It’s not always easy dealing with the hands that the NFL schedule deals us, and fantasy football managers have a lot to sort through in Week 5 with the Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all on bye weeks.
There are a lot of key players that are now going to be on your bench, so who should you turn to to help fill the void going into this week?
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Who To Target in Fantasy for the Week 5 Bye
Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals
From a tape perspective coming out of Stanford, Michael Wilson was among the best route runners in the entire 2023 NFL Draft class. Unfortunately, a lengthy injury history caused his draft stock to take a bit of a tumble, and he wound up being drafted in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals.
Michael Wilson is going to make an immediate impact at the next level.
He's in the conversation for the best route runner in the 2023 NFL Draft.
(@mikewilllyy) pic.twitter.com/grxua1kwDl
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) February 9, 2023
It’s taken a few weeks for Wilson to get up to speed, but he’s now seen his snap count percentage finish above 65% in three of his first four games in the NFL. Last week against the San Francisco 49ers, he was able to finish as the WR7 in half-PPR scoring. This may be a sign of things to come moving forward.
He’s not going to finish as a top-12 WR every week, especially not in this offense. However, the talent is there for him to make an impact for fantasy, and he’s an adequate option to scoop up off of the waiver wire and play immediately in Week 5.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice may not be available in your league on the waiver wire, but if he is, he’s a fine plug-and-play option in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings. This game figures to see points flying up on the board. Rice has already proven to be someone who Patrick Mahomes is looking for in the red zone this season.
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He’s ranked as a top-40 WR in Week 5 for me, and he has a solid chance to find the end zone in this one to help take the pressure off of you. Excitedly play Rice if you’re dealing with not having Keenan Allen, Mike Evans, DK Metcalf, etc. available.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
Here’s hoping that you have some solid RB depth on your bench already because there are not many options to turn to on the waiver wire. However, at the time of writing, we do not know whether Javonte Williams will be able to suit up for the Denver Broncos in Week 5.
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If he isn’t, Jaleel McLaughlin instantly becomes an intriguing option on the waiver wire to scoop up and play. The rookie running back has looked impressive in his opportunity so far this season, and he could make an impact for fantasy with an expanded role against the New York Jets’ defense that just got shredded by Isiah Pacheco in Week 4.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
If you have Justin Herbert on your roster and C.J. Stroud is still on your waiver wire, this is a no-brainer. He needs to be the replacement option for you this week. Stroud has now finished as a top-15 QB for fantasy football the past three weeks, and he’s doing this all with a makeshift offensive line in front of him.
In a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Stroud is in the top 12 of our PFN Consensus Rankings at the QB position. He’s a solid fill-in option if you’re dealing with QB bye-week problems.