Scott Engel is in his ninth season of Fantasy Football coverage on Seahawks.com. Scott is a 20-plus year veteran of the Fantasy industry and an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. You can find more of his Fantasy analysis at RotoBaller.com and SportsLine.com. You can listen to Scott on weekend mornings and on demand on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Scott has also won his highly competitive Fantasy Football league with other experts and top players in each of the past three years.
The Seahawks are 4-0 for the second time in franchise history, and four of their top players on offense have helped many Fantasy Football teams fashion winning records after four weeks. Russell Wilson remains the No. 1 quarterback in Fantasy Football, with 122.9 points on NFL.com. Tyler Lockett is No. 4 overall at wide receiver, with 79.8 points. DK Metcalf is at No. 8, with 72.3 points. He has scored 19 or more points in three games. Both Seahawks WRs are must-start players every week.
Chris Carson is fifth in Fantasy Points Per Game at running back (80.0). He had a season-high 25 points in Week 4 at Miami. It is apparent that the Seahawks have a "Core Four" of Fantasy standouts. Wilson has always been a Fantasy QB1, yet he could be headed for his best season ever. Carson often plays at a RB1 level. Metcalf was expected to challenge for Fantasy WR2 status this year and has already exceeded expectations. Now, Lockett is a very good trade target if you don't have him on your roster, and want a top Fantasy WR to boost your outlook.
A player's true value is not always reflected in the final Fantasy numbers in some weeks. Lockett caught passes for 39 yards at Miami, but one of them was a crucial 30-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Those type of key receptions have consistently illustrated that Lockett is one of the most dependable and important wide receivers in the league. He already has three 17-plus point outings in four games. There is no player in Fantasy Football that explodes statistically in every single week. When the numbers don't quite jibe with the true outlook in any week, it is time to email the player in your league who rosters Lockett, and see if you can acquire him in a trade.
Here are some other players to pinpoint in trades who may perform better than the surface numbers have indicated in the weeks ahead. We focus on running backs and wide receivers, as quarterback is deep and tight end is a thin position where the top players may require a heavy personnel price in return.
Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Acquire them Now.
Running Backs: Josh Jacobs has not cracked the 11-point mark in two consecutive games. Better statistical outings are ahead. … Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not scored since the opener. That trend will not last long. See if the Fantasy GM/coach in your league who rosters him is getting antsy … Le'Veon Bell is on the verge of returning to action with the Jets, and could provide a needed spark. … Miles Sanders scored less than 10 points last week and he has may be perceived as a a tough outing ahead vs. Pittsburgh. But in this year's high-scoring NFL environment, no matchups should be feared for better players.
Wide Receivers: Calvin Ridley is coming off a performance with no catches, but he was the No. 1 WR in Fantasy Football heading into Week 4 and will bounce back very quickly. … Marquise Brown does not have a TD catch yet. We have not seen his true upside yet this year. This is the best time to acquire Brown. … As Teddy Bridgewater continues to look more aggressive than expected. D.J. Moore will start to produce more. He faces the Falcons this week. Atlanta allows the most Fantasy Points Per Game to WRs. … Darius Slayton can have a big Week 5 in what should be a high-scoring affair with the Cowboys. He has many Fantasy-friendly games ahead on his season schedule.
Week 5 Fantasy Football Recommended Waiver Wire Acquisitions
Players are listed in order of preference for pickup at each position
Running Backs
Damien Harris, Patriots (18.9 percent rostered on NFL.com): He came off the IR on Monday and led the Patriots in rushing yards with 100 on 17 carries. As the game wore on, Harris became more comfortable and ripped off a 41-yard run in the third quarter. Bye weeks and injuries will make him a highly coveted RB, so you must be prepared to either spend aggressively for his Fantasy rights, or trade up in the waiver order to get him. Harris has the most upside of any RB on the New England roster. Do keep in mind, though, that he could always share some quality touches with other Patriots running backs, so he is more of a flex option for now.
D'Ernest Johnson, Browns (0.3): In relief of the injured Nick Chubb, Johnson rushed for 95 yards on 13 carries in Week 4. Kareem Hunt now moves into Fantasy RB1 territory while Chubb is out, but there is room for another contributor in Cleveland's top-ranked rushing offense. The Browns seem to be comfortable with a time share approach, and Johnson could perform well enough to be a Fantasy flex option.
