Players to Stash Before Week 5

1. Mike Washington Jr. — RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Roster priority: High

Ashton Jeanty's injury situation makes Mike Washington Jr. one of the most important players to monitor heading into Week 5.

Jeanty began the week practicing in full before being limited Thursday and missing Friday's practice with foot and ankle issues. He has been listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against New England, leaving Washington as the next man up if Jeanty cannot suit up.

The matchup against the Patriots isn't great, but opportunity matters more than matchup when evaluating a running back who could step into a starting role. If Jeanty is inactive, Washington will immediately become a top-15 running back option for Week 5.

The bottom line: If Jeanty misses Sunday's game, Washington will be a low-end RB1 / high-end RB2. Since Jeanty’s preseason injury may have worsened (which could explain his poor efficiency), there is also a world in which they shut him down for a couple games to allow him time to recover, giving Washington even greater long-term value.

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2. Marvin Harrison Jr. — WR, Arizona Cardinals (Trade Being Finalized)

Roster priority: High upside

It's been a frustrating start to the season for Marvin Harrison Jr. After four weeks of disappointing fantasy production and limited involvement, some managers have understandably moved on from the former fourth overall pick.

However, reports that Arizona is finalizing a trade involving Harrison could change the outlook considerably.

Harrison still possesses the talent that made him one of the top prospects in his draft class. A change of scenery could give him a fresh start, particularly if he lands with an offense capable of providing more consistent targets and opportunities downfield.

Houston has been floated as a possible destination in rumors, but there is no reason to assume that is where he will end up. Regardless of the destination, the important question is whether a new team could unlock more of his potential.

For managers with an available bench spot, MHJ is the type of high-upside player worth stashing before the details are fully released.

The bottom line: There is a wide range of outcomes for MHJ, but depending on his trade destination, there is a real possibility that he could jump into a much more involved role and deliver WR2 value.

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3. Kaytron Allen — RB, Miami Dolphins

Roster priority: Deep-league stash

Kaytron Allen is an intriguing name (who doesn’t love a badass name like Kaytron?) to monitor after being waived by Washington and subsequently picked up by Miami.

Allen was a sixth-round selection this year, and some analysts viewed him as a potential candidate to eventually lead Washington's backfield, which is why his release was so unexpected.

The Dolphins' running back situation is now worth monitoring following De'Von Achane's injury. Ollie Gordon II had a strong showing in Week 4, while Jaylen Wright also remains in the picture. Allen will have competition, and there is no guarantee he will receive meaningful touches immediately.

Still, Allen has the potential to work his way into the rotation and potentially challenge for a larger role. If he can establish himself as the team's most effective option, he could still become a valuable fantasy running back.

Miami might not be the most appealing fantasy environment for every player, but a running back who earns a starting role is almost always worth rostering in fantasy football.

The bottom line: If Gordon and Wright struggle, there is a real possibility that Allen takes over as Miami’s lead back.

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4. Austin Ekeler — RB, Washington Commanders

Roster priority: Deep-league stash

Washington's running game has struggled to establish consistency, creating an opportunity for Austin Ekeler to become more involved.

The Commanders have not had a running back surpass 60 rushing yards in a game since Week 1, when the team recorded a 63-yard performance. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has averaged just 2.8 yards per carry, while Rachaad White has been more efficient at 4.5 yards per carry.

Washington needs to find a more productive ground game to complement Jayden Daniels and keep defenses from focusing too heavily on the passing attack.

Ekeler could help provide that spark. After signing with Washington, he immediately saw offensive snaps in Week 4 while White was out. Ekeler recorded a 27% snap share and handled five touches, finishing with 29 yards on four carries and another 11 yards on one reception.

That workload doesn't make Ekeler an immediate must-start, but it does suggest he could have a role in the offense.

With Kaytron Allen no longer in the Washington backfield picture, the team's remaining running backs have an opportunity to establish themselves. Ekeler's receiving ability could make him particularly useful in PPR leagues if his involvement increases.

The bottom line: Watch his snap share and touch count in Week 5 before treating him as a reliable fantasy option.

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5. Tre' Harris — WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Roster priority: Short-term rental

Tre' Harris is primarily a Week 5 contingency play for managers desperate for wide receiver help.

Quentin Johnston has been ruled out, while Ladd McConkey's questionable status could create additional opportunities in the Chargers' passing game. If McConkey also misses the game, Harris could be positioned for a much larger role against Denver.

The Broncos' secondary would ordinarily make this a difficult matchup, but injuries to both starting cornerbacks could create a more favorable opportunity for him.

Harris isn't someone I'd rush to hold for multiple weeks, but could come in handy this week if you’re in a pinch.

The key is volume. If Harris becomes the primary (or basically, the only) target for Justin Herbert, he could see enough opportunities to provide useful fantasy production, even in a challenging matchup.

That said, his value this week is heavily dependent on McConkey's availability.

The bottom line: Harris is a one-week rental with upside.

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6. Roschon Johnson — RB, Chicago Bears

Roster priority: Flex consideration

Chicago's backfield could offer a useful fantasy opportunity in Week 5, particularly for managers looking for a strong flex option.

Kyle Monangai has been ruled out after dealing with a thumb injury and subsequently turf toe. D'Andre Swift should clearly benefit the most, but Roschon Johnson could also see enough work to provide value.

Ben Johnson loves using multiple running backs, which creates a path for Roschon to receive meaningful carries even with Swift leading the backfield.

The matchup is also juicy - Green Bay has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards this season, while Chicago ranks first in the league in rushing yards per game.

Of course, Swift remains a lineup lock, and Roschon's fantasy value will depend on how the coaching staff distributes touches. Still, managers in deeper leagues should consider him a viable flex candidate this week.

The bottom line: He's a legitimate Week 5 flex consideration, especially in deeper PPR leagues.

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7. New England Patriots D/ST

Roster priority: Strong streaming option

Sometimes the best fantasy football move isn't adding another running back or wide receiver. It is getting ahead of the defensive streaming market.

New England's defense has been one of the more productive fantasy units through four weeks, ranking fifth in fantasy points. Its performance against Pittsburgh in Week 2 has helped drive that production, and the Patriots have also allowed the sixth-fewest points per game to opposing offenses at 19.3.

The Patriots face a strong Las Vegas offense in Week 5, so this isn't necessarily the week to expect a dominant fantasy performance. However, the upcoming schedule makes this defense worth considering before the next waiver cycle.

New England faces the Jets in Week 6, followed by Miami in Week 8 and Green Bay in Week 9. Those matchups provide several opportunities to deploy the Patriots as a streaming option.

The bottom line: Add them now so you’re not left praying your waiver claim for them goes through after this week is over.

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8. Brian Thomas Jr. — WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Roster priority: Deep-league stash

Brian Thomas Jr. has been a frustrating fantasy asset, delivering another disappointing start to the season while Parker Washington has emerged as the go-to receiver in Jacksonville.

Given Thomas's talent, his limited production is difficult to ignore. However, that combination of pedigree and underwhelming usage also creates an opportunity for fantasy managers willing to speculate on a change in circumstances.

One possibility is a trade. Thomas could theoretically interest a team looking for a vertical threat, and Kansas City is an intriguing hypothetical destination given its receiver situation.

The Chiefs have dealt with injuries at wide receiver, losing Tyquan Thornton for an indefinite amount of time and Rashee Rice picking up a hamstring issue in Week 4. There has been speculation about a potential reunion between Kansas City and Tyreek Hill, but after some of the updates from the civil divorce and domestic abuse trial I wouldn't be surprised if Kansas City passes up the opportunity to sign Hill and look for another option like BTJ.

The bottom line: His talent makes him worth monitoring leading up to the NFL trade deadline, but not a player you need to actively roster unless he is traded.

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Bonus: Keep an Eye on the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are 2-2, and while there's still plenty of season left, they've clearly had a rough start. They've been without Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith due to hamstring injuries, and now Lane Johnson has reportedly retired while Cam Jurgens has been traded.

There are also rumors of teams making pitches to Philadelphia to trade for Barkley. These are just rumors, but between the injuries, offensive line changes, and just how bad they've looked, it's worth keeping a close eye on the Eagles and how these developments could impact fantasy football.

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Final Thoughts: Get Ahead of the Waiver Wire

Mike Washington Jr. could benefit immediately if Ashton Jeanty misses Week 5, while Kaytron Allen offers longer-term upside in a backfield with an uncertain future. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Brian Thomas Jr. are more speculative bets on talent and potentially changing circumstances, while Tre' Harris and Roschon Johnson could provide short-term lineup help.

Austin Ekeler is worth monitoring as Washington searches for a more productive ground game, and the Patriots D/ST could be a useful addition for managers planning ahead.

Get ahead of the waiver wire now, and you may be able to secure next week's breakout before your league mates even realize it.