Welcome into the Week 5 edition of Redzone Risers and Fallers for the 2021 season. This is a brand new series for our site, and uses the redzone touches information that is freely available on our site. The reason for adding this tool, and making it available is its importance in helping you make better decisions when it comes to your roster. This week, and going forwards, we are going to also include fallers who have had decreased usage recently.
The idea is that if a player is starting to be used in the redzone more, then the opportunity to score is increased and you want to add them to your roster. If the opposite happens, you might look to sell that asset.
Now, in this series, we aren’t going to look at big-name players on the whole. That is to say, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara are expected to be used in and around the redzone. That is unless they start stop being used, in which case they will be included in the fallers.
Week 5 Redzone Risers
Devontae Booker (RB, NYG) 18% RZ Touches
Booker was a massively popular waiver wire add, with Saquon Barkley looking set to miss a few weeks with an ankle injury. The veteran backup immediately stepped into lead the team in the redzone, with 6 touches from a possible 10. Booker is only going to be limited by the ability of the Giants getting down into the redzone.
A.J. Dillon (RB, GB) 14% RZ Touches
Let’s not get too over-excited with Dillon in the redzone. I mean, Aaron Jones is still on the team and is going to dominate the touches. But, Dillon has seen a decent usage near the goal-line, especially last week against the Bengals, really taking a lion share of the touches. It’s just Dillon reminding us of the potential if Jones were to miss time.
Chris Godwin (WR, TB) 17% RZ Touches
Godwin is second on Tampa’s offense in touches in the redzone, by a little way too. The Tampa offense is loaded, which should mean several visits to the redzone in any given week. If Godwin continues to dominate those touches, then it’s going to give a massive upside for Godwin in the offense.
Kadarius Toney (WR, NYG) 8% RZ Touches
Toney had a quiet start to the season, but really made an impact last week. The WR position for the Giants has been hit by injury, which forced Toney into becoming the team’s primary weapon. With that headline performance, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to trade him, unless you spend up big. But if you own him, the upside is there, as long as the Giants find a way to move the ball.
Mark Andrews (TE, BAL) 11% RZ Touches
Ok, Andrews isn’t one of the leaders of the offense in the redzone, but he is second in targets near the goal-line for the team. When Andrews had his big season, that was when he saw opportunities in the redzone. The Ravens offense is able to get into the redzone, which should give plenty of potential looks for Andrews
Week 5 Redzone Fallers
Eli Mitchell (RB, SF) 14% RZ Touches
The Trey Lance era has begun! And with it, Lance’s rushing ability means that the 49ers RBs are going to see him mixed in with redzone touches. We are also likely to see some rookie teething issues, which could limit the number of trips the team makes. Mitchell has taken the majority of touches from the backfield, but his upside is limited at the moment.
Mike Evans (WR, TB) 10% RZ Touches
Evans is no doubt going to end up being an effective redzone weapon this week. Because typically that is the way that he has been used with his big frame. Tampa Bay have a great offense, which has allowed them to spread the ball amongst their multiple weapons. Don’t overreact, just bare it in mind.
Dawson Knox (TE, BUF) 10% RZ Touches
Knox has been a popular pickup in season-long leagues. And he is great as a TE option. But that doens’t mean he fits the mould of being a RZ target. His share of touches stays at a constant level, but on a run-first offense in the redzone, Knox will have limited upside.
So, that’s this weeks edition of Redzone Risers and Fallers for the 2021 season, taking into account the action from Week 5. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or jump into our Discord server
Image Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports
