Fantasy Football News 2015/16

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Nickel Coverage: Five fantasy questions that need answers before Week 4[/h]Tom Carpenter, Fantasy and Insider

We finally saw Jeremy Maclin and Rueben Randle make some noise in Week 3, while upstart quarterbacks like Derek Carr and Tyrod Taylor continued to roll. Meanwhile, Devonta Freeman ran wild, while running backs like Lance Dunbar,C.J. Spiller, Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard left fantasy owners with more questions than answers.
What should we expect from these players in Week 4? Don't worry -- we have the answers for you right here.
Each week throughout the season, I will posit five of the week's most intriguing fantasy questions to a rotating panel of experts from ESPN, ESPN Fantasy and NFL Nation. Five questions for five analysts, thus, Nickel Coverage.
Responses this week come from NFL Nation Giants reporter and frequent NFL Insiders contributor Dan Graziano, Tim Hasselbeck from Fantasy Football Now and NFL Live, NFL Nation Dolphins reporter James Walker, and ESPN Fantasy analysts Jim McCormick and Matt Williamson.
[h=2]Which wide receiver is most likely to come through with another solid performance in Week 4 and why: Jeremy Maclin, Rueben Randle, Rishard Matthews or Marvin Jones?[/h]Four of our analysts are sticking with Maclin this week.
McCormick: I'm siding with Maclin given the stability of his floor. Maclin is on pace for 144 targets with a healthy 27.5 percent share of the Chiefs' passing targets and claims a respectable average depth of target of 11.22 yards downfield this season -- similar to stars like Antonio Brown (10.6) and Emmanuel Sanders(11.21) -- suggesting the conservative Chiefs agenda can't completely cap his upside. The Bengals have been generally stout in defending receivers this season, but we did just see Steve Smith thrive with heavy usage in Week 3. Jones might have the most inviting matchup, but Maclin is the safest bet for a WR2 outing.
Graziano: I say Maclin, since he's the best player among this group in a vacuum and he seemed to finally get things going in the second half of the Monday night game. Obviously, as Baltimore showed last week, you can throw on the Bengals, and Maclin is Alex Smith's best option if there's to be a big play in the passing game. I think Rishard Matthews is totally legit as a guy who's earned his opportunity and has a good thing going with Ryan Tannehill right now. But Maclin's the best of this bunch.
Hasselbeck: Marvin Jones. Cornerback Sean Smith returns this week, but Kansas City also received news that Phillip Gaines tore his ACL and is done for the year. Basically, the Chiefs are in trouble at corner as evidenced by having to play Tyvon Branch as the nickel on Monday Night Football. Not to mentionAndy Dalton is playing great right now.
[h=2]Considering their respective Week 4 matchups, how do you rank the following quarterbacks and do you consider any to be starters in 10- or 12-team leagues: Tyrod Taylor (vs. NYG), Andy Dalton (vs. KC), Derek Carr (@ CHI)?[/h]The consensus is that Taylor is the top play in Week 4.
Graziano: Taylor, Carr, Dalton. Thought about Carr No. 1 because obviously the Bears aren't trying to win, but Taylor offers the running element, which always boosts a quarterback's fantasy floor, and the Giants are the worst pass defense in the league by far through three weeks. I think he can pick them apart withCharles Clay and the running backs, that he can beat them with a big play or two and that their lack of speed at the first and second levels will keep them from being able to contain him when he leaves the pocket.
Walker: Dalton, Carr, Taylor. With quarterbacks such as Tom Brady on a bye and Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees injured, I can see a scenario where Dalton is a QB1 in a 12-team league. Some fantasy owners in deeper leagues are starting quarterbacks like Philip Rivers and Cam Newton. So why not Dalton? I really like that Dalton has an 8-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and he's been sacked only twice. That means he's well-protected and isn't losing points with turnovers. Yes, we all know Dalton stinks in January. But who cares about January right now if you're a fantasy owner?
Williamson: Taylor, Dalton, Carr. Because of his running ability, Taylor (my preseason breakout QB by the way!) would be my first option here followed by Dalton, who, as anyone knows, I am not a fan of as a player. But Dalton, to his credit, is playing great football and has an outstanding group of players around him. Nothing against Carr -- and his matchup is outstanding -- but he comes in last in this race.
[h=2]Who is the better PPR flex play this week: Lance Dunbar (2.7 percent started in Week 3) or C.J. Spiller (15.4 percent started in Week 3)?[/h]
The vote was split on this one, with Dunbar taking a 3-2 edge over Spiller for Week 4.
Graziano: Dunbar until we see it from Spiller. There's no denying Spiller's talent or what he could bring to the Saints' offense if given the chance, but he's had some health issues and the Saints are a real mess, especially with Drew Brees' status up in the air. Dunbar was a big part of the Cowboys' plans going into this season. One of their coaches told me they see him as a mismatch versus defenders in space. And with Brandon Weeden in there, expect them to keep the passing game close to the line of scrimmage.
Hasselbeck: C.J. Spiller. I'm anticipating more work for Spiller in his second week back. More importantly, coach Sean Payton has said he needs more touches. I wouldn't be surprised to see him double Spiller's touches. I'll take that from a guy who has averaged more than 13 yards per catch versus better defenses than he is facing in Week 4 (Dallas Cowboys).
McCormick: Dunbar. With a current pace that would set a running back record of 112 receptions and more than 1,146 yards, Dunbar is doing what we had hoped Spiller would this season and is a better option this week. Sound the small-sample alarm, but Dunbar has been Brandon Weeden's top target and has five more catches than any other running back in the NFL. Dunbar isn't merely feasting at the line of scrimmage, either, as his average depth of target of 4.86 yards is second only to Washington's Chris Thompson among running backs.
[h=2]With Tevin Coleman likely sidelined again this week, what do you expect from Devonta Freeman against the Texans after his breakout performance in Week 3 (must-start, more of a flex type, Week 3 was a fluke)?[/h]
None of our analysts thinks Freeman is a fluke; all recommend having him in your Week 4 starting lineups.
Hasselbeck: I'm drinking the Kool-Aid. Freeman is a starter this week for me. I've always been a big fan of Kyle Shanahan and he hasn't disappointed down in Atlanta. The Falcons are balanced on offense and have a quarterback who can get them into the right run play when Julio is getting extra attention. I'm not sure Freeman reaches the 30-carry mark again this season, but I don't think he'll need to.
Walker: Keep riding the hot hand with Freeman this week. Houston's run defense is not good and ranks No. 19 in the NFL. The undefeated Falcons are rolling right now, especially on offense, and Freeman is one of the beneficiaries. Freeman is more of a flex-type of play after one good week, but I also wouldn't mind him at RB2, depending on the running-back depth on your roster. Freeman can be upgraded to a "must start" after three or four strong performances. But I wouldn't put him in the fantasy football Pro Bowl just yet.
Williamson: Freeman reminds me a lot of Ahmad Bradshaw and is in an outstanding scheme with a much-improved offensive line, as well as a great lead-blocking fullback paving the way for him again this week. I can't go so far as to call him a must-start running back, but I do value him as more than a flex play. So I guess he falls in that RB2 category for me.
[h=2]Giovani Bernard (53) has more touches than Jeremy Hill (42) and has done more with them. How do you value each Bengals running back in 10- and 12-team leagues for this week against the Chiefs?[/h]
Not surprisingly, the Bengals' backfield has everyone perplexed.
Graziano: I'm staying away from this situation wherever I can, because I think it's game-flow dependent and I have no idea how to expect this game to go. I know the Bengals still like Hill and see him as their starter, but Bernard has played well enough to deserve opportunity in the early going, so he's getting it.
Hasselbeck: I still prefer Hill to Bernard, though they appear much closer than they did before the season started. I anticipate Hill being a top-20 back and Bernard a top-25 back this week. With Dalton continuing to play well, the impact of Tyler Eifert and problems at corner for Kansas City, I'm anticipating more of a passing attack for Cincy, shortening the gap between Hill and Bernard in Week 4.
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</article>McCormick: Usage so far this season seems to say Bernard's high snap and touch share could prove detrimental to Hill's fantasy stock, limiting him to just a touchdown-dependent RB2 asset if this deployment pattern persists. The matchup metrics suggest this week could offer Hill some upside, as the Chiefs have given up the fourth-most rushing yards in the league to running backs since the second half of last season. Versus the pass, the Chiefs have allowed the fewest receptions and the third-fewest yards to opposing backs over that same span. For this particular week, I'd rather have Hill in my lineup.
Walker: As a fantasy owner of Hill and/or Bernard, you're playing a guessing game each week, and much of it comes down to whether the Bengals are winning big (Week 1) or playing in close games (Week 2, Week 3). That is extremely challenging to predict. I think both are solid RB2 or flex plays until the Bengals sort this thing out. Hill has the potential to be a must-start running back, but not until he regains the full trust of the coaching staff (fumbles). That could take a few games.
Williamson: Bernard has the hot hand for sure, but Hill is still very talented, and I still think the Bengals want to remain a power-running team at their core. Very tentatively, I still prefer Hill in what should be a close game.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Free-agent finds for Week 5: Duke Johnson, Boobie Dixon, Ronnie Hillman lead the way[/h]Field Yates, ESPN Insider

Some food for thought as we enter Week 5 of the NFL season: at this point last year, Odell Beckham Jr. had precisely zero catches. Zilch. Nada. He was hurt, of course, but it's a reminder that players you add to your fantasy lineup now have the potential to swing your league. Another reminder (and this one comes in the form of our favorite fantasy stat from last season): no player was owned on a higher percentage of championship-winning rosters last season than Beckham, the dazzling wide receiver who makes the most difficult of catches look effortless.
So without further ado, here are the top waiver adds for Week 5 (note: only players owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues to begin the week are considered).
Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns (49.5 percent): He just barely ekes onto this list percentagewise, but after Sunday's performance against San Diego, he's worth the time to mention and your investment. Few rookies generated as much preseason buzz as Johnson, but injuries slowed him to start the season. He had 17 touches in Week 4, including nine catches and a sensational touchdown reception. He should be owned in all leagues.
Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys (48.6 percent): A player who has seen his ownership dip recently, McFadden should be added after the Lance Dunbar injury. He's yet to break a run for longer than 14 yards, but the backfield in Dallas might see a re-distribution of touches with Dunbar out for the season.
Boobie Dixon, RB, Buffalo Bills (1.1 percent): The return date for LeSean McCoy remains unclear, while Karlos Williams -- who stepped in to fill his shoes -- suffered a concussion in Week 4 . It's uncertain whether Williams will play on Sunday, meaning Dixon would be up next as the Bills starter in the backfield. He has eight carries this season (netting zero yards), but the workload would be enticing for those who own McCoy or Williams.
Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos (46.6 percent): It's not so much that I am supremely confident Hillman will emerge as the predominant back in Denver going forward, but it sure doesn't feel as though C.J. Anderson will rediscover the magic that he showed down the stretch in 2014. Hillman had one long touchdown run in Week 4 and feels like the Broncos' best option in the backfield. Perhaps he proves to be their No. 1 back.
Leonard Hankerson, WR, Atlanta Falcons (13.6 percent): Roddy Whitehas six catches for 92 yards in four games this season. He's healthy. Hankerson had six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown in Week 4. There's been a shift as the top receiver running mate behind Julio Jones, and it's Hankerson. He's got a stud QB throwing to him and an offense that is clicking in a major way right now.


Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (11.3 percent): Hurns burst onto the scene last season in Week 1 with a two-touchdown effort. He had 15 targets in Week 4 and 116 yards (plus a touchdown), and he is the second-best receiver in a Jacksonville offense that has shown moments of promise (along with moments of curiosity) this season. He's a PPR flex play for me at the moment but a name worth keeping an eye on for the upside.
Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams (10.9 percent): He's still a bit of a mystery week to week, as Austin had eight rushes and three receptions in Weeks 1 and 2 and then just two rushes and 11 catches during the past two weeks. The more "conventional" receiver usage seems like his best fit, and with 13 total touchdowns in 32 games, we know he's explosive. He's an add that brings upside.
DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins (29.3 percent): A lottery ticket at this point, as he's currently fifth on the Dolphins wide receiver depth chart and has just four catches to his name. But the team used a first-round pick on Parker, and perhaps the organizational changes will extend beyond the coaching staff (as in: player usage). He's 6-foot-3 and can run. If you have a player at the end of your bench you're not relying on, Parker is worth a roll of the dice.

Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers (32.3 percent): Ginn, like Austin, is a speed demon who contributes as a returner (for those who play in leagues that factor in special teams production). With others banged up (and Devin Funchess not quite at the point some fantasy owners had hoped for), Ginn slid into a top receiver role for Carolina in Week 4. The team is on a bye this week, but he's a deep-league consideration.


Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (33.6 percent): Put aside the pedestrian rushing totals from Sims (25 carries for 84 yards) and examine his role as a pass-catcher: 10 receptions, 108 yards and two touchdowns (both of which have come during the past two weeks). If you play in a deeper PPR league, he's a worthwhile add.
Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks (43.6 percent): A player that allMarshawn Lynch owners hopefully snatched after last week, Rawls is the handcuff to Lynch and a presumptive starter until he returns (possibly in Week 5).
Kamar Aiken, WR, Baltimore Ravens (0.7 percent): Steve Smith Sr. will miss Week 5 with a back injury, while Michael Campanaro was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Aiken is far from a star, but a No. 1 wide receiver in an offense with a capable quarterback is a noteworthy role.
Cecil Shorts III, WR, Houston Texans (6.5 percent): Shorts injured his shoulder in Week 4 and is almost assuredly not going to play in Week 5. We'll see how long the injury shelves him, but he's tied for 16th in the NFL in targets through four games -- a stash player.
Christine Michael, RB, Dallas Cowboys (7.2 percent): After Lance Dunbar suffered a major injury Sunday night, the door is open for another Cowboys back to make an impact. Physical tools have never been the issue with Michael, but turning those tools into consistent production has not yet happened.
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</article>[h=2]Tight end replacements/fill-ins[/h]Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (22.2 percent): With Andrew Quarless on short-term IR, Rodgers is the top tight end in an offense run by the best quarterback on the planet.
Gary Barnidge, Cleveland Browns (11.0 percent): He's found the end zone in consecutive weeks.
[h=2]Two-quarterback league adds[/h]Josh McCown, Cleveland Browns (1.8 percent): He's thrown for 697 yards the past two weeks and has 41 fantasy points. Next up: the Ravens.
Kirk Cousins, Washington (5.1 percent): Quietly completing nearly 69 percent of his passes and is coming off of a 21-point effort.

Deeper-league adds: Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins (5.4 percent); Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings (0.2 percent); Chris Thompson, RB, Washington (2.1 percent); Chris Givens, WR, Ravens (0.7 percent).

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy 32: Key Week 5 tips for every team[/h]Mike Clay, Fantasy Football

Below are 32 notes covering each of the league's 32 teams. Use these tidbits to make the best waiver-wire, trade and lineup decisions this week. Be sure to check back each week of the season for a new version of the Fantasy 32.
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Arizona Cardinals -- Michael Floyd is now fully back from his hand injury, but there has clearly been a changing of the guard at the wide receiver position. Larry Fitzgerald has played 177 snaps and run 104 pass routes since Week 2. John Brown sits at 158 snaps and 100 routes. Floyd, meanwhile, is third in line, with 113 snaps and 81 routes. This is notable because Floyd paced the Cardinals' offense in both snaps (922) and routes (613) last season. He was even with Fitzgerald most weeks and ahead of Brown in each of Arizona's 17 games. Floyd has seven catches through four games and at this point is barely worth rostering. Fitzgerald (WR1) and Brown (WR3) should be in all starting lineups.

Atlanta Falcons -- Although it makes a ton of sense to move on fromRoddy White (if you haven't already), there's a case to be made that he is worth stashing in leagues with deep benches. White has seen only 9 percent of Atlanta's targets this season, but he is a nearly every-down wideout in the league's No. 3 scoring offense (3.8 touchdowns per game). Incredibly, White still paces the team's offensive skill position players in snaps (217), and he sits fourth on the team with 12 targets. White shouldn't be in starting lineups, but this offense is performing well enough that he belongs in the pot of high-ceiling roster stashes.

Baltimore Ravens -- The Ravens have allowed a league-low three fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. No other team is in the single digits. Baltimore held Owen Daniels to 5 yards on two receptions, Mychal Rivera to 15 yards on three catches, Tyler Eifert to zero receptions on two targets, and Heath Miller to 1 yard on one reception. SurgingGary Barnidge obviously shouldn't be in starting lineups against Baltimore this week. Vernon Davis and Antonio Gates are also on the schedule in October.

Buffalo Bills -- Through four weeks, LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams each has exactly 29 carries against base defenses. Williams has 174 yards (6.0 YPC) and McCoy 66 yards (2.3 YPC). Both have been strong against the nickel, but Greg Roman's run-first scheme is going to limit opportunities in that scenario. The Bills' acquisition of McCoy was suspect for exactly that reason (McCoy's career YPC against base defenses is barely above average), so it shouldn't be a total shock that the much larger Williams has had more success. Buffalo has done a nice job of getting McCoy involved in the passing game, and the veteran will certainly get a shot to earn back his feature back job, but volume -- not efficiency -- will be required for him to get back into the RB1 mix.

Carolina Panthers -- Following his two-touchdown performance against Tampa Bay in Week 4, it's time to start taking Ted Ginn Jr. seriously as a flex option. Operating as Carolina's top receiver, Ginn handled at least 20 percent of the team's targets in each of its first three games. He was targeted only three times in Week 4, but Carolina called a season-low 27 passes in the game. Ginn currently sits 23rd among wide receivers in fantasy points, vaulted by a 17.2 average depth of target, which is eighth in the league. Ginn is currently seeing the volume and deep shots he requires to stay on the fantasy radar, but keep in mind he has four drops and is best used as a No. 3 or 4 option. Carolina's passing game still very much needs rookie Devin Funchess to earn a significant offensive role.

Chicago Bears -- Martellus Bennett has handled a whopping 25.6 percent of the Bears' targets this season. Among tight ends, only Greg Olsen (26.4 percent) has enjoyed a higher share of his team's targets. It was projected that Bennett's role might be scaled back with Marc Trestman out of the mix, but injuries to Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White have allowed Bennett to see more than his 22 percent target share from 2014. The Bears are the league's run-heaviest team, and Jeffery's return is just around the corner, but it's clear Bennett is in for his third straight TE1 campaign.

Cincinnati Bengals -- One of the league's top offenses so far this season, the Bengals are averaging a hefty 4.0 touchdowns per game. That trails only the Patriots (4.7). As a result, Cincinnati currently sports fantasy's No. 2 scoring quarterback, No. 12 and No. 15 running backs, No. 3 wide receiver and No. 3 tight end. Andy Dalton has tossed nine touchdowns and trails only Aaron Rodgers in fantasy points. Jeremy Hill has struggled to a 3.2 yards per carry mark but sits 12th among backs, thanks to five touchdowns. Gio Bernard is sixth in the NFL, with 297 rushing yards. A.J. Green's 417 receiving yards are fourth at the position, despite sitting 20th in targets. Tyler Eifert has scored on three of his 16 receptions. This is obviously one of fantasy's top offenses, but be prepared for a bump in the road over the next three weeks. Cincinnati hosts Seattle and heads to Buffalo before taking its bye week.

Cleveland Browns -- Has Duke Johnson taken control of the Browns' backfield? Things are certainly trending in that direction. After playing five fewer snaps than Isaiah Crowell in Week 1, the two were even in Week 2. Johnson has played 75 snaps to Crowell's 55 over the past two weeks. That, of course, includes a Week 4 outing in which Johnson racked up eight carries and 10 targets on 39 snaps. Crowell remains the top early-down option, handling 12 carries and three targets on 25 snaps. On the year, Crowell sits 23rd in fantasy points among running backs in non-PPR, while Johnson ranks 24th in PPR. Neither back has been effective enough running the ball, though, and Robert Turbin's return to the field is on the horizon. That figures to hurt Crowell's value more than Johnson's, who will remain a staple in the passing game. Going forward, Johnson is in the flex mix in PPR.

Dallas Cowboys -- Lance Dunbar is a running back, but his season-ending injury is more devastating for the Dallas passing game than the run game. Through three games, Dunbar had handled 22 targets, which was second on the team and worked out to a whopping 21 percent of the team's targets. In fact, with Dunbar out for most of Sunday's game, Brandon Weeden didn't attempt a single pass to a running back. This led to a major boost in looks for wide receivers Terrance Williams (career-high 40 percent) and Cole Beasley (season-high 24 percent). Dallas called pass on 93 percent of Dunbar's snaps this year, but he also lined up at wide receiver on a third of those snaps. Expect depth players at other positions to pick up those reps, including TE Gavin Escobar and WR Devin Street. Darren McFadden could also be asked to do more as a receiver, but no one player will replace Dunbar.

Denver Broncos -- The Broncos' tailback picture did not get any clearer after the team's Week 4 victory over Minnesota. C.J. Andersonremains atop the depth chart, but he played only 27 of the team's 53 snaps. Ronnie Hillman was in on 23 snaps. Both players carried the ball 11 times and were targeted once. Hillman has been the more effective player this season, but he's undersized to the point that he's unlikely to be asked to handle an every-down role. At the same time, Hillman has been the primary goal-line back, as he has handled four carries inside the opponent's 5-yard line. Juwan Thompson has one, and Anderson zero. Both Anderson and Hillman will be borderline RB2 options against Oakland this week.

Detroit Lions -- Calvin Johnson is 34th among wide receivers in fantasy points, but there's still good reason to believe he'll bounce back. First of all, the volume has been there. He is averaging 30 percent of the Lions' targets, which is his highest rate since 2008. Johnson's schedule has also been brutal. In San Diego and Seattle, he's already faced the defenses that rank first and second against opposing wide receivers this season. Johnson was shadowed by Xavier Rhodes in Week 2 and Aqib Talib in Week 3. A look ahead shows a significantly easier schedule for Johnson, especially during the final month of the season. It's the right time to buy low.

Green Bay Packers -- Through Week 4 of the 2014 season, Eddie Lacy had accrued 161 yards and one touchdown on 52 carries to go with 49 yards on seven receptions. He went on to score 12 more touchdowns and finished as fantasy's No. 6 running back. Through four games in 2015, Lacy has 203 yards and one touchdown on 50 carries to go with 58 yards on six receptions. The message here is simple: R-E-L-A-X. Lacy has already dealt with an ankle injury this season and appears to be back to full health. His role will only increase as the season rolls on. He remains a strong weekly RB1.

Houston Texans -- Arian Foster made his 2015 debut Sunday, and it'd be an understatement to say it didn't go well. The veteran racked up only 13 yards on eight carries and added 25 yards on three receptions. With the Texans being blown out early, Foster was limited to 30 of a possible 75 snaps, but it's fair to expect him to return to a workhorse role Thursday against the Colts. A good bet for 20-plus touches, Foster remains in the RB1 mix.

Indianapolis Colts -- Andre Johnson has played at least 37 snaps in each of the Colts' four games this season, but it has become clear he is well behind both T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief on the target totem pole. Johnson was targeted only once in Week 3 and twice in Week 4. The Colts' elite offensive upside makes Johnson worth consideration for the end of your bench, but he's more likely to fall behind Phillip Dorsett than overtake Moncrief later this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars -- T.J. Yeldon currently sits third in the NFL with 70 carries, but the rookie is averaging an underwhelming 3.7 yards per carry and has yet to score a touchdown. He has added only 42 yards on 14 targets. The Jaguars' low-scoring offense will continue to be an issue, but there is hope here. Only three backs have exceeded Yeldon's 13 forced missed tackles, and he's coming off a career-best game in which he put up 105 yards on 22 tries. Yeldon will be a solid RB2 play this week against a Buccaneers defense allowing 23.4 fantasy points to running backs.

Kansas City Chiefs -- The Chiefs defense has surrendered 15 touchdowns through four games this season. That 3.8 per game mark is highest in the NFL. Kansas City is allowing 23 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and 40 per game to wide receivers. Both are highest in the league. These numbers are a bit inflated by a brutal schedule that has included the Broncos, Packers and red-hot Bengals, but that excuse only extends so far. The struggling offenses in Chicago and Minnesota will get their shots at the Chiefs' defense the next two weeks. I'll certainly be setting up a Jay Cutler-led stack or two in DFS tournaments this week.

Miami Dolphins -- The Dolphins are one of three teams yet to score a rushing touchdown this season. That's hardly a surprise when you consider they've called pass 74 percent of the time (highest in the league) and are averaging 1.8 offensive scores per game (tied for fifth-worst). The team fired coach Joe Philbin earlier this week, so it's fair to expect new coach Dan Campbell to evaluate the team's play calling. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor handles those duties, but 9.2 carries per game for Lamar Miller is nothing short of absurd. It's not the worst time to try to buy low on Miller, who was fantasy's No. 9 scoring running back last season while pacing the league in yards per carry against base defenses.

Minnesota Vikings -- The Vikings have scored eight offensive touchdowns this season, but only two were of the passing variety. That 25 percent mark is the lowest in the NFL. Teddy Bridgewater has yet to taken a major step forward this season, but his lack of fantasy production is obviously related to the unusual touchdown ratio. Bridgewater sits 28th among quarterbacks in fantasy points, but he has completed more than two-thirds of his throws. He has been accurate under pressure, which is key, considering he has been pressured on 41.2 percent of his dropbacks -- fifth-highest in the league. Bridgewater will be better going forward, but he's unlikely to offer more than QB2 production in Minnesota's run-heavy scheme.

New England Patriots -- Have an open roster spot in a deeper league? Don't forget about Brandon LaFell. Currently on the PUP list, LaFell is due back in Week 7. With the likes of Danny Amendola,Aaron Dobson and Chris Harper unable to emerge into a viable threat oppositeJulian Edelman, LaFell - Fantasy's No. 15 scoring wide receiver after Week 2 last season - is in position to return to an every-down role for the second half of the season.

New Orleans Saints -- Following a breakout performance Sunday night, Willie Snead has solidified his role as the Saints' No. 2 wide receiver. Snead caught all six of his targets for 89 yards against Dallas. Since taking on a significant role in Week 2, Snead sits 37th among wide receivers in fantasy points, well ahead of both Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston. Snead ran 34 of 44 possible routes Sunday. That was four more than Colston and 26 more than Brandon Coleman. Snead is still flying under the radar, but he's in the WR3 mix going forward, especially with the Eagles' leaky secondary on deck.

New York Giants -- During Weeks 1 and 2, Shane Vereen caught 12 of 13 targets for 122 yards and added 33 yards on nine carries. He sat tied for 12th among running backs in PPR fantasy points. Over the past two weeks, Vereen has zero receptions on one target and 44 yards on 11 carries. He ranks 61st in fantasy points. The culprit? Game flow. In losses to Dallas and Atlanta in Weeks 1 and 2, Vereen ran 46 pass routes. In wins over Washington and Buffalo the past two weeks, he ran 19. The Giants' schedule is fairly light over the next month, which doesn't bode well for Vereen's usage. He's a worthwhile hold in PPR formats, but only use him when the matchup is right. It won't be this week for a game at home against San Francisco.

New York Jets -- Despite missing Week 3, Chris Ivory has carried the ball an NFL-high six times inside the opponent's 5-yard line this season. Ivory scored on two of his tries, but that's actually more than expected, considering three of the carries came from 3 yards out. Offseason speculation that Ivory would see an increased role as a receiver were wrong (three receptions, 12 yards this season), but that hasn't mattered. Following a dominant effort against Miami, Ivory has 314 yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries. Fantasy's No. 7 scoring running back is having a breakout season and will be a must-start each and every week following New York's Week 5 bye.

Oakland Raiders -- The Raiders have allowed a league-high 75 fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Incredibly, the four starting tight ends they've faced have caught 31 of 37 targets for 380 yards and six touchdowns. Each of Tyler Eifert, Crockett Gillmore, Gary Barnidge and Martellus Bennett put up at least five receptions, 83 yards and one score in their meetings with Oakland. Owen Daniels should be in all starting lineups this week and is obviously an attractive play in DFS.

Philadelphia Eagles -- Zach Ertz sports a 1.6 receiving OTD this season, which trails only Jarvis Landry (2.2) among players who have yet to catch a touchdown. In case you're not familiar, OTD is a metric that considers the location of each player's targets and converts it into one number that indicates a player's scoring opportunity. Ertz's mark ranks 25th in the league and seventh among tight ends. That suggests he should have already scored one or two touchdowns this season. Ertz failed to haul in either of his two end zone targets and didn't get in from 1 yard out on another look, but note he did have a touchdown called back on an illegal formation penalty in Week 4. Ertz has been on the field for 73 percent of the Eagles' pass plays this season, which is up significantly from 58 percent last year. The Eagles aren't the offensive juggernaut we expected, but some touchdown regression will allow Ertz back into the TE1 discussion.

Pittsburgh Steelers -- Following a four-game suspension, Martavis Bryant is set to return to the Steelers' lineup in Week 5. The good news is Markus Wheaton has unsurprisingly struggled as the club's No. 2 receiver. The bad news is Bryant won't have Ben Roethlisberger for at least a few more weeks. A good bet to play a significant role, especially near the goal line, Bryant is a boom/bust flex option until Roethlisberger returns. Bryant is a good bet to provide back-end WR2 numbers down the stretch.

San Diego Chargers -- The Chargers are allowing 14.1 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season, which trails only the Seahawks for best in the league. On Sunday, Travis Benjamin put up 79 yards on 10 targets, which makes him the first wideout to eclipse 48 receiving yards against San Diego this season. Marvin Jones and A.J. Green each scored in Week 2, but the duo combined for 93 yards on five receptions. Those are the only two touchdowns scored by wide receivers against San Diego this season. Calvin Johnson (two catches, 39 yards), Golden Tate (four and 24), Mike Wallace (three and 49) and Charles Johnson (one and 9) are the other notable wide receivers who have struggled against San Diego. Especially with Michael Vick under center, Pittsburgh wideouts Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton are best avoided in DFS this week.

San Francisco 49ers -- Through four weeks of the play, the 49ers offense has scored a grand total of five touchdowns. That 1.3 per game mark is tied with Seattle for dead last in the NFL. The team's offensive struggles have been devastating for Carlos Hyde, who, after putting up 182 yards and two touchdowns on 28 touches in Week 1, has managed 144 yards and zero scores on 42 touches over the past three weeks. With road trips to play the Giants and Rams, as well as home bouts against Baltimore and Seattle on the docket, it's hard to imagine a resurgence. Hyde is best viewed as RB2 until the 49ers' passing game can improve enough to open up a few running lanes.

Seattle Seahawks -- Jimmy Graham has been the target on 23 ofRussell Wilson's aimed passes this season. That's one behind Doug Baldwin for tops in Seattle and only two ahead of Jermaine Kearse. Graham has seen 18 percent of the targets after handling at least 20 percent each of his four seasons as a starter in pass-heavy New Orleans. That's despite Graham playing 82 percent of Seattle's offensive snaps and running a route on 85 percent of the team's pass plays. Both are career highs. Graham is 11th among tight ends in fantasy points and is on pace for 72 receptions, 696 yards and 8 touchdowns. Graham remains a solid TE1 play, but his current target volume simply isn't going to produce top-three numbers at the position.

St. Louis Rams -- Those who picked Week 4 in the Todd Gurleybreakout pool can collect your prizes. The 10th overall pick back in April, Gurley racked up 163 yards on 21 touches in his coming-out party Sunday against Arizona. Even more importantly, Gurley handled a feature back role and worked 35 of 51 possible snaps. Gurley is the clear early-down enforcer, with Tre Mason managing only two snaps. Not yet a full-time contributor on passing downs, Gurley deferred to passing-down specialist Benny Cunningham on 12 pass plays. The Rams aren't going to score many touchdowns, but they're a run-first team clearly ready to lean on their top offensive weapon. Gurley is a borderline RB1 option going forward this season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Doug Martin finally put together a decent fantasy day in Week 4, but he still ended up handling only one more snap than Charles Sims. On the year, Martin has racked up 66 carries and eight targets on 126 snaps. The Bucs have called pass on 77 percent of Sims' 115 snaps, which has allowed him 13 targets and 25 carries. Running effectively and tied for sixth in the league with 66 carries, Martin sits 17th among running backs in fantasy points, but his upside will continue to be limited by the Buccaneers' offensive woes and a limited role as a receiver. Game flow figures to be in his favor in a home bout with the Jaguars this week.

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</article>Tennessee Titans -- Sometimes, stats can be deceiving, especially when injuries and bye weeks inflate or, in his case, deflate a player's numbers. Delanie Walker missed Week 2 because of injury, and the Titans were on a bye in Week 4, which leaves Walker 21st among tight ends in fantasy points. Of course, a deeper look shows Walker averaged five receptions and 55 yards per game in his two appearances, while also adding a touchdown. One of Marcus Mariota's top targets, with his bye in the rearview mirror, Walker should be viewed as a mid- to back-end TE1 going forward.

Washington Redskins -- The Redskins have allowed 9.6 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, which trails only the Seahawks for fewest in the league this season. Despite facing off with Lamar Miller, Tre Mason and the committees utilized by the Eagles and Giants, the Redskins have allowed one touchdown (Andre Williams) to the backs. Backs have put up 231 yards on 70 carries for a dismal 3.3 yards per carry. Up next for Washington is a meeting with red-hot Falcons back Devonta Freeman, followed by meetings with the Jets' Chris Ivory and Buccaneers' Doug Martin. Adjust accordingly.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy Fallout: Historical context on Devonta Freeman's encore, Todd Gurley, Cairo Santos[/h]
Tristan H. Cockcroft, Fantasy

Why stop at a great first impression when you can make the second almost as good?
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who scored 37 fantasy points during his first career NFL start in Week 3, followed it up with a week-topping (entering Monday's play) 32 on Sunday. That gave him a whopping 69 standard fantasy points through his first two career starts, which is the most by any player in his first two starts during the 21st century:
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PLAYER	POS	TEAM	YEAR(S)	FPTS
Devonta Freeman	RB	ATL	2015	69
Miles Austin	WR	DAL	2009	66
Arian Foster	RB	HOU	2009-10	66
Matt Flynn	QB	GB	2010-11	58
Shaun Alexander	RB	SEA	2001	56
Jahvid Best	RB	DET	2010	55
Cam Newton	QB	CAR	2011	55
Robert Griffin	QB	WAS	2012	54
Bryce Brown	RB	PHI	2012	53
Larry Johnson	RB	KC	2004	50

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Most Standard Fantasy Points, 1st 2 Career Starts, Since 2000</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>What's more, Freeman became the first player since 2001 to score at least 30 fantasy points in each of his first two NFL starts and, again since 2001, only the 12th running back at any stage of his career to manage two consecutive games of at least 30 fantasy points. In addition, since 1960, only seven running backs ever accomplished it at a younger age: Le'Veon Bell (2014), Eric Dickerson (1983), Steven Jackson (2006), Walter Payton (1977), Clinton Portis (2003), Ricky Watters (1992) and Ricky Williams (2000).
Consider those names for a moment. Three of them have managed 300-point fantasy seasons (Dickerson, Jackson and Williams), and the group combined has 27 career seasons of at least 200 fantasy points. In short, what Freeman has done since being granted an expanded opportunity with Tevin Colemansidelined puts Freeman in exclusive company with all-time fantasy greats and should increase the level of confidence his owners have in him.
Remember, this was a prospect whose speed and between-the-tackles rushing ability were often drawn into question at earlier stages of his career, so twoperformances like this make it clear he's a bona fide RB2 now that he has the Falcons' starting job wrapped up.


[h=3]The steady rise to stardom[/h]Speaking of second impressions, St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley had an encouraging second career game on Sunday, scoring 15 fantasy points on 19 carries without the benefit of a touchdown. To put into perspective how meaningful that performance was, only 12 players since 1960 have scored more fantasy points in a game at a younger age than Gurley, who played Sunday's contest at the age of 21 years, 62 days:
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PLAYER	POS	WEEK	TEAM	FPTS	AGE (YRS-DAYS)
Andy Livingston	RB	1965 Week 4	CHI	16	20-354
Aaron Hernandez	TE	2010 Week 9	NE	16	21-1
Darren McFadden	RB	2008 Week 2	OAK	20	21-18
Clinton Portis	RB	2002 Week 3	DEN	16	21-21
Jamal Lewis	RB	2000 Week 4	BAL	17	21-26
Brandin Cooks	WR	2014 Week 8	NO	21	21-31
Clinton Portis	RB	2002 Week 5	DEN	17	21-35
Rashaan Salaam	RB	1995 Week 11	CHI	17	21-35
Edgerrin James	RB	1999 Week 1	IND	16	21-42
Aaron Hernandez	TE	2010 Week 15	NE	16	21-43
David Boston	WR	1999 Week 5	ARI	16	21-52
Clinton Portis	RB	2002 Week 8	DEN	23	21-56
* Gurley (15 points) was 21 years, 62 days old on Sunday

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Youngest Players To Score 16+ Fantasy Points In A Game, Since 1960</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>Now remember: Gurley is only two games removed from ACL surgery on Nov. 25, 2014, making his performance all the more impressive. It's not unthinkable that Gurley could be in the discussion for RB1 status before midseason.
[h=3]Miscellany[/h]• By kicking seven field goals, two of which were 40-yarders and two-51 yarders,Cairo Santos of the Kansas City Chiefs finished with the third-best fantasy game by any kicker since 1960. Here are the five kickers to manage as many as 25 fantasy points in a game since that year, led by Rob Bironas, who holds the NFL record with eight field goals, accomplished in his listed game:
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PLAYER	WEEK	TEAM	FPTS
Rob Bironas	2007 Week 7	TEN	29
Jay Feely	2010 Week 14	ARI	28
Cairo Santos	2015 Week 4	KC	27
Billy Cundiff	2003 Week 2	DAL	26
Blair Walsh	2012 Week 15	MIN	25

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Most Fantasy Points By A Kicker, Single Game Since 1960</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>Perhaps most remarkable: Santos is the only one of these five to have done it in a losing effort. In fact, the other four kicked for teams that scored at least 35 points in the games in question. Santos was started in just 2.2 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues.
• The Rams' Tavon Austin enters Monday's play as the highest-scoring wide receiver in Week 4, with 23 fantasy points, most of those a result of his two receiving touchdowns. Strangely enough, he has had three games of exactly two receiving touchdowns in his career, those accounting for all six of his career receiving scores. They also resulted in his three best individual fantasy point totals: 31 (2013 Week 10), 23 (2015 Week 4) and 16 (2013 Week 2).

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy football running back depth chart[/h]

• Fantasy Staff

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The chart below breaks down all 32 NFL backfields in terms of running back fantasy value for Week 1. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
"Starter" is that team's most valuable running back in terms of fantasy value."Handcuff" is the running back whose value would most increase should something happen to the starter. "Stealth" is the running back who is most likely to work his way into a starting role or handcuff situation, or is currently injured but otherwise would be the starter or primary handcuff.
Players are listed by their value on a fantasy depth chart, which may not necessarily reflect their position on their NFL team's depth chart. This includes players who may line up at another position (wide receiver, for example), but are eligible at running back in ESPN Fantasy leagues.
Latest update: Oct. 6
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TEAM	STARTER	HANDCUFF	STEALTH
	Chris Johnson	David Johnson	Andre Ellington
	Devonta Freeman	Terron Ward	Tevin Coleman
	Justin Forsett	Lorenzo Taliaferro	Javorius Allen
	Karlos Williams	Boobie Dixon	LeSean McCoy
	Jonathan Stewart	Cameron Artis-Payne	Mike Tolbert
	Matt Forte	Jacquizz Rodgers	Jeremy Langford
	Jeremy Hill	Giovani Bernard	Rex Burkhead
	Isaiah Crowell	Duke Johnson	Robert Turbin
	Joseph Randle	Darren McFadden	Christine Michael
	C.J. Anderson	Ronnie Hillman	Juwan Thompson
	Ameer Abdullah	Joique Bell	Theo Riddick
	Eddie Lacy	James Starks	Alonzo Harris
	Arian Foster	Alfred Blue	Chris Polk
	Frank Gore	Josh Robinson	Tyler Varga
	T.J. Yeldon	Toby Gerhart	Denard Robinson
	Jamaal Charles	Knile Davis	De'Anthony Thomas
	Lamar Miller	Damien Williams	Raheem Mostert
	Adrian Peterson	Jerick McKinnon	Matt Asiata
	LeGarrette Blount	Dion Lewis	Brandon Bolden
	Mark Ingram	C.J. Spiller	Khiry Robinson
	Rashad Jennings	Andre Williams	Shane Vereen
	Chris Ivory	Bilal Powell	Zac Stacy
	Latavius Murray	Roy Helu	Taiwan Jones
	DeMarco Murray	Ryan Mathews	Darren Sproles
	Le'Veon Bell	DeAngelo Williams	Dri Archer
	Melvin Gordon	Danny Woodhead	Branden Oliver
	Carlos Hyde	Jarryd Hayne	Reggie Bush
	Marshawn Lynch	Thomas Rawls	Fred Jackson
	Todd Gurley	Tre Mason	Benny Cunningham
	Doug Martin	Charles Sims	Bobby Rainey
	Bishop Sankey	Antonio Andrews	Dexter McCluster
	Alfred Morris	Matt Jones	Chris Thompson

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Fantasy Football Running Back Depth Chart</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>

 

[HacheMan]

Love/Hate for Week 5: Don't be a fantasy snob

Matthew Berry, Fantasy

So, I was on Twitter this summer and got a weird comment from a follower.
(Uh, yeah, Matthew, can you be more specific?)
The follower was insulting me.
(Still not narrowing it down)
And I got into it with him in July.
(Again, a little more detail, please)
It was June 28 at 12:44 p.m. ET.
(Still not sure which interaction you're talking about here. Can you narrow it down a little more?)
Ha! So, one time this summer I was asked what my favorite way to play fantasy football was. And I answered, as I always do, that I really enjoy almost all forms of fantasy. Different leagues, different scoring, different sports; hell, I even played in a league where you start punters once (points for distance). So I like it all. Two quarterbacks, PPR, half-point PPR, dynasty, season-long, daily, six points per touchdown pass, four points, eight-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-team, keeper, high stakes, low stakes, no stakes. I enjoy and play it all.
But if I had to pick just one format to play, I might very well choose the ESPN standard league game. Ten teams, two running backs, two wide receivers, a flex, seven-man bench, four points per passing touchdown. And after I said that I like that, I can't tell you how many responses I got like this one.

And that's when I realized it. I had run into another one. @LiveinTempe was a fantasy football snob.
My argument back is that, yes, in a 10-team league the waiver wire is full and most teams have very good players. Which means every week, you have to make decisions. I need to bench one of Jeremy Hill, Melvin Gordon or Joseph Randlethis week in a league. That's a real decision. In my 16-team league, you're deciding between warm bodies and in many cases, your lineup decisions are made for you. One injury kills your season with no chance to come back.
Others screamed that "no one they know" plays in 10-team leagues, which is insane, of course, as more people play in eight- (yes, eight!) or 10-team leagues on ESPN than any other way. Millions of people play this way.
"It's for noobs," they screamed. Well, I'm in a league where everyone is in at least their second decade of playing and many of us are in our third. But so what if it's new players? Stop being a snob.
The point of fantasy football is to enjoy it. You like your 32-team, 20-man keeper, complicated salary cap scoring league? Great, good for you, enjoy it. But stop dictating to the rest of us how we should play.


There may be no person in fantasy that drives me more up a wall than the "fantasy football snob." You know this person. The total know-it-all. Their way is right and no one knows anything. I do a version of this column every year, and I will keep doing it until there is no longer such a thing as a fantasy snob. In addition to knowing the "right way" to play, the fantasy football snob ...
... vetoes trades because "it makes a team too good" or "it's part of his/her strategy." Negotiation is a skill in fantasy, just like anything else. It's not your job to coach someone else's team. Everyone should coach their own team, even if it's badly. Vetoes are for cowards.
... sits there and passes judgment on every draft pick. Hey captain, if I wanted play-by-play for this, I'd have brought Mike Tirico.
... talks about how good his/her team is. The only thing people care less about than your vacation photos and golf game is your fantasy team.
... explains how he/she should have won "if only they'd started so and so ..." No duh, genius. We all would have won if we had started the player who scored more points. But you didn't. So shut up.
... says things like, "I can't believe you lost to a girl" or "She can't play in my league." Some of the best players I know are women. Everyone plays and should be encouraged to play. Worry less about someone's gender and just get better. Or get out.
... offers terrible trades, thinking he/she is the only one who knows anything about fantasy football. If you wouldn't do it in reverse, don't offer it.
... goes nuts on the message board, but gets upset if people talk crap to him. Don't dish out what you can't take.
... picks up tons of players and immediately waives them, spamming the free-agent pool, because they think they have some "amazing strategy" and they are better than everyone else. Being a jerk isn't a strategy, it's being a jerk. You're not better than everyone else at anything except being a moron.
... talks about all the film he/she watches and research he/she does. Dude, or dudette, if you're that good, it'll show in the results. Julio Jones doesn't have to tell us how good he is at catching footballs, you know?
... can't be bothered to respond to trade offers. You don't want to do it? That's fine. Say so. But don't ignore. Are you in this league or not?
... complains on social media and message boards to athletes, coaches and analysts. Seriously, man, grow up. Everyone's trying his/her best and if anyone actually cared this much about what you do for a living, you wouldn't enjoy someone yelling at you. Calm down. It's a game we play for fun.
And finally ...
... is judgmental, narrow-minded and ruins the greatest game ever invented. Don't be a snob. Walk a mile in another person's virtual cleats or some such, you know?
Before we dive in, I'd like to thank everyone for the very kind comments, tweets and emails about last week's column. I tried to reply to as many as I could, but volume and time prevented me from getting to more of them. Know that I read every one of them, appreciated the many very thoughtful replies on what I should have done and the support. The Giants very graciously reached out and asked if there was a way to make it up to my kids, which I thought was very cool. Not surprisingly, I never heard from the kids that sat behind me.
Finally, thanks, as always, to the gang at ESPN Stats & Information for their help. Let's get to it.

Quarterbacks I love in Week 5

Peyton Manning, Broncos: Hey, some things have changed. Denver wins with its defense these days, Peyton can't feel his fingertips, and Oakland is 2-2. Yet the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Broncos have two great wide receivers and the Raiders are giving up more than 310 passing yards a game, second-most in the NFL. Since he joined the Broncos, Manning has averaged 316 yards per game and has 16 TD passes in six games versus the Raiders. Given the Broncos' struggling run game, expect his big numbers to continue.


Eli Manning, Giants: Eli has seven touchdowns in his past three games, and he's at home against a 49ers team that gets lit up on the road; in two road games this season, the Niners have given up 340 passing yards a game and a total of five touchdown passes. No team has allowed more 20-plus-yard plays and a higher completion percentage this season than San Fran. You wanna try to guard Odell Beckham Jr. in prime time? Well, neither do the 49ers.
Sam Bradford, Eagles: Not out of the woods yet, Bradford had some ugly moments last week. But he also had some good ones, and at the end of the day, he put up big numbers, something I expect to continue against a Saints team that has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, including an average of 27 points a game in their two road contests. Remember kids, when in doubt, start the guy going against Rob Ryan.
If you're desperate: Alex Smith has thrown for a ton of yards so far (sixth-most in the NFL) and now gets Chicago, which is tied for the second-most touchdown passes allowed. ... The team the Bears are tied with? The Bills, believe it or not. Buffalo is one of four teams to allow multiple passing touchdowns in every game this season, making Marcus Mariota a viable QB2 coming off his bye. ... The Falcons will score at will through the air on Washington, meaning Kirk Cousins will be throwing a ton against the Falcons' 30th-ranked pass defense. It's worth noting that the Falcons pressure QBs on dropbacks at the lowest rate in the league (13.2 percent). When not being pressured, Cousins completes better than 75 percent of his passes and has a 3-to-1 TD-to-INT rate.
The price is right: As always, I like all the players listed in "love" for daily as well, but here are a few more guys. Note that all prices, as always, are taken from DraftKings.com.
Happiness is seeing the banged-up and overmatched Washington secondary on the road and you get to throw to Julio Jones. Matt Ryan's $6,700 price tag is ninth-highest among quarterbacks, but I have him ranked third this week. ... Generally, I don't like paying full value, but this week I have no issue paying for Aaron "I'm money at home" Rodgers ($7,900) or Tom "Off a bye and on a mission" Brady ($7,800). ... Jay Cutler is just $5,300 (same as Kirk Cousins) and faces a Chiefs team that has given up an average of 311 passing yards a game and the most passing touchdowns this season.
Quarterbacks I hate in Week 5
Derek Carr, Raiders: Sorry Oakland, this is not your week. Denver's defense is on a mission this season, and that mission does not involve Derek Carr doing anything against a secondary that has allowed the fewest passing yards per game (185.3) and the fewest passing touchdowns (two) in the NFL.
Andy Dalton, Bengals: And so it comes to this, Red Rifle believers. He's a new man, you say. He finally has all of his weapons (A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert,Marvin Jones) healthy. He has a strong run game, you say, setting up play-action. Bad Andy has yet to rear his head in four games, you yell. I hear you. But in the game of what is more likely ... will Dalton keep it going, or will the Seattle defense buckle even though it has allowed just one quarterback since the start of last season to throw for more than 300 yards? Dalton owners can hang their fantasy hat on the fact that Seattle is on the road and the Seahawks have yet to record an interception this season, but to me, that just means they're due. I'm rolling with the Legion of Boom in this one.
In the pass-happy NFL these days, it's getting tougher and tougher to find "hates" for quarterbacks. I will say that I'm avoiding Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford and, for his price in daily, Drew Brees.


Running backs I love in Week 5

Arian Foster, Texans: I know, I know. You started him last week and he was brutal. I started him, too. We are all there. But I'm back in. He's never rushed for fewer than 96 yards in seven career games against Indy that he finished, and he has eight scores in those games. The Colts struggle against the run, Foster is fully healthy, and what are the Texans gonna do, let Ryan Mallett throw it? Exactly.
Todd Gurley, Rams: Dude is all that and Jeff Fisher's mustache. A special player -- expect Gurley to get the rock early and often against a Packers team that allows the third-most yards per rush and third-most yards before contact.


T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars: A workhorse in the truest sense of the word, Yeldon has the third-most rushing attempts in the NFL this season, and if you're gonna get a lot of run, Tampa Bay is the team to do it against. The Bucs are giving up the third-most rushing yards per game and the most rushing yards after contact.
Dion Lewis, Patriots: Averaging five catches and 59.7 receiving yards per game this season, Lewis is coming off a bye and faces a Cowboys team that has allowed 84 receiving yards per game to running backs, second-most in the NFL.
Justin Forsett, Ravens: Finally back on track last week, it's fairly simple. The sun comes up in the morning, the sun sets in the evening, you start your RB against the Browns. They have allowed the third-most yards per rush this season and the second-most 20-plus-yard rushes, so expect Baltimore to counter not having Steve Smith Sr. by handing the ball off. Like, you know, a lot.
If you're desperate: Many of our rankers seem to be down on LeGarrette Blount, but just like the Bengals' RB duo, with the Patriots I'm fine with starting either guy. A superefficient offense coming off a bye? You betcha. ... As of this writing, Rex Ryan said it was likely that Boobie Dixon (heh heh, I said Dixon) would get the majority of work against the Titans' 19th-ranked run defense. ... I think last weekend was just the start for Duke Johnson Jr.; I expect the Browns to trail in this game, and he should get a lot of work again. ... You know that I think Washington will be behind this week. And when the Skins throw, Chris Thompson gets a lot of the work.
The price is right: Well, most of the guys I just listed are dirt cheap (especially Gurley and Yeldon), but I'll also say that I think Le'Veon Bell ($8,500) is worth paying for this week against a Chargers defense allowing the most yards per carry (4.88) and yards before contact per carry (3.14) in the NFL. ... Chris Johnson at $4,400 is pretty inexpensive for a guy who should still see the majority of touches in a decent matchup on the turf in Detroit, as Andre Ellington works his way back. ... It's certainly not a great matchup, but I do expect Antonio Andrews to get a lot of the work against Buffalo and have a good chance at scoring. At $3,500, he doesn't need to do much to earn it back.


Running backs I hate in Week 5

Jeremy Hill, Bengals: He was great on this past week's Fantasy Football Kickoff (3 p.m. ET every Tuesday on ESPN and WatchESPN) talking about the Bengals' running game and his fantasy team -- yes, he plays fantasy football! But I don't think this is his week. The scores are nice, of course, but he has yet to have a game with 20 rushing attempts and, you know ... Seattle. The Seahawks are giving up just 3.5 yards per rush this season, fourth-best in the NFL.
Carlos Hyde, 49ers: Hide ya kids, Hide ya wife, Hide ya ... Hyde? Sadly, I think so. After that amazing Week 1, it just keeps getting worse every week, and this isn't the week it turns around. The Giants have allowed the fewest rushing yards, the second-fewest yards per carry, and just two rushing TDs this season. They also are giving up an average of just 1.48 yards per rush before contact, the fewest in the league. Do I have another yards-before-contact stat for Hyde that isn't good? You bet I do. Funny how that works out. So far, Hyde is averaging 1.79 yards per rush before contact, 41st out of 53 qualified RBs. You know from my Eli thoughts above that I believe the Giants will score well in this game, and when the Niners fall behind, Hyde gets lost in the offense.
Doug Martin, Buccaneers: Just remember, every time you start to trust Doug Martin, he disappoints you. Charles Sims is playing half the snaps, and quietly, the Jags are fourth against the run this season and are allowing just 3.1 yards per rush, best in the NFL.
Wide receivers I love in Week 5

T.Y. Hilton, Colts: Hilton hasn't scored a touchdown yet this season. I would feel better about this if Andrew Luck were playing, but even with Matt Hasselbeck slated to start, I say that ends Thursday night. Hilton is averaging more than 110 yards a game and a touchdown in six career games against Houston; just remember the T.Y. stands for Thank You.


Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs: Nineteen, count 'em, 19 receptions during the past two weeks for Maclin, the most by any player in the NFL in that span. He has been the target monster we predicted in the preseason and now he gets the Bears. Chicago has given up eight touchdowns to opposing wide receivers and I say No. 9 comes to Maclin on Sunday.
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: A bit of an obvious name, I include him because it's crazy that he has become an obvious name. Fitz is the only wideout with at least 75 receiving yards in every game this season, and the Lions have allowed an average of 271.5 passing yards per game, 24th in the NFL. Plus, Fitzgerald has nine receptions on deep passes (15-plus yards downfield), tied for most in the league. The Lions have allowed opponents to complete the highest percentage of deep passes in the league.
Leonard Hankerson, Falcons: With touchdowns in two of the past three games, he's the No. 2 on the Falcons and has been for a while now. They can't all go to Julio ... well, maybe they actually can. But against his former team with an overmatched and banged-up secondary that will throwing everything possible at Jones, expect another solid game from Hank.
If you're desperate: We've already talked about the struggles of the Chiefs' secondary, so I certainly like Eddie Royal coming off a 10-target game. Even ifAlshon Jeffery comes back, I still like Royal here. ... The Eagles are one of six teams that allow more than 200 receiving yards per game to wideouts, meaning it should be a decent game for the Saints' leading wide receiver, Willie Snead. That is not a misprint. ... Kendall Wright has 90 yards and a score in two of three games with Marcus Mariota and the Bills have struggled with short-yardage guys like him.
The price is right: Julio Jones is the most expensive guy, but once again, I'm happy to pay up ($9,200) for him at home against Washington. All the Julio. ... I don't expect Steve Smith Sr. to play and, at best, Joe Haden will be playing at less than 100 percent, so Kamar Aiken suddenly becomes pretty interesting against the Browns, especially at just $3,800. ... In addition to all the guys listed in this entire section, Pierre Garcon should get a ton of targets with no Jordan Reed or (most likely) DeSean Jackson. He's just $5,300.


Wide receivers I hate in Week 5

Amari Cooper, Raiders: Sorry, Oakland. Hey, I loved you guys last week! But the Broncos have given up just one touchdown to an opposing receiver so far. Cooper is ridiculous, but against a legit Broncos defense that gives up the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts, he's outside my top 20.
Terrance Williams, Cowboys: He has caught just three of 12 passes thatBrandon Weeden has thrown to him. Yes, he caught the touchdown, but Bill Belichick has had two weeks to prepare for this game. No, thank you.
Golden Tate, Lions: No scores yet, and three out of four games this season he has been below 60 yards, I don't love how Matthew Stafford is playing and the Cardinals are playing lights-out on both sides of the ball.


Tight ends I love in Week 5

Charles Clay, Bills: Not Greg Olsen. Not Travis Kelce. Not Jimmy Graham,Martellus Bennett or Tyler Eifert. No, the tight end in the NFL with the most receiving yards the past two weeks is ... Charles Clay. He's got at least 100 yards or a score in three straight, he's the fourth-highest-scoring tight end in fantasy (and still available in more than 25 percent of leagues) and now gets a Titans team that gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Antonio Gates, Chargers: Off suspension and now home on Monday night? That'll work. Pittsburgh has given up the second-most receiving touchdowns and the fourth-most targets to opposing TEs this season. They also get crushed in the red zone, where they have allowed the most catches and targets to opposing TEs this season. Plus, with Stevie Johnson and Malcom Floyd banged up, expect Rivers to look Gates' way even more.


Owen Daniels, Broncos: He has scored in two straight and now gets the Raiders. Start your tight ends against the Raiders. They've given up at least one score in every game to an opposing tight end and allow the most receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
If you're desperate: With Jordan Reed expected to be out, Derek Carrier will get the start in a tight end-friendly offense against a Falcons team that has given up 50 yards or a touchdown to tight ends in 10 of its past 12 games. ... The Ravens are running out of options in the passing game, which faces a Browns team that allows the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. So Crockett Gillmore, if he's back (or Maxx Williams if he isn't), is in play here.
The price is right: In addition to the players listed above (Daniels is just $2,700! He won't have a lot of receptions, but has good shot to score), I'll also say that Zach Ertz, who had a score called back last week, is just $2,900 and plays the Saints (third-most points to opposing tight ends) and that, if you think of him as a flex and not a tight end, Rob Gronkowski at $7,500 makes a ton of sense, when compared to others.


Tight ends I hate in Week 5

Gary Barnidge, Browns: It's a credit to Barnidge that he's played so well that he can even be considered a hate now, but as terrific as he has been the past two weeks, I'm avoiding him against Baltimore. The Ravens have yet to allow a touchdown to opposing tight ends and have given up just 31 yards total to them, best in the league.
Not a great week for "hate" on the tight end side, but I will say it's worth noting that the Chiefs have allowed just one TE score in their past 10, so I'm avoidingMartellus Bennett in daily.


Defenses I love in Week 5

Kansas City Chiefs: Jay Cutler never met a turnover he couldn't make. The Bears are the only team in the league to have an opposing defense score double-digit fantasy points against them three times this season.
Buffalo Bills: The Titans have allowed a sack on 10.6 percent of dropbacks this season, the third-highest rate in the NFL. Since the start of last season, the Bills have sacked opposing QBs 61 times, most in the league. In addition, the Bills have nine takeaways this season, tied for fourth most in the league.
If you're desperate: Even though I think this game is a shootout, I don't believe Kirk Cousins goes two games without a big turnover, making the Falcons a potentially nice play. ... The Jaguars probably don't come to mind when thinking of streamers, but they're playing tough and Jameis Winston and the Bucs allow the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses.
The price is right: In addition to the units above, just $2,900 for a Giants team at home in prime time against a 49ers squad that gives up the most fantasy points to opposing defenses sounds nice. ... With Matt Hasselbeck expected to start in place of Andrew Luck once again, the Texans are at home on a short week and just $2,800.


