Bengals WRs Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (adductor), Chiefs WR Rashee Rice (hamstring), and Chargers WR Ladd McConkey (foot) were among the noteworthy wideouts who departed Week 4 because of injuries. The position is getting thin for fantasy managers, especially with players including Patriots WR A.J. Brown (ankle) and Colts WR Alec Pierce (heel) already on injured reserve.
With the war of attrition setting in around the league, who are some potential viable options to replace the production lost in your fantasy football lineups?
Below, let's list some healthy NFL Week 5 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em candidates for the WR position, including picks to consider on PrizePicks for Michael Wilson, Parker Washington, and more. Keep this analysis in mind when making your Week 5 fantasy football decisions.
Make your NFL Week 5 predictions and picks on PrizePicks now.
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Start: Cardinals WR Michael Wilson
Game: Lions vs. Cardinals – Sunday, October 11, 4:25 p.m. ET
Michael Wilson PrizePicks Projections: 74.5 Rec Yards, 6 Recs, 15.5 Fantasy Score
Michael Wilson was busy again versus the Giants last week, catching 7 of 13 targets for 95 yards in the Cardinals’ 36-24 loss. He received a whopping 30 targets over the last two games and now ranks sixth among WRs in routes run (157) and receptions (25) this season.
Meanwhile, former first-round pick WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has a total of 5 receptions on 13 targets through four games. It is clearly the Wilson and TE Trey McBride show for a Cardinals team that has attempted the ninth-most passes in the NFL.
A hefty target share is a recipe for success against the Lions. Per RBSDM, the Lions are 30th in the league in dropback EPA/play allowed. According to RotoWire, Detroit has given up the most receptions (61) and the third-most yards per target (10.11) to WRs.
Last week, Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan roasted the Lions for 14 receptions, 192 yards, and 2 TDs. Deploy Wilson with confidence in fantasy.
Add Michael Wilson + Cardinals to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Start: Jaguars WR Parker Washington
Game: Eagles vs. Jaguars – Sunday, October 11, 9:30 a.m. ET
Parker Washington PrizePicks Projections: 61.5 Rec Yards, 4.5 Recs, 13 Fantasy Score
Parker Washington was a major disappointment during the Jaguars’ 22-17 win over the Bengals on Sunday, closing with 1 reception for 7 yards on 3 targets. It was his season low in all three categories, and he only has a total of 4 receptions and 8 targets over the last two games.
As disappointing as Washington was, don’t necessarily think about benching him in fantasy. He leads the Jaguars with 26 targets, with TE Brenton Strange having the next-most at 18. WRs Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. have combined for only 30 targets, so it’s clear that Washington is the leader of the pack.
The Eagles are 22nd in dropback EPA/play allowed, so this is a nice bounce-back spot for the Jaguars’ top receiver.
Add Parker Washington + Jaguars to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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Sit: Saints WR Devaughn Vele
Game: Vikings vs. Saints – Sunday, October 11, 1 p.m. ET
Devaughn Vele PrizePicks Projections: 36.5 Rec Yards, 3.5 Recs (Goblin), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
Devaughn Vele salvaged his Week 4 stat line with a late garbage-time TD in the Saints’ 45-24 loss to the Falcons. In total, he finished with 6 receptions, 54 yards, and that one score. It was his sixth straight game with at least 6 targets, but his average depth of target (aDOT) of 10.7 yards ranks 52nd among 83 WRs, per Pro Football Focus.
He ranks 10th in routes run but is a modest 32nd in targets.
Week 5 brings a nightmare matchup against the Vikings, who allowed 12.8 PPG on their way to beginning the season 4-0. They have more INTs (4) than they've allowed passing TDs (3) while also leading the league with 16 sacks. With Minnesota being first in dropback EPA/play allowed, there isn't much upside that comes with starting Vele this week.
Add Devaughn Vele + Saints to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Sit: 49ers WR Deebo Samuel Sr.
Game: 49ers vs. Seahawks – Sunday, October 11, 4:25 p.m. ET
Deebo Samuel Sr. PrizePicks Projections: 31.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Recs, 8.5 Rush Yards
Deebo Samuel found his way into the end zone last week, marking the third time in four games that he has scored a TD. The 49ers desperately need him on the field with WRs Ricky Pearsall (knee) and De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle) on IR, but that doesn’t mean that he nets a ton of targets.
Despite logging a total of 85 offensive snaps the last two weeks, the veteran received just 6 targets. While he technically had 80 receiving yards against the Cardinals in Week 3, it came on a lateral from fellow WR Mike Evans. He didn't catch a pass in the matchup.
Aside from the lateral, Samuel has posted fewer than 50 receiving yards in each of his other three games. The 49ers mostly throw him short passes, leaving him with an aDOT of 2.6 yards, the lowest mark for qualified WRs.
Given the way the 49ers use him, Samuel probably needs to score a TD to be worth starting in fantasy. That won’t be easy with the 49ers facing the Seahawks in Seattle. S Julian Love returned from injury last week, and the Seahawks held Chargers QB Justin Herbert to 189 passing yards and 1 TD.
Seattle is seventh in dropback EPA/play allowed, making Samuel and even less appealing option.
Add Deebo Samuel Sr. + 49ers to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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Wilson will aim to remain productive in an excellent matchup against a porous Lions’ secondary. Despite an underwhelming stat line last week, Washington’s leading role in the Jaguars’ offense still makes him worth starting on Sunday. The same can’t be said for Vele and Samuel, who will be facing tough defenses.
Don’t wait until Week 5 kickoff — make your NFL picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right. Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 36 states.
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