Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, 8:15 ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Network: Prime Video
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: Start, QB1
Baker Mayfield continues to ball out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There were some thoughts he could be coming back to earth after a down game against the Broncos, but Mayfield put that to rest after another impressive showing and one of his best games of the season in Week 4. Mayfield was able to throw for over 300 yards and two scores in this one while keeping a zero in the turnover column. Mayfield is a QB1 until we see signs of him slowing down. He does have a small challenge this week in the Falcons, who have allowed the 12th fewest points to opposing quarterbacks this season, but his strong play and supporting cast keep him as a strong start.
Running Back
Rachaad White: FLEX Option
Bucky Irving: FLEX Option
Rachaad White and Bucky Irving have been hurting each other more often than not. They are low-ceiling options in this offense, but it is important to note that White’s inefficiency on the ground has been more damning than last year, and the presence of Irving has eaten into much of White’s volume that allowed him to be so valuable last season. The Falcons have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing running backs this season, making this a tough matchup for two backs in a timeshare. White and Irving land as my RB23 and RB24 for Week 5, respectively.
Wide Receiver
Chris Godwin: Start, WR1
Mike Evans: Start, WR2
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin continue to be viable options each and every week. You can leave both in your starting lineups for as long as the Baker Mayfield revival lasts. They have a tough matchup this week, but in full-point PPR leagues, they both land in my top 15 wide receivers. I would not be surprised to see Godwin finish as the WR1 for this team in Week 5. It is also important to note that Sterling Shepard made an appearance and played well last week. He is a deep league FLEX option at best, but he should once again be the WR3 for Tampa Bay this week with Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer absent.
Tight End
Cade Otton: Sit, TE2
The peripheral metrics are trending up for Cade Otton, but in 12-team leagues, he is still off the radar. The good news for Otton is that he has seen plenty of targets in the last two weeks (17 Targets). He may be a suitable bye-week stash at tight end, but he’s still a touchdown-or-bust option unless we see the target share trends continue.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: Sit, QB2
Kirk Cousins has been a low-end QB2 for most of the season as he shakes off the rust and returns from a torn Achilles. Week 5 is lining up to be a bounce-back week for the veteran signal-caller. The yardage should be there against a Bucs defense allowing 18 points per game to opposing quarterbacks, making him a viable play in 2QB or SF leagues. In 1 QB leagues, you can continue to look for other options.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: Start, RB1
Tyler Allgeier: FLEX Option
In a trend that is wreaking havoc this season, another elite running back, Bijan Robinson, was banged up last week. Robinson is dealing with a hamstring injury that will likely limit him in this Thursday’s matchup against the Buccaneers. If he can manage a full practice before Thursday, his ranking in this article will stand for me (RB8). If he remains limited, he will drop to my RB19 on the week. The reality is that Tyler Allgeier has not gone away, and he is a more than capable backup. If they are both active with Robinson less than 100%, Allgeier would jump to my RB20 right behind Robinson.
Wide Receiver
Drake London: Start, WR1
Darnell Mooney: FLEX Option
Drake London rounds out my top-12 wide receivers this week. His target share has increased each of the last four weeks, and he saw double-digit targets in Week 4. The go-to option for Kirk Cousins right now, you can expect London to see enough work to be in the WR1 conversation. On the other side of the field, Darnell Mooney is having something of a revival to his career. The Falcons and Kirk Cousins trust Mooney. Over the last three weeks, he is averaging SEVEN targets per game. Those are not wow numbers, but they are more than serviceable in the FLEX as we head into our first bye-week matchups of the fantasy football season. Mooney is a viable streaming option in Week 5.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts: Start, TE1**
Kyle Pitts may be dead for fantasy football. Then why the TE1 rank? The truth is the tight end position as a whole has been a massive disappointment, and Pitts technically rounds out my TE1 tier as my weekly TE12. TE10-TE21 are all viable options for you this week if you want to hop off the Pitts train until we see some consistent production. For details on that, make sure to check out The List, which drops every Wednesday and is updated on Saturdays. Pitts needs to be better, and his schedule going forward has some beatable defenses. The question we need an answer to is whether he will get the targets. It’s been a rollercoaster so far. If Pitts gives us another 0 this week, he will drop further in future rankings.