My AMA on Friday afternoon was jamming, and many gamers were struggling to navigate injuries and byes. As a result, many people had questions about popular pick-ups and their viability as starters. Yet, two wideouts who should be locked into lineups in almost all leagues were also the subject of many questions. Let’s look at some of the players asked about the most this week.

Friday’s Fantasy Football Discord AMA Recap

Is Trey Sermon a Must-Start Player in Week 5?

There’s no mystery for the Colts. Jonathan Taylor has been ruled out. Trey Sermon is the presumed replacement after serving as Taylor’s backup to this point in the season. Sermon was Indy’s only other running back to tote the rock, carrying the ball nine times versus 72 for Taylor. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Sermon has also played 32 passing snaps and run 21 routes compared to 81 and 67 for Taylor.

Unfortunately, Tyler Goodson has also mixed in for nine passing snaps and nine routes. Last season, Goodson played 34 passing snaps and ran 32 routes in six games versus 65 and 43 for Sermon in eight games. Sermon should lead the backfield in rush attempts but could forfeit some passing-down work to Goodson.

Sadly, according to Pro Football Reference, the Jaguars have permitted the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game (81.3) at 3.74 yards per carry to running backs this season. They’ve been more susceptible to running backs through the air, permitting them 6.0 receptions per game and 57.3 receiving yards per game. Sermon is in the low-end RB2 mix this week. However, gamers should be wary of his floor, and among the alternatives users asked about in start-or-sit questions, I’d rather start Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Austin Ekeler and a forthcoming fill-in over Moss. However, I’d choose Sermon over Cam Akers and Alexander Mattison. Finally, Sermon has a higher floor, but Tank Bigsby has a higher matchup-driven ceiling. Therefore, it’s a matchup-driven coin flip between the opposing running backs.

What’s Tyrone Tracy‘s Week Outlook?

Tyrone Tracy was the running back I teased above. Devin Singletary is doubtful this week. Tracy is the more appealing option than Sermon, assuming Singletary is ruled out. The rookie running back has operated as Singletary’s backup and has a more diverse and dynamic skill set than Eric Gray.

The converted wide receiver has had five targets, four receptions and 41 receiving yards on 40 routes. Tracy has also handled 12 rush attempts compared to Gray’s four. I have more faith in Tracy having a bell-cow role than Sermon, and Tracy faces a less stout run defense while boasting better receiving chops as a converted wide receiver. Additionally, Malik Nabers is out, vacating an NFL-high 38.2% target share. Tracy can soak up some of the vacated targets.

Dontayvion Wicks and Diontae Johnson are Elite Starters in Week 5.

Dontayvion Wicks and Diontae Johnson are borderline WR1s in Week 5. I’d start each of them over Amari Cooper, George Pickens, Garrett Wilson, Tyreek Hill, Terry McLaurin and Brian Thomas, all players I was questioned about in start-sit scenarios with Wicks and Johnson.

Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are doubtful. I made the bold prediction Wicks would be a top-12 wide receiver in all formats if Doubs played and boldly called him a top-six option if Doubs sat out. Readers should check out the linked piece for a more thorough explanation of why I’m so bullish about Wicks. Still, while one stat can’t fully capture a player’s ability, one is his most eye-catching statistic. According to the data suite at Fantasy Points, Wicks is tied for first in expected fantasy points per route run (0.67). It’s wheels up for Wicks this week.

There’s no projection needed for Johnson’s excellence. He’s demonstrated his dominance with Andy Dalton as Carolina’s starting quarterback. Among wideouts since Week 3, Johnson has scored the fourth-most half-point point-per-reception points (40), finishing as the WR6 in Week 3 and the WR9 in Week 4. Gamers shouldn’t overthink starting Johnson. He’s played like a stud.

The Josh Downs Conundrum

Anthony Richardson has been a limited practice participant all week with an oblique injury and is listed as questionable. Sermon could benefit from Richardson’s rushing threat, but Indy’s wideouts would suffer from Richardson reprising his starting gig. Joe Flacco is a superior passer to Richardson.

Josh Downs‘s fantasy value is in limbo until the Colts announce their inactive players. Downs is a high-end WR3 if Flacco is the starter. Yet, he’s a low-end flex if Richardson is the starter.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.