With four teams on a bye in Week 5, fantasy football managers might have to get more creative regarding their Flex position. Here are some names to consider for Flex starts this week.
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Who Should I Put in My Fantasy Flex Spot?
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
With the NFL gambling rules changing, we get an early return from Jameson Williams this week. We have only seen him catch one pass in his NFL career, but it was for 41 yards and a TD last year. Williams has the speed and talent to house a Jared Goff pass, and within one blink of an eye, he could have 60 or so yards and a score.
This week, practice for the Detroit Lions has been challenging. Amon-Ra St. Brown is listed as doubtful with an abdominal injury, Jahmyr Gibbs is doubtful with a hamstring, and Josh Reynolds is questionable with a groin issue. Dan Campbell has made it clear that Jameson WIlliams was not to be rushed back, but if he is down this many players, he might not have a choice.
The Lions game is in the early time slot, so fantasy managers will know what Detroit players are taking the field early enough to pivot if needed. I would only Flex Williams if one of the three listed players is out, and Amon-Ra might have to sit out.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
Many fantasy managers thought Adam Thielen was done for, but he has been the WR8 over the past three weeks. One of those games was with Andy Dalton under center, and that was Thielen’s best performance, but Thielen was still startable in two other games. He had a rough Week 1 with only 12 receiving yards, but in Week 2 and Week 4, he was over 50 yards receiving.
Thielen is playing, on average, 90% of the snaps, and QB Bryce Young should have to throw if the Panthers stand any chance of keeping up with the Detroit Lions. Thielen had a 26% target share last week against Minnesota, and there is a good chance that will continue this week. He is Young’s security blanket and a great Flex start in Week 5.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
Everyone ran to the waiver wire this week to pick up Jaleel McLaughlin after the injury to Javonte Williams. Williams’ injury might not be as bad as initially thought, and he is questionable to play this week.
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Even if Williams does go, McLaughlin is a good flex-start. Without Williams, he is the RB1 for Denver and would get the volume, and if Williams plays, he will likely be on a pitch count.
McLaughlin was RB9 last week after seven rushes for 72 yards, 32 receiving yards and a TD. McLaughlin was a beast in college, and head coach Sean Payton has been singing his praises since the pre-season.
This week, Payton continued to praise the undrafted rookie. “Let’s talk about Jaleel,” Payton told reporters. “He played really well. He’s one of the guys that got a game ball this morning. He was explosive in the run and the pass. He gave us some juice, so we’ll continue to look at his role.”
Jaleel McLaughlin is going to be a problem. His role is growing and the team keeps getting him in space.
He gets the Jets in Week 5:
– 11th most fantasy points allowed to RB
– 6th most targets allowed to RB
– 8th most receiving yards allowed to RB pic.twitter.com/XX0kEbspNQ— Alfredo Brown (@ThePretendGM)
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison had a horrendous game in Week 4, and if you started him, there were moments when you had to google if he made it on the team bus. He only had one target last week after averaging just over six in the previous three weeks.
Knowing that QB Kirk Cousins has a bad game will make you feel a little better about Addison’s performance — Cousins only passed for 139 yards and threw two interceptions.
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Week 4 was an outlier for Cousins, who had attempted at least 44 passes in the first three games. Cousins had thrown for almost 1,100 yards and nine TDs through the first three weeks.
The Vikings play the Chiefs this week in a game with a high over-under and expect an Addison bounce back. He scored TDs in the first two games, and you can put him in your Flex spot with the hopes of him getting at least five targets and possibly hitting the end zone.
