Thursday Night's Packers-Vikings has some fantasy flex suprises

This week's Thursday night contest between NFC North rivals Minnesota and Green Bay offers some flex appeal for those looking to the waiver wire to round out their Week 5 active lineups. And a couple widely available rookies, in particular, could step into the nationally televised spotlight.

In Minnesota, first-year running back Jerick McKinnon is garnering huge buzz after rushing 18 times for 135 yards in a backup role to Matt Asiata in Week 4. While head coach Mike Zimmer said following McKinnon's breakout effort that he was still just the team's change-of-pace back, there's such a wide discrepancy in physical talent between him and Asiata that it's easy to draw a conclusion that McKinnon will see at least a 10-12 touch role going forward as Minnesota looks to continue to draw on that vast well of athleticism. Against a Packers defense allowing a healthy 4.6 yards per carry, the 85 percent available McKinnon has a good shot for at least 75 yards from scrimmage while adding more sizzle to his highlight reel along the way.

For a fallback option to McKinnon, consider Packers rookie wideout Davante Adams, who picked up healthy playing time in Week 4 while a banged up Jarrett Boykin (knee, groin) took the week off. Adams didn't make much of a fantasy impact this past Sunday (two catches, 18 yards), but he did have a 34-yard TD grab called back because of a penalty, and he was targeted with a bubble screen at the goal line. Considering the short week for the Packers in Week 5, it's possible Boykin won't return until after this upcoming contest. With Green Bay among the team's that employ three-receiver sets most often, Adams could finally make a splash against a Minnesota defense that has already allowed six receivers to top the 70-yard mark. Adams entered the week available in 95 percent of Yahoo leagues.