We are at the quarter point of the NFL season as we head into Week 5. This is an important time for Fantasy Football owners as it could be the last time for them to cash in on a player outperforming expectations but they are unsustainable. Or, acquire a player that is on the cusp of breaking out.
Whether your team is 4-0 or 0-4, there are always tweaks that could be made. The wide receiver position offers some upside this week as we saw some players return from injury, impacting their teammates who had been filling in for them in the lineup.
Which wide receivers are worthy of some consideration for your Fantasy Football lineup? Here are five boom-or-bust options for the position in Week 5.
5. Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys welcomed Michael Gallup back to the lineup last week against the Washington Commanders and picked up right where he left off. He scored a touchdown, catching two passes for 24 yards.
That is a great way to get back into the flow of things and while his snap count was only 64 percent, it was just good to see him back on the field. He is locked into a role with the team as well, as he had the second-highest route percentage on the team and 100 percent for routes on dropbacks.
While some of that could be because of Noah Brown being out of the lineup, the No. 2 role in this offense behind CeeDee Lamb is Gallup’s for the taking. With Cooper Rush expected to start one more game and him just ignoring tight end Dalton Schultz in the passing game, Gallup has a chance to put up numbers in an advantageous spot.
The Cowboys’ opponent this weekend, the Los Angeles Rams, has the highest Adjusted Points Allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. With Jalen Ramsey potentially shadowing Lamb, Gallup has a chance to go off.
4. Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but for Fantasy Football managers, it provides a chance to find some value in a sometimes barren free agent pool. The Washington Commanders suffered a tough blow with rookie Jahan Dotson suffering a hamstring injury this past weekend.
The injury will keep Dotson sidelined for at least a week or two, opening up the opportunity for someone else to step in. Terry McLaurin could benefit the most and Curtis Samuel could receive a few more touches as well. But, someone has to step into the lineup for Dotson and that could be Dyami Brown.
Brown was a third-round pick of the Commanders in 2021 but received very few opportunities as a rookie. He hasn’t seen much this season, either, but he is coming off a season-high 28 percent snaps played, receiving four targets.
With Dotson sidelined, Brown is the quintessential boom-or-bust player. The Commanders have a friendly matchup for wide receivers against a Tennessee Titans defense that has given up 10 passing touchdowns this season, the third most in the NFL.
3. Elijah Moore, New York Jets
There were some worries about New York Jets skill position players with Joe Flacco heading back to the sidelines and Zach Wilson stepping back into the starting lineup. Through one week, at least, the offense has remained pass happy as Wilson attempted 36 passes in his season debut.
While Moore is third in the pecking order behind Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis, he offers a ton of upside based on the kind of targets he is receiving. His AIR/TGT is significantly higher than that of Wilson’s.
Based on that, Moore has the upside edge over Davis and Wilson. The Ole Miss product is the player being targeted downfield, which is what Fantasy Football managers are looking for in a boom-or-bust play.
2. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have suffered a ton of injuries in the last two weeks. This past week against the Baltimore Ravens, their wide receiver position was ravaged with injuries as three players enter Week 5 hampered.
Jamison Crowder broke his ankle and will be placed on injured reserve. His backup, Isaiah McKenzie, is in concussion protocol after receiving the hardest hit of his life and admitting that he couldn’t move after. Gabe Davis is dealing with a nagging ankle injury, leaving plenty of opportunities available.
They could fall on Khalil Shakir, a fifth-round rookie out of Boise State. He could be forced into a large role out of necessity this week with both slot receivers already sidelined. Who doesn’t want a piece of one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL?
If you are in a pinch at wide receiver, Shakir is worth a shot as he could find himself in a near-every-down role depending on what happens with Davis. Being without Crowder and McKenzie is enough to have some interest in Shakir as the No. 3 receiver at worst in a positive matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
1. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
During the offseason, George Pickens drew a lot of attention for how much he was dominating at Pittsburgh Steelers camp. That was slow to translate to the regular season as the offense has been abysmal behind the combination of offensive coordinator Matt Canada and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
However, the breakout people have been waiting for could be here. Pickens has been running more diverse routes the last few weeks and the Steelers have made a change at quarterback, inserting rookie Kenny Pickett into the starting lineup.
Pickett is not afraid to take shots downfield and he targeted Pickens a ton once he got on the field against the New York Jets, receiving five, including plays that didn’t count because of a penalty. He caught all four that counted for 71 yards, which is more receptions and yards than he recorded in a game yet this season.
The Buffalo Bills are a brutal first matchup for Pickett and Pickens as starters together, but the game script will almost assuredly force the Steelers to throw the ball a lot, which is music to the ears of Fantasy Football owners.
