If there ever is a doctor who can cure the NFL’s injury bug, fantasy football managers would forever be in their debt. Heading into Week 5, we have seen key players go down in bunches for the season, including WRs Tyreek Hill and Malik Nabers, while RBs Trey Benson and Bucky Irving could be looking at extensive absences.
But when injuries arise, other players step up in their place. Week 5 has allowed us to buy low and sell high on players in fantasy football and in NFL DFS — whether it be for injury reasons or something else.
We'll break down these players' projections for Week 5 of NFL DFS PrizePicks — where you can pick More or Less on player stats to win real money during the 2025 NFL season.
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Fantasy Football Buy Low: Week 5
Here are some key players to buy low on for fantasy football ahead of Week 5, as well as their projections on PrizePicks' NFL DFS game this week.
Cardinals RB Emari Demercado
After the injury to Cardinals RB James Conner, RB Trey Benson became the hot commodity as the next man up on the depth chart. His only start was the Week 4 loss to the Seahawks, before he was placed on injured reserve. Benson will be out for 4-6 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
It will likely be Demercado stepping into the featured back role, as he ranked second among running backs with a 39% snap share in Week 4. He had one of the highlights of the game when he caught a 7-yard pass with 28 seconds left to tie the game.
By trailing most of the game against Seattle, there was not much of a run game last week, but their Week 5 game script could be much better against the Titans, who have the lowest offensive EPA (-0.237) and are 30th in defensive rush EPA (0.118).
Emari Demercado Projections for Week 5
Here are Emari Demercado projections vs. Titans via the PrizePicks NFL real money fantasy game — pick More or Less on player stats to cash in every week.
- 20.5 Rush Yards
- 9.5 Receiving Yards
- 3.5 Receptions (Demon)
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
Chris Godwin made his 2025 debut last week, and while his 3 catches for 26 yards aren’t great, peeling back the stats reveals optimism for future production.
The Buccaneers did not ease him into the lineup after returning from a dislocated ankle, and he was on the field for 81% of the snaps, with a 90% route participation rate.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield got him involved in a tough Week 4 battle against the defending champion Eagles, as Godwin and WR Emeka Egbuka led the team with 10 targets.
Given WR Mike Evans' injury, Godwin is likely to receive numerous opportunities. Additionally, with RB Bucky Irving on crutches and wearing a walking boot, the Bucs may rely more on passing.
Chris Godwin Projections for Week 5
Here are Chris Godwin projections vs. Seahawks via the PrizePicks NFL board.
- 47.5 Receiving Yards
- 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
- 19.5 Yards Longest Reception
Commanders TE Zach Ertz
The veteran got off to a hot start in Weeks 1 and 2, he was ranked as the overall TE3. After the injury to QB Jayden Daniels, his production has dipped, and in Weeks 3 and 4, he’s the TE27.
When Daniels was playing, Ertz had a higher route participation percentage with 89.1%, compared to 84.4% with QB Marcus Mariota, per PFF. He also saw more targets with Daniels, as his seven in the last two games are the same number he had in just the Week 2 matchup against the Packers.
The good news is that Daniels is set to return for the Commanders’ Week 5 matchup against the Chargers.
Zach Ertz Projections for Week 5
Here are Zach Ertz projections vs. Chargers via the PrizePicks NFL board.
- 39.5 Receiving Yards
- 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
- 16.5 Yards Longest Reception
Fantasy Football Sell High: Players Week 5
Here are some key players to sell high on for fantasy football after overachieving thus far, plus their projections on PrizePicks' real money NFL DFS game this week.
Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell
Steelers RB Jaylen Warren was a buy-low last week because he was getting most of the snaps in the Steelers’ backfield and has finished in the top 20 each week of the 2025 season.
It was a surprise that Warren didn't suit up, especially since ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported he would play.
Gainwell managers hopefully got him into their lineup before the 9:30 a.m. ET start across the pond, because he came through with 19 carries for 99 yards and 2 TDs.
This was a best-case scenario when you're replacing a starter, but that might be all the juice you can squeeze from Gainwell. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Warren did test out the knee, but felt he “might not have been able to finish.”
This means it might not be an injury that will force Warren to miss multiple games. He also gets a whole week to recover, as the Steelers have a bye. This could be the peak of Gainwell, even if he does share carries with Warren.
Bears RB D’Andre Swift
The Bears have a bye in Week 5, and when they return, there could be some changes on offense. RB D’Andre Swift’s tenure in Chicago has not gone well. Last year, he was just 18th in rushing yards (959) and 39th in yards created per touch (3.29).
It has not improved in 2025, ranking 26th in rushing yards (187) and 27th in yards created per touch (3.52). This could mean a change when Chicago returns in Week 7.
Rookie RB Kyle Monangai has been productive in the chances he’s gotten, averaging over 4.5 yards per carry in two of his last three games. In the Week 4 matchup against the Raiders, he averaged 5 yards after contact.
With a week off to work on the offense, they could find ways to get Monangai more involved, eating into Swift's already underwhelming role.
Make NFL Picks on PrizePicks
We've learned a lot in the first month of the 2025 NFL season, and we’re seeing new fantasy superstars rise and others who may not be cut out for success as we go through the 2025 season.
To win in fantasy, you've got to stay ahead of the game.
Keeping up with the latest news and insights is essential. The Playbook will bring you the latest to keep you in the know and help you win this NFL season — whether you're playing fantasy football or NFL DFS.
You can win real money with your NFL predictions on PrizePicks every week; just pick your NFL players, predict More or Less on their weekly stats, and cash in if your picks are correct. It’s that simple!
