Week 4 is over, and prime players are still dropping like flies – from a fantasy perspective, if not from injury. We’re here to help stop the bleeding. Here’s the fallout going into week 5. 

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Colts vs Jaguars

 

• Frank Gore is quietly putting together a solid season, and I think he’s going to keep it up. He’s worth targeting in trades on the cheap.

 

• The Colts started three rookies on the O-line, and it showed. Luck hasn’t scored over 20 fantasy pts since week 1, but he has the Bears up next so I’m keeping him in despite the shoddy line play.

 

• Maybe there really is something to birthday games, as Yeldon got the bulk of carries against Indy. I still think Ivory is the better back to own in the long term. He got the majority of goal line carries.

 

• Lee was second in targets after Robinson with 6. Should Thomas miss another start, Lee makes for a trashy PPR flex.

 

Titans vs Texans

 

• Mariota has taken a big step back since last season. I don’t know how much of it is the ho hum play of his receivers, or just a lack of confidence,  but he’s not even getting the ball to Walker with consistency. He’s bench fodder till he shows signs of turning it around.

 

• Murray is rendering Henry an afterthought in fantasy. Henry’s snaps have decreased every game, and he’s not scoring enough to get value for him in trade. His standalone value is sapped. See if you can ship him to a Demarco Murray owner looking for a top-tier handcuff. 

 

• Osweiler is struggling with turnovers, so he’s avoiding Hopkins in an attempt to not have to throw into tight coverage. With Fuller playing so well, he doesn’t have to lean on DeAndre. Hopkins is too nice a guy to demand more action, so there’s a fair chance he has more days like this in the future, as long as the Texans keep winning. If there was a week to trade for Hopkins, this is it.

 

• Miller is a top 3 back who could become the no.1 back in the league when the TDs start coming.

 

Browns vs Redskins

 

• With limited options at WR and no Gordon return in sight, Johnson becomes heavily involved in the Browns’ passing game. He was second in targets in week 4, and makes for a strong play even in standard leagues as long as Coleman is out.

 

• Jackson wasn’t hurt, he was held in check by Haden who chose to interfere on potential big plays rather than let Jackson have them. With the running game firing on all cylinders, the ‘Skins didn’t feel it necessary to focus on him. He should have an easier go of it against the Ravens who play the run a bit tougher.

 

Seahawks vs Jets

 

• Wilson’s bad ankle and MCL might have actually helped his passing game. With the option to run taken away, he had to sit back and throw. He gets the next week off before coming back in week 5 as a QB1 again.

 

• I’m hoping Lockett is just still mildly injured and not just forgotten. Word is he’s been playing with a torn PCL. Either way, he’s droppable for a hot waiver pickup, he just isn’t getting the snaps. 

 

• The ‘Hawks are finally implementing Graham like we’d always hoped. With two back to back 100 yd games, he’s well on his way to finishing the season as the TE1. There’s enough middling play at the position to make that prognosis.

 

• Rawls is likely out for the month of October, making Michael a must-start for the foreseeable future and newly acquired Spiller a speculative add in PPR. He’s already ahead of Prosise in the pecking order.

 

• Powell needs to be owned in most formats. He’s going to be a big part of the Jets offense with no Decker around.

 

Bills vs Patriots

 

• Robert Woods needs to be owned, especially in PPR formats. I expect him to lead the Bills in receiving the rest of the way.

 

• With 2 games over 100 yds and 2 games under 15 yds, Bennett is the definition of boom or bust. Hopefully he gets a bit more consistent when Brady returns.

 

• One has to imagine the Pats offense is nothing like it will be in week 5 when Brady is under center. That being the case, I’m not alarmed by Gronk’s lame showing in week 4.

 

Panthers vs Falcons

 

• Cam looked like a mere mortal on Sunday, taking sacks and looking dejected. To add insult to injury, he’s been concussed and is questionable for what would be a sweet matchup with the Bucs.

 

• Artis-Payne can’t seem to make a dent while Stewart is sidelined. J-Stew is in no fear of losing his job.

 

• I attribute Whittaker’s usage to gameflow and not anything to do with a concerted effort to get him the ball. He’s a shaky PPR flex at best going into week 5.

 

• Yes, Julio is on another level, but I might be more impressed with Matty Ice, who has fine-tuned his deep ball better than i could have imagined. The downside is that he’s throwing to ball to everyone, 9 different receivers in week 4, so it’s hard to guess who is worth a play besides Jones.

