Fantasy Football Week 5: Last-Minute Lineup Advice for Notable Flex Options

Countless fantasy football players have lost sleep over the dreaded flex position.

On the plus side, the extra slot gives managers more choices, thus allowing them to further strut their fantasy acumen. Then again, decisions prove devilish for many owners who wearily lament the outcome and declare, "I would have won if I started this guy over that guy."

When sitting LeSean McCoy for Antone Smith costs you the game, you have to shrug it off and realize this game is impossibly weird sometimes. But say you started Pierre Thomas over Reggie Wayne in the flex position. In that case, you're kicking yourself throughout the week.

That fear of making the wrong choice has caused you to procrastinate long enough, but it's time to make the final call for Week 5's flex starter. Here's a look at a few intriguing names who may or may not warrant a starting nod on Sunday.

Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Wait, is Trent Richardson relevant again?

One would think the whole "Ahmad Bradshaw is clearly better player" thing would have cost the former first-round pick—in real life and fantasy—most of his snaps. Nope. The Indianapolis Colts are too embarrassed at forfeiting a first-round pick for Richardson to let him handle a lesser role.

Bradshaw's fantasy owners are bitter, but he told The Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder that this is how the NFL works now. "This whole league is a two-back league at this point," Bradshaw said. "And we understand that."

Against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, Richardson compiled a season-high 99 totals yards along with his first touchdown of the 2014 campaign. He received 20 carries to Bradshaw's nine while getting five receptions to the veteran's two.

	Richardson	Bradshaw
Carries	20	9
Rush. YDs	47	32
YPC	2.7	3.6
Rec.	5	2
Rec. YDs	52	20
TDs	1	1

Even during his best fantasy outing of the season, Richardson averaged 2.4 yards per attempt. He has registered a putrid 3.3 yards per carry this season, whereas Bradshaw sits at 5.4.

To summarize Richardson's future fantasy outlook, a back in a timeshare needs 20 carries and a goal-line touch to register a decent point total for fantasy owners.

Making matters worse, he will now face the Baltimore Ravens, who are currently ranks sixth with 3.3 opposing yards per carry. The Colts won't be afforded a huge lead again, which will cost both backs handoffs. Bradshaw remains a decent flex play, but Richardson shouldn't start in standard leagues.

Projections: 14 carries, 36 rushing yards, two receptions, 18 receiving yards, 0 TDs

Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Gene Puskar/Associated Press

When in doubt, see who's facing the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The strategy worked for Eddie Royal, who torched them for 105 yards and two scores in Week 4. The week before that, six different Colts receivers grabbed at least four catches during a stampeding. The Jaguars rank last with 320.8 passing yards allowed per game while surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, per ESPN.com's standard scoring.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Antonio Brown is in line for a crazy good day, but he's an obvious play. In fact, there's no other wideout I'd rather have in my lineup this weekend. For a less obvious play, turn to Markus Wheaton, the Pittsburgh Steelers' unheralded No. 2 receiver in store for a huge Sunday.

Despite participating in limited practice due to a groin injury this week, ESPN.com's Scott Brown reported that Wheaton is probable and "appears good to go." As long as he's suiting up, his owners—especially those in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues—should give him a whirl.

The sophomore has yet to reach the end zone, but he has netted at least five targets and four receptions in every game. Fantasy players usually turn to veterans for safe plays, but there's little downside to Wheaton, who if nothing else should at least accumulate five catches for 50-60 yards.

Against Jacksonville, that's a tame forecast.

Projection: seven receptions, 10 targets, 85 yards, 1 TD

Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills (at Detroit Lions)

Sammy Watkins is a shiny new toy at wide receiver that his eager owners are eager to test out. While shifting to a journeyman veteran quarterback is usually not the best news for a wide receiver, the Buffalo Bills removing E.J. Manuel for Kyle Orton should not hinder the rookie wideout's fantasy appeal.

Watkins was quick to praise Orton to ESPN.com's Mike Rodak:

Given the first-round pick's immense upside, it's fair to wonder what he can accomplish with a more accurate passer under center. ESPN's Ken Daube is curious to find out.

It's definitely worth watching to see if Watkins displays a better rapport with Orton than Manuel. Unfortunately, the change comes in the midst of a brutal matchup, as the Detroit Lions boast the league's second-best passing defense.

Against opposing wide receivers, the Lions have allowed just 39 receptions for 432 receiving yards and two touchdowns, amounting to 12.8 fantasy points per game in ESPN formats. 

Besides, Watkins has frustrated owners with his inconsistency so far, collecting a combined 80 yards in three games outside of his 117-yard outburst in Week 2. Try to find an alternative to play in Week 5.

Projections: five receptions, eight targets, 42 yards, 0 TDs