Justin Jackson, Chargers (0.3): He should assume part of a time share in the Los Angeles backfield while Austin Ekeler is out. The receiving potential to take over some of Ekeler's receiving workload is there. Jackson had a seven-reception outing in December of 2018. He also had two TD runs in a three-game span in that month.
Cam Akers, Rams (45.5): Rib issues have kept him out of action recently, and he was cut in many Fantasy leagues. The Rams drafted Akers with an eye on making him their lead RB at some point. Pick him up and stash him, because he could still become a very important Fantasy option in a few weeks. Another rookie to consider adding is D'Andre Swift of the Lions, who was also dropped in some leagues and may be cut in more with the Lions on a bye in Week 5. His role should start to expand more in the Detroit offense and he was also drafted to be a lead back.
Wide Receivers
Laviska Shenault Jr.. Jaguars (6.3): He is also a viable lower-level trade target in some leagues. Shenault caught five passes for 86 yards in Week 4 and already has three double-figure Fantasy performances to his credit. He impressively fights and battles for yards after the catch and will continue to be an emerging contributor in a busy Jacksonville passing game.
Tre'Quan Smith, Saints (1.3): Smith is now stepping forward as a much-needed option in the New Orleans passing game. The Saints have long been searching for a No. 2 WR that can rely on, and Smith has recently started to show he can be that guy in his third pro season. He scored twice in Week 4 and has demonstrated increased willingness to make tough grabs and gain yardage after the catch. He may continue to be worthy of Fantasy consideration when Thomas returns.
Tim Patrick, Broncos (0.4): The fourth-year wideout has long been a staple in Denver as a depth player who occasionally makes important catches. Injuries have forced him into an expanded role with the Broncos, and he looked comfortable in it as he busted out with a career performance in Week 4. Patrick caught six passes for 113 yards and a TD and may continue to be a prime target for the Denver QBs.
Greg Ward Jr., Eagles (3.9): The Philadelphia receiving corps has been struck by an unfortunate wave of injuries. Ward has become Carson Wentz's preferred target in the past two games, as he has totaled 18 targets. He caught eight passes for 72 yards and a TD in Week 3 and is a viable plug-in player for bye weeks in the shorter term.
Tight Ends
Robert Tonyan, Packers (9.2): He scored three TDs in Week 4, as only George Kittle outscored him at TE. Tonyan registered 33.8 points and has caught five TD passes in his past three games. He will stay in the Green Bay passing mix and should be a priority waiver add.
Greg Olsen, Seahawks (20.3): Olsen caught five passes in Week 4 and has double-figure Fantasy outings in two games already. He is a quality Fantasy TE2 option.
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers (16.7): In his fourth game as a Panther, Bridgewater scored 26.2 points, and he faces the Falcons this week. Atlanta allows the most FFPG to QBs and Bridgewater is a good add as a bye week replacement.
Week 5 Defensive Streamers
Arizona will bounce back against the Jets. … Tampa Bay is a strong play for sacks and turnovers vs. Chicago. .. New Orleans should create some turnovers vs. the Chargers. … Miami has shown some flashes of promise and could exceed expectations vs. the 49ers.
Week 5 Lineup Outlooks
Chris Carson has RB1 potential again. Minnesota allows the 18th-most FFPG to RBs. … Todd Gurley scored twice on Monday, and the Panthers allow the second-most FFPG to RBs. … Kenyan Drake is worth flex consideration vs. the Jets, 25th vs. RBs. … Start Devin Singletary again, as Tennessee is 22nd vs. RBs. … Devonta Freeman is worth deeper league flex consideration, as Dallas has allowed the third-most rushing yards to RBs. … Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf face a Vikings defense that is 25th vs. WRs. … Julian Edelman should bounce back vs. Denver. … Deebo Samuel can have his first good outing of the season vs. Miami. … Robby Anderson is a must-start vs. Atlanta. … Zach Pascal is a decent deep league play vs. Cleveland, 31st vs. WRs. … Mo Alie-Cox is also a good start vs. the Browns, 29th vs. TEs. … Tyler Higbee faces Washington, 27th vs. TEs. … Justin Herbert faces a Saints defense that is 26th vs. QBs.
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