Fantasy: 5 last-minute additions poised for big games in Week 5
Each week, we take a look at five last-minute additions for your fantasy team heading into NFL Sunday.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Packers
at Lions
Valdes-Scantling could gain fantasy relevance for Week 5 by virtue of being the best of the remaining Packers receivers. Veteran Randall Cobb was ruled out Friday for a second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury, while Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison remain in jeopardy heading into Sunday.
The rookie fifth-rounder caught one of three targets for a 38-yard gain against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. He was then singled out this week by head coach Mike McCarthy as being next in line in the event of additional injuries.
The Lions rank second in the NFL with just 172 passing yards allowed per game to start the season, but they rank in the middle of the league with a total of seven touchdowns allowed on the year. A thin Packers receiving corps would make Valdes-Scantling a must-have in PPR formats, regardless of the seemingly difficult matchup.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
at Bengals
Gesicki's best game to date came in Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders when he caught all three of his targets for 31 yards. He followed that up with just a single nine-yard reception in the blowout loss to the New England Patriots last week. But he could get more involved against the Bengals with tight end A.J. Derby ruled out due to a foot injury, and wide receiver DeVante Parker at risk of missing Sunday's game with a quad issue.
The rookie tight end played 84 percent of the Dolphins' offensive snaps last week, according to Football Outsiders. Little competition for snaps as a pass-catching tight end and Parker's potential absence would lead to an expanded role in a tighter game against the Bengals in which Miami may not need to take as many shots deeper downfield.
A thin crop of fantasy-relevant tight ends with injuries piling up at the position increases Gesicki's value for owners in need of an active player.
Ryan Switzer, WR, Steelers
vs. Falcons
While Switzer has just 11 receptions on the season, he also has four carries, as he occasionally lines up in the backfield. His role as a pass-catcher could increase with some creative routes out of the backfield against an Atlanta Falcons team that's allowed a league-worst 10.5 receptions per game to "running backs" this season.
The point total for Sunday's matchup with the Falcons was listed at 58 by Covers.com as of Friday afternoon, which is easily the highest projected score of the week. It's also a strong indication of some unexpected fantasy points on the horizon.
Chris Conley, WR, Chiefs
vs. Jaguars
Sammy Watkins has been bothered throughout the week by a hamstring injury. Even if he's ultimately deemed eligible to play, the nature of the injury could limit his speed and ability to be a downfield threat.
Conley, who averaged 15.9 yards per reception last year on 11 catches, could slide into that role to build on a career high of two touchdowns.
The Jaguars possess the league's best pass defense, which will likely limit fantasy production overall, but Conley has shown he doesn't need an excess of volume to help fantasy managers.
Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys
at Texans
Gallup's role has been steadily increasing by small amounts, and he saw a season-high five targets in Week 4. He caught just two, but turned them into 45 yards, including a long of 37.
An even larger role against the 27th-ranked pass defense of the Texans could lead to Gallup's first truly meaningful production of the season. The Cowboys are three-point underdogs on the road, and if the Texans are able to build a larger lead early on, Dallas could be forced to favor the pass over its routinely run-dominant attack.