Defenses I hate in Week 5

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</article>Seattle Seahawks: If you have them, you're probably starting them, but I'm definitely looking elsewhere in daily. The Bengals' offense has just four giveaways this season through four games and Andy Dalton has been sacked on just 1.6 percent of dropbacks, second fewest in the NFL. Since the start of the 2014 season, the Seahawks are averaging 11.5 fantasy points per game at home and 8.1 per game on the road.
St. Louis Rams: The Packers are one of three teams (Falcons, Patriots) not to allow an opposing fantasy defense to score more than five points in a game this season. I know the Rams are top 10 in defensive scoring, but I'm looking elsewhere this week.<aside class="inline float-r" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: BentonSans, -apple-system, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: none; margin: 6px 0px 15px 18px; padding: 15px; width: 285px; min-height: 1px; position: relative; float: right; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px;">
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[HacheMan]

[h=1]Todd Gurley could have repeat performance against Packers[/h]Tristan H. Cockcroft, Fantasy
ESPN INSIDER

Matchups are often a driving force behind fantasy owners' weekly lineup decisions. When choosing between two (or more) similarly talented players, you know the first question that comes to mind: Which one has the best matchup?
Ah, but what, exactly, constitutes a favorable or unfavorable matchup?<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>
That's where this column comes in. The Matchups Map provides a schedule-independent method to determine strength of positional matchups, using the most recent relevant data. Check back for updated numbers each week, including matchups highlights at each position -- both favorable and unfavorable -- based upon those statistics.
The maps include two measures: The first, "Rk," is my personal ranking of how favorable/unfavorable I consider that positional matchup; the second, "Adj. FPA," reflects how far above or below a player's average that defense held opponents at that position. For Week 5, we'll use 2015 data (four weeks are already in the books), but beginning with Week 7, we'll use the most recent five weeks. Keep in mind that as "Adj. FPA" statistics represent only a four-week, smaller-than-usual sample, my personal ranking ("Rk") won't fall quite in line as it will in future weeks.
Finally, a caveat: Remember that matchups are only one ingredient in my rankings formula. Not every favorable matchup should be exploited; not every unfavorable matchup should be avoided. To get the most complete recipe for whom to start and sit, consult my weekly rankings.
[h=2]Quarterback[/h]Favorable matchup: Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles (versus New Orleans Saints)
After three-and-a-half weeks of mediocre play, Bradford finally put forth a simply sensational second half in Week 4, completing three touchdown passes and three of six throws of 15-plus yards (including two of the scores). And while it's foolish to invest too much stock in what was 30 minutes of action, Bradford couldn't ask much more favorable a follow-up matchup. The opposing Saints have afforded opposing quarterbacks an NFL-leading .61 fantasy points per passing attempt, as well as the eighth-best Total QBR to opposing passers on throws at least 15 yards deep.
Unfavorable matchup: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (versusSeattle Seahawks)
One of the reasons I haven't been as apt to shoot Dalton up my weekly rankings has been his historical tendency to play directly into the hands of his matchups; Eleven of his 13 games of 20 or more fantasy points from 2012-14 came against teams that ranked among the bottom half against quarterbacks, and six were against the eight worst teams. That's why a Seahawks matchup has me so pessimistic, especially with Kam Chancellor back in action for them, as it represents by far the most challenging matchup Dalton will have faced in 2015 (he has already enjoyed two of the three best matchups through four weeks). Granted, Tyler Eifert might have the entire team's most favorable matchup, but he also has only five, three and four targets the past three weeks, making it difficult to imagine him a one-man wrecking crew.
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TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA		TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA
	BYE	1	-7.5			BYE	17	0.5
	@OAK	2	-5.8			CHI	18	2.1
	@GB	3	-5.7			@ATL	19	1.7
	SEA	4	-1.9			PIT	20	-0.1
	@CIN	5	-0.2			ARI	21	3.6
	BYE	6	1.3			@NYG	22	-1.0
	BYE	7	-2.1			WAS	23	0.0
	NE	8	-1.3			STL	24	1.3
	@DET	9	-3.2			BUF	25	1.5
	@TEN	10	2.0			IND	26	1.8
	@DAL	11	1.9			DEN	27	3.6
	NO	12	-1.3			SF	28	0.8
	@BAL	13	2.3			@KC	29	-0.9
	@HOU	14	-0.4			JAC	30	-1.9
	@TB	15	-1.0			@SD	31	0.8
	CLE	16	4.6			@PHI	32	5.5

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">QB Matchups Map For Week 5</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>[h=2]Running backs[/h]Favorable matchup: Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams (at Green Bay Packers)
Speaking of standout second halves, let's talk about Gurley and his 151 yards on 15 second-half carries in Week 4. He managed runs of 52, 30, 23, 20 and 12 yards, most of them with a good chunk of it after initial contact, in what was a competitive contest to the end against an elite run defense. Now he battles the Packers, whose defensive fantasy numbers look deceptively decent if only because they've run the fourth-most plays while ahead on the scoreboard. Here's the truth about the Packers' run defense: They've been the third-worst in terms of fantasy points per rushing attempt, and if the Rams can hang in in this one, Gurley should produce the best game by any Packers opponent to date.
Unfavorable matchup: Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions (versusArizona Cardinals)
Yes, Gurley just succeeded against these Cardinals, but that doesn't really make them a bad run defense, especially considering Abdullah isn't exactly Gurley in terms of raw skills. Besides Gurley, the Cardinals have afforded Mark Ingram 11 fantasy points, Matt Forte 10 and Carlos Hyde six, and those are three running backs who have clear grasps on the lion's share of their teams' carries. Meanwhile, Joique Bell's (ankle) status has a bearing on Abdullah's Week 5 role, and the Lions also have other change-of-pace types to cut into Abdullah's carries, like Zach Zenner and Theo Reddick. Anything short of a 15-touch day makes Abdullah, at best, a flex play.
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TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA		TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA
	@CIN	1	-2.7			IND	17	4.6
	NO	2	-9.0			BYE	18	1.6
	@DET	3	-0.7			SF	19	-5.1
	@TEN	4	-1.9			ARI	20	2.0
	CLE	5	-7.7			NE	21	2.5
	BYE	6	-0.2			BYE	22	2.8
	@SD	7	-2.8			@TB	23	2.7
	@ATL	8	-4.2			@KC	24	-1.3
	@DAL	9	-0.4			BUF	25	2.2
	SEA	10	-1.7			@NYG	26	4.4
	BYE	11	1.2			STL	27	0.7
	@OAK	12	0.3			DEN	28	0.0
	@GB	13	-0.2			PIT	29	7.3
	@HOU	14	-3.2			JAC	30	2.1
	@PHI	15	-5.2			@BAL	31	2.9
	CHI	16	1.0			WAS	32	8.2

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">RB Matchups Map For Week 5</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>[h=2]Wide receivers[/h]Favorable matchup: Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Though Allen Hurns' 15 targets to Robinson's 12 in Week 4 might hint at a turning of the tides, don't make rash decisions based upon one week's numbers. After all, Robinson still managed one target on four red zone routes -- Hurns had two on five -- to maintain the team lead in those situations (four on 14 red zone routes to Hurns' two on 13) for the season, and now he's facing a Buccaneers defense that is one of the worst in the league at reining in opposing wide receivers in the red zone (league-high five touchdowns, sixth-worst 75 percent completion rate). Both of these wide receivers have good matchups, but Robinson will probably be the less popular one, as well as the one likely to draw the best individual matchup of the day, most often lining up against the mediocre Mike Jenkins/Alterraun Verner duo.
Unfavorable matchup: Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders (versusDenver Broncos)
Though the Raiders shuffle their receivers, it really doesn't matter whom Cooper draws in coverage. Whether it's Aqib Talib or Bradley Roby, who typically man the outside, or Chris Harris Jr., who usually mans the slot, for the opposing Broncos, Cooper won't have an "easy" -- or, heck, even decent -- matchup on any play. The Broncos' three-headed monster has limited opposing wide receivers to 50 fantasy points on 74 targets through four games. Cooper's 10-targets-per-game average at least gives him a fighting chance at WR2 value from a volume angle, but if, say, a 7-75-0 stat line wouldn't wow you, this is one week to leave him on your sidelines.
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TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA		TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA
	@CIN	1	-5.4			@TEN	17	6.0
	@OAK	2	-3.3			@DAL	18	4.2
	BYE	3	-5.8			WAS	19	-1.0
	BYE	4	-3.6			ARI	20	2.3
	@GB	5	-6.9			STL	21	-0.5
	@TB	6	-4.6			BUF	22	2.7
	SEA	7	-0.9			CHI	23	10.4
	@BAL	8	-3.3			@PHI	24	-0.8
	PIT	9	-6.2			CLE	25	5.8
	IND	10	-2.6			BYE	26	0.3
	BYE	11	0.3			@ATL	27	4.3
	NE	12	-3.2			NO	28	7.2
	@DET	13	2.6			@NYG	29	1.7
	DEN	14	-2.1			@SD	30	2.5
	SF	15	-2.4			JAC	31	1.3
	@HOU	16	2.0			@KC	32	0.5

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">WR Matchups Map For Week 5</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>[h=2]Tight ends[/h]Favorable matchup: Owen Daniels, Denver Broncos (at Oakland Raiders)
Granted, it's only four -- rather than five -- weeks' data, but thus far, the Raiders against tight ends has been the second-most-advantageous individual position-versus-teams matchup for opponents; only the Kansas City Chiefs against wide receivers (plus-10.4) have granted a greater number of expected points. And remember, wide receiver numbers are accrued by a larger pool of players than tight ends, where two or more wide receivers compared to usually one tight end is the one doing the damage. That's what makes Daniels' matchup so attractive, as Tyler Eifert, Crockett Gilmore, Gary Barnidge and Martellus Bennettmanaged at least 14 fantasy points apiece and 72 total in four games against the Raiders, and those four managed a combined 55 fantasy points total in their 11 other contests. I'm generally not pro-Daniels in the rankings, but he does have 14 targets the past two weeks combined, four of them in the red zone, so this is a prime time to exploit the matchup.
Unfavorable matchup: Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Let's be clear up front: I am not saying to flat-out sit Graham. I'm saying to consider your other options, your team's specific need -- play for upside or play the "safe" midrange projection? -- and temper your expectations from Graham. Remember, his strength is red zone dominance, and the Bengals have been especially stingy in that regard, having not even afforded a catch to an opposing tight end in those situations since Week 14 of last season. Travis Kelce's 5-49-0, two-fantasy-point Week 4 should set a realistic, mid-to-low-range expectation for Graham this week.
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TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA		TEAM	OPP.	RK	ADJ. FPA
	CLE	1	-5.1			WAS	17	0.7
	NO	2	-3.3			@ATL	18	1.1
	SEA	3	-4.8			@DAL	19	2.4
	BYE	4	-3.9			@NYG	20	2.3
	@DET	5	-3.7			BYE	21	1.8
	@OAK	6	-3.6			PIT	22	1.6
	CHI	7	-2.3			BYE	23	1.3
	@HOU	8	-1.8			ARI	24	1.1
	@TEN	9	-2.6			IND	25	2.4
	JAC	10	-4.0			BUF	26	1.4
	BYE	11	-0.4			@BAL	27	3.2
	@KC	12	0.0			@CIN	28	1.4
	@GB	13	-1.1			@PHI	29	2.6
	@TB	14	-1.1			@SD	30	1.9
	NE	15	0.1			SF	31	5.3
	STL	16	-0.8			DEN	32	8.9

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">TE Matchups Map For Week 5</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy advice: Watch out for Gurley, Floyd[/h]ESPN INSIDER

ESPN has planted spies in every NFL locker room -- OK, so they're our NFL Nation team reporters -- in order to provide fantasy owners with inside intel to help you win your league. We call it Insider Trading, a collection of fantasy lineup advice pulled straight from the locker rooms and practice fields of every team.
Here is our NFL Nation reporters' Week 5 fantasy advice.

Arizona Cardinals: It might be time for owners to start Michael Floyd. After a slow start to the season, he came on strong in Week 3 with five catches on seven targets for 59 yards. With Larry Fitzgerald’s great start, Floyd likely will continue to get more opportunities as teams focus on Fitzgerald and John Brown. -- Josh Weinfuss

Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Hankerson is starting to show why he created such a buzz in the preseason. Hankerson had six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown last week while being targeted eight times. He has now been targeted 29 times, second on the team behind Julio Jones (53). Throw in the fact that Hankerson is facing his old team, the Washington Redskins, and you know he’ll have a little added motivation. Go with Hankerson because he might get another touchdown, especially if Jones continues to draw added attention. -- Vaughn McClure

Baltimore Ravens: Don't be fooled by Joe Flacco's 13-1 record, including 7-0 at home, against the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens traditionally do their damage on the ground when playing the Browns. In his past six games against Cleveland, Flacco has thrown multiple touchdowns only twice and he has been limited to 250 yards passing or less four times. -- Jamison Hensley

Buffalo Bills: The Bills are almost certain to be without their top two running backs, LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams, when they travel to face the Titans on Sunday. That leaves Boobie Dixon, Cierre Woodand Daniel "Boom" Herron in the Bills' backfield. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday that Herron has impressed in two practices and there's a chance he could be part of the game plan. That doesn't mean Herron will register on the fantasy radar, but he could steal carries from Dixon and keep the Bills' entire backfield from having much fantasy impact. -- Mike Rodak

Chicago Bears: Tight end Martellus Bennett is primed for a big role in Sunday’s passing attack. Chicago’s other options are limited. Alshon Jeffery is expected to play in Kansas City, but he has missed three weeks with a pulled hamstring. Eddie Royal emerged last week with seven catches and a touchdown, but Royal is dealing with a sore ankle that kept him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. Bennett is reliable. The tight end’s connection with quarterback Jay Cutler makes him an attractive fantasy play at Arrowhead Stadium. -- Jeff Dickerson

Cincinnati Bengals: This might be a good week to monitor how many Bengals players you have starting for your fantasy team. Cincinnati’s matchup this week (and next week at Buffalo, for that matter) isn’t a very favorable one. The Bengals go up against a Seahawks defense that is giving up the second-fewest yards in the league. It’s a defense that also has allowed a league-low five touchdowns. When I asked offensive coordinator Hue Jackson about the challenging nature of the Seahawks’ defense, he said: “I’m not walking into this game and going to change because we are playing Seattle.” It could be a long day for Cincinnati’s offense. If the Bengals can get in regular red zone scenarios, tight end Tyler Eifert and receiver Marvin Jones still could be smart plays this week. -- Coley Harvey

Cleveland Browns: Rookie running back Duke Johnson finally came to life for the Browns on Sunday in San Diego with a receiving touchdown, nine catches and 116 combined yards rushing and receiving. The Chargers might have expected Johnson to play, but not as much as he was used. After the game, coach Mike Pettine talked about the value of a back who could run between the tackles and stay on the field on third downs. That clearly indicates the Browns plan to keep relying on Johnson. But with his emergence last week, he will definitely be someone the Ravens plan for this week. His use as a second or third back should depend on the defense he faces. -- Pat McManamon

Dallas Cowboys: What the Patriots do better than most teams is take away No. 1 options. In Dez Bryant's absence, that is Jason Witten. Backup Brandon Weeden will be making his third straight start and likes to use Witten as a security blanket. He might not be able to go to him as much. Since becoming a Pro Bowl tight end, Witten has played against New England twice and has seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots have bracketed him with linebackers and safeties. Last week, New Orleans used cornerback Brandon Browner on Witten as part of a double-team. If Witten does produce, it might require a lot of creativity on the Cowboys’ part. -- Todd Archer

Denver Broncos: Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio was asked if his three seasons as Broncos defensive coordinator would give him any insight into facing Peyton Manning. His answer? “I wish.” But Del Rio likely will try to get pressure in the middle of the field on Manning. In his past six games against the Raiders, Manning has four 300-yard games with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks have completed at least 65 percent of their passes in three of four games against the Raiders this year and Oakland has surrendered eight touchdown passes. -- Jeff Legwold

Detroit Lions: It is tough to really advise starting any Lions player in fantasy other than receiver Calvin Johnson because of the inconsistency of Detroit’s offense. Playing another top-10 pass defense provides another issue for fantasy players. If you’re in a PPR league, taking a boom-or-bust shot on Theo Riddick could be worth it, and at this point Ameer Abdullah is also a boom-or-bust player. If you need deep stashes, running backZach Zenner or tight end Tim Wright could be intriguing, but neither is worth picking up or playing right now. -- Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers: Don’t be surprised if Aaron Rodgers tries to getTy Montgomery another shot at a big play even though the rookie receiver dropped what could’ve been an 80-yard touchdown pass last Sunday against the 49ers. Rodgers said he told Montgomery, "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm going to come back to you." With Davante Adams’ ankle injury still a problem, Montgomery should get more chances Sunday against the Rams. -- Rob Demovsky

Jacksonville Jaguars: RB T.J. Yeldon had 24 touches (22 carries for 105 yards and two catches for 4 yards) and was on the field for 77 of the offense’s 82 snaps in last week’s loss to Indianapolis. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson said there won’t be many games in which Yeldon carries the ball as much as he did, but there’s no doubt that he’s the team’s No. 1 back. Olson said Yeldon got stronger as the game went along (he had a 36-yard run in overtime), and one coach told me that Yeldon’s pass protection skills are much more advanced than the team expected and that’s why he’s on the field so much. If he’s on the field a lot, it naturally follows that he’ll have more touches -- and more touches means the opportunity for more fantasy points. -- Mike DiRocco

Kansas City Chiefs: Quarterback Alex Smith has thrown for 637 yards in his past six quarters. While that pace is probably unsustainable, he will have to keep throwing as long as the Chiefs are playing as poorly as they are on defense. The Chiefs have allowed more than 30 points in each of their past three games and they never led in either of the past two. If the Chiefs have to get in another shootout Sunday against the Bears, Smith might have some impressive stats again. -- Adam Teicher

New England Patriots: Dion Lewis continues to win the trust of the coaching staff with his strong work in practice. Running backs coach Ivan Fears explained that the team had a feeling he could be its top “passing back” in the offseason but needed to see it come to fruition in games. Lewis' strong start has strengthened the belief of the coaching staff that if the game plan calls for a pass-first, up-tempo approach, Lewis will be the featured back. -- Mike Reiss

New Orleans Saints: Second-year receiver Willie Snead leads the team with 240 receiving yards on 16 catches. Since Week 2, he ranks second among all Saints receivers in targets (19) and snaps played (128) behind only Brandin Cooks. It's hard to project Snead as a breakout candidate because the Saints spread the ball around to so many options. But he's a legitimate play in deep fantasy leagues or a cheap option in daily leagues. Snead is reminiscent of former Saints receiver Lance Moore as a sure-handed receiver who can catch intermediate routes and occasional deep balls. And he has earned the all-important trust of both Sean Payton and Drew Brees. -- Mike Triplett

New York Giants: Watch for tight and Larry Donnell's snaps to increase out of necessity. With Daniel Fells on injured reserve, Donnell is the Giants' only experienced tight end. He still needs to work on aspects of his game, but the Giants' coaches have no choice but to give him pretty much all the snaps. His production might not be reliable week to week, but he'll get as much opportunity as anyone at his position. -- Dan Graziano

Oakland Raiders: Running back Latavius Murray is a difficult fantasy play at the moment. He was benched in favor of Roy Helu late in Week 4 after he fumbled. Earlier in the game, Murray bobbled a pass that was intercepted. He had 49 yards rushing at Chicago after getting 139 yards in Cleveland. Murray is still the Raiders’ top option and he will get plenty of carries, but he may have to earn back trust and that could cost him carries Sunday against Denver. -- Bill Williamson

Philadelphia Eagles: It may just be that fantasy owners should stop expecting reliable production from players in Chip Kelly’s offense. Before bailing on DeMarco Murray, consider this: Kelly said his relative lack of action last Sunday at Washington was related to Murray coming back from a hamstring injury. Kelly really needs to get the run game going, and Murray may get some carries this week. -- Phil Sheridan

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers were reminded this week they are getting a more complete receiver in Martavis Bryant, who barely knew the offense as a rookie and resorted to go routes most of the time. Now, he can run the short to intermediate stuff, and teammates have noticed Bryant has carried over his preseason momentum into this week on the practice field. Bryant isn’t yet a surefire fantasy bet because the Steelers need to force-feedAntonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, but his playmaking could be too good to ignore. -- Jeremy Fowler

St. Louis Rams: Running back Todd Gurley's breakthrough performance last week has garnered him plenty of attention from the Packers this week, leaving the Rams to wonder if the Packers will alter their approach to defending the run. Last week, Gurley had 18 carries for 150 yards against seven-man boxes and just one carry with eight or more defenders in the run box. That carry lost 4 yards. But the Packers don't often load the box to defend the run as they've done it only four times out of 95 running plays this season. On those 91 other running plays, the Packers are allowing 4.92 yards per carry. Which means if defensive coordinator Dom Capers chooses not to load up against the run, Gurley could be in for another big day. -- Nick Wagoner

San Diego Chargers: Don’t expect limited touches for tight endAntonio Gates. He returned to Chargers Park from his four-game suspension in shape and ready to resume a leading role in San Diego’s offense. Gates led the Chargers in touchdown receptions last year with 12, and was second on the team in targets (98). Philip Rivers will go to his security blanket in Gates early and often against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. -- Eric Williams

San Francisco 49ers: Getting deep threat Torrey Smith more involved than his nine catches is on Niners coach Jim Tomsula’s checklist. And with Tomsula urging QB Colin Kaepernick to not play scared, to play freely, the feeling in Santa Clara is Smith, who has five catches for 88 yards and a 6-yard TD in one previous meeting against the Giants, will be more of a focal point in the Meadowlands Sunday night. -- Paul Gutierrez

Seattle Seahawks: Seattle’s running back situation has been a disaster for fantasy owners this season, and that’s unlikely to change this week against the Bengals. Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) is expected to be a game-time decision, and rookie Thomas Rawls averaged just 2.8 YPC on 17 rushes last week. The biggest issue here is the offensive line. Rawls averaged 1.00 yards before contact against the Lions, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That ranked 40th out of 45 players in Week 4. The Bengals, meanwhile, are the only team in the NFL that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown on the season. If you have other options, this is a good week to stay away from the Seahawks’ running backs. -- Sheil Kapadia
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Doug Martin said he feels the best he has physically in a long time after overcoming injury problems the past two seasons. His 20-carry, 106-yard day against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 showed how valuable a healthy Martin can be for a Bucs offense trying to form an identity with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston. Martin told me early momentum in a game is key for him.-- Andrew Astleford

Tennessee Titans: The Titans want to find some simple things to go to against a Bills defense that will seek to complicate things for Marcus Mariota. The Giants had some success with slants and crossers last week and that is bread-and-butter for Mariota and Kendall Wright. Look for Wright to get a fair share of targets against Buffalo. -- Andrew Astleford

Washington Redskins: It’s hard to imagine tight end Jordan Reedplaying this week after concussion symptoms remained into Thursday. And it would be risky to think that receiver DeSean Jackson will play. He might, but in the first two practices this week, he went around 75 percent speed and hasn’t fully tested his hamstring. What the Redskins must do is be patient and that means a lot of underneath routes to backs and slot receiverJamison Crowder. The Falcons play a defense similar to Seattle and the Redskins always felt they could take a deep shot vs. the Cover 3 look. In the run game, if you’re still uncertain which back will get the bulk of the carries, coach Jay Gruden said the ideal split remains 65 percent of the carries for Alfred Morris and 35 percent for Matt Jones. But Gruden said, “We'll figure it out on game day who has got the hot hand.” Keep in mind, though, that Atlanta will play a lot of eight-man fronts to limit the run. -- John Keim

 

[HacheMan]

Nickel Coverage: Five fantasy questions that need answers before Week 5


Tom Carpenter, Fantasy and Insider

During Week 4, the Cowboys' backfield lost Lance Dunbar, the Broncos' backfield got more cloudy, Sam Bradford took flight, Drew Brees returned to the field, Doug Martin and Chris Johnson had impact outings and Antonio Gatesand Martavis Bryant wrapped up their four-game suspensions.

