Fantasy Football Warning Signals for Week 5: Dak Prescott, Zack Moss, and Jaylen Waddle

Week 5 of the fantasy football season is underway! October is a much more revealing month historically than September as teams are finding their groove. We often are misled by September results. Between injury recovery, lack of preseason reps, and teams just trying things out, there should be much more clarity moving forward compared to early outcomes.

We often hear the phrase "start your studs" and it is a tried and true method, especially earlier in the season. However, we must adjust when new information, injuries, tough matchups, and questionable team situations arise. In this edition of Warning Signals, I will cover Dak Prescott, Zack Moss, and Jaylen Waddle.

Here is a look at some fantasy football players who have shown warning signals recently, and you should think twice about putting them in your lineup in Week 5. For any issues or concerns, contact @RotoSurgeon on X.

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Quarterback Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 5?

Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Cowboys head into Pittsburgh without Brandin Cooks to face a strong Steelers defense this weekend. While Cooks has not performed well this season, the Cowboys are not deep at the WR position.

Dallas relies on Cooks' speed to help create spacing for the rest of their receivers. Jalen Tolbert's emergence has been a boost along with Jake Ferguson returning to full strength. Nevertheless, Dak Prescott will be tasked with possibly tighter windows to operate in somewhat poor conditions Sunday night.

The Steelers offense is functioning better than expected this season thanks to Justin Fields' arm strength and athleticism but this is the toughest test for him this season as the game is primetime and Pittsburgh is thin at WR, RB, and OL.

If the Steelers cannot drive the ball down the field, Dallas will not be compelled to take many risks throughout the game. This could be a conservative war of attrition on both sides.

Who To Start Instead?

Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers

Caleb Williams and the Bears offense are both steadily improving. We witnessed Keenan Allen's return and D'Andre Swift's emergence last week against the Rams. A full-strength Chicago offense faces a depleted Panthers defense in Week 5. Shaq Thompson was recently ruled out for the season and that opens up a world of opportunity for the Bears to capitalize on this Sunday.

1. In his first six quarters of play, Caleb Williams went 53-of-93 for 486 yards, 0 TDs, and 3 INTs

In his last six quarters of play, Caleb Williams has gone 34-of-48 for 301 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT

If the obvious progress on film won't sway you, this will.#Bears pic.twitter.com/Bvj7P3jqr9

— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) September 30, 2024

There is a lot of noise surrounding Caleb Williams and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. This entire offseason was a hype-fest for Williams and we have yet to witness the full power of the first-overall pick but what better week than against one of the league's worst defenses? Chicago may put on a show by piling on the points against the trade partner they fleeced for Caleb's pick (and D.J. Moore).

Running Back Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 5?

Zack Moss - Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Zack Moss has produced this season but the Ravens' defense remains a tough matchup. Moss's snaps have incrementally decreased since Week 2 with Chase Brown's flashy production but Moss will be needed for his pass protection on Sunday.

Nevertheless, pass protection does not produce fantasy points and Moss's plodding style is not conducive to success against defenses like Baltimore who are fast and tackle well.

Season-best usage for Chase Brown yesterday.

* Snaps: Zack Moss 40, Chase Brown 27
* Routes: Moss 18, Brown 11
* Opps: Moss 19, Brown 18
* Touches inside the 5-yard-line: Moss 2, Brown 2pic.twitter.com/76QxwwRJWm

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 30, 2024

Moss is a safe play most weeks given his volume and red-zone usage but his ceiling is capped against the Ravens unless the game is out of hand. He may also find himself in a larger timeshare this weekend if Chase Brown takes advantage of his opportunities.

Who To Start Instead?

Javonte Williams - Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are in disarray. Their defense is very bad again while their star WR, Davante Adams, is requesting a trade in early October. Meanwhile, the Broncos are somehow 2-2 and Javonte Williams is looking better.

Williams just ran for 77 yards on 16 attempts against the Jets and has played over 50% of the snaps in each game thus far. RB Tyler Badie had been emerging early in the season but he is out due to injury while Jaleel McLaughlin is finding it difficult to repeat his rookie year success.

Williams is not gamescript dependent given his abilities in pass protection and as a receiver. He will receive plenty of opportunities against one of the league's worst defenses this weekend to produce yards and find the endzone.

Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit 'Em for Week 5?

Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

The Dolphins offense is awful and everyone is suffering. We have witnessed some of the ugliest possible outcomes from Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De'Von Achane in recent weeks. While Tyler Huntley is an upgrade over Skyler Thompson and Tim Boyle, the bar is so low that basic rushing ability puts him ahead. Huntley could perform well this weekend against a struggling Patriots defense but who benefits in this event is difficult to predict.

I'm not sure we are talking enough about how BAD the Dolphins have been on offense without Tua.

They are the worst offense in the league by a wide margin without Tua on the field. And that is WITH a healthy Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle! https://t.co/hFUhwk9CcG

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 2, 2024

In Baltimore, Huntley keyed in on Mark Andrews and operated the offense designed for Lamar Jackson well enough to land a Pro Bowl appearance. While it is possible that New England suffocates Tyreek Hill and leaves Jaylen Waddle somewhat open, the bet is too risky given recent events and the possibility of rushing success with Raheem Mostert back in the lineup. Waddle is best left benched until Tua's return in Week 8.

Who To Start Instead?

Dontayvion Wicks - Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams

The Packers are down Christian Watson (ankle) and Romeo Doubs (personal) this week. As a result, Dontayvion Wicks slides into a full-time role for the first time in his career. Wicks is a talented WR and has put that on display at times this season with three touchdowns already.

Every Dontayvion Wicks target from Week 4.

(He has no issues getting open. Just need to get on the same page.) pic.twitter.com/XXuj5p5GDw

— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) October 3, 2024

Seven of Wicks' 47 career receptions have resulted in TDs thus far! His efficiency stats on the season may seem mediocre (4.7 yards/target), but that is largely due to Malik Willis and his struggles as a passer.

He is a big play threat and has earned his fair share of targets this season with 13 last week against Minnesota. While this game was an outlier due to the Vikings' substantial early lead, Wicks should be a heavy part of the game plan against a weak Rams defense this Sunday.

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