2023 Fantasy Football: Biggest Risers and Fallers-Week 5

There are many factors that can cause the movement behind fantasy football’s biggest risers and fallers.

Injuries and recent signings are both factors. Some weeks we have suspensions and some weeks we have players and management having public disagreements over health. Some of these big swings in perceived value are overreactions and some are valid. Our goal is to help you reach the right decision as to what is causing these changes and help you take advantage of them. These are the biggest movers in the last week.

As always this will not list defenses or kickers because well, they are defenses and kickers. This also does not reflect the obvious ones like a quarterback who gets hurt after four plays and will miss the rest of the season.

Risers

Jaleel McLaughlin - RB - Broncos

This looks like to me an overreaction to one good game. McLaughlin in the first three games rushed for a combined total of 20 yards. His fantasy point totals for those three were -1, 7, and 2. If he starts this week he might be replacing Javonte Williams although that has not been confirmed.. Williams in this offense only had rushing totals of 52, 44, and 43 with zero TDs. The Broncos rank 20th in rushing yards and have only scored one rushing touchdown. McLaughlin ran for 72 yards last week and this week he will be going against the Jets who have given up the 13th most yards but only 1 TD to running backs. If you want to see reasons for picking him up, Travis Wakeman wrote this great article.

Jake Ferguson - TE - Cowboys

This is a great pickup if you have a bye-week need. Each week Ferguson has gotten better, Yards per catch and catch percentage are both rising. He has had two weeks already finishing at TE9.

Zach Ertz TE - Cardinals

The good part from last week’s game was he was targeted ten times and caught six of them. The bad was he only had 21 yards. If you need a bye week replacement he does have a good match-up this week Cincinnati as given up the 2nd most TDs and the fourth-most Fantasy points to tight ends this year.

Joshua Dobbs - QB - Cardinals

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season, that two Cardinals would be top waiver wire pickups? In three games he has topped 20 Fantasy points twice. He is picking up points with his legs as well, He has run for 41, 55, and 48 yards in the last three games.

Sam Howell - QB - Commanders

Howell has also topped 20 points twice this year. If you can hold your nose and get past the week three slaughter where Buffalo grabbed four interceptions, this has not been a bad season. You could do much worse than picking up the QB that faces the Bears this week.

Fallers

Joshua Kelley - RB Chargers

It’s easy to cut Kelly. After the first week which was not bad, He had 4, 2, and 6 fantasy points. He is on a by this week and then Ekeler is expected to be back.

Kareem Hunt - RB - Browns

Well, he has been consistent since resigning with the Brows. In week three he had 5 carries for 13 yards, and in week four he had 5 carries for 12 yards. Unless something happens to Ford, there is no reason for him to take up a bench spot.

Luke Musgrave - TE - Packers

Musgrave and not scored more than 5 Fantasy points in a game this year. Now going through the concussion protocol, this is the week to drop him. There is still value here though if you have a dynasty team.

Quentin Johnston - WR - Chargers

Things have not gone well for Johnson. Even with Mike Williams out for the season, Johnston still only saw three targets. It’s possible with a bye week the Chargers find a way to work him into the game plan but for now, there are better options.

Roschon Johnson - RB - Bears

This is someone that got a lot of buzz before the season started and even after game one in which he scored 11.5 Fantasy points. . In his last three games he has 4, 5, and 2 Fantasy points. Another player I would keep if I am on a dynasty team, other wise I am cutting him.