The Fantasy Fallout: Coming Into Week 6
Week 5 of the NFL is coming to an end, and if your hair isn’t turning anxiety grey, then you don’t play fantasy football. Every week has been wildly different from the previous, and Week 5 has been no exception. Down is up and up is down, it seems – but we have to press on and make some sense of what’s going on. Here are some thoughts on yesterday’s games:
– Brandon Marshall is fine healthwise. Jay Cutler is just an unreliable QB. Get used to it.
– Darrin Reaves was serviceable in Carolina, but will be tough to start against Cincinnati next week. Jonathan Stewart is closer to returning than DeAngelo Williams.
– Kelvin Benjamin is still raw. He had 11 targets yesterday, but only managed 3 catches for 38 yds. He has had problems with drops in the past, but the consistent volume of passes coming his way will sustain his fantasy value.
– Terrance Williams has been going off in recent weeks, but he’s fairly TD dependent. As long as teams are focusing on Dez Bryant, he’ll be a solid fantasy play but I might try trading him while his value is at its peak.
– Williams’ nose for the end-zone has stifled Jason Witten’s fantasy value, as Witten doesn’t have a TD on the season. He’ll be startable but not great this season. I would try moving him while there’s still name recognition.
– If Arian Foster stays healthy, he’s going to finish as a Top 5 running back. It’s a near-certainty he will not stay completely healthy, though.
– Kyle Orton doesn’t look like a drastic improvement over E.J. Manuel, but he does one thing right, and that’s target Sammy Watkins an absurd amount of times. As long as he does that, he should be fine.
– C.J. Spiller is healthy, but it’s obvious that Fred Jackson is the most effective back on the team. The fact that the Bills don’t use Spiller in the red zone severely limits his value.
– Calvin Johnson needs to sit a couple of games for all of our sakes. I’d rather know he’s not going to play and sit him then have to deal with this anymore.
– Golden Tate is going to be a fantasy monster as long as this situation exists. Try to get your hands on him. Corey Fuller and Jeremy Ross are worth speculative adds in deep leagues too.
– George Winn would be the starter next week against Minnesota if neither Bush or Bell can go. He would be a risky but realistic play for desperate owners.
Eric Ebron fell back to earth this week after he had a TD overturned. He’s still worth holding onto with Megatron being doubtful for at least next week.
– The Colts are finally starting to realize that Ahmad Bradshaw gives them the best chance to win. His arrow is pointing way up, and Trent Richardson should be offered to whoever owns Montee Ball in your league.
– Don’t look now, but T.Y. Hilton has strung together three solid games in a row. He also leads the team in targets. Target Hilton in a trade if you’re looking to bolster your receiving corps.
– The only thing that salvaged Justin Forsett’s fantasy day was a late TD. Otherwise, all three Baltimore backs had forgettable afternoons, and will continue to cancel each other out. Sell high on Forsett if you can.
– We’ve had it with Toby Gerhart, and it looks like the Jags are getting there too. It’s still a mystery as to who will become the Jags’ lead back, but Storm Johnson is at least worth a speculative add, as we haven’t seen that he’s as terrible as their other backs yet.
– As I predicted, Allen Robinson is the go-to receiver in Jacksonville. He probably won’t have many monster days, but he won’t leave you high and dry either. Allen Hurns was second on the Jags in targets, but he’s more of a boom or bust guy.
– Markus Wheaton continues to underwhelm, leaving the door open for for Martavis Bryant when he becomes active. Hopefully that time comes soon.
– Ben Roethlisberger completed passes to 11 different players on Sunday. It looks like the Steelers are searching for playmakers besides LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown.
– Now is the time to trade Khiry Robinson. He’s coming off of his best game this season, and Mark Ingram is set to return after the bye.
– Jimmy Graham’s shoulder injury doesn’t look serious, and he has the bye week to get better. If he does miss time, try out Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He didn’t go off this week, but he’s playing almost every snap and he’s a physical freak.
– Doug Martin isn’t running away with the Tampa backfield. Bobby Rainey has a lot of value yet to be realized.
– Vincent Jackson is a target monster with no Mike Evans. I think it might last even when Evans returns. Mike Glennon is doing wonders for this offense.
– Rashad Jennings doesn’t look like he’s down for the count – he has a sprained MCL which will keep him out what is usually a 2-to-4-week-type of recovery. However, Andre Williams has definitely earned more carries going forward, most Jennings owners who used the RosterWatch Draft Cheat Sheet have handcuffed him with Williams for this very reason.
