Week 4 was a big one for WRs, as 13 of them finished with at least 100 receiving yards. Among them were some under-the-radar fantasy football options, including Bills WR Keon Coleman (116 receiving yards) and Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton (111 receiving yards).
Which unheralded wideouts could shine this week? There seems to be a somewhat unexpected name ascending the ranks every week; the Week 5 field is no different.
Below, we'll break down our NFL Week 5 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle between Saints WR Devaughn Vele and Steelers WR Roman Wilson for your fantasy football picks this week, including their top PrizePicks projections.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em WRs, Week 5: Devaughn Vele or Roman Wilson?
Who'd be the better pick out of this NFL Week 5 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em dilemma: Vele or Wilson?
Why Start Devaughn Vele?
Devaughn Vele PrizePicks Projections: 36.5 Rec Yards, 3.5 Recs (Goblin), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
- Vele received 9 targets in last week’s 45-24 loss to the Falcons, finishing with 6 receptions for 54 yards and a TD. It was his second game of the season with at least 9 targets.
- According to Pro Football Focus, Vele ranks first in pass snaps and first in routes run among 85 WRs.
- The former seventh-round pick has been one of the top options for Saints QB Tyler Shough when the team gets close to paydirt. He's received at least 1 red-zone target in all four games and has 4 total targets inside the 10-yard line, per RotoWire.
- Saints WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) remains on IR and won’t return until Week 7 at the earliest.
Add Devaughn Vele + Saints to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Why Start Roman Wilson?
Roman Wilson PrizePicks Projections: 32.5 Rec Yards, 2.5 Recs (Goblin), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
- Wilson registered 3 receptions for 74 yards and 1 TD during a 27-24 loss to the Browns last week. It marked his second straight game with a score, matching his total across 13 games last season.
- The former third-round pick has received exactly 6 targets in all four games. His 24 targets trail only WR DK Metcalf (33) on the team. Besides Metcalf and Wilson, no other Pittsburgh wideout has more than 12 targets (Michael Pittman Jr.). Pittman is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury, potentially thrusting Wilson into an even more prominent role.
- The Steelers aren’t just peppering Wilson with short passes. His average depth of target of 16.3 yards is the ninth-highest mark in the league among wide receivers, per PFF.
- The 25-year-old also does damage once he has the ball in his hands. After averaging 5.6 yards after the catch per reception last season, he averages 6.1 yards this year.
Add Roman Wilson + Steelers to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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Week 5 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Roman Wilson
Vele and Wilson are having productive seasons, but they have very different matchups for Week 5.
Vele will be fighting an uphill battle against the Vikings, who allow only 12.8 PPG. According to RBSDM, they're also first in dropback EPA/play allowed. Minnesota has given up just 3 passing TDs while creating 4 INTs and leading the sport with 16 sacks.
The Steelers have a more favorable matchup vs. the Colts, who give up 26.0 PPG. They rank 20th in dropback EPA/play allowed ,and their 8.1 yards allowed per pass is the fifth-highest mark in the league.
The Colts have allowed 6 receptions of at least 40 yards, which is noteworthy because no other team has allowed more than 4 such catches.
Indy also has a difficult time putting pressure on QBs and owns a sack total of only 9, which may help Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers. Additionally, DE Arden Key (hamstring) will be out for at least the next three weeks.
Wilson has been playing well and has a stellar matchup, making him the better fantasy option over Vele.
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Vele and Wilson might not be the biggest names, but they're both having productive seasons. As good as Vele's been, though, a difficult matchup against the Vikings could limit his upside in Week 5. Wilson has a much more favorable opponent in the Colts.
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