Fantasy Soccer Cheat Sheet: All it’s good to know to win in Week 5

A lot modifications from week to week across the NFL, and we’re right here to be sure to’re on prime of all of it heading into Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season.

The weekly fantasy soccer cheat sheet gives a rundown of the very best ideas from all of the fantasy soccer content material that ESPN has posted over the previous seven days. You may discover solutions to the largest begin/sit questions of the week and different pertinent matchup recommendation from our workforce, together with Discipline Yates, Mike Clay, Eric Karabell, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Matt Bowen, Seth Walder, Al Zeidenfeld, Eric Moody, Liz Loza, Daniel Dopp, DJ Gallo and ESPN Insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, plus all of NFL Nation. It is all the very best recommendation in a single useful article.

This is what our specialists are saying about Week 5 within the NFL:

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Conditions in want of some readability

You would possibly assume that after 4 weeks of play most NFL groups have began to get right into a little bit of a rhythm and begun to determine precisely who their go-to guys are for 2022. Nonetheless, that is not essentially the case, particularly in conditions the place accidents at one place have had an affect on how groups are selecting to make the most of everybody else left standing within the huddle. This week, our NFL Nation workforce turned its focus towards just a few of those conditions which have but to search out readability.

• Is Raheem Mostert “the man” within the Miami backfield? Mike McDaniel mentioned he has seen some “actual cool issues” from Mostert over latest weeks and his play has energized Miami’s run sport. On the identical time, McDaniel dedicated to utilizing each Mostert and Chase Edmonds interchangeably shifting ahead, citing their versatility. The Dolphins’ offense takes successful from Tua Tagovailoa to Teddy Bridgewater but when something, it might enhance their working backs’ worth if Bridgewater checks down as a substitute of pushing the ball downfield. Each backs ought to be thought-about flex choices, significantly in PPR codecs. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

• Is it protected to think about J.Ok. Dobbins the lead again within the Baltimore offense and thus a weekly fantasy starter? Dobbins ought to nonetheless be thought-about a dangerous play as a result of he hasn’t totally recovered from final season’s devastating knee harm. He does not have the identical burst and is averaging 3.2 yards per carry, which is sort of half of his output in his rookie season. Dobbins, although, will get the vast majority of the touches in Baltimore’s backfield, particularly after explosive backup Justice Hill injured his hamstring. Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake will not minimize into Dobbins’ workload, however Dobbins will present inconsistent manufacturing as a result of he has but to indicate he can break lengthy runs — Jamison Hensley

• Will Gerald Everett proceed to get near his latest utilization (22 targets over the previous three weeks) when Keenan Allen returns to the Chargers? No. Quarterback Justin Herbert has been compelled to improvise and make the most of a number of playmakers within the absence of Allen, the Chargers’ receptions chief since 2017. When Allen returns, count on that he’ll once more be Herbert’s go-to goal, which naturally means fewer passes to different gamers. — Lindsey Thiry

• What position awaits D’Andre Swift when he returns? I do not assume something modifications for Swift. If you happen to return to final season, it was the identical scenario the place Jamaal Williams led the workforce in complete dashing makes an attempt, however Swift led the squad in complete dashing yards. The Lions nonetheless think about Swift’s playmaking potential as a again who can break away for a deep run at any time, however Williams is the highest choice for brief, robust yardage due to his consistency and sturdiness. They’re going to proceed to make use of each guys within the backfield. Sure, Williams has six dashing touchdowns to Swift’s one, however it has taken him 62 makes an attempt to get a team-high 276 yards in 4 video games, whereas Swift is averaging a career-best 8.6 yards per carry with 27 makes an attempt for 231 yards in three video games. — Eric Woodyard

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Can the Lions’ offense proceed to shock?

Sticking with the Detroit Lions, regardless of the 1-3 report, no workforce within the NFL has put as many factors (140) on the scoreboard by the primary 4 weeks. And the workforce is doing this not solely with out Swift, however with a reasonably depleted WR room as effectively. What do our fantasy specialists say concerning the Lions’ probabilities at persevering with to search out the tip zone, each in Week 5 and for the remainder of the season?

• Matt Bowen says that QB Jared Goff ought to be rostered “as a matchup-dependent starter given the high-throwing quantity of the Lions’ offense. Goff has now tried at the least 34 passes in every sport this season, and he has 11 landing passes after 4 weeks. Detroit will get the New England protection this Sunday. You may play Goff as fringe QB1 right here.”