What should we expect from these and related players in Week 5? Don't worry -- we have the answers for you right here.
Each week throughout the season, I will posit five of the week's most intriguing fantasy questions to a rotating panel of experts from ESPN, ESPN Fantasy and NFL Nation. Five questions for five analysts, thus, Nickel Coverage.

Responses this week come from ESPN NFL senior writer Jeremy Fowler, NFL Nation Lions reporter Michael Rothstein, ESPN New York's Anita Marks, ESPN Fantasy analyst Matt Bowen and yours truly.

Which quarterback will have the better game when thePhiladelphia Eagles host the New Orleans Saints in Week 5: Sam Bradford or Drew Brees?

This was a 3-2 split, with the veteran Brees getting the nod over Bradford.
Fowler: C'mon now -- Brees all day. At least the Saints' offense is built around him. Bradford is in an offense that doesn't seem to know what it wants. Last week, Brees went for 359 yards and two scores on a bad shoulder. He can still get yards off short-to-intermediate stuff. The offense runs plenty of screen passes to tailbacks, which will pad Brees' stats. The Eagles defense gives up 276.5 passing yards, which is also good for Brees. The Eagles have to get DeMarco Murraygoing, more so than Bradford.
Rothstein: This, to me, is a no-brainer. It's Brees. He returned last week and completed 80.5 percent of his passes, threw for 359 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He's the more proven commodity, and Bradford hasn't completed more than 55 percent of his passes since Week 2. While New Orleans has been fairly atrocious defensively this season against the pass, I'm trusting Brees over Bradford all day, every day, unless the Saints' quarterback gets hurt again.
Marks: The Eagles have allowed more than 275 passing yards per game this season, but I'm still going to ride with Bradford this week. Call me crazy -- it won't be the first time! Bradford threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns against the Redskins in Week 4. It has taken four weeks, but watching Bradford's performance in the second half against a solid Washington pass rush told me this Eagles offense is starting to soar. Bradford connected with eight different pass-catchers, even getting Riley Cooper and Miles Austin involved. Week 5 he is home against a Saints squad that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.


What are your expectations for Antonio Gates and Martavis Bryant as they return from their suspensions on Monday Night Football?


All of our analysts agree that Gates is more likely to come through than Bryant, who is a wild card.
Bowen: Gates should be expected to produce because he is old school. Think footwork here, football IQ and ball skills at the point of attack. That can be the option route, the crosser or the post-up move in the red zone. Plus, he has the trust of quarterbackPhilip Rivers. There is already chemistry established on the field. With Bryant, I have some concerns. Yes, he can get over the top of the secondary or produce on the red zone fade, but working with Michael Vick and a reduced game plan, I don't see the young wideout producing big numbers in his first game back.
Marks: The Steelers defense has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, as well as four touchdowns in four games. Gates is Rivers' favorite red zone target, and their chemistry is bar none. Plus, wide receivers Malcom Floyd (concussion) and Stevie Johnson (hamstring) are questionable, which means more targets for Gates.
Carpenter: Clearly, Gates has the higher floor and is a safe play this week, but Bryant makes for an intriguing wild-card value play in DFS games. This is a playmaker who scored eight touchdowns in 10 games as a rookie, largely by blowing by defensive backs. With so much attention paid to Le'Veon Bell andAntonio Brown, don't be surprised if Bryant gets open for a bomb or two from Vick's rocket arm. I even plugged him into a deep-league lineup with which I'm dealing with byes and injuries.


Which running back do you trust more this week and why: Doug Martin (vs. JAC) or Chris Johnson (@ DET)?


We all agree that Martin is more trustworthy for fantasy in Week 5, largely thanks to a more secure workload.
Fowler: Jacksonville has been great against the run (3.1 YPC allowed), but I'm still going Martin here. The Bucs want him carrying the ball 20-plus times. They want to feed Martin and give Jameis Winston 20 to 25 manageable throws. Nobody's taking Martin's carries if he's healthy. ForArizona, Andre Ellington's return could muddle the tailback picture. Plus, the Lions are the league's fifth best against the run and are desperate for a win. I trust Martin more week to week. Johnson feels like the classic bridge back.
Rothstein: Probably Martin, even though trusting Martin over the past couple of seasons has been like banking on winning the lottery to fund the vacation you're taking next week. But Martin at least is going to be the guy who gets a bunch of carries. While Jacksonville is strong against the run, he's still going to get the chances. Meanwhile, it's tough to say exactly what Arizona is going to do since it is likely Ellington will return. So that becomes more of a time-share situation, and the Lions seemed to find something defensively against Seattle. So I trust Martin over Johnson for those reasons.
Bowen: Martin is the play this week simply because we know he is going to be the RB1 for the Bucs offense. In Week 4, Martin logged 20 carries and produced a 100-yard day while also catching five passes for 37 yards. He will see the ball -- a lot. With the Cardinals, how many touches will Johnson get with Ellington expected back?


How do you think the loss of Lance Dunbar will impact usage in the Cowboys' backfield versus the New England Patriots in Week 5 and beyond?


Our analysts agree that while Joseph Randle is the top fantasy option, he is on a short leash and Darren McFadden should see more touches one way or another. Christine Michael also lurks.
Marks: Dunbar was utilized in the Dallas passing attack more than anything else, so the loss of Dunbar will mean more targets for pass-catchers Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley and Jason Witten moving forward. As for Randle and McFadden, expect for them to get more snaps Sunday, but they face a Pats run defense that has given up the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Randle is an RB2 in Week 5.
Rothstein: I'd expect more McFadden than we've seen thus far. With Dunbar out, his passing targets have to go somewhere, and I'd go with McFadden -- but you have to think both he and lead back Randle will see more work there. It could bump McFadden into much more usable territory, though.
Carpenter: I don't want to have anything to do with Cowboys running backs Sunday after coach Bill Belichick and crew had an extra week to prepare for this battle. However, those with a long-term outlook already should have added Michael off waivers. While I'm somewhat concerned that he couldn't carve out a niche with the Seahawks, he has talent and a much more direct shot at touches with the Cowboys. Since neither Randle nor McFadden have impressed thus far, Michael could push himself into a significant role by stringing together a few good series over the next couple games.


Would you recommend using Broncos running backs C.J. Anderson and/or Ronnie Hillman as an RB2 or flex play at the Oakland Raiders in Week 5?


While Anderson may get first dibs on touches, our analysts give the fantasy edge to Hillman this week.
Bowen: Anderson has been a total bust this season, but I still like Hillman this week versus the Raiders. With the Broncos using the pistol alignment more to cater to Peyton Manning's skill set (and declining arm strength), Hillman is a better fit for the zone runs and the outside edge schemes in the Denver playbook. Hillman posted more than 100 yards in Week 4, and even though that was facilitated by a 73-yard touchdown run, he is the better option here as an RB2 or flex, based on the offensive tendencies in Denver.
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</article>Fowler: Expect Anderson to remain the starter this week, though Hillman has earned the right for more carries. That doesn't sound like an endorsement for playing Anderson, but the good news is Denver's running game is getting back on track after 144 yards last week, nearly matching the total of 171 through the first three weeks. Manning will be ready to hand it off. And it might be Anderson's turn to break a long run after Hillman did the honors last week. The Broncos might simply choose to ride the hot hand, depending on who's got it going that day.
Rothstein: This totally depends on who else you have, especially since neither one has made a massive impact this season. Yes, Hillman had 103 rushing yards last week, but 72 of those came on one carry, so it is a misleading statistic about consistency. If you have Anderson, though, he is likely still one of your better backs, so you're probably sticking with him. But Oakland's run defense is in the top half of the league and neither guy has had more than 12 carries in a game this season. If you have stronger options, I'd look elsewhere.
Marks: I am done with Anderson this season. D-O-N-E, Done! Hillman is the running back you want to own in fantasy and is a solid flex play in standard systems and RB2 in PPR leagues this week. Also, note that the Raiders are allowing 16.25 fantasy points per game to running backs this season.



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[HacheMan]

[h=1]Free-agent finds for Week 6: Charcandrick West, Willie Snead, Charles Sims among top options[/h]
Field Yates, ESPN Insider

It's not hyperbole to say that Jamaal Charles is in the discussion for who is the most indispensable player to his team in the NFL. Consider what he's meant to the Kansas City Chiefs this season: Entering Week 5, only Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte had accounted for a higher percentage of a team's yards from scrimmage (31.2 percent) than Charles, who had racked up 30.9 percent for the Chiefs. On Sunday, Charles suffered the second torn ACL of his career, a bummer for one of the exciting young talents in the game, and a person I have great respect for having worked for the Chiefs for two of Charles' NFL seasons.
Many have asked what this injury means for the Kansas City backfield going forward. Specifically, who is in line to take over as the starter for the Chiefs? While it's unlikely anyone will see quite the workload that Charles has -- his balanced skill set as a receiver on top of his running ability led to a meaningful workload -- there's an unlikely name that has vaulted onto the fantasy radar as the top waiver add for Week 6.
Note: Players owned in more than 50 percent of leagues are not eligible for this list.
Charcandrick West, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (0.3 percent): Before the season, Knile Davis was the running back tagged as the handcuff to Charles, though following the injury to Charles, West earned seven carries (for 31 yards) while Davis received just two. West may not dominate the workload in a fashion that rivals what Charles did for the Chiefs, but he's the presumptive starter in an offense that has relied on the run. He should be owned in all leagues.
Knile Davis, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (23.5 percent): And while signs point to West having the first shot at carries, Davis shouldn't be entirely ignored. He was a third-round pick with outstanding speed and terrific measurables, but he's struggled with reliability (fumbles and dropped passes). West is the first KC back to add, but Davis can be added in leagues of 12 teams or larger, too.


Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints (29.0 percent): The Ball State product was a hit in training camp, and he's carried that over to the regular season. With 30 targets and 21 catches in his past four games (including a six-catch, 141-yard effort in Week 5), Snead has emerged in the Saints' offense as a weekly go-to target. He's addable in leagues of all sizes.
Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (48.5 percent): Hurns was on our list last week, but we'll include him again to both ensure he surpasses the 50 percent threshold that removes him from consideration for this column and to remind people just how well he has played this season. He has at least 60 yards in each of his five games this season and just posted a 17-point fantasy effort in Week 5.
Josh McCown, QB, Cleveland Browns (4.2 percent): McCown has been red-hot over the past three games, posting a combined line of 96-for-141, 1,154 yards, seven total touchdowns and just one interception. He's an absolute must-add in two-quarterback leagues and also viable in single-quarterback leagues. His numbers aren't the byproduct of simply junk-time stats. McCown has performed well. It should be noted that McCown sprained his ankle in Week 5, but he is hopeful to be ready for Week 6 versus Denver, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports.
Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (39.0 percent): We've mentioned Sims in this space before, and even though the Buccaneers are on a bye in Week 6, he's a name to keep in mind. He has double-digit fantasy points in three straight games, despite just 85 rushing yards. Sims' calling card is his pass-catching ability; he has now gone three straight games with either a receiving touchdown or at least 80 receiving yards. A valuable PPR pickup.

Kamar Aiken, WR, Baltimore Ravens (32.9 percent): Another player we touched upon last week, Aiken served as Baltimore's No. 1 wide receiver in Week 5 and managed a four-catch, 78-yard day. The outlook for Aiken changes upon the return of Steve Smith Sr., but with bye weeks upon us, he's a usable piece if Smith sits again in Week 6.


Gary Barnidge, TE, Cleveland Browns (37.5 percent): Barnidge presented the highlight of the weekend on an amazing touchdown catch, and he's also emerged as a steady tight end option. He has three straight games with at least 13 fantasy points. He's a usable starter right away.
[h=2]Deeper-league adds[/h]Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington (4.7 percent): If you play in a PPR league, Crowder has value until DeSean Jackson returns. He has 39 PPR points in his past three games, including an eight-reception, 87-yard game in Week 5.
Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens (1.5 percent): Justin Forsett has been great the past two weeks, but an ankle injury kept him off the field for the overtime period against the Browns in Week 5. Allen, a fourth-round rookie out of USC, handled eight rushes for 58 yards (including a 44-yard scamper). He has value if Forsett can't play in Week 6.
Marquess Wilson, WR, Chicago Bears (5.2 percent): Wilson has been a buzzy name in fantasy circles before, as he has very good natural tools at 6-foot-4 and about 200 pounds. With Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal banged up, Wilson has capitalized with consecutive games of six catches and at least 80 receiving yards. He's on the radar until both return.
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears (19.1 percent): Obviously worth owning in two-QB leagues, but with bye weeks upon us, Cutler is largely available. He's provided his share of fantasy ups and downs during his career, but in deeper leagues, you could do a lot worse.
Ty Montgomery, WR, Green Bay Packers (6.7 percent): Montgomery's offensive role could be limited when Davante Adams returns, but the rookie out of Stanford is an electric athlete who has fit in well with the Packers. He scored in Week 5 to register his first career double-digit scoring outing.
Jaelen Strong, WR, Houston Texans (1.4 percent): Yes, Strong had just two catches in Week 5, though both resulted in scores. One was a Hail Mary, the other a busted coverage. But if Cecil Shorts III or Nate Washington miss extended time, it's an open door for the third-round rookie out of Arizona State to see more reps.
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</article>Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams (42.5 percent): I'll echo a sentiment I've previously expressed on Austin: If I add him, it's to be patient on him. He has 14 touchdowns in 33 NFL games, but his usage is still not consistent enough for me to trust him each week in my lineup. He had just two catches in Week 5 (for six yards), but he salvaged the day on the strength of a TD.
Antonio Andrews, RB, Tennessee Titans (22.0 percent): Full disclosure: I'm avoiding the Titans' backfield if I can, but we'll put Andrews on the radar because he earned the first shot at goal line duties for Tennessee and capitalized with a score on Sunday. A deeper-league RB with a low ceiling.

Zach Zenner, RB, Detroit Lions (0.4 percent): He got 11 total touches in Week 5, and he just might be the best between-the-tackles back in Detroit. Zenner was a preseason stud who could see a more prominent role as the weeks roll along.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Four downs: How to replace Jamaal Charles[/h]

• Eric Karabell, ESPN.com Senior Writer
  ESPN INSIDER
  
  A mere three running backs chosen among the top 10 in ESPN average live drafts this season actually entered this Week 5 among the top 10 for standard fantasy points at the position through four weeks and, unfortunately, one of them was lost to a season-ending knee injury Sunday. In order of fantasy points, those three high-scoring gentlemen were Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson andMatt Forte. That’s it. It sure hasn’t been a banner year for running backs, and it got a whole lot worse when Charles, second at his position in season scoring and fourth overall in ESPN average live drafts, reportedly tore the ACL in his right knee Sunday. There goes another seemingly sure thing at a position with precious few reliable options.
  This is the second ACL injury for Charles, who also missed most of the 2011 season. He was, obviously, off to a terrific start this season, but now it’s fair to wonder what level of effectiveness to expect from him in the future. Will we rank the NFL’s all-time leader in yards per rush -- minimum 1,000 attempts -- as a top-10 running back next summer, at age 29? After all, Charles leads all non-quarterbacks in fantasy points since the start of the 2013 season and came back strong after the first knee injury, but he’s approaching a scary age for running backs. For those in keeper formats, if Charles is dropped in your league, consider it like injured Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson, a free keeper available to all, but it doesn’t aid anyone in 2015.
  As for today’s Chiefs, licking their figurative wounds after a stunning 18-17 home loss to the Chicago Bears, Chiefs coach Andy Reid was noncommittal about the team’s next starting running back, probably because he doesn’t know, but a time share could be looming until someone really emerges. But that in itself is news, however. For years Knile Davis has been an obvious, popular handcuff in case this situation arises, but he has barely been used this season. In five games, he has earned 11 rushing attempts, turning them into a mere 27 yards, whileCharcandrick West, a second-year fellow out of Abilene Christian, has usurped the backup role and would be my choice for hot free-agent pickup over Davis. Who knows what Reid will do? Perhaps he’ll have Alex Smith throw the ball 50 times per game.
  I think West is intriguing, though. He ran seven times for 31 yards Sunday, showing shiftiness and vision, and I think he can be a weapon out of the backfield in the passing game, like Charles was. After all, Charles topped 75 rushing yards once in the first four games. He’s terrific as a receiver, and it’s certainly possible West will see those opportunities as the Chiefs can’t drastically alter this offense knowing Smith’s skill set. Davis, for all the hype as a handcuff option the past two seasons, is averaging 3.4 yards per carry in his career. Remember how overhyped then-Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael was as a Marshawn Lynch replacement? Now he’s buried in another team’s backfield. Davis could be Reid’s choice for touches in Week 6 at Minnesota, but I’d add West first. Colleague Field Yates will recommend free-agent pickups in a few days, but, other than the Chiefs' options, chances are I'm mentioning them below, and there's nobody readily available who is the caliber of Charles.
  
  
  Second down: The top Week 5 fantasy scorer entering the Sunday night game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants was Cleveland Brownsquarterback Josh McCown with 35 points. Because of course it was. It’s easy to dismiss McCown, 36 and awful for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, but think again; he threw for 457 yards in the Browns' 33-30 overtime win at Baltimore on Sunday, his third consecutive game with two touchdown passes, with only one interception. His three-game passing yards total is a whopping 1,154, or 384 per. And he was excellent against the blitz Sunday, going 14-for-16 for 142 yards and two TDs, one running, when pressured. However, McCown faces a challenging Week 6 matchup with the stingy Denver Broncos, and the schedule doesn’t ease up much after that, so I still can’t recommend the veteran as a top-20 fantasy QB. At the least we should note a few of his relevant weapons in wide receiver Travis Benjamin, tight end Gary Barnidge, and running backsDuke Johnson Jr. and Isaiah Crowell. The diminutive Benjamin last scored a touchdown in Week 3 but continues to see enough targets and yards to matter. I’ve been ranking him as a borderline top-30 wide receiver, and it appears justified. Barnidge has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games -- Sunday’s was acrobatic, using his feet -- and has averaged 106 receiving yards in that span, and seems deserving of top-10 tight end status at this point. I’m optimistic that Johnson can push rather average Crowell aside, but at least he’s already looking like a top-20 PPR running back option, with 21 receptions in three weeks.
  In other QB news … Blake Bortles threw four touchdown passes and topped 300 passing yards for the second time in his young career. Has he turned a corner? He certainly has weapons, but this outing was likely thanks to facing another poor team in the Buccaneers. Still, his schedule is attractive, and, although I won’t rank him as a top-10 fantasy quarterback, he’s actually on pace for precisely that. … Most assumed Peyton Manning would carve up the Oakland Raiders the way he always does. And he sure didn’t, netting his third single-digit fantasy outing already. Manning tossed two interceptions sans a touchdown and continues to struggle. It’s stunning, but he’s no lock to be ranked top-10 for Week 6 at Cleveland, or for the rest of the season. … Aaron Rodgers was finally intercepted in a home game, but no worries, we’ll take 14 fantasy points. Don’t panic here, though at this point I’d say Tom Brady might really finish the season as fantasy’s top scorer. … Matthew Stafford was benched in a blowout loss to Arizona, after throwing three interceptions, but it’s temporary. What’s not temporary is his underwhelming play. If you were thinking he was a great option for Week 6 against Chicago, think again.
  Third down: Speaking of the Buccaneers, running back Doug Martin scored 16 standard fantasy points the first three weeks of the season combined, but he garnered 19 points in Week 4 and exploded for 33 points in this Sunday's win over the Jaguars, rushing for 123 yards and two TDs and hauling in a touchdown reception. It’s reasonable to call Martin a safe RB2, especially with an apparently golden schedule the rest of the way, but I’d caution owners in trading for someone with such a full injury history. Martin has missed too many games since his breakout rookie campaign, and he was barely a factor in the passing game. Even this season, Charles Sims has thrived catching the ball out of the backfield; Martin saw eight targets the first four games. I’ll admit Martin has looked rejuvenated this season -- stronger, more decisive and in better condition than in the past -- but I’d sell high. The Buccaneers are still guided by an erratic rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston, and it’s fair to wonder whether anyone on this team is safe for fantasy. Sophomore wide receiver Mike Evans was again relatively invisible Sunday, and he has posted 17 fantasy points this season. I won’t cut him, but top 20 at his position doesn’t at all match production. Let’s say he’s maybe top 25. Vincent Jackson caught one pass Sunday and has only one big game so far. Who knows when injured tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkinswill play again? I’m just saying it’s dangerous to rely on Buccaneers from here on out.
  In other RB news … yeah, Devonta Freeman appears to be a fantasy monster, a top-10 guy with eventual designs on the top spot. Why not? Own Tevin Colemanas a handcuff, but Freeman, with a ridiculous 94 standard fantasy points in three weeks, continues to rise in the rankings. Look for him to be a top-five guy in Week 6 rankings for a road game at underwhelming New Orleans. … Thomas Rawls filled in nicely for Marshawn Lynch with 169 yards and a long touchdown against tough Cincinnati, including 148 yards between the tackles, most in the NFL this season, and he needs to be added in leagues in case Lynch needs more time to recover from a hamstring injury. Just don’t assume that you’ll be activating Rawls anytime soon or that he’s a future star. … Was that a DeMarco Murray sighting? Sure was. He and Ryan Mathews each ran all over the Saints and scored touchdowns, a harbinger of enticing upside. About time. Still, it’s a time share, so Murray deserves RB2 treatment, not a top-10 rank. It might be time to view Mathews this way, as well. … Thirty carries for rookie Todd Gurley.Thirty! He doesn’t need to break one for a TD with that volume. Definite top-10 guy. … It appears to be time to rank Giovani Bernard over Jeremy Hill. Can’t believe that’s happened, but Bernard is the one getting most of the touches. Each is a reasonable RB2 option, although Hill is trending the wrong direction. Even last week, when he rushed for three TDs, he did so with only nine rushes. He’s falling out of favor.
  
  
  Fourth down: Have any of your wide receivers caught 60 yards' worth of passes in all five games so far? Julio Jones hasn’t. Neither has Antonio Brown,A.J. Green or Randall Cobb. But Allen Hurns of the Jaguars has achieved this, and Sunday’s touchdown grab was his third in as many weeks. Hurns isn’t seeing a ton of targets, but he’s making good use of the ones he gets, with a catch rate double that of more heralded teammate Allen Robinson. I’ll still take Robinson as a top-20 receiver -- he caught two touchdowns Sunday -- but Hurns, available in half of ESPN’s standard leagues, is pretty underrated, and, as noted earlier with Bortles, Jacksonville’s schedule looks good. The team might not win much, but a pair of 1,000-yard receivers is certainly possible. Hurns breaks into my top 30 wide receivers this week.
  
  In other WR news … For the first time this season, no wide receiver had broken 20 standard fantasy points entering the Sunday night game. Saints disappointment Brandin Cooks came close, needing a touchdown on the last play of a blowout loss for his first decent fantasy game. Cooks entered with 19 fantasy points in four games, dropping from top 20 consideration. This performance doesn’t quite get him back in, though. Frankly, I’m almost more interested in his polished teammate Willie Snead, who has 230 receiving yards in two weeks. … Jay Cutler somehow won sans Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal, as Marquess Wilson continues to emerge. Wilson did nothing the first three weeks, but has 12 catches for 165 receiving yards and a touchdown in two games since. He’s readily available and, if his colleagues sit again, could be a top-30 option at Detroit in Week 6. … Tavon Austin still isn’t getting enough volume to be a fantasy asset, although the Rams are being creative in his usage, as he scored on a short chest pass Sunday and saw carries as a running back. … No Philadelphia wide receiver is safe right now, including Jordan Matthews, as he hasn’t topped 50 receiving yards since Week 2 and isn’t scoring touchdowns. The Eagles are using everybody, which isn’t good for fantasy. … James Jones has scored five touchdowns in five weeks. I don’t see how he can’t be viewed as a strong WR2 at this point.
  
  

​

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy 32: Key Week 6 tips for every team[/h]Mike Clay, Fantasy Football
ESPN INSIDER

Below are 32 notes covering each of the league's 32 teams. Use these tidbits to make the best waiver-wire, trade and lineup decisions this week. Be sure to check back each week of the season for a new version of the Fantasy 32.
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Arizona Cardinals - Andre Ellington returned to action in Week 5, but it's clear that he's no longer the team's lead back. Instead, we appear to be looking at a full-on committee. New lead back Chris Johnson was in the game on 16 of the team's 45 offensive snaps. He carried the ball on 11 of those plays and wasn't targeted. Ellington managed three carries and no targets on 13 snaps. Rookie David Johnson made some noise by scoring twice, but it doesn't get much flukier than two touchdowns on six snaps (and three touches). If you can get one of your fellow league mates to bite on Johnson's unsustainable success, now is the time to sell.

Atlanta Falcons - Atlanta's 2015 third-round pick and clear lead back to start the season, Tevin Coleman, returned to action in Week 5. Unfortunately for those who invested an early draft pick, Coleman has clearly been demoted to reserve duty. Against Washington, the early favorite for 2015 fantasy MVP, Devonta Freeman, was on the field on during 65 of Atlanta's 77 offensive snaps. He handled 27 carries and was targeted eight times. Coleman, meanwhile, worked only nine snaps and accrued two carries. Going forward, Freeman is a top-5 fantasy running back, leaving Coleman as a high-value handcuff.

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens are allowing 22 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and 30 points per game to wide receivers. Only the Chiefs are worse in both categories. Derek Carr andAndy Dalton each put up 350-plus yards and three touchdowns against Baltimore. Josh McCown added an absurd 457 yards and two scores in Week 5. Despite what was supposed to be a dangerous one-two punch at cornerback inJimmy Smith and Ladarius Webb, eight different wide receivers have eclipsed 50 receiving yards against Baltimore this season. Wideouts have scored seven touchdowns against the Ravens. The 49ers' offense has been inconsistent this season, but both Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith should be in lineups this week.

Buffalo Bills - Opposing offenses are averaging 68 plays (fourth-most), calling pass 70 percent of the time (highest), and scoring 83 percent of their touchdowns through the air (fifth-highest) against Buffalo this season. The Bills' defense has allowed 12 touchdowns through five games, which puts them right around league average. Of course, considering the Bills have already faced Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Ryan Tannehilland Marcus Mariota, the schedule has been a bit tough. Life won't get much easier at home against the Bengals this week, but this defense is better than the box score suggests. It's hard to recommend fading Bengals' players after they moved the ball against Seattle, but they certainly warrant a downgrade up against Buffalo.

Carolina Panthers - The Panthers have called pass an NFL-low 54 percent of the time this season. Interestingly, Carolina is calling a pass-heavier game than they have over the past three seasons, but a schedule that has included wins over Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans and Tampa Bay has allowed a ton of second-half rushing attempts. Facing a brutal schedule over the next month, it's fair to expect more passing from Cam Newton. He should be on benches at Seattle in Week 6. Only Greg Olsen and Jonathan Stewart are worth lineup consideration, but both should be faded in DFS.

Chicago Bears - Matt Forte has never led the NFL in carries, but, through five weeks, he's the only player in the NFL over the 100-carry mark. Forte has produced at a high level in Adam Gase's system, racking up 438 yards on 102 tries (4.3 YPC). Forte isn't quite as involved as a receiver, but still sits sixth among running backs with 25 targets. After leading running backs in snaps each of the past two seasons, Forte has played a position-high 299 snaps in 2015. Overworked 29-year-old running backs are generally not a good anchor for your fantasy team, but Forte is showing no signs of slowing down. Continue riding him into the sunset.

Cincinnati Bengals - In the Bengals' Week 5 comeback win over Seattle, Giovani Bernard was on the field for 62 of the Bengals' 79 offensive snaps. Jeremy Hill handled 17. Bernard has now out-snapped Hill in three of the team's pastlast four games. Even worse for Hill, Bernard has been significantly more productive. Hill is averaging a miserable 3.0 yards per carry, compared to 5.5 for Bernard. Bernard's exceptional mark is tops in the NFL among 18 backs with 60-plus carries. Hill, meanwhile is averaging 1.6 yards after contact, which is dead last among backs with at least 45 carries. Bernard is clearly the better play against Buffalo this week, but it's reasonable to expect Hill to returning to form against a lighter schedule after the team's Week 7 bye.

Cleveland Browns - The Browns have called pass on 67 percent of their offensive plays this season, which is the league's third-highest mark. Trailing and/or competitive each of the past three weeks, Cleveland has called 156 passes and 58 runs. The high volume, combined with competent play, has allowed Josh McCown the second-most fantasy points among quarterbacks during the span. McCown paces the NFL with 1,154 passing yards since Week 3. kicked off. He has six touchdowns and one interception during the three games. McCown and the rest of the Browns' offense should be on benches against Denver this week, but this recent stretch locks McCown in as a decent stream option when the matchup is right.

Dallas Cowboys - If Darren McFadden is on waivers in your PPR league, make sure you scoop him up this week. Prior to suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 4, Lance Dunbar had converted Dallas' passing-down, running back role into 51 fantasy points (seventh-most at the position). Dunbar had seen only two carries at the time, but was handling 21 percent of the team's targets. In Week 5, McFadden took over where Dunbar left off, handling 10 (or 26 percent) of the team's targets. Combined with five carries, McFadden put up 78 yards on 14 touches. The veteran will be on the RB2 radar in PPR leagues following Dallas' Week 6 bye.

Denver Broncos - The Broncos are averaging 1.6 offensive touchdowns per game this season. That puts them on a 16-game pace of 25.6 scores. To put that in perspective, the Jaguars' offense scored an NFL-low 24 touchdowns last season. Getting Demaryius Thomas more involved near the goal line would be a good start in turning around the offensive woes. Thomas saw his first end zone target of the season in Week 5 after handling an NFL-high 23 last season. Thomas has scored once on 57 targets as a result. Thomas remains a WR1, but his ceiling is the lowest it has been during Manning's time in Denver.

Detroit Lions - Theo Riddick currently sits 15th among running backs in fantasy points in PPR formats. Taking full advantage of the Lions' offensive struggles, Riddick has racked up 30 receptions, 228 yards and two touchdowns on a position-high 36 targets. Riddick has accrued only two carries on the season, which isn't a surprise considering he had 29 carries over two seasons entering 2015. As a result, he's the No. 32 back in non-PPR. The Lions are 0-5 thanks to poor play, but also a brutal schedule that has included trips to San Diego, Minnesota and Seattle, as well as, home bouts with Denver and Arizona. As they inevitably become more competitive, Riddick's role will be reduced. Plain and simple, he's not going to see the field when Detroit is ahead in the second half. Consider selling Riddick before this week's home matchup with Chicago.

Green Bay Packers - The Packers' defense has been exceptional against opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers this season. Green Bay has allowed 13 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and 17 per game to wide receivers. Both are fourth-fewest in the league. Of course, the schedule -- Chicago, Seattle, Kansas City, San Francisco and St. Louis -- has been relatively easy. Up next on the docket is San Diego in what will be Green Bay's toughest challenge. I wouldn't recommend using Philip Rivers and Keenan Allen in DFS cash games this week, but both will see enough volume to warrant a starting spot in season-long leagues.

Houston Texans - DeAndre Hopkins paces the league in targets (75) and receiving yards (579), but he's also first in a key category that keeps him locked in as an every-week WR1: end zone targets. Hopkins and Terrance Williams have each enjoyed a league-high eight targets while inside the confines of the end zone. Hopkins' heavy overall usage isn't a surprise, but the end zone work is when you consider that he saw six end zone targets all of last season.

Indianapolis Colts - After two weeks of underwhelming play, many were concerned about the fantasy stock of Frank Gore. Since that point, he's fantasy's No. 6 running back, having put up 279 yards and three touchdowns on 59 touches. The Colts' offense will only improve with Andrew Luck back under center this week. It's not too late to try and buy on Gore. Going forward, he's a borderline RB1.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Of the Jaguars' 10 offensive touchdowns this season, seven have been scored by Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. As a result, both are top-12 fantasy wide receivers. With Julius Thomasfinally back from injury and Jacksonville yet to score a rushing touchdown, it's time to consider selling high, especially on Hurns. Robinson was considered a WR2 by many during fantasy draft season, so his high target volume and production are barely a surprise. Hurns, however, has blown away expectations thanks to injuries to Thomas and Marqise Lee. Hurns figures to flirt with WR3 numbers going forward, but this offense isn't scoring enough to consistently support two starting fantasy wideouts.

Kansas City Chiefs - With Jamaal Charles done for the year,Charcandrick West is the man to add on waivers. When Charles went down in the third quarter of Sunday's game, West stepped in and was on the field for 14 of the team's final 18 snaps. Knile Davis worked the other four. Undrafted out of Abilene Christian last year, West is an intriguing size/speed specimen at 5-foot-10, 205 pounds and was having been clocked as low as 4.27 in a pre-draft 40-yard dash. The Chiefs will certainly add a free agent to the mix, but West is the favorite to lead this backfield in touches going forward. Considering Andy Reid's long history of turning his lead backs into fantasy stars, West should be your main target on waivers this week. He'll be a RB2 against Minnesota in Week 6.

Miami Dolphins - Jarvis Landry has yet to score a touchdown this season, but it's not due to a lack of opportunity. Landry has racked up four end zone targets after seeing only two as a rookie (he caught both). Landry has also seen three additional targets while within 10 yards of the opposing goal line. It's clear Miami isn't afraid to target 5-foot-11 Landry near the goal line, which means the touchdowns are going to come. On the whole, Landry has been the target on a hefty 27 percent of Ryan Tannehill's throws. Off the bye week, it's a good time to buy low.

Minnesota Vikings - With Adrian Peterson back in the mix this season, many expected Jerick McKinnon to operate in as his clear handcuff and eventual replacement atop the depth chart. Instead, McKinnon has settled in behind convicted touchdown vulture Matt Asiata. The team's preferred passing-down complement to Peterson, the Vikings have called pass on 34 of Asiata's 41 snaps, 18 of which were blocking situations. McKinnon has 13 carries on 29 snaps. If Peterson goes down, McKinnon will sport the higher fantasy ceiling, but it's clear he would again share the backfield with Asiata. McKinnon's dynasty value deserves to take a hit, but he's only 23 years old.

New England Patriots - For the second consecutive game, Dion Lewis managed fewer carries than LeGarrette Blount. Against Dallas in Week 5, Lewis carried the ball on only six of his 41 snaps, but did rack up 10 targets. Blount, meanwhile, carried the ball on 13 of his 14 snaps. Easily calling the league's pass-heaviest offense, the Patriots can continue to support Lewis from a fantasy perspective in this role. Of course, if they switch gears and attack certain defenses on the ground, it appears Blount will be the guy doing most of the damage. That very well could be the case against Indianapolis this week. While with New England, Blount has 314 yards and seven touchdowns on 54 carries against the Colts.

New Orleans Saints - During his first four seasons in New Orleans,Mark Ingram wasn't targeted very often. It wasn't because his hands were a weakness, but rather the likes of Pierre Thomas, Darren Sprolesand Travaris Cadet handled most of those duties. Ingram racked up 61 targets during the four-year span, including 30 in 2014. Ingram has already seen 26 targets in 2015, which has allowed him 24 receptions and a career-high 220 receiving yards. Only Theo Riddick has caught more passes among backs. Having also racked up 68 carries this season, Ingram sits fifth among running backs in PPR fantasy points. Ingram's routes and targets have dipped slightly asC.J. Spiller's role has expanded, but not enough to push him out of the RB1 conversation. Ingram is locked in as a RB1 against an Atlanta defense allowing 27 fantasy points per game to opposing backs.

New York Giants - Last season, Larry Donnell racked up 13 end zone targets, which was seventeenth-most17th most in the NFL and second to only Antonio Gates (19) among tight ends. In 2015, Tyler Eifertpaces the position with six, but Donnell is not far behind with four of his own. Drops, fumbles and poor run blocking have been major problems for Donnell, but Daniel Fells' season-ending illness leaves the Giants with little depth at the position. Donnell is averaging six targets per game after handling 5.4 per game in 2014. The big man will continue to see heavy involvement in the passing game and is an underrated TE1 option.

New York Jets - In four games, the Jets' defense has allowed a grand total of six touchdowns. Only Denver has been better on a per-game basis. The Jets held the Browns and Andrew Luck's Colts to one score a piece in Weeks 1-2 before limiting the Eagles and Dolphins to two touchdowns each in Weeks 3-4. In terms of fantasy points allowed, New York is second-best against quarterbacks and running backs, and fourth-best against tight ends. The likes of Kirk Cousins, Matt Jones, Alfred Morris and Pierre Garcon should be faded in DFS this week. The Jets' defense, meanwhile, was dropped in many leagues prior to the team's Week 5 bye. Be sure to scoop them up on waivers.

Oakland Raiders - This can -- and probably will -- change as Amari Cooper gets more acclimated to the NFL, but, for the time being,Michael Crabtree is Derek Carr's top target in Oakland. Despite missing nearly half of Week 4, Crabtree has racked up 47 targets on 169 pass routes this season. Cooper isn't far behind with 41 targets on 186 routes. In what is one of the more bizarre stats of the year, Cooper has been targeted while within 25 yards of the opponent's goal line twice this season. Crabtree has seen 11 in that area. Further limiting his fantasy ceiling, Cooper is doing most of his damage near the line of scrimmage. His 6.6 average depth of target is second-lowest to only Jarvis Landry among wide receivers with 30 or more targets. Cooper is the better talent and fantasy asset, but Crabtree is the better short-term play, especially considering his cheaper price tag in DFS.

Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles' defense doesn't get much attention, but it has been one of the best in the league through the first month of the season. Despite facing a league-high 73 plays per game, the Eagles have allowed nine scores over five games. That's tied for the league's fifth-best mark on a per-game basis. With teams attempting to avoid their stellar run defense, only one (or an NFL-low 11 percent) of the nine scores was of the rushing variety. In fact, the Eagles have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, but the third-fewest to running backs. Rashad Jenningsand Andre Williams should be on benches this week, but Odell Beckham andRueben Randle can be started with confidence.

Pittsburgh Steelers - After totaling three carries during Le'Veon Bell's first two games of the 2015 season, DeAngelo Williams racked up five attempts on Monday night. There's obviously no need for Bell owners to be concerned. Bell was on the field for 51 of the team's 56 offensive snaps, compared to nine for Williams. Since returning to the lineup in Week 3, Bell has been on the field for 95 percent of the Steelers' offensive plays. That's helped him to 83 percent of the team's carries and 24 percent of the targets. Bell trails only Devonta Freeman in fantasy points among running backs during the span.

San Diego Chargers - Antonio Gates made his 2015 debut on Monday night and those who had him in their lineup were rewarded in a big way. The veteran caught nine of 11 targets for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Although this confirms Gates will remain in the TE1 picture, keep in mind that he was on the field during 29 (or 58 percent) of the team's 50 pass plays. That is well below his 83 percent rate from last season. It's possible Gates was limited in his return to action, but with Ladarius Green playing at a high level and Stevie Johnson set to return from injury in the near future, the dip in snaps is noteworthy. It's likely we just saw Gates' best game of 2015, so don't be afraid to explore selling high.

San Francisco 49ers - The tight end position has been quite the roller coaster this year, but Vernon Davis is not a name to forget. Colin Kaepernick has targeted a tight end on 31 percent of his throws this season, which is the league's third-highest mark behind only Tennessee and Carolina. Before going down with an injury, Davis made it through two full games this season. In those affairs, he played 96 percent of the offensive snaps, ran 88 percent of the pass routes, and handled 19 percent of the targets. Once healthy, Davis will return to a workhorse role and won't be the worst roster stash or bye week fill-in.

Seattle Seahawks - After managing two touchdowns in Cincinnati in Week 5, the Seattle offense is up to seven on the season. That works out to an NFL-worst 1.4 per game. For perspective, the Jaguars averaged a league-low 1.5 in 2014. A road schedule that has included the Rams, Packers and Bengals is partially to blame, but Seattle totaled two scores in a pair of home games against Chicago and Detroit. Life won't get much easier for theRussell Wilson/Jimmy Graham combo this week. In terms of fantasy points allowed, the Panthers are third-best against the quarterback and second-best against the tight end. Both Wilson and Graham are back-end starter material.

St. Louis Rams - It's safe to say Todd Gurley is locked in as the Rams' workhorse running back. Over the past two weeks, the rookie has been on the field for 79 of the team's 120 offensive plays. He hasHe's racked up 49 carries, compared to four for Tre Mason and two for passing-down specialist Benny Cunningham. Not yet handling much work on passing downs, Gurley was targeted on two of his 18 pass routes during the stretch. Gurley has yet to score a touchdown, but he still sits fifthamong running backs in fantasy points over the past two weeks. His 5.7 yards per carry is tops in the NFL among backs with 20 or more carries. Gurley is locked in as an every-week RB1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Prior to Week 5, Doug Martin was sharing the Buccaneers' backfield with Charles Sims and, despite playing well, 17th among running backs in fantasy points. After scoring three touchdowns against the Jaguars, Martin sits behind only Devonta Freeman and Jamaal Charles in fantasy points. The good news is that Martin is playing exceptionally well. He's averaging 4.5 yards per carry and has forced 19 missed tackles, which trails only Carlos Hyde (25). The bad news is that, through five games, three-quarters of Martin's touchdowns have come in one game. Third in the league in carries and playing at a high level, Martin is clearly a must-start, but the Buccaneers' underperforming offense will limit his scoring opportunities most weeks. He'll have his hands full with Washington's tough run defense following Tampa Bay's Week 6 bye.

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</article>Tennessee Titans - We're five weeks into the season, and no Titans running back has emerged as a viable fantasy option. Entering Week 5,Antonio Andrews appeared to have an edge on the field, but he worked only 14 snaps against Buffalo. Andrews did manage seven carries, three targets and a touchdown, but he's not a reliable option on such a small snap count. Dexter McCluster worked a position-high 28 snaps, but carried the ball eight times and saw one target. Bishop Sankey put up seven carries and three targets on 22 snaps. Andrews is the "top" player to own here, but he's not worth starting until he gains some separation on the field. David Cobb (injured reserve designated to return) isn't the worst stash in deep leagues, especially dynasty formats.

Washington Redskins - Alfred Morris has arguably had the worst luck among running backs in terms of finding the end zone this season. Morris has racked up 74 carries, which ranks 11th in the league, but he's yet to score. Morris has six carries inside the opponent's 10-yard line, including a solo try from 1 yard out. Matt Jones has been plenty busy, as well, near the goal line, having racked up two scores on seven tries inside the 10. Both players will be touchdown-dependent flex options against a tough Jets defense in Week 6.


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[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy Fallout: Devonta Freeman refuses to slow down, Tom Brady on historic pace[/h]Tristan H. Cockcroft, Fantasy

Another week, another big game from the Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman.
With his 25-point fantasy day Sunday, good for second best among running backs in Week 5 (entering Monday night), he now has 94 fantasy points in his past three games. It marks just the 33rd time since 1960 that a player has managed at least that many fantasy points during any span of three consecutive team games played within the same season.
The chart below shows the past 10 instances, including the players' final fantasy point total in that season, as well as their fantasy points per game in all other games in the given season. (Note: Some of the players in the chart below make multiple appearances due to overlapping games).
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PLAYER	POS	TEAM	SEASON/WEEKS	FPTS	SEASON FPTS	FPTS/G REST OF SEASON
Devonta Freeman	RB	ATL	2015 Weeks 3-5	94	?	?
Le'Veon Bell	RB	PIT	2014 Weeks 13-15	94	272	13.7
Le'Veon Bell	RB	PIT	2014 Weeks 11, 13-14	98	272	13.4
Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	2014 Weeks 7-9	95	295	15.4
Jamaal Charles	RB	KC	2013 Weeks 14-16	97	295	16.5
Jamaal Charles	RB	KC	2013 Weeks 13-15	95	295	16.7
Cam Newton	QB	CAR	2012 Weeks 12-14	101	309	16.0
Doug Martin	RB	TB	2012 Weeks 8-10	94	248	11.8
Doug Martin	RB	TB	2012 Weeks 7-9	100	248	11.4
Chris Johnson	RB	TEN	2009 Weeks 8-10	97	329	17.8

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">94+ FPTS In 3 Straight Team Games In Season, Past 10 Instances</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>In regard to the entire list -- which is too long to print here, but includes Hall of Famers and/or fantasy legends like Jim Brown, Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton, Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson -- the track record of the players maintaining a high level of fantasy production the rest of the season was excellent, with a few expected outliers. On the list above, Martin is the only one who could qualify as an outlier, but even he averaged more than 11 points per game outside of the hot streak.
For those fearing that Freeman could be 2014's answer to Martin, bear in mind that Freeman's performances came against the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texansand Washington Redskins, run defenses that all ranked easily in the game's better half entering those weeks, with the Redskins one of the five best in the league. Martin, meanwhile, enjoyed his three-week outburst partly by fattening up against considerably weaker defenses.
Besides, a quick glance at the Falcons' remaining schedule reveals not a single top-eight grade -- translated as the eight toughest defenses against the run -- defense versus running backs. In fact, look at his next four matchups before the bye: at New Orleans, at Tennessee, versus Tampa Bay, at San Francisco. Outstanding.
Incidentally, Freeman's 94 fantasy points, as well as his 111 PPR fantasy points in his past three games, are the most since 2001 by any player making his first three career NFL starts. Miles Austin (79 and 100, Weeks 5, 7 and 9) held the previous standard during that same time span.


[h=3]Brady bunches (of fantasy points)[/h]Ho-hum, another week, another 20-plus-point fantasy day for Tom Brady.
It certainly seems routine for the New England Patriots quarterback, doesn't it? Strangely, Brady now has four consecutive weeks with at least 20 fantasy points to begin his season, marking the first time he has ever done that in his career. In fact, he's only the 10th player to do it since 1960. Here are the leaders in most consecutive games with 20-plus fantasy points to start a season during that time span, including the players' final seasonal totals.
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PLAYER	POS	SEASON	TEAM	GAMES	SEASON FPTS
Aaron Rodgers	QB	2011	GB	12	385
Peyton Manning	QB	2014	Den	9	307
Steve Young	QB	1998	SF	6	353
Peyton Manning	QB	2013	Den	5	406
Steve Young	QB	1995	SF	4	216*
Emmitt Smith	RB	1995	Dal	4	339
Randy Moss	WR	2007	NE	4	280
Peyton Manning	QB	2010	Ind	4	279
Robert Griffin III	QB	2012	Wsh	4	303
Tom Brady	QB	2015	NE	4	?
* Young played in just 11 games in 1995

<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); font-weight: 600; height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Most Consecutive Games With 20+ FPTS To Start A Season, Since 1960</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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</aside>With 102 fantasy points through four weeks, which ranks only fourth best in the league, Brady's hot start might not have the look of a historic campaign. The truth is that it should, because he's already had his bye week: It puts him on pace for 408 fantasy points, which would be two shy of LaDainian Tomlinson's record (410 in 2006) but two ahead of Peyton Manning's quarterback single-season record (406 in 2013). They are the only two to ever reach the 400-point threshold.


[h=3]Miscellany[/h]• Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown's 35 fantasy points was not only the week's top score, but also represented the best individual game by any quarterback this season, and the most by a quarterback since Russell Wilsonscored 35 in Week 16 of 2015.
It was not, however, McCown's career best: That happened in Week 14 of 2013, when he scored 38 as a fill-in for the Chicago Bears. In fact, McCown now has three games of 30-plus fantasy points on his résumé, with his first happening in Week 15 of 2004, when he scored 32 as a third-year player for the Arizona Cardinals. He does, however, also have three games of three or fewer fantasy points as a starting quarterback since the beginning of last season alone (0 in Week 3 of 2014; 1 in Week 1 of 2015; and 3 in Week 16 of 2014).
And what's McCown's reward for his big day? He next faces the Denver Broncos, who have limited their opponents' quarterbacks to 0, 4, 9, 14 and 9 fantasy points through five weeks this season ... or a total just one point greater than McCown managed Sunday.
• With 33 fantasy points Sunday to lead all running backs (entering Monday night), Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now has 52 the past two weeks combined. To put that in perspective, he had 51 in his previous nine regular-season contests entering Week 4. Or to put it another way, Martin's 52 fantasy points in Weeks 4-5 were only one more than he had when he set a personal best with 51 in Week 9 of 2012; that is the only game in his career in which he scored more than he had on Sunday.
Before you overreact to Martin's recent outburst, however, keep in mind that his performances came against a Carolina Panthers defense that was missingCharles Johnson and Luke Kuechly (Week 4) and a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that was missing Paul Posluszny (Week 5), softening up those matchups. In addition, per Pro Football Focus, Martin played 80 snaps to "backup" Charles Sims' 66, with Sims handling the greater number on passing plays (39 to 22).
• Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton scored an astonishing 26 fantasy points against a stout Seattle Seahawks pass defense, maintaining his overall lead with 112 total points for the season. That is already more than half of what Dalton scored in all of 2014 (210), and it is 165 -- or exactly 15 per game -- shy of his single-season best (277, set in 2013).
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</article>Dalton is now on pace for 358 fantasy points, which would be the 10th-best single-season total by any player since 1960, and the sixth best by a quarterback. Thanks to the emergence of Tyler Eifert, granting Dalton an additional weapon in the passing game, as well as Dalton's own decrease in his number of mistakes -- though he still makes his from time to time -- Dalton warrants weekly discussion among the QB1 tier.
• By scoring only 18 fantasy points on Sunday, New York Giants wide receiverOdell Beckham Jr. now has only 255 through his first 17 career NFL contests. That finally drops him out of the lead among wide receivers through at least that many career games; Bob Hayes managed exactly one more point, 256 total, through 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 1965-66.
Incidentally, that still means that Beckham has averaged exactly 15 fantasy points through his first 17 career games. To put that number in perspective, only 23 wide receivers since 1960 have managed a fantasy points-per-game mark of 15 or greater, in a season of at least eight games played. Yes, that includes Beckham himself, who averaged 16.4 in 2014.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Peyton Manning, Eddie Lacy project to have immediate turnarounds[/h]

• KC Joyner, NFL Insider
  
  Sunday was not a good day for many upper-tier players in fantasy football. Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb, Matt Ryan, Jeremy Hill, Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson,Amari Cooper, Latavius Murray, Jordan Matthews, Jimmy Graham, Mike Evansand Alfred Morris registered six or fewer fantasy points apiece in their Week 5 games.
  This was not the first week that some of these stars posted subpar point totals, so the question becomes: Are these recent performances anomalies or the beginning of trends?
  Upon closer examination of the metrics and game tapes, it turns out that two of these players display factors pointing toward an immediate turnaround, while a third player falls into the category of "sell now before the price falls even further."
  <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>
  Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
  Manning ranks 23rd in quarterback fantasy points (57). His performance is even worse if the measurement is changed to fantasy points per game, as his 11.4-point average ranks 30th.
  This means that Manning has been a QB3 on aggregate so far in fantasy football and thus should not be considered a starting-caliber quarterback.
  Will this trend continue? If the schedule is an indicator, Manning should turn things around in the short term. From Weeks 6-10, Denver faces Cleveland, Green Bay, Indianapolis and Kansas City (with a bye in Week 7). The Browns, Colts and Chiefs all rank 21st or worse in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks on passing plays. The Packers are the exception, as they're tied for fifth in that category (12.6 points per game), but outside of that contest the matchups say Manning should be able to get back to his usual point level over the next month. As long as the asking price is reasonable, it makes him a great buy-low candidate.
  Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers
  In the preseason, Lacy was at or near the top of nearly every fantasy football pundit's running back draft list, in large part because he seemed to have fewer question marks than most of the other upper-tier running backs.
  Those projections have not paid off so far this year, as Lacy has posted only one double-digit fantasy performance. He has racked up a meager 19 points in his last four games, including an abysmal two-point total against St. Louis in Week 5.
  That may make fantasy owners want to jump ship, but consider how tough the matchup against the Rams was via the context of my good blocking rate (GBR) metric. GBR measures how often an offensive line gives its ball carriers good blocking (very roughly defined as not allowing the defense to disrupt a rush attempt). This is important because in the many years I have been tracking this metric, the league average for yards gained on rushing plays with bad blocking is usually between 1.5 to 2.5 yards. Simply put, a running back has to have good blocking to produce yards and thus produce fantasy points.
  The St. Louis defense came into the game against the Packers with a league-leading 26.0 percent GBR allowed (to opposing offensive lines). The Rams' defense is the only one to post a GBR allowed of less than 30 percent. That the Rams were able to hold Green Bay to a 16.7 percent GBR may say more about their defensive run-stopping prowess than Lacy's ability to produce points.
  That won't be the case in Week 6, as the San Diego Chargers' defense has a 48.5 percent GBR allowed, the highest in the league -- and that's before the Monday night matchup against Le'Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Against the Chargers, Lacy could post a 20-point game, so if a trade can be made for him at a relatively low price, it might pay immediate dividends via a Week 6 fantasy football win.
  Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
  Cobb is getting plenty of targets (40, tied for 24th), but lately he has not turned those targets into points (six fantasy points in the past two games).
  That trend may not turn around, as Cobb has a very difficult schedule coming up. The Packers face San Diego in Week 6, have a bye in Week 7, and then play road games against Denver and Carolina in Weeks 8 and 9. Those three teams currently rank second, first and seventh, respectively, in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing team's wide receivers. The schedule does let up after that with matchups against Detroit and Chicago in two of the following four weeks. Unless a fantasy owner is in position to wait out what could be subpar numbers over the next four weeks, it is a good idea to trade Cobb while a solid price can still be commanded.
  
  
  [h=2]What's it going to take?[/h]It never fails. Around this time every season, there are a group of players whose ownership levels don't seem to increase to high levels even though they have posted multiple weeks of quality point production. They make up the Week 6 "What Do They Have To Do To Get Owned In More Leagues?" list.
  Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints
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  </article>Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins
  These two have been posting some highly impressive numbers, especially in PPR leagues. Since Week 2, Snead is tied for 20th in fantasy points among wide receivers in PPR leagues (55). Crowder can make a similar claim for wide receiver points in PPR leagues since Week 3 (41, tied for 19th). Those performances have thus far led to only a 29.0 percent ownership rate for Snead and a 4.7 percent ownership rate for Crowder, so PPR fantasy owners looking for help at this position should finally take note of these two.
  Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions
  How often can one find an RB2 available in over 80 percent of leagues? That's the case with Riddick in PPR leagues. He ranks 14th in fantasy points (61) yet is owned in only 15.2 percent of ESPN leagues. Since the Lions' defense is allowing a touchdown on 28.3 percent of drives, a total that is tied for 30th, the odds look quite good that Detroit's offense will have to continue its pass-first ways, which have helped Riddick reach this high fantasy production level.
  

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]NFL Nation Fantasy Advice: Team-by-team intel[/h]ESPN INSIDER

ESPN has planted spies in every NFL locker room -- OK, so they're our NFL Nation team reporters -- in order to provide fantasy owners with inside intel to help you win your league. We call it Insider Trading, a collection of fantasy lineup advice pulled straight from the locker rooms and practice fields of every team.
Here is our NFL Nation reporters' Week 6 fantasy advice.

Arizona Cardinals: Pittsburgh is allowing 185 yards per game on throws 15 yards or shorter. By comparison, on throws 16 yards or longer, the Steelers are averaging 72.2 yards per game. Enter Larry Fitzgerald. He’s caught 22 of his 35 passes on throws that went 15 yards or shorter, equaling about 51 percent of his yards and accounting for four of his six touchdowns. -- Josh Weinfuss

Baltimore Ravens: Everything is set up for Joe Flacco to have a big game. Quarterbacks are averaging 315.2 yards passing against the 49ers with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Plus, the Ravens are going to lean on Flacco with starter Justin Forsett nursing an ankle injury and backup Lorenzo Taliaferro on injured reserve. Baltimore is going to have to attack the NFL's 30th-ranked pass defense. -- Jamison Hensley

Buffalo Bills: The Bills have played their cards close to the vest regarding injured offensive starters Tyrod Taylor, LeSean McCoy andSammy Watkins. From a fantasy perspective, the best bet is to not count on any of them to contribute, even if they do play. Their replacements shouldn't register on the fantasy radar, either: Boobie Dixon has averaged just 1.3 yards per carry this season and backup quarterback EJ Manuel is a wild card, not having started a game in nearly 13 months. -- Mike Rodak

Carolina Panthers: Don't count on quarterback Cam Newtongetting a rushing touchdown this week. In four career games against Seattle, he doesn't have one. Coach Ron Rivera said one of the reasons the Seahawks are so successful at stopping Newton, whose 35 career rushing touchdowns is only eight behind Steve Young for the all-time record for quarterbacks, is they practice against the read-option with Russell Wilson. Newton also has struggled passing, throwing only one touchdown pass in three regular-season losses to Seattle. -- David Newton

Chicago Bears: Matt Forte owns the Lions with 1,518 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 career games. Forte should have a monster day at Ford Field on Sunday against Detroit’s 27th-ranked rushing defense. Forte’s age (29) has not been a factor thus far. The veteran tailback leads the NFL in rushing yards (438), rush attempts (102) and is second in scrimmage yards (609) through five games. Even though Jay Cutler is on a roll, the Bears are expected to establish the run with Forte in Detroit. -- Jeff Dickerson

Cincinnati Bengals: Much like in Week 5 when Cincinnati hosted Seattle, you’ll be hard-pressed to find Bengals playmakers worth starting in Week 6. Avoiding inconsistent running back Jeremy Hillmight be wise this week. Buffalo enters with the NFL’s third-ranked rushing defense. Receiver Marvin Jones could gain you valuable points, though. Thanks to the Bills’ exotic collection of blitz packages, a wideout like Jones easily could exploit soft coverage zones off slants or screens during which the pass rush has overpursued. Injuries at safety for Buffalo could allow Jones to be a deep post possibility, too. And don’t forget, the last time Jones faced a Rex Ryan-led defense, he caught eight passes for 122 yards and four touchdowns. -- Coley Harvey

Cleveland Browns: Two Browns have emerged as legitimate fantasy options. Tight end Gary Barnidge ranks just behind Rob Gronkowski in receiving yards (375 to 374) and touchdowns (four to three), but in one fewer game. Quarterback Josh McCown has thrown for 1,154 yards the past three games. McCown, though, ranks 25th in the league on ESPN’s fantasy quarterback rankings, no doubt because he’s playing the league’s best defense (Denver). Barnidge is the 11th-ranked tight end, but he’s probably a better overall play because of the Broncos' approach. Denver aggressively attacks the passer, which makes hot reads important. The Broncos also use safety T.J. Ward in pass rush a lot. That makes Barnidge a live receiver. Add in the fact he has excellent hands and his value increases. McCown is capable of a big game, but against the Broncos the more logical pick of the two seems to be Barnidge. -- Pat McManamon

Denver Broncos: For the season’s first five games the Broncos' running backs have not produced like many had hoped, including those who design the plays for the Broncos. However, coach Gary Kubiak is determined to keep pounding – “we’re going to be better, we have to be better" -- and four teams have topped 150 yards rushing against the Browns. Call it a last chance, but there is potential for C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillmanto produce. -- Jeff Legwold

Detroit Lions: The Detroit running backs could end up having a breakout game Sunday against the Bears. The Lions continue to maintain they want to run the ball more, and although they have the worst rushing offense in the NFL, this could be a decent week to play Ameer Abdullah or Joique Bell. Bell’s Achilles/ankle injuries are a concern (he practiced for the first time Wednesday) so he could be risky. But with the Bears allowing 118.8 yards per game on the ground, this could be the week Detroit finally has a sustainable run game. Of course, the buyer-beware stat here is that Minnesota and San Diego, two more porous run defenses than the Bears, held the Lions to a combined 107 yards rushing. -- Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers: In order to get slot receiver Randall Cobb going again, the Packers need to force teams to pay more attention to their outside receivers. How do they do that? Quarterback Aaron Rodgerssaid those receivers “have to be able to get open outside better.” That didn’t happen enough last Sunday against the Rams, and Cobb, who faced heavy double-teams, was held to just three catches for 23 yards. If Davante Adamsreturns from his sprained ankle -- Adams returned to practice this week -- then it could open up the middle again for Cobb. -- Rob Demovsky

Houston Texans: Texans running back Arian Foster’s doctor told him that playing would be his best rehab. Foster now knows what he meant. After playing two games, he said he’s better able to trust that his body will react well to playing. He might be a good bet this week. -- Tania Ganguli

Indianapolis Colts: One of the things the Patriots do well is avoid giving up big plays down the field. That’s why Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton has struggled against them. Expect the same thing on Sunday, so that’s why running back Frank Gore is a good pick this week. The Colts can feed him the ball as they work their way down the field to keep Tom Brady and New England’s offense on the sideline. Gore is coming off his best game as a Colt, rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown against Houston in Week 5. -- Mike Wells

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars didn’t have much of a package for tight end Julius Thomas last week because they weren’t sure if he would be able to play and he didn’t receive clearance from his doctors until the night before the game. The Jaguars aren’t saying just how much more involved he’ll be against Houston, but one player said he expects Thomas’ role to be “significant.” QB Blake Bortles said having Thomas will be a huge help in the red zone, which is an area in which Thomas thrived the past two seasons (27 catches, 17 TDs in 2013-14). -- Mike DiRocco

Kansas City Chiefs: In the absence of the injured Jamaal Charles, Andy Reid talked up the power-running ability of Knile Davis. That could be a hint the Chiefs plan to use Davis instead of Charcandrick West as their running back as they near the Minnesota goal line on Sunday. Look for West to get more snaps, more chances and more yardage than Davis. But West’s fantasy appeal could be limited. -- Adam Teicher

Miami Dolphins: Coming off a 1,099-yard season in 2014, Miller has just 131 rushing yards in four games with no touchdowns. But the coaching change from Joe Philbin to interim coach Dan Campbell could be the boost Lamar Miller needs. Campbell was adamant this week that he wants a physical team that is better in the trenches. Campbell will not give up on the run. Miller averages just 9.25 carries per game, but expect that number to increase, starting Sunday against the Titans. -- James Walker

Minnesota Vikings: Injuries to Charles Johnson and Jarius Wrightbefore the Minnesota Vikings’ previous game in Denver led to more opportunities for players such as Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, and it sounds as though the Vikings might try to get more receivers involved on Sunday against the Chiefs. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner said “you couldn’t ask to be in a better situation” than the Vikings are in with their receivers, and was pleased with the way Diggs played in his first game, when he caught six passes for 87 yards. The Vikings’ plan to spread the ball around might not lead to big numbers for any one receiver, but they could have several contribute against the league’s 27th-ranked passing defense. -- Ben Goessling

