After the Sunday games here is a list of players that you may want to take a look at on the wire for week 5.
RB
Jerick McKinnon (MIN) showed up in a big way against the Falcons in week 4. With 18 carries for 135 yards and a catch for 17, McKinnon seems to have found himself a place in the Minnesota backfield. McKinnon is a guy with some great raw talent, and plays Green Bay in week 5, a great match up for running backs. At this time it is uncertain if this will be a true running back by committee, but there was plenty for everyone to eat against Atlanta.
Lorenzo Taliaferro (BAL) had a decent game and got his share of the workload for the Ravens in a blowout win over the Panthers. Gaining 58 yards on 15 rushes and scoring he gets you 11.8 points. He received an equal share of carries in the Ravens rushing attack and looks to keep his portion of the committee. Indy, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta are the next 3 match ups for Baltimore and those look like some good opportunities for Taliaferro.
Justin Forsett (BAL) was the other half of the two pronged rushing game of the Ravens on Saturday. Rushing 14 times for 66 yards and a score, plus catching 3 passes for 31 yards would have earned you a cool 18.7 points in a PPR format. As with Taliaferro, the Indy, Tampa Bay, Atlanta games coming up look to provide some good scoring chances.
Bishop Sankey (TEN) was dropped in some leagues after not getting much work, and comments about his need to improve footwork. But Sunday saw him get most of the work in the second half, with 6 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown, and adding 2 catches for 23 yards. Playing him this week would have scored you 13.7 PPR points. Sankey has some good match ups coming in the next few weeks with games at Jacksonville in week 6 and Washington in week 7. If he was dropped, grab and stash.
Darrin Reaves (CAR) was forced into action this week when DeAngelo Williams left the game. Reaves didn't do much with his 12 carries, amassing only 26 yards. He also caught 3 passes for 11 yards. Reaves is in a last man standing situation. With a week to game plan with him, you may see some improvement. I wouldn't be surprised if Carolina added a back either through free agency or called upon Lache Seastrunk. Regardless, Reaves is merely speculative until he proves what he can do if given the opportunity.
TE
Heath Miller (PIT) was a big part of the Pittsburgh passing game, catching 10 balls for 85 yards and a touchdown. Miller and Ben Roethlisberger have good chemistry. Miller has been a favorite target of Big Ben in the past. This is by far his most productive game of the season so he may be worth a stash or pickup for a bye week player coming up.
Eric Ebron (DET) is the much talked about tight end for the Lions. Through his first four games he has been consistently inconsistent catching no passes in weeks 1 and 3, and 3 balls in weeks 2 and 4. This week he caught a touchdown, and with Calvin Johnson having an ankle injury, he may see more work in the future. His week 6, 7, and 8 match ups feature Minnesota, New Orleans, and Atlanta, and should he be given targets, could produce some points for you if your tight end is injured or on bye.
Jace Amaro (NYJ) was in last weeks waiver wire article, and he is back this week. His workload increased this week, catching 5 passes for 58 yards. Those are not super flashy numbers, but an increase in work is a step in the right direction. In this game he got that increase with Eric Decker playing.
Jordan Reed (WAS) has been out with an injury, but with Niles Paul having a concussion, it may be time for him to return if he is healthy. If he was dropped in your leagues he may be a good pickup for your roster. His week 5 match up could be tough against Seattle, but after that Washington plays Arizona, Tennessee, Dallas, and Minnesota, giving him some scoring opportunity. The only caveat with Reed is that so far in his young career he is apt to be injured. This makes him slightly risky, but he does have great talent when on the field.
WR
Eddie Royal (SD) had a hot start to the 2013 season, and then disappeared. His last 3 games he has 16 catches and 216 yards and 4 touchdowns. I have a hard time knowing what he did last year, doing most of his damage in the first 2 weeks of the season, suggesting a pickup, but if you have a spot or an under performing guy on your roster, Royal could be a nice addition if he keeps it up.
Allen Robinson (JAC) hasn't scored yet this year, but he has caught 12 passes in the last two weeks. On a team that will be behind a lot, he is worth a speculative pickup in a PPR format, and may pick up momentum and possibly find the end zone. I'm not dropping a good player, but with an open roster spot you may want to pick him up and see how Blake Bortles likes him.
QB
Eli Manning (NYG) has put up some solid numbers since his week 1 flop. in weeks 2-4 Manning has averaged 270 yards and has 8 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. His next 3 games against Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas seem to be great match ups for the rejuvenated Manning and the Giants offense. He is a good pickup if your quarterback is under performing or in 2 quarterback leagues. Manning is a must add player this week.
Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) had a good coming out party against the soft Atlanta defense. Throwing for 317 yards, and rushing 5 times for 27 yards and a touchdown, Bridgewater is a player to look at in 2 quarterback leagues and as a possible bye week replacement. He did suffer an ankle injury this week, and plays Thursday night, so temper expectations a little this week and monitor his practice reports accordingly.
Carson Palmer (ARI) said this week that his shoulder has responded to treatment. Palmer may be the forgotten commodity in your leagues, since when looking to add a quarterback, it shows them by points. Since he hasn't played, you have to go looking for him on the list. Arizona returns from their bye in week 4 to play Denver, Washington, Oakland, Philadelphia and Dallas over the next 5 weeks. By far the worst of the match ups is week 5, with the rest looking like fantasy gravy.
Good luck this week on the wire!