 

• Due to sickle-cell, Coleman may sit out the Falcons matchup with Denver next week, making Freeman a strong play despite the tough matchup.

 

Raiders vs Ravens

 

• Crabtree has the perfect situation as favorite red-zone target for Carr and recipient of soft coverage opposite Cooper. I might rather own him than Cooper, as Crab’s floor is considerably higher and his upside is increasing as Carr improves as a passer.

 

• The Raiders backfield is laughable. If you haven’t already shipped Murray, it may be too late.

 

• Seth Roberts has scored in all but one game so far this season.

 

• Perriman is starting to contribute regularly. If something were to happen to Smith Sr. or Wallace, he’d be a major fantasy commodity.

 

• West proved himself to be worthy of the starting RB job in B-more. Make sure he’s high on your waiver list this week if he isn’t owned in your league.

 

Rams vs Cardinals

 

• Quick and Keenum have a rapport that’s worth noting. Or maybe he’s just big enough to go get the ball. Austin is too small a target for Keenum and seems destined for gadgetry while he’s under center.

 

• John Brown is back. Unfortunately so is Drew Stanton, as Palmer is concussed and has a short week to recover. I’m weary of all Cardinals WRs this week coming.

 

Saints vs Chargers

 

• Look up TD vulture in the dictionary and under the definition you’ll see a picture of John Kuhn. Nothing could make Ingram owners sicker. The real downer is that you never know when he’ll be of use, so he’s best left on waivers.

 

• Michael Thomas led the Saints in targets and needs to be owned in more than half of leagues. As the biggest of the starting WRs, he’s going to make for a nice red-zone target all season.

 

• I don’t really know what to say about Inman except that he’s worth a speculative pickup in deeper leagues. There’s enough to go around in San Diego.

 

• Gordon is extremely TD dependent, but the Chargers have no one else to use on the goal line so he’s not a sell high.

 

• Hunter Henry is the real deal. It’s rare to see a rookie TE make such an impact from the get-go, and he’s going to be heavily involved even when Gates returns.

 

Lions vs Bears

 

• After stating that Tate would get more targets in week 4, the Lions gave him only 36 of 63 snaps in their loss to Chicago. He’s droppable in most leagues, and Boldin may be worth a pickup if you need the help. He led the Lions with 8 targets on Sunday.

 

• Just as he was starting to build confidence, Dwayne Washington injured his ankle to an extent we’ve yet to discover. It looks like the Riddick show for the near future, though Zenner may get some looks.

 

• Royal is back to his old tricks, exploding the week you’ve given up on him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gives you a goose egg his next game just to keep you on your toes.

 

• White led the Bears in targets with 9, though he wasn’t terribly productive. He’s worth adding if he’s been dropped in your league. He’s going to come around.

 

• Jordan Howard is a beast and should be owned in all formats. But you knew that if you’ve been listening to your RosterWatch.

 

Cowboys vs 49ers

 

• Prescott is a boss with nerves of steel. It’s such a stark contrast to watch him stand back in the pocket and matriculate the offense after getting used to seeing Romo run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. His big fantasy days are ahead.

 

• I’m adding Brice Butler and then Terrance Williams where I can, as long as Dez is out.

 

• Despite his big day, Kerley is only an add in PPR leagues. I don’t trust anything at the end of Gabbert’s arm.

 

Broncos vs Buccaneers

 

• Paxton Lynch held his own in his first gameplay this season. The Siemian era may already be over. Lynch is worth an add in 2 QB and deep leagues.

 

• Booker’s snaps are increasing. Time to pick him back up if he’s been dropped.

 

• With all the INTs he’s throwing, Winston’s attempts are likely to drop. I’m getting what I can for Jackson while he’s still got some value.

 

• Brate is great. He’s Winston’s safety blanket – he sorely needs one.

 

Chiefs vs Steelers

 

• Spencer Ware should remain flex worthy for at least the next few games following the bye and probably longer.

 

• Charles has almost two weeks to get up to speed. Don’t be scared to start him in week 6, despite his paltry showing Sunday night.

 

• A few Chiefs receivers looked good on Sunday night, but Smith threw a lot more than he usually will. I’m not rushing to pick up any of them.

 

• I am, on the other hand, adding Sammie Coates where I need WR help.