WR:
Deebo Samuel, 49ers
Nobody crushes a zone defense like Deebo Samuel. Arizona plays a ton of zone defense and their 77.6% catch rate is the highest percentage in all of the NFL. Moreover, they’re letting up 9.03 yards per target, which is the fourth most in the NFL. Samuel has been very quiet to start the season, but I think that completely changes in Week 5 as he breaks through for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Jayden Reed, Packers
The Rams have allowed big chunk plays to opposing receivers. They have also let up the third-highest yards per target in the league and the second-most receiving touchdowns. What we know about Reed is that he’s got a great synergy with Jordan Love, and I expect that to continue in week five, with Reed getting about five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 19: Jayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Rashod Bateman, Ravens
This might be one of the most visionary plays that I’ve had in quite some time. The obvious way to think about this game is that Derrick Henry is going to run the ball down Cincinnati’s throat. And while that may happen, I just have a feeling, as I’ve said many times, that the NFL doesn’t work out exactly like you think it will. I think the Bengals and Ravens game is going to be a bit of a shootout, and Lamar is going to have to throw more than you expect him to. Cincinnati plays a ton of man coverage and that is Bateman’s specialty. I just have a feeling that Bateman is going to go like 5 for 70 in a touchdown.
Honorable Mention:
Brian Thomas Jr.: Should feast against the Colts zone coverage
Terry McLaurin: Devours man coverage and his rapport with Daniels seems to be improving each game
TE:
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
I look back to Dallas Goedert’s day against New Orleans where he caught 10 passes for 170 yards when Philadelphia had no other healthy receivers and see a similar outcome for Kelce. With which Rashee Rice out and Xavier Worthy being limited in terms of his route tree Kelce will own the middle of the field and probably get 8 or 9 receptions for 80 or 90 yards and a touchdown.
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a third quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Kansas City defeated Detroit 34-30. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Brock Bowers, Raiders
Bowers underperformed in Week 4 but that’s no reason to avoid playing him in Week 5. Davante Adams will be out once again and if Denver decides to play man coverage Patrick Surtain will be covering Jacobi Meyers. Broncos LBs Divine Diablo and Luke Masterson are very questionable to play which tells me that the Raiders are going to have to scheme a lot of plays for Bowers in the middle of the field. Look for him to have six or seven catches for 70-80 yards.
Evan Engram, Jaguars
If he plays, Engram may be one of my favorite plays on the slate. The Colts have allowed an 82.8% catch percentage to opposing tight ends, which is the fourth worst in the league. They’ve also allowed 24 receptions to opposing tight ends, which is the fourth-worst number in the league. On top of that, they’ve allowed two touchdowns to opposing tight ends, which is the worst number in the league. Trevor Lawrence misses Engram desperately, and this is the perfect game for him to return. If, for some reason, Engram doesn’t play, Brenton Strange is absolutely somebody I would start as well.
Honorable Mention:
Tucker Kraft: Luke Musgrave is not fully healthy, and Los Angeles has been awful against opposing tight ends.
Isaiah Likely: Logan Wilson will be covering Mark Andrews, making Likely a sneaky option.