QB:
Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
He looked good coming in for the injured Anthony Richardson, throwing for 168 yards and 2 TD. He did it against one of the top defenses in the NFL, too, and if he is the starter this week, he gets an amazing matchup against Jacksonville who rank last in fantasy against the QB position. Until we know for sure that Richardson is inactive this week, though, this is a speculative move.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford typically plays better at home, and he is facing a Packers team this week that ranks in the bottom 3rd of the league in passing yards allowed and points allowed per game. This could be a very high-scoring game, and I think the Rams will be trailing, so there’s a chance for garbage time points.
RB:
Trey Sermon, Indianapolis Colts
Like Flacco, we need to ensure that Jonathan Taylor is inactive this week before locking Sermon into the lineup. If Taylor does miss the game as expected, Sermon becomes the starter for the Colts in a game against the Jaguars. The Jags rank 25th in fantasy against opposing RBs this season and are allowing 26.8 points per game this year to their opponents.
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots
If you play in deep leagues, have injuries to your RBs, and/or have RBs on a bye week, then you might be looking for a warm body this week. Gibson can be that guy for you in a very good matchup against a Miami defense that ranks 27th in fantasy against opposing RBs. Gibson is the pass-catching back in the offense, but he also saw work running the football last week after a Stevenson fumble. Gibson could see even more work, according to head coach Jerod Mayo.
WR:
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
Jeudy has had three double-digit fantasy games in PPR formats this season and has seen 16 targets in the past two weeks. He has a matchup against the Commanders this weekend, who rank 31st against WRs this season. The Commanders are also one of the higher-scoring teams in the league, so the Browns are likely going to be in a position where they are forced to pass in this game to keep up.
Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys
With Brandin Cooks out this week against the Steelers, Tolbert moves into the WR2 role in a pass-heavy Cowboys offense. I like him as an option in deeper leagues, especially now that bye weeks have begun.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
It appears that Christian Watson is going to miss this weeks game, as he is currently listed as doubtful. That means that Wicks is going to see a lot more snaps in the offense, especially if last week is any indication. Wicks saw 13 targets in week four following the injury to Watson.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
I only like Downs if Flacco is the QB this week. Downs had a great game with Flacco in week four and is in a great spot this week against a Jaguars defense that ranks 28th in fantasy against opposing WRs. Monitor the injury report for the Colts as we head into Friday.
TE:
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
He and the Bears offense has been inconsistent this season, but this week, he could be in for a solid week. The Bears are at home against the Panthers, who rank 26th in fantasy against opposing TEs. Kmet has caught 18 of his 20 targets this season.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
This is purely matchup-dependent. The Chiefs are the worst defense in fantasy football when it comes to defending the TE position. To add to this, Taysom Hill is injured, which means Johnson should have the TE targets and snaps all to himself.