– Odell Beckham Jr. already looks like the Giants’ best receiver.
– I think Eli Manning has caught on to this new offense. He should be productive here on out.
– Teams are game planning to stop Larry Donnell, which would have sounded crazy five weeks ago. As Beckham grows in presence, Donnell should see that pressure lifted.
– Antone Smith is the best back in Atlanta, maybe the NFC South, and he deserves more playing time. If the Falcons are smart, he’ll get it.
– Austin Davis looks better than Sam Bradford ever did in the NFL. Kenny Britt might actually be roster worthy again.
– LeSean McCoy looked better yesterday, but I still think this turf toe thing might be more serious than anyone thought.
– Chip Kelly seems intent on getting McCoy going, leaving Darren Sproles relegated to a very secondary role.
– Isaiah Crowell is the best back in Cleveland, but the Browns are going to get their money’s worth out of Ben Tate as long as he can get on the field.
– The Browns are going receiver by committee, leaving Brian Hoyer as the only certainty for consistent production.
– We finally saw the game we were waiting for out of Justin Hunter, but he’s anything but certain. He only had 3 catches on the day. Hunter is starting though, so that’s a plus.
– Ken Whisenhunt is a liar. Bishop Sankey is still playing backup to Shonn Greene.
– It’s feast or famine for Demaryius Thomas this season. I guess Peyton Manning heard all the fantasy grumblings. I think Thomas will actually end up somewhere in the middle of these fantasy swings.
– I hope you shipped Montee Ball when I told you too. If you’d have listened in the first place, you’d have never drafted him.
– Ronnie Hillman is the back everyone is going to target this week on waivers, but don’t forget about C.J Anderson. Both should be owned, and the sneaky pickup is Juwan Thompson from Duke. He scored a TD this week, and it is rumored the team likes him.
– Pray Carson Palmer comes back soon. When the running back is the leading receiver in a Bruce Arians offense, something is terribly wrong. That thing that’s terribly wrong? Logan Thomas at QB as a rookie.
– What an ugly game out of the Jets. They need to run the ball a lot more, and with the terrible QB play they’re getting, they probably will. I still like Chris Ivory to be an RB2 with upside rest-of-season.
– Malcolm Floyd may be the Chargers’ leading receiver all year. He needs to be owned.
– Branden Oliver looks better than Donald Brown. Even if Brown doesn’t miss time, Oliver is the back to own in San Diego. He’ll play in the Danny Woodhead role all season even if/when Ryan Mathews returns to health.
– Alex Smith is putting together a tight fantasy season. He’s outscored Colin Kaepernick and Nick Foles so far.
– I hope you didn’t really think Dwayne Bowe would be worth starting Sunday after last week’s tease.
– Travis Kelce is playing limited snaps but he’s a constant red zone threat. Keep starting him.
– Michael Crabtree is playing hurt. The culprit is that left foot he’s had two surgeries on already. Try shipping him before your league mates catch on.
– Julian Edelman is the only Patriots WR worth owning.
– TE Tim Wright’s arrow is pointing up. He’s worth a speculative add for TE hungry owners.
– Mohamed Sanu is a start as long as Marvin Jones is sidelined. He’s been killing it for the past three weeks.
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Got a trade offer. I receive Le’sean Mccoy and Jordy Nelson for Le’veon Bell and Kelvin Benjamin.
10 man standard scoring – Have to start two RB’s with 1 W\R\T flex spot. My other RB’s are De-marco Murray, Doug Martin, Mark Ingram.
Thoughts?
It’s an enticing trade for sure. I’m just not sure McCoy is healthy. Bell is going to be a top 5 back regardless. who are your other receivers?
My other receivers are Crabtree, Cruz, Michael Floyd and I’m stashing Josh Gordon on the bench.
That’s tough cause I think Crabtree is injured too. If you’ve been losing with this lineup then it’s time for a change, but if you think you can hold on until Gordon gets back, I would leave well enough alone.
Would you drip either Zach Ertz or Niles Paul for Dwayne Allen?
…drop…
Drop Paul. Reed is coming back soon.
I agree. Thank you!
Need some help reorganizing – the AP situation and injuries are decimating my team. Who would you drop for these waiver wire guys:
QB – Kirk Cousins for Austin Davis?
