Week 5 NFL Rookies to Watch

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Two more rookies burst onto the scene in Week 4, while others have lost their appeal entering Week 5 due to other players returning from injury - or from injury concerns of their own. Still, as always, doors have opened for a handful of rookies to emerge this week, while another prominent name is over an ailment which delayed the start of his NFL career.

Absent from the rookies to watch in Week 5, listed below, are those who have already solidified their standing as consistent weekly options. Additionally, those who have less favorable Week 5 matchups and/or are mired in murky timeshare situations.

Quarterback

Paxton Lynch, Broncos (vs. Falcons)

Lynch received his first taste of NFL action in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after starting QB Trevor Siemian was forced out due to an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Lynch went on to finish the game, going 14-for-24 for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Last week's matchup was favorable, as he got to test the NFL waters against the 15th-ranked defense in passing yards allowed. The Buccaneers have allowed nine passing touchdowns while intercepting a lone pass. Lynch's potential Week 5 opponent has allowed more passing yards than all but one team and more passing touchdowns than anyone in the league.

Should Lynch be forced into action over Siemian, he has two excellent receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to help him attack the Falcons. Atlanta also ranks last in the league in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, providing Lynch with an extra safety blanket in TE John Phillips.

Cody Kessler, Browns (vs. Patriots)

Kessler should have plenty of garbage time against the Patriots in Week 5, giving him the potential to have a serviceable fantasy day at a low salary. Even if he doesn't finish with the greatest numbers, WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. and TE Gary Barnidge should enjoy plenty of success, with the Browns likely to be forced into abandoning the run game early on.

Kessler is completing just over 67 percent of his passes through two games, but he hasn't thrown for more than 244 yards, and has just a single touchdown. He could have a career day on the statistical side, even with his team projected to lose by more than 10 points.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. Bengals)

Prescott was trending toward being a serviceable weekly starter, but he's likely to hit a snag in Week 5. The Bengals have ProFootballFocus' second graded edge defender in Carlos Dunlap, and the second graded interior defender in Geno Atkins. The two should get plenty of pressure on the rookie, making him a fade in all formats while also (likely) without WR Dez Bryant.

Running Back

Jordan Howard, Bears (at Colts)

Howard played 91 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 4 while starting over the injured Jeremy Langford. He exceeded fairly lofty expectations, gaining 111 yards on 23 carries and adding three receptions for 21 yards. He hasn't yet found the end zone, but he is averaging 5.1 yards on 35 carries.

The Colts rank 18th in rush yards allowed per game, while ceding five touchdowns. They're more beatable through the air, but the Bears are without WR Kevin White, while WR Eddie Royal and TE Zach Miller are also nursing minor injuries. With only WR Alshon Jeffery as a viable option in the passing game, Howard will be leaned on heavily as long as the score is close.

Kenneth Dixon, Ravens (vs. Redskins)

Dixon will make his debut in Week 5, as he has finally recovered from the knee injury which has delayed the start of his NFL career. His activation prompted the Ravens to release veteran RB Justin Forsett, a major show of faith in the fourth-round rookie.

Dixon will initially form a tandem with No. 1 RB Terrance West, who is coming off his best game with the Ravens (21 carries, 113 yards, TD). Still, West has caught just four passes in four games this season, allowing Dixon to feature heavily in what has been a well-rounded Ravens passing attack.

DeAndre Washington, Raiders (vs. Chargers)

Washington played just 10 offensive snaps in Week 4, compared to the 34 played by incumbent starter Latavius Murray and the 15 played by fellow rookie Jalen Richard. Washington was still the most effective of the three, gaining 30 yards on five carries and adding 16 yards on three receptions. Washington has a run of at least 26 yards in each of his past three games.

The Raiders poor offensive line is encumbering all three backs, but Washington has shown the brightest flashes. None of the three are worth more than a DFS flier at this point, with Washington being the best option.

Wide Receiver

Tajae Sharpe, Titans (at Dolphins)

Sharpe still hasn't been able to replicate an excellent Week 1 debut. He has received exactly seven targets in each of his past three games, but his receptions have dropped each game. He is expected to line up across from Dolphins CB Tony Lippett in Week 5. Lippett has a ProFootballFocus grade of just 68.2 on the season.

Sharpe's dwindling performance has been hampered by the poor play of QB Marcus Mariota, but the two have a great opportunity to turn their seasons around against the Dolphins' porous defense.

Sterling Shepard, Giants (at Packers)

Shepard played just four fewer offensive snaps than veteran WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz in a Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He received at least seven targets for the third consecutive week, making four catches for 30 yards in an extremely difficult matchup. He finished with more receptions and yards than Beckham.

He'll be defended by Packers CB Damarious Randall in the base offense and defense. Randall has a PFF grade of just 40.1. Beckham will be under the closer watch of CB Quinten Rollins, who has a grade of 70.0, potentially setting Shepard up to be the No. 1 target of QB Eli Manning.