The fantasy football schedule is heading into Week 5 and some of the best pickups and sleeper options for owners include Todd Gurley, Devonta Freeman, Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin, Doug Martin, Coby Fleener, Leonard Hankerson, Duke Johnson. Vincent Jackson and Eli Manning heading into next week.
There were a number of big games this week on the schedule and a number of players stepped up for their teams including, Devonta Freeman, Todd Gurley, Allen Hurns, Eli Manning, Sam Bradford, Jeremy Hill and Martellus Bennett. Gurley had a huge game in the second appearance of his career, rushing for 146 yards on just 19 carries and he helped the Rams get a big divisional win over the Cardinals. Gurley and Tre Mason both are going to get work, but Gurley has the hot hand right now and could continue getting more work after coming back from knee surgery that he had last year.
Freeman has been stepping up all season and after Tevin Coleman opened up as the starter, Freeman now is the top running back for the Falcons. Freeman had 68 yards rushing in the game with three touchdowns against the Texans and he also added five catches for 81 yards for a strong game overall. Freeman had three touchdowns last week and he now has seven on the season rushing the ball and he will likely remain the starter even when Coleman returns.
Allen Hurns is a solid fantasy sleeper moving forward and he should be available in most leagues for the Jaguars. Hurns came into the weekend with 11 catches in three games and he had 11 catches in Week 4 against the Colts for 116 yards. Hurns had 15 targets and that is promising moving forward and he could be a solid WR replacement for bye week teams in Week 5. Hurns is a solid WR3 or even a low end WR in standard leagues at this point in the season.
The Rams have Tavon Austin stepping up along with Gurley and he comes in after catching six balls for 96 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals. Austin has been used as a wide receiver and running back this season and he had his best game of the season against the Cardinals. Austin had over 110 total yards in the game against Arizona and he could continue getting used in the same way moving forward.
Doug Martin had his best game of the season on Sunday against the Panthers and he had over 130 total yards in the matchup. Martin has been basically the starter over Charles Sims and the team has been trying to get him going and now he could build on this performance into Week 5. Martin had 106 yards rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground and he also added a season-high five catches out of the backfield.
Coby Fleener had his best game of the season against the Jaguars for the Colts, putting up nine catches for 83 yards and a TD. Until Dwayne Allen comes back (and is healthy) Fleener is the best option for the Colts at TE. Leonard Hankerson comes in as the clear number two now behind Julio Jones and he had six catches for 103 yards and a TD against the Falcons. Eli Manning has had a strong start to the season and he is a worthy fantasy replacement option for the bye week.
Check here for more on the fantasy football Week 4 results and more on players to pick up for Week 5.