New England Patriots: After an offseason of talk about the potential dynamic duo of Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler at tight end, the Patriots are going away from that plan of late. Chandler, for example, played just 10 snaps last week against the Cowboys as the Patriots favored Michael Williams as the complement to Gronkowski because of his strong blocking skills. Chandler is still part of specific packages, and a lot of his usage will depend on how the defense matches up. So fantasy owners should proceed with caution if Chandler is on the roster. -- Mike Reiss

New York Giants: Alert for those in PPR leagues: Giants quarterback Eli Manning spent an additional 30 minutes at the end of Thursday's practice throwing to running backs Shane Vereen andRashad Jennings, who were lining up in wide receiver spots rather than in the backfield during the drill. With the Giants banged up at wide receiver -- Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle are nursing hamstring injuries, Victor Cruz is still out with a calf injury -- it's possible they could get creative in the ways they line up and use their backs. And if you play in a league that awards a point per reception, Jennings and/or Vereen might take on some additional value this Monday night in Philly. -- Dan Graziano

New York Jets: The Jets' defense has 12 takeaways in four games, and they're facing the turnover-prone Redskins, who have at least one giveaway in 16 consecutive games, the longest streak in the league. The Jets are confident in their ability to force Kirk Cousins into bad decisions, making their defense a strong fantasy play. Running back Chris Ivory is well-rested and coming off a career game, but he could struggle against the Redskins' stout front. Look for receiver Brandon Marshall to have a big game against the Redskins' banged-up cornerbacks. -- Rich Cimini

Philadelphia Eagles: After catching 11 passes in the first two games of the season, running back Darren Sproles has just one catch in the Eagles’ past two games combined. He may get going again Monday night. The New York Giants have allowed opposing running backs to catch 7.2 passes per game for 66.2 receiving yards. That’s an average of 9.19 yards per reception. -- Phil Sheridan

Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown is determined not to have a third straight below-average performance for his standards. Brown always practices hard, but he’s in especially high gear this week, and players have noticed. Brown has asked Michael Vick to trust him and throw the ball up to him. If these two get comfortable, expect Brown to go off Sunday against Arizona. He’s up to the challenge of a head-to-head matchup withPatrick Peterson. -- Jeremy Fowler

San Diego Chargers: Rookie Melvin Gordon is due for a breakout game. The Wisconsin product returns to his home state for the first time as a pro, and he faces a Green Bay defense allowing 130 rushing yards a contest, No. 28 in the NFL. Gordon, who has not reached the end zone in five games, should be involved in San Diego’s offense early, as the Chargers try to play keep-away from Aaron Rodgers. -- Eric Williams

San Francisco 49ers: As tempting as it would be to say Niners wideouts Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith are primed to have big days against their former team, tight end Vernon Davis actually may be a better bet. Word around Santa Clara is Davis, after missing the past two games with a knee bruise, is primed to make a statement. QB Colin Kaepernick needs to spread the ball around, so expect Davis to be his primary option. Kaepernick has targeted tight ends on 31 percent of his throws this season. -- Paul Gutierrez
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Seattle Seahawks: When asked about Jimmy Graham’s role this week, head coach Pete Carroll said the team would “love to get more” from the athletic tight end. Graham has just seven catches for 59 yards in the past two games. Against the Bengals, he was not targeted on the final six possessions even though the offense needed desperately for someone to make a play. On the season, Graham is 11th among tight ends with 204 receiving yards, and the numbers suggest this won’t be the week he gets going. Per Football Outsiders, the Carolina Panthers have defended tight ends better than any team in the league, allowing only 27.2 yards per game to them. If you have Graham on your roster, you’re starting him every week. But in daily fantasy, it’d be wise to stay away. -- Sheil Kapadia

Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright remains the Titans' best and most dangerous receiver. But a week after he complained about feeling irrelevant in the Titans' offense, it’s hard to know if he’ll get as many opportunities or if being outspoken will hurt his snap count. He has not appeared in the open locker room in two days, suggesting he’s not willing or able to put the issue to rest. I might be worried about relying on him against the Dolphins. -- Paul Kuharsky

Washington Redskins: This is not a good week to play any Redskins: Receiver DeSean Jackson’s status remains uncertain and slot receiver Jamison Crowder will face a guy the Redskins feel is one of the best slot corners in Buster Skrine. Running back Matt Jones has a toe injury, which could increase carries for Alfred Morris but this is what you must know about Morris: He’s finished nine of his past 10 games with less than 4.00 yards per carry and averages a career-low 1.70 yards after contact. One coach said the Jets’ outside linebackers do a good job funneling the backs to the interior, a ploy that would make it tough for a line that could be missing tackleTrent Williams and center Kory Lichtensteiger. -- John Keim

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Nickel Coverage: Five fantasy questions that need answers before Week 6[/h][h=1]Nickel Coverage: Five fantasy questions that need answers before Week 6[/h]The top storyline from Week 5 was the loss of star running back Jamaal Charles, and now we are left wondering how Charcandrick West and Knile Davis will replace him. We still have big questions in the Denver Broncos' backfield too, though they have a tasty Week 6 matchup. On the other hand, red-hot quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Gary Barnidge have difficult defensive tests on their plates this week. What are going to do if you one of your running backs is on a Week 6 bye?
Don't worry, we have the answers for all of those storylines right here.
Each week throughout the season, I will posit five of the week's most intriguing fantasy questions to a rotating panel of experts from ESPN, ESPN Fantasy and NFL Nation. Five questions for five analysts, thus, Nickel Coverage.
Responses this week come from NFL Nation Giants reporter and frequent NFL Insiders contributor Dan Graziano, Tim Hasselbeck from Fantasy Football Now and NFL Live, ESPN NFL Insider columnist Mike Sando and ESPN Fantasy analysts Jim McCormick and KC Joyner.
[h=2]With Jamaal Charles out for the season, would you useCharcandrick West and/or Knile Davis in fantasy lineups as an RB2 or flex play at Minnesota in 10- or 12-team leagues?[/h]Overall, our analysts put more trust in West than Davis this week but are skeptical about both backs.
McCormick: If you blew out your FAAB budget or top waiver priority for West, I'd leverage him as a RB2 or flex in facing a Vikings defense that has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards per game in the league (125.5) and the sixth-most yards per carry (4.69). So far, West has run more routes, handled more carries and played more snaps than Davis. Despite capably handling an early-down workhorse role at times in place of Charles last season, I'm not even considering Davis in re-draft or daily play given this season's usage patterns, but West should be active in both platforms.
Hasselbeck: Both of Kansas City's running backs are flex plays for me this week versus the Vikings until their workload gets sorted out. I'm anticipating an equal split between the two backs until one of them takes hold of the job. I have more confidence in Davis because I've seen him do it before, but it's clear that the K.C. coaching staff wants to give West a legitimate opportunity.
Graziano: I'm the kind of guy who has to see it before I trust it. If I were a Charles owner left with no other option, I guess I'd hold my nose and hope West is what Andy Reid seems to think he is. But if I already had a couple of startable backs and I happened to get West or Davis off waivers, I would leave them on the bench until I see what they can do.
[h=2]The Browns are last in the NFL against the run, so are you starting Broncos running backs Ronnie Hillman and/orC.J. Anderson despite their struggles?[/h]Only two of our contributors would use both backs this week.
Joyner: I have them both listed in the top 30 running backs this week. That doesn't put them at an automatic starter's level, but given the lack of quality depth at running back, they will end up as candidates to start in many leagues.
Sando: The Broncos' opponents so far this season have ranked 17th on average for fantasy points allowed to running backs even when those teams' games against Denver were subtracted from the equation. Here come the Browns, who are allowing more fantasy points to running backs on a per-game basis than any team in the league. If you've been tempted to roll the dice on Denver's backs, this is the game to give it a try. Justin Forsett, Chris Ivory and Latavius Murray all had 20-plus fantasy points against this Cleveland defense.
Graziano: Again, I'd have to be desperate. At some point this year, the Broncos' offense will hit its stride, if only for a little while, and one or both of these guys will be helpers. But right now, you can't trust either to produce, and taking a chance that THIS IS THE WEEK just isn't worth it to me at a critical time of the season.
[h=2]The Seahawks have allowed just 11 fantasy points total to QBs in two home games (21.7 per game on the road). Are you concerned about Cam Newton's production this week in Seattle?[/h]
The consensus is that you should use Newton if you don't have an obviously better option, but you need to keep expectations in check.
Hasselbeck: I'm looking to see if I can pick up a better option if possible. Seattle's defense is still very good, and it is still great at home. Even though the wide receivers in Carolina have played better than many have expected, I don't see that trend continuing on the road in Seattle. I'm anticipating Cam ending up with fewer than 15 fantasy points.
McCormick: Newton is on pace for 172 carries and 780 yards rushing this season, both of which would mark career highs for the big, dual-threat quarterback. Seattle has long been a place where fantasy points behind center are deflated, but I'm still sending Newton out as a starter outside of having a superior alternative such as Carson Palmer or Andy Dalton this Sunday. Given that he tallied 283 total yards and two scores in Seattle in the playoffs last January, Newton is the rare quarterback who can still produce worthy fantasy numbers in such an unfriendly environment.
Sando: The greatest hope for Newton comes in the Seahawks' struggles stopping opposing tight ends. Seattle has allowed four touchdown passes and collected no INTs while allowing a league-worst 81.3 percent completion rate to opposing tight ends. So I'm optimistic if I've got Greg Olsen going. But in the bigger picture, Seattle's speed at linebacker has really helped the Seahawks keep Newton in check consistently in the past. Two of Newton's six lowest fantasy scoring games have come against Seattle. He has scored between four and 14 fantasy points in four career games against the Seahawks. Carolina has not scored more than 17 points in any of those games.
[h=2]Gary Barnidge is third in fantasy points among TEs this season, but is he a must-start for Week 6 against the stout Denver Broncos' defense?[/h]
We have a 3-2 split vote with more of our analysts recommending you consider options other than Barnidge this week.
Graziano: Hard for me to start anyone against the Broncos right now. Their defense is feeling it, and believes it has to play at a high level to win games. I think this is the week Josh McCown and Barnidge fall back to earth from a production standpoint. I might start Duke Johnson as a pass-catching RB in PPR, but I don't expect Cleveland to have much success down the field.
Joyner: Recurring theme here; given the lack of quality tight end candidates, Barnidge has to be considered a start candidate. He also did quite well against a Baltimore defense that prior to last week had done a good job of holding tight ends in check.
McCormick: The Broncos have allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game (56.8) to opposing tight ends this season and the seventh most per game (57.8) dating back to the start of last season. With the Broncos' shutdown cover corners on the outside allowing the second-fewest yards to receivers, Barnidge remains an interesting starting option for me in a game that could again trend pass-heavy for the Browns.
[h=2]With a quartet of decent fantasy RB starters on byes (Latavius Murray, Todd Gurley, Joseph Randle, Doug Martin), who is a running back you expect to surprise with his fantasy output in Week 6?[/h]Sando: Chris Ivory. He seems a bit under the radar after missing one game, playing another off schedule in London and then having a bye in Week 5. There's nothing to dislike about Ivory as a runner. From a production standpoint, Ivory is averaging a league-leading 21.0 carries per game. His 104.7-yard average is tied with Todd Gurley for best in the NFL. But because Ivory ranks tied for 13th in rushing yards for the season, he blends into the typical statistical leaderboards. Ivory faces a Redskins defense that allowed 153 yards to Devonta Freeman and a season-high 53 toLamar Miller.
Graziano: Darren Sproles. The New York Giants have allowed opposing running backs an average of 7.2 catches and 66.2 receiving yards per game so far this season, an average of 9.2 yards per reception. If your starting running backs are on bye and you need to find some sneaky production, check out Sproles and those Eagles backs on Monday night. There's extra yardage lurking there.
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</article>Hasselbeck: Andre Ellington. I know the backfield has gotten crowded quickly in Arizona, but Ellington's talent is undeniable, and coach Bruce Arians has always found creative ways to use him. With only three rushes this past week versus Detroit, he showed that he is healthy and ready for more action, which I think he ends up getting this week. And don't forget Pittsburgh is coming off of a short week and a flight across the country.
Joyner: Hillman and Anderson. There aren't many backs with quality matchups this week, and these two are among them. Gut instinct says they could both contend for double-digit points.
McCormick: Shane Vereen. The Giants' Vereen has seen his usage fluctuate so far in New York, but positive recent results -- he tallied 110 total yards and a score in Week 5 -- combined with a banged-up receiving depth chart, give hope he'll again be featured in the passing game on Monday night in South Philly. The Eagles, for their part, have allowed backs to haul in 81.1 percent of their targets since the start of last season, the fifth-highest rate in the league. With capable coverage linebackers Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso likely to miss this division battle, I'm willing to roll Vereen out as a flex option in re-draft competition.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Free-agent finds for Week 7: James Starks, Christine Michael, Stefon Diggs among top options[/h]
Field Yates, ESPN Insider

What a week it was in the NFL in Week 6. After 22 combined points in his three previous games, Matthew Stafford went berserk and launched a 33-point outing in Detroit's win over Chicago. A Saints tight end not named Jimmy Grahamnearly led the position in scoring, as Benjamin Watson had 18 fantasy points in a victory over the Falcons. And a Packers running back posted 117 total yards and two touchdowns on just 11 touches. The last part isn't surprising, except for the fact that it wasn't Eddie Lacy.
It was James Starks, the leader of our Week 7 waiver-wire adds. (Note: players must be owned in less than 50 percent of leagues on ESPN.com to be eligible for this list)
James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers (22.3 percent): Let's not put the cart before the horse here and suppose Starks will leapfrog Lacy as the starter in Green Bay, but it's worth noting that Lacy was active and on the field Sunday, so it's not as if Starks' big day came strictly as an injury fill-in. Lacy just took a back seat to Starks (think of a hot-hand approach in the backfield), who was already a priority for all Lacy owners as a handcuff. Now, any RB-needy owner should target Starks for the possibility of a prominent role in a high-octane offense (note: Green Bay has a bye in Week 7).
Christine Michael, RB, Dallas Cowboys (31.3 percent): The winds are apparently shifting in the Dallas backfield, as Michael appears primed to take on a more prominent role for the Cowboys. He has immense natural tools (he was a combine standout before the 2013 draft), but they have yet to materialize into NFL production. The Cowboys' offensive line is still an excellent group to run behind.


Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings (3.0 percent): An exciting young player who has taken on a featured role in the past two games, totaling 13 catches for 216 yards.Charles Johnson has been dealing with a rib injury and Mike Wallace a knee injury, opening the door to more reps for Diggs. The talent is apparent here. He's a worthwhile add in 12-team or larger leagues with interesting upside.
Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (47.0 percent): I'll get to a host of other QBs on the radar in a bit, but Bortles kept up his solid 2015 in Week 6. He's averaged more than 18 fantasy points per game since Week 2, throwing for 12 touchdowns in that span. Jacksonville has a way to go as a team, but Bortles' fantasy production makes him a borderline top-12 QB and a strong bye-week fill-in if you're set with a starter already.
Brandon LaFell, WR, New England Patriots (20.5 percent): LaFell is eligible to play as soon as this Sunday after starting the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. It's uncertain when his game action will officially begin, but he was the Patriots' No. 2 wideout last season and finished 23rd among wide receivers in scoring for the 2014 regular season. For someone with roster flexibility in leagues of any size, LaFell is a worthy addition with a high ceiling. The Patriots have been utilizing just three pure wide receivers (that does not include special-teams maven Matthew Slater) in recent games.
Marvin Jones, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (29.1 percent): He's scored a touchdown in half of the six games Cincy has played this season, though the other three games have amounted to just seven fantasy points. He's not an add in 10-team leagues, but I think he's a worthwhile add for a team with roster flexibility in a 12-team league and a surefire add in 14-team or larger leagues.
[h=2]QB fill-ins/2-QB league adds[/h]Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (47.8 percent): He's quietly a top-15 quarterback in scoring thus far, though it's been a bit of a yo-yo experience. He has three 20-plus-point efforts and then just 23 total points in his other three games.
Brian Hoyer, Houston Texans (6.2 percent): His past three games have been strong: seven touchdowns and just one interception to go along with 837 passing yards. Next up are the Miami Dolphins.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets (11.3 percent): He has multiple touchdown passes in four of five games this season and has 13 points or more in every game.
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears (23.9 percent): He has quietly strung together a three-game, 53-point stretch and done so with multiple injuries to key pass-catchers. He's on a bye this week, but can serve as a fill-in in future weeks.
[h=2]Deeper-league adds[/h]Albert Wilson, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (0.1 percent): He had three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown last week. Jeremy Maclin also suffered a concussion that could thrust Wilson into a featured role.
Branden Oliver, RB, San Diego Chargers (1.3 percent): It sure looks likeMelvin Gordon is going to have to earn his way back into the lineup after a pair of fumbles (one lost) versus the Packers. Oliver is a stash play who filled in nicely.
Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers (25.2 percent): A handcuff of sorts to Keenan Allen, who left Sunday's game with a hip flexor. Floyd is still excellent in competitive catch situations down the field.


Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions(26.0 percent): With 31 catches in his past five games, Riddick is a PPR-league add. He also had seven carries in Week 6 with Ameer Abdullahstruggling with ball security.
Robert Turbin, RB, Cleveland Browns (1.5 percent): He saw 10 carries in his Browns debut. They amounted to just 27 yards, but Turbin is on the radar at a position of scarce quantity. It wouldn't be a surprise if he took on a larger role as the season moves along.
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</article>Jeff Janis, WR, Green Bay Packers (0.9 percent): Ty Montgomery left Sunday's game with an injury and Davante Adams remained out. If either of those players is unavailable for Week 8 (Green Bay has an upcoming bye), Janis carries values as the third wideout in a top-flight offense.
Benjamin Watson, TE, New Orleans Saints (4.0 percent): I mentioned him at the top. A very good athlete who had his best game to date in Week 6. He'll be a top-20 tight end in my Week 7 rankings.
Toby Gerhart, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (7.9 percent): A name to consider if T.J. Yeldon sits again in Week 7 and you're RB-needy.
Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (16.6 percent): The higher-upside reserve runner for the Jaguars. Like Gerhart, he has value only if Yeldon sits.

Lance Moore, WR, Detroit Lions (0.2 percent): He has 11 catches and a pair of touchdowns in his past two games. He's a super-deep-league add who has benefited from the Lions throwing frequently the past two games.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy 32: Key Week 7 tips for every team[/h]Mike Clay, Fantasy Football
ESPN INSIDER

In this week's special edition of the Fantasy 32, we'll be examining each team's play calling on plays run within 10 yards of the goal line (or 'scoring range'). Touchdowns are obviously important in fantasy football, so digging deep into each team's offensive philosophy in high-scoring areas of the field is key. Although only eight percent of all designed run plays come within 10 yards of the end zone, this is where 75 percent of rushing touchdowns are scored. Six percent of all called pass plays take place in this zone, but it's where 47 percent of passing scores are delivered. Note that, for the purpose of this study, quarterback scrambles are considered called pass plays.
Use these tidbits to make the best waiver-wire, trade and lineup decisions this week. Be sure to check back each week of the season for a new version of the Fantasy 32.

Arizona Cardinals - Arizona's play calling has been balanced within 10 yards of the goal line this season. Combined with extremely efficient play, that has led to a ton of touchdowns. The Cardinals have scored 13 times in this area, which is tied with Atlanta, New England and Cincinnati for most in the league. The Cardinals have scored on 45 percent of their snaps (second-best), including 50 percent of called drop backs (third-best). LockCarson Palmer, Chris Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown into your starting lineups. Michael Floyd and David Johnson should also be owned.
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Atlanta Falcons - Wondering how Devonta Freeman continues to rack up so many scoring opportunities? Check out Atlanta's play calling and efficiency near the goal line. The Falcons have called 11 passes and 17 runs within 10 yards of the goal line. That works out to 2.8 carries per game, which is fifth-most in the league. Even more importantly, Atlanta has scored on 47 percent of those runs, which is the league's second-best mark behind only Dallas. Digging even deeper, Atlanta has scored on 46 percent of all plays in this area, best in the NFL. The Falcons' offense has been terrific near the goal line this season, which bodes especially well for Freeman's chances of sustaining RB1 production. He currently sits tied for the league lead with 13 carries within 10 yards of the goal line.

Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore is near the league average in almost all categories across the board in this area of the field. The Ravens' offense is averaging 4.7 snaps per game here, which is 14th-most. One area that jumps out is the disparity between their success passing and running the ball. They've scored on 38 percent of run plays, which is eighth-best, but sit at 20 percent on passes, which is seventh-worst. Justin Forsett has scored only once this season, but this -- not to mention bulldozer Lorenzo Taliaferro's season-ending injury -- suggests he's in for some regression to the mean in the category.

Buffalo Bills - