewer.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans running back Cam Akers is trending toward drawing his third consecutive start in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Akers has seized an increased role in the Houston backfield with both Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (sidelined). Mixon has already been ruled out for this week's contest, and while the Texans are leaving the door open for Pierce, he missed two of three practices this week and faces an uphill battle to play. Therefore, it's looking like Akers will draw the start for the third week in a row. He has posted limited results on reduced opportunities during that span, registering just 74 rushing yards, eight receiving yards, and one touchdown. On a promising note, Akers could fare better this week against a porous Bills run defense. Buffalo has allowed the second-most fantasy points and the second-most receptions to opposing running backs this year, positioning Akers in the low-end RB2 tier for Sunday's clash.

From RotoBaller

The New Orleans Saints defense has held opposing offenses to 20 points or fewer through the first four weeks of the season. The team is averaging two takeaways and 2.5 sacks per game as well. In Week 5, the Saints hit the road to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. The Chiefs are usually a threat to put up points but injuries have ravaged Kansas City's offense, leaving them short of personnel. Additionally, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been shaky so far, tossing about five interceptions against his six touchdown passes. The Chief's o-line has done well at limiting pressure on Mahomes, at least, and will make it hard for Carl Granderson and the rest of the Saints' front line to add to their sack total. The Saints are viable in deeper leagues and not a bad bet based on their performance through the first four weeks of 2024.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr started the season by posting more than 20 fantasy points in back-to-back games. However, in Weeks 3 and 4 the signal-caller couldn't crack double digits. Carr went 28-for-36 last week, setting new highs in completions and pass attempts in the young season, but he failed to reach 250 passing yards for the fourth straight game. In Week 5, the Saints head to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Monday night. The Chiefs permitted Justin Herbert to throw for just 179 yards in Week 4 and they have given up just 13.5 fantasy points per game over their last three. Carr faces the additional challenge of playing behind an offensive line missing three starters that is facing an aggressive defensive front led by lineman Chris Jones. Unless you are managing a two-QB league team dealing with bye week complications, then Carr should be left on the wire in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

The New Orleans Saints' tendency to run 12 personnel concentrates their passing attack on wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave. Shaheed owns a 25.5% target share as a result and, leaving out the egg he laid in Week 3, he is averaging 18.3 PPR points per game in 2024. In Week 5, the Saints head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs on Monday night. The Chiefs have done well to limit opposing wide receivers' production in 2024, holding them collectively to 113 yards per game. Still, Shaheed has shown several times over that his ability to break a big play and the Saints will likely need to look to him again to have a shot at getting past Kansas City. There may be additional work for him as the other main weapons in the Saints' offense, Olave (hamstring) and Alvin Kamara (hip/ribs) both popped up on the team's injury report this week. Shaheed's long touchdown potential keeps him in the WR3 range for Week 5 and he can have a slight boost in value in leagues that award points for return yards.

From RotoBaller

The New England Patriots' defense should garner significant fantasy appeal heading into Week 5 versus the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have limped to the finish line in each of their last three games, losing to the Bills, Seahawks, and Titans all by at least 19 points. The absence of Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has been a major factor as the Dolphins are averaging just 8.3 points over the last three weeks. While the Patriots might be a tier down from even the Titans, New England's defense has legitimate top-five upside as it prepares to face an offense led by Tyler Huntley. Miami quarterbacks have three fumbles over the last two weeks and have struggled to produce points and yardage, giving the Patriots a great opportunity to capitalize. Their defense is a top-12 unit in fantasy football for this week.

From RotoBaller

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit could be an interesting waiver wire add in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. With Jonathan Taylor already ruled out and Anthony Richardson potentially also out, that leaves an offense led by Joe Flacco and Trey Sermon in the backfield. While Flacco played solid in relief last week, he could be prone to turnovers, especially with a lackluster run game behind him. If the Jaguars defense can make the Colts offense one-dimensional, they could be primed for a big day. The defense hasn't been great so far this season, but a banged-up division rival seems like a prime matchup for an improved performance. Even if Richardson does suit up, the Jaguars are a decent play, as the young QB has been turnover prone during his short career. Fantasy managers can do better, but the Jaguars D/ST is a solid option in Week 5 that is very likely available on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

The Chicago Bears' defense and special teams aim to maintain their strong performance against the Carolina Panthers this week. While some may be hesitant to back the Bears due to the Panthers averaging 30 points per game with former Bear Andy Dalton at quarterback, the Bears represent the most formidable challenge Dalton has faced. Dalton boasts a 66.2% completion rate in his two starts and averages 269.5 passing yards per game. This improved play has contributed to wide receiver Diontae Johnson achieving back-to-back games with over seven catches, 80 receiving yards, and a touchdown for the first time in his career. The Bears have yet to allow more than 21 points in a game and are tied for third in the NFL with eight takeaways. Expect the Bears to slightly disrupt Dalton's resurgence and force him into a turnover or two.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings will try to continue his unlikely run as a fantasy difference-maker when the team squares off against the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday. Against New England last week, Jennings paced all 49ers receivers with three receptions on six targets for 88 yards. It was one thing for Jennings to have a career day in Week 3 with Deebo Samuel Sr. and George Kittle absent, but it was quite the surprise to follow it up with a fantasy-useful performance with everyone healthy. Arizona's pass defense is tied for 14th in half-PPR points allowed to opposing wide receivers, which makes for a decent opportunity for San Francisco's receivers. However, Jennings is still a dubious bet to continue producing like he has, given the talent of Samuel Sr., Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk demanding targets. Jennings is a consensus WR4 and a risky FLEX play in Week 5.

From RotoBaller