Preemptive Strike Week 5

Don’t look now but as we inch closer to the halfway mark of this season, I just wanted to bring to your attention that starting next week the bye-week gauntlet begins. Here are the four teams that will be on bye in Week 6 (Lions, Titans, Raiders, and Texans). This is where the fun begins. So now more than ever it’s best to stay ahead of your league mates and save that FAAB and waiver positioning as much as possible. Here are this week’s Preemptive Strike players to add prior to this week’s games. 

Quarterbacks

Check to see if these quarterbacks are available to add first: Trevor Lawrence, 74% Rostered, Jared Goff 73% Rostered, and Tua Tagovailoa 70% Rostered.

Daniel Jones, QB Giants 22% Rostered

Although Daniel Jones has been playing without his main receiving weapons due to injuries, he is still somehow producing for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Jones has been getting it done with his legs. In four games Jones has already rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Next week gets the Ravens at home who are allowing the second most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. If you happen to have Derek Carr or Jared Goff, add Jones now so you can be ready for your bye next week at quarterback. 

Kenny Pickett, QB Steelers 16% Rostered

I mentioned last week picking up Kenny Pickett because the real Mitch Trubisky was starting to come out of his shell and causing turnovers and stalling Steelers’ offensive drives. In his debut relieving an ineffective Trubisky, Pickett threw for 120 yards and three interceptions but rushed for 15 yards and two touchdowns. Not too shabby, but he does have to cut down on his turnovers. Pickett has plenty of weapons and the arm to get them the ball. Add the promising rookie now so that he pays big dividends later in the season.

Running Backs

Check to see if these running backs are available to add first: Raheem Mostert 67% Rostered, Brian Robinson 61% Rostered, and Tyler Allgeier 57% Rostered

Rachaad White, RB Buccaneers 34% Rostered

Over the past week, Rachaad White’s ownership increased by nine percent. That is mainly due to the evidence that Tom Brady and the Buccaneers' coaching staff are starting to have with the rookie running back. After being a non-factor in his three previous games White produced 14.60 PPR fantasy points behind a rushing touchdown and catching all five of the balls thrown in his direction for 50 yards. If White is still swimming in your waiver wire pool, snatch him up now before it is too late.

Isiah Pacheco, RB Chiefs 33% Rostered

Another rookie running back that just needs more playing time to be a true player in this league is Isiah Pacheco. Last week was the first time since Week 1 that Pacheco received double-digit carries and he rushed for 63 touches on 11 touches, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. If Clyde Edwards-Helaire should miss time due to injuries lookout. Pacheco is an excellent addition in 10-to-12 team leagues

Caleb Huntley, RB Falcons 14% Rostered

Over the last couple of weeks, I was mentioning to add to Tyler Allgeier since Damien Williams is on injured reserve and Cordarelle Patterson was already dealing with some injuries. Well, low and behold Patterson end up on IR himself and opened the door for plenty of touches up for grabs. Allgeier was game and rushed for 84 yards on 10 carries, but he was not alone to get touches. Caleb Huntley entered the picture and got 10 carries of his own and he ran for 56 yards and a touchdown. Time will tell who will be the biggest benefactor with the extra playing time, so mine as well pick up Huntley and see how it shakes out.

Here are some running backs lottery tickets to stash: Kenny Walker 43% Rostered, James Cook 30% Rostered, Kenneth Gainwell 30% Rostered, Jaylen Warren 8% Rostered, D’Onta Foreman 6% Rostered, Damien Williams 4% Rostered

Wide Receivers

Check to see if these wide receivers are available to add first: Romeo Doubs 50 % Rostered, Tyler Boyd 55% Rostered, Darnell Mooney 55% Rostered, George Pickens 54% Rostered, Michael Gallup 50% Rostered, Corey Davis 49% Rostered, and Isaiah McKenzie, WR 48% Rostered

Josh Palmer, WR Chargers 29% Rostered

All I have to say is Keenan Allen is still out with hamstring injuries. So do yourself a favor and add Josh Palmer now and thank me later. The dude produces when given the chance, especially when Allen is on the sidelines. Just monitor Palmer’s ankle injury, although he did have full practice on Friday.

Jameson Williams WR Lions 31% Rostered

Jameson Williams has been intensifying his rehab, as he is nearing making his debut with the Lions. In his final season with Alabama Williams produced 79 receptions, for 1,572 yards, and 15 touchdowns. The rookie is a bonafide stud and this is maybe one of your final chances to stash him on your IR until he returns.

Skyy Moore WR Chiefs 12% Rostered

Other than tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’receiving corps. has been as inconsistent as they come. Queue in the entrance of Skyy Moore last week. This is a very small sample size but Moore got a career-high four targets in a game and he brought in two receptions for 31 yards. If you are in a deeper league and looking for a player that can break out at any time Moore should be considered.

Here are some wide receivers to stash: Jahan Dotson 47% Rostered, Josh Reynolds 27% Rostered, Treylon Burks 28% Rostered, Wan’Dale Robinson 6% Rostered, and Van Jefferson 5% Rostered.

Tight Ends

Check to see if these tight ends are available to add first: David Njoku 79% Rostered, and Irv Smith Jr. 47% Rostered. 

Tyler Conklin, TE Jets 46% Rostered

Tyler Conklin has been one of the most consistent tight ends this season and he is still remarkably under 50% rostered. Even though Zach Wilson returned from his injury Conklin was still relatively involved in the offense garnering five targets. If you are in need of a tight end Conklin is an excellent option. Conklin plays the Dolphins in Week 5 who gives up the seventh most points to tight ends.

Will Dissly, TE Seahawks 15% Rostered

If you’re in a deeper league a tight end that has had three double-digits PPR fantasy points outings has been Will Dissly. Dissly will have a tough match-up in Week 5 against the Saints but if you are looking at Week 6 the tight end will go up against the Falcons who allow the second most fantasy points to tight ends.

Defenses to Stream for Week 6

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense 70% Rostered battle the Colts

Cleveland Browns Defense 16% Rostered face the Patriots and their third-string quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals Defense 29% Rostered goes up against the Saints who are giving up the second most points to team defenses.

What players are you looking to add before this week's games? If you would like to discuss this further or have any fantasy questions you can reach me on Twitter at @smooth1074.