Quick Hits From Week 5
Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, Rosterwatch.com

Some takeaways from yesterday’s contests:

-The Colts defense has the fourth-highest fantasy points total of any team in the NFL. Their win against Seattle shouldn’t have been a surprise. They’ll make a nice play against San Diego next week.

– I hate to say it, but maybe the Browns were on to something in shipping away Trent Richardson. He looked fairly pedestrian against Seattle, a touch defense, but let’s rememeber Arian Foster looked like Super Man versus the Seahawks just a week before. Even Donald Brown looked explosive in comparison to Richardson in Week 5. Still, he’ll see the bulk of carries on a good team for the near future so you have to roll with him, but you might want to throw some trade offers out in the meantime.

– Danny Woodhead was seeing more action versus the Raiders before Ryan Mathews exited due to a concussion. With Mathews iffy for Week 6, Woodhead should be owned across leagues. He’ll be the Charger back to own even when Mathews gets back, just as I predicted back in June.

– Terrelle Pryor is back at full force after his Week 4 concussion. He’s got a tough matchup versus Kansas City next week, but he should be owned nonetheless.

– Denarius Moore is officially not a fluke this season. If there is one Raider I would consider starting next week, it is him.

– Marcel Reece and Jeremy Stewart may have to take over the Raider backfield next week. I can’t advocate for either player against a tough Chiefs defense, but if I had to go with one it would be Reece.

– WR Eddie Royal is droppable. In fact he should be dropped.

– WR Keenan Allen has had two great weeks in a row. He’s worth a more than speculative add in most leagues.

– Danny Amendola escaped a game unscathed, Hurrah! He led the team in targets, and until his next inevitable injury, he needs to be in lineups.

– LeGarrette Blount fumbled, so that means Brandon Bolden has at least another week of being “the guy” in New England, should Stevan Ridley remain sidelined.

– A.J. Green owners should be scared. Andy Dalton has been offensively neutered to save him from himself, and Green is suffering for it. If you own him and you need help at receiver, now might be a good time to ship him out.

– Benjarvus Green-Ellis won’t go away. A Giovani Bernard fumble has allowed him at least one more game of fantasy relevancy.

– Andre Ellington is getting closer and closer to taking over as lead back in Arizona. He should be owned in 12 or more team leagues.

– As, I postulated before the season, Larry Fitzgerald should end up having a better season than he’s had in the past 3, but he won’t be worth the early draft spot you used to get him. Carson Palmer just isn’t that good– I don’t care whose offense he’s running.

– WR Andre Roberts has all but completely disappeared from the fantasy radar. Again, Carson Palmer just isn’t that good.

– Steve Smith is droppable in 10 team leagues.

– Cam Newton, though he played terribly on Sunday, will have much better days. He’s finshed 4th and 5th in fantasy QB rankings in his two years in the league.

– RB Jonathan Stewart will be back in two weeks, but don’t drop DeAngelo Williams until you see Stewart clearly take control of the Carolina backfield. Williams has had a quietly productive season, and Stewart will have to earn his role. Plus, we all know these foot sprains can be tricky.

– WR Terrance Williams should be owned in all leagues. No one knows how long Miles Austin will be sidelined, and Williams will continue to see action as the third receiver in Dallas anyway.

– Andre Johnson has disappointed this season. While I expect him to get there in yards, I’ll be surprised if he tops 5 TDs this year. Maybe Patrick Starr was right when he told Alex that Deandre Hopkins should score more TDs in 2013.

– The idea of a 49ers receiver outside of Anquan Boldin making a fantasy dent this season are a myth.

– No Calvin Johnson must also equal no offensive production for the Lions. His absence is almost louder than any noise he can make during a game. If teams don’t have to cover him, they can spend their time exposing Detroit’s faults, which are apparently many.

– Fantasy players may have been premature in taking stake in Johnathan Franklin retaining fantasy value after Eddie Lacy’s return.

 – Dwayne Bowe disappeared after his decent week 4. Abandon ship on this one, Seriously.

– Chris Johnson finally saw the endzone. Once every five games sounds about right.

– For Justin Blackmon’s and Cecil Shorts’ sake, pray that Chad Henne remains quarterback of the Jaguars.

 – Austin Pettis. Roster him.

– Ray Rice owners can breathe a sigh of relief. The Ravens got back to using him, and they won the game. Who would have thought? They’ll stick with the game plan.

 – Brandon Gibson is the poor man’s Austin Pettis. Don’t be afraid to use him in any week.

– Nick Foles might be better for DeSean Jackson’s chances than Michael Vick based on the fact that he has to throw to get out of risky situations.

– Victor Cruz’s owners shouldn’t be too concerned. He was the number 1 receiver in fantasy before this week. He’ll bounce back.

– Brandon Jacobs fumbled, but the Giants don’t have the luxury of keeping him out of the game too long. They don’t really have a choice. He still isn’t a good fantasy option.