• Depend Discipline Yates amongst these who’re singing the Lions quarterback’s praises: “The offense Goff performs in has a ton of expertise when totally wholesome — that is not the case in the intervening time — and has proven that even depth-level gamers can actually step up. … Shootouts and/or garbage-time factors are nearly a given for Goff weekly. Regardless of including nothing along with his legs (a complete of 1.6 factors this season), Goff’s common of 37.6 passing makes an attempt per sport and helpful group of offensive expertise are causes to purchase in on his manufacturing. The depth of quarterback this season has proved to be far weaker than anticipated coming into the season, so I’ve acquired Goff simply exterior my prime 10 for Week 5 towards a Patriots protection that presents a stiffer check than the previous three weeks.” — Yates

• Mike Clay additionally has confidence in Goff as a Week 5 streaming choice, but in addition likes certainly one of his WR choices to have worth: “With DJ Chark and Amon-Ra St. Brown out final week, Josh Reynolds dealt with eight targets for the second week in a row and delivered a 7-81-1 receiving line. Reynolds has now had a rating and/or 80 yards in three straight video games and will probably be a WR3/flex if he performs a top-two position once more this week.”

• So, to sum it up, let’s flip to the wit of DJ Gallo: “My finest picks have been drafting Goff (QB5) within the twelfth spherical of a super-flex league and St. Brown (24.4 FPPG) with the forty eighth choose in a guillotine league. I assume the lesson is: all the time load up on Detroit Lions? Certain. That is Fashionable Fantasy 101.”

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Turning the web page in Pittsburgh

All of us knew that Mitch Trubisky was only a stopgap for the Pittsburgh Steelers, however it’s trying like Mike Tomlin is certainly prepared handy the keys to Massive Ben’s fortress over rookie Kenny Pickett and simply see what occurs subsequent. So, with the altering of the guard seemingly official, what ought to fantasy managers do with their Steelers?

• George Pickens‘ expertise is unquestioned — he’s a strolling SportsCenter Prime 10 play — however his alternative and quarterback play have been … questionable. After simply 5 complete targets in Weeks 1 and a pair of, Pickens had 15 over the previous two weeks and had a career-high six catches for 102 yards in Week 4. With Pickett taking up the offense, I count on improved general output (it might’t get a lot worse, to be honest) and Pickens is the precise sort of bench stash you like to have proper now. — Yates

• I really like that we’re lastly seeing Pickett, however I do have gripes. To not be the downer, however the child’s first two begins are going to be towards brutal defenses and it actually does not get a lot simpler the remainder of the way in which. Pickett will definitely enhance each the ground and ceiling of his teammates however not sufficient to maneuver the needle for me. Truthfully, I am terrified within the leagues the place I’ve Najee Harris … I do not assume it may get rather a lot higher. Hopefully I am mistaken. — Dopp

• Glorious level about Najee, Daniel. These Roethlisbergian check-downs ain’t taking place this go-around. Harris went from averaging 4.4 catches per contest (RB1) in 2021 to 2.5 receptions per sport (RB20) in 2022. For context, over the primary 4 weeks of his rookie effort he recorded 26 (!!!) catches. Proper now he has a grand complete of 10. — Loza

• I roster Harris in my huge house league, RB1 in my lineup on draft day. Nonetheless, Harris has but to submit a sport this season with greater than 14 PPR factors. The pass-game utilization is down and Harris has logged only one dashing landing on the season. Bear in mind, Harris is a quantity grinder. That is what I see on the tape. He is not an explosive runner who can constantly assault the perimeter. And with out the scoring alternatives, or the receiving upside, he’ll slide down the ranks this week into the midtier RB2 vary. I am hoping the shift to Pickett creates extra juice on this Pittsburgh offense. Nevertheless it’s exhausting to guess on that this week with a matchup versus the Payments protection. That is a nasty unit. — Bowen

• Pickett’s set up at quarterback would possibly certainly ignite a spark on the Steelers’ offense. Pickett ought to take extra probabilities and due to this fact improve the touchdown-scoring potential of gamers like Pat Freiermuth. Nonetheless, rising pains are to be anticipated and it is a brutal matchup for a rookie attempting to realize expertise. The Payments have been by far the hardest protection towards quarterbacks and tight ends up to now, most notably holding Mark Andrews to three.5 PPR fantasy factors in Week 4. Freiermuth is a touchdown-dependent, borderline TE1/2.— Cockcroft

• Solely three tight ends have a number of video games with seven targets and 75 yards: Kelce, Andrews — and Freiermuth. The Steelers are huge underdogs this week, which could be an encouraging factor. The NFL common go price whereas trailing this season is 67.7%, versus 54.2% when taking part in with a lead. — Zeidenfeld

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Can the Eagles stay undefeated?

Transferring to the opposite aspect of the Keystone State, it has been an ideal begin record-wise for the Philadelphia Eagles. Whereas all the things is at present sunny headed into Week 5, a matchup towards the 2-2 Arizona Cardinals looms. Is there something we ought to be nervous about? Is it time go to Charlie’s conspiracy wall?

