Fantasy Football: 5 bold predictions for Week 5

Bold Prediction #2: Buy in on replacement running backs

There are a lot of significant injuries at the running back position. There seems to always be those types of injuries, but this week there should be actual players available for you to pick up off waivers. David Montgomery had a career week, but now he’s dealing with a knee strain, and he’s not expected to play this week. That elevates Damien Williams in a matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders who are coming off their first loss of the year.

Chuba Hubbard is going into his second week as the starter, and he’ll have a better feel of the offense. Hubbard could have had a big week last week, but Sam Darnold stole two rushing touchdowns from him. The Panthers took him out for passing downs. That was upsetting development since that’s such a huge part of the offense, but it takes some time to get used to that part of the game. The Panthers lost the game pretty easily, so expect Matt Rhule to change the game plan. That should mean a bigger role for Hubbard, who is the most talented player in the backfield.

Samaje Perine is getting the expected start with Joe Mixon expected to go to the shelf. They are both Oklahoma alum, which is just a fun fact more than anything. They play a different style of game. Only Derrick Henry has more rushing attempts than Mixon did, so expect at least a decent workload for Perine.

Kenneth Gainwell and the aforementioned Patterson are both other interesting options despite the “starter” still being in the lineup. They both easily outgained the starter in Week 4, and that should happen again in Week 5.