RB – Asiata, Taliaferro, Blue (I own Foster) for Hillman, Antone Smith, Oliver, Storm Johnson
WR – John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald for Sanu, Beckham, Hurns, Britt, Cooper, Kearly, Nicks
Any help is appreciated. I also had a trade offer to get Andre Johnson for Taliaferro. I was discounting it because its an auction league and johnson would eat up most of my available cap room. But my WR core after my starters is pretty weak (Have Antonio Brown & D Thomas – but after that Cooks, Fitz, and John Brown)
I think Cousins and Davis will probably be a wash. I could drop Taliaferro for Oliver. I might drop Brown for Beckham if Palmer doen’t look like a go this week.
What should I do with T. West. Sit on him or drop him?
Tate’s never shown to be able to stay healthy. I’d hold unless there’s someone amazing on the wire.
1st season in a established dynasty league and I am stockpiling emerging talent, 100% playing for next year (I started with no players).
I have received an offer: sell my Brandon Oliver for a middle-late first round pick next year.. hold, or shop for more? Thanks!
If you’re not trying to win this season, I would take the deal.
Can I trade Reggie Bush for Keenan Allen in a standard league?
What does your roster look like?
RB’s are Bradshaw, Steven Jackson, Z. Stacy, R. Bush, B. Oliver, B Pierce, R. Matthews
My WR’s are Steve Smith, Brian Quick, John Brown, Louis Murphy
I would make that trade then.
I am 2-3 in a 12 team full point ppr league. I need some advice regarding my running backs and wide receivers. We start 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, and 2 Flex (WR/RB/TE). Therefore, we have to roster 2 QBS, 4 RBs, 4 WRs, and 2 TEs. In addition, we do have 1 IR position which I am planning to slot either Ball or Jennings in while they are out.
QBs: Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger
RBs: LeSean McCoy, Montee Ball, Rashad Jennings, and Andre Williams
WRs: Antonio Brown, Kelvin Benjamin, Michael Floyd, and Cordarrelle Patterson
TEs: Jordan Reed, Travis Kelce
Should I try to trade Montee Ball to try and get another running back? I don’t want to just drop him. I can’t imagine someone in our league would be able willing to trade me another decent running back in return. However, Ball has done nothing this year and I am not confident he will figure it out when he returns in several weeks. He may not even get his job back especially if some other running back emerges. Do you think I should instead try to get Branden Oliver or some other running back off of waivers this week? Also, I am frustrated with Michael Floyd but hoping beyond hope Carson Palmer comes back sooner than later. In addition, I wish the Vikings would get the ball in Patterson’s hands consistently in the running and passing game. It is so frustrating to see a talent like Patterson being misused by the Vikings. Thanks in advance for all the help it is really appreciated.
I agree with you on Patterson and Floyd. You have to keep them around though. I might try packaging Ball and one of your TEs for a premier TE that get’s consistent snaps. Or, you could try packaging him with one of those receivers for a premier WR. I never liked Ball this year anyway, and I’ve been endorsing people to trade him before the injury, as he has one of the toughest schedules for RBs.
Was offered this trade (PPR)
Give away: demarius, Doug Martin, Ahmad Bradshaw
Get: Sammy Watkins, Andre Ellington, alshon jeffery
Do I take it?
I think Watkins will improve drastically with Orton. It depends on if you’re weaker at Rb or WR. If Martin is your RB1 then no.
My RBS are Martin, gore, Bradshaw, Asiata, forsett
Wrs- demarius, v jax, Andrew hawkins, James jones, Cordarrelle patterson
I would do that trade
I’m stashing Mark Ingram, Rayan Matthews and starting Lamar Miller, Matt Asiata & Montee Ball.
I traded Mantee Ball for Stafford and Reggie Bush.
Someone dropped Knowshon Moreno and I have a priority for waiver pick.
Is it a good idea to drop Matt Asiata or Lamar Miller or Mark Ingram and pick up Moreno (looks like he is set for week 6 return)?
I’m in a yahoo 12-team standard league.
Appreciate any advice or comments.
Thanks,
I would probably drop Asiata for Moreno. McKinnon is going to eat into his carries more and more.
Thanks Dorian,
I dropped Asiata for Andre Williams and betting on Mark Ingram & Ryan Matthews to take me though the season.
10 team Standard – I am thinking of trading Brian Quick and Ben Tate for Dez Bryant, what do you guys think about that? My WR’s are Calvin Johnson, Micheal Floyd and Victor cruz.
who are your other rbs?
need three out of this bunch. Lacy, Oliver, Williams, Bradshaw, F. Jax,