• Arizona made a change at cornerback in Week 4, leaving slot man Jace Whittaker on the observe squad and selling offseason addition Trayvon Mullen to nickel duties. Byron Murphy Jr., who has been strong, and Marco Wilson, who continues to wrestle, are the boundary corners in base, with Murphy now kicking to the slot in nickel and Mullen changing him exterior. Transferring Murphy inside will assist Arizona’s slot protection, however that was already a energy (fourth fewest fantasy factors allowed) and it weakens a fringe protection that has struggled (seventh most factors allowed). Enter A.J. Brown (76% perimeter) and DeVonta Smith (75%), who will face off with Wilson and Mullen usually this weekend. They are often upgraded. — Clay

• Arizona will double its sack complete on the season and take down Jalen Hurts 4 occasions. The Playing cards are useless final within the league with 4 sacks getting into Week 5. They’re catching the Eagles’ usually dominant offense on the proper time, with left deal with Jordan Mailata (shoulder) and proper guard Isaac Seumalo (ankle) coping with accidents. Jack Driscoll, who hasn’t began a sport at left deal with since faculty, has been getting the work on Hurts’ blind aspect this week. Whereas he acquitted himself usually effectively in a troublesome spot when Mailata went down towards the Jaguars on Sunday, Arizona ought to have some alternatives to have an effect on the passer. — Tim McManus, NFL Nation

• Dallas Goedert is driving a streak of three straight video games with at the least 11.6 PPR fantasy factors and the Cardinals have allowed the fifth-most 2.17 PPR fantasy factors per goal to tight ends. — Cockcroft

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Fast hits, begins and sits

• You are both in a reasonably deep league otherwise you’re in fairly a little bit of bother should you’re beginning Devin Duvernay proper now, even with a pleasant starting to his season. He has caught all however one goal thrown his approach this 12 months which hardly appears sustainable — and he is not getting that many targets to start with. However! There’s one a part of his sport that completely has caught my eye and that’s his route profile. He is working extra deep crosses and digs, traded go routes for deep fades and is working barely extra posts than final 12 months. And the result’s that he really has some of the favorable route profiles within the league. Is it sufficient to justify him as a fantasy choice? He is an upside stash in a deeper league if I’ve acquired the roster spot. However whether or not he is on my workforce or not I am retaining an eye fixed out right here. — Walder

• Jameis Winston very effectively might miss a second straight week as a result of 4 fractures in his again. After trying to play by the harm in Weeks 2 and three, Winston is targeted on getting totally wholesome, which might take extra time. The Saints aren’t placing a agency timetable on Winston’s absence, taking his restoration week-to-week, however he wants time to heal. Winston’s potential to maneuver to his regular normal has been affected. — Fowler

• I am predicting a monster week for Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson towards a Lions protection that is permitting the second-most factors per sport to fantasy working backs. I would choose the Patriots quarterback to have week right here too, besides I believe there is a sturdy likelihood that is Bailey Zappe. However whereas they work by their quarterback accidents, the Pats have one thing going within the run sport and may proceed to lean on it towards a protection that may’t cease anyone proper now. — Graziano

• The proficient Terry McLaurin, a fourth-round choice in ESPN ADP, stays an apparent vertical risk, however his quarterback is having bother connecting with him. Curtis Samuel leads Washington in targets (by 10 over McLaurin) and catches (working again J.D. McKissic is second). No one ought to be dropping McLaurin or Gibson in fantasy, however their roles are threatened, and so they may be higher served as flex choices or on fantasy benches for now. — Karabell

• A string of robust matchups have capped McLaurin’s manufacturing, however his fantasy rank does not precisely replicate his play on the sector. McLaurin is working over 42 routes per sport with a complete of 171 on the season (WR3). He is additionally the one participant with three or extra deep targets in each sport. That quantity figures to go up with fellow deep risk Jahan Dotson sidelined this Sunday. I like him to go over 58.5 receiving yards (-139). — Loza

• Take the Minnesota Vikings‘ protection, given the go rush this unit can create versus the Bears. This Chicago offense is permitting a sack price of 16.0% per dropback — the very best within the league. A few of that’s on the quarterback, some is on the offensive line, and a few is on the vast receivers’ incapability to shake protection. The Vikings have logged 9 sacks this season, and you may count on that quantity to leap in Week 4 due to schemed pass-rush matchups with split-safety protection. Warmth up QB Justin Fields with the entrance — and play top-down on the ball within the secondary. — Bowen

• Kyle Pitts will miss a sport for the primary time in his profession as he offers with a hamstring harm. Once you depend on explosiveness like Pitts, tender tissue accidents could be tough. By way of 4 weeks of the 2021 season, Pitts has amassed solely 10 catches for 150 yards, with a single sport accounting for 5 of these catches and 87 yards. It will be sensible for his fantasy managers to stream the place for now, with Logan Thomas, Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin all choices to think about. — Moody