Fridays are for Five Lists of Five! And, would you lookie there—it’s Week 5. Alliteration goes bonkers right now.
I’ll be doing this for every week of the season. Think of these as byte-sized, two-minutes-to-yourself lists to scan during your weekend as you foam at the mouth for any competitive fantasy edge. As much relevant analysis as I can fit into, like, 250 words per player (notice how that number has already ballooned since the first list?).
Kicking it off this week with five stash targets. These are also guys I’d constitute as fantasy football sleepers, if those exist on a week-over-week basis.
Follow along at my handle @dansby_edits for stat threads with minimal emojis all week long. The minimal emojis thing is how I differentiate myself in the market, you see.
Still some emojis, though. I’m human.
Also available from this week’s Friday’s Five Lists of Five:
- Top five fantasy football buy-low players for NFL Week 5
- Top five fantasy football sell high players for NFL Week 5
- Top five fantasy football streamers for NFL Week 5
- Top five fantasy football wide receivers due for breakout games in NFL Week 5
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Green Bay Packers
Ah—the new Alec Pierce! A receiver whose advanced receiving metrics has set the analytics world on fire this past week, and who’s still owned in fewer than 50% of leagues!
I wrote an entire ode to Wicks here just yesterday, if you’re interested in a full breakdown of why he’s a must-stash. Here’s an excerpt:
Here’s a look at some of his opportunity metrics among receivers with at least 15 targets this season:
- RecYOE: -87 (third-worst in the NFL)
- CROE: -24.6% (worst in the NFL)
- Drops: 5 (worst in the NFL)
- Routes: 22 (tied for seventh-worst in the NFL)
- Air Yards: 342 (tied 20th in the NFL)
- End zone targets: 3 (tied fourth in the NFL)
He will run more routes, and the receiving yards/catch rate over expectation stats will regress positively in the coming weeks with Love back at the helm. As they do, Wicks’s fantasy value will skyrocket. The window to buy low might close this week against the Rams.
Remember, also: Last season, Wicks finished fourth among rookies in total explosive catches (defined here as catches of 16-or-more yards) with 18.
If you want more, read my ode to Dontayvion Wicks. I have heart eyes when I say his name.
Just know: I’m starting him in the fantasy league about which I care most this week. Flex play, but still. I’m all-in.
Samaje Perine, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Another one of my darlings this week. I’m surprised he hasn’t been stashed more already, given Kareem Hunt’s shoulder injury (after just one NFL game!) and Carson Steele’s thus-far unimpressive production.
I wrote a column specifically about the savviness behind stashing Perine in season-long fantasy. An excerpt:
Barring injury or some midseason acquisition, Samaje Perine should have a fairly major role to play going forward in Kansas City. Gone are Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice from the receiving core. Xavier Worthy is as raw as it gets. Kelce isn’t going to be the full answer, either. Put simply, the Chiefs haven’t gotten enough out of Perine yet.
Perine’s 2023 season final line was: 238 rushing yards, 455 receiving yards, and one touchdown. His usage right now has him projected, by the end of the 2024 season, to finish with 166 rushing yards and 119 receiving yards. The Chiefs didn’t acquire Perine with plans to cut his production by two-thirds, even when Isiah Pacheco was healthy.
More at the above linked, but you get it. There’s too much upside here to not get in on if your team already has a good record.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
Singletary is hurt, and Tracy might be in line for the start this week. Nabers is out. Tracy impressed all preseason long.
Even if Singletary plays, Tracy will see an uptick in usage this week. He’s still only owned in 6.4% of leagues. That’s insane. He’s a surefire backup running back with a guaranteed starting role on Sunday if his already-injured teammate is ruled out.
Go get him!
Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
He’s been widely dropped this week because the Chargers have an early bye. Edwards also has yet to find the end zone. It’s true—the Chargers seem to feel like they’ve really found something with the balance between Dobbins and Herbert.
But you could do worse than get the handcuff running back, who can handle marquee workloads, should his injury-prone teammate one spot ahead on the depth chart need to be spelled for whatever reason.
Edwards’s diminished ownership in fantasy leagues (he’s now available in over 65% of leagues) is the classic mistake of punting on a season-long investment early. Another man’s trash, etc.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
Tyler Badie was about to be a great story, and in so doing was likely to leap over McLaughlin on the Denver depth chart. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, and Badie’s overall welfare—let alone his return to the football field this season—is a tragic and fluid situation. We are gladdened to hear he is doing well and in great medical care.
McLaughlin’s nine carries for 46 yards and one reception for zero yards was an encouraging line with regards to his usage. The Broncos managed to grind out the win last week against the Jets with McLaughlin operating behind Javonte Williams, and it seemed to work.
Don’t be surprised if the time to get in on McLaughlin wasn’t draft day, but, instead, is right now.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $3.25M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st].
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is thegreatdansby9) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the s and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
