Fantasy Football Week 5 matchups to exploit: All systems go for these young WRs!

Dominate your fantasy football leagues with these favorable Week 5 matchups.

Rome Odunze vs. CAR

Odunze is coming off a bad game where he had just one catch for 10 yards in Week 4 against the Rams. But this wasn't his fault. The Bears' passing attack struggled due to their offensive line. Caleb Williams didn't have time to throw, meaning no Bears receiver got over 25 yards in Week 4.

But this week is the perfect recovery spot for Odunze. He will face the Panthers, who rank 31st in pass rush through four games according to PFF. Williams should have plenty of time to throw and Carolina is estimated to be allowing the sixth-most passing yards per game N.F.L. Pro.

One more thing: Keenan Allen returned from injury last week, but Odunze still played for him in the majority of the two WR sets. Start this week with Odunze.

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Brian Thomas Jr. versus IND

Thomas Jr. is quietly on the rankings 12th in efficiency this season as a rookie. Thomas has earned at least 10 fantasy points in three of four games this year and has two top 20 finishes during this stretch. This is impressive considering Trevor Lawrence is struggling. Lawrence ranks 32nd in the NFL in completion percentage, completing just 53% of his passes; only Anthony Richardson was worse.

Thomas has produced despite this poor QB play, and now he gets a great matchup. He will face the Colts who have allowed opposing No. 1 outside receivers an average of 100.5 yards per game this season. George Pickens only produced 119 yards against Indy last week. Start with Thomas in week 5.

Dontayvion Wicks vs. LAR

Wicks will see a bigger role in Week 5 with Christian Watson out. In Week 4, when Watson left with an injury, Wicks led the Packers with a 25% target share. In all, he saw a team-high 13 targets and converted it into a 78-yard, two-touchdown performance. Wicks was clearly a priority target for Jordan Love in Week 4.

According to Jacob GibbsWicks ranks fifth in fantasy points per route since the start of 2023. He is a talented receiver who will now see more snaps in a strong Week 5 matchup against the Rams, who are allowing the most passing yards per game this season. Three different receivers have totaled more than 130 yards against LA this season. You can start this week with confidence with Wicks.

Josh Downs vs. JAX

Downs is coming off the second-best game of his career in which he scored a team-high nine goals, converting them into eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He has now played in two games this year and both times he led the Colts in goal share. There were reports over the summer, Downs looked like the Colts' best offensive player in training camp; those reports have come to life in the past two weeks.

In Week 5, Downs will have a strong matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville allows the second-most passing yards per game, giving up just 345 yards and two touchdowns to CJ Stroud and the Texans. Whether it's Joe Flacco or Anthony Richardson at quarterback, Downs is a player to start with this week.

Najee Harris vs. DAL

Harris it was bad last week; he earned just 19 rushing yards on 13 carries. But this needs more context because the Steelers didn't have three starting linemen. Not only that, but Harris entered Week 4 with an injury. His production was poor in the field, but this context is necessary.

Fast forward to this week as Harris takes on the Cowboys. This is a strong match at home. Dallas is allowing the second-highest EPA per rush attempt this season, according to Dallas N.F.L. Pro. Harris will get 20 chances per game this season. He struggles with efficiency, but the usage is too good to ignore, especially during fantasy bye weeks.

Start Harris, who may see an increased workload if Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson don't play in Week 5 due to injury.

Jerome Ford vs. WAS

Ford had a pretty good game in Week 4. He converted 17 touches into 85 yards and 12 fantasy points. In this game, Ford played 77% of the snaps and handled 71% of the backfield carries. He's a solid rusher this year, but it's his receiving usage that makes him viable each week. Ford ranks third in RB targets, averaging five per game.

This week is another good match for Ford. He will be competing against the commanders who allow the second-most rushing yards per game. Last week, Washington allowed 113 yards and a TD to James Conner. Ford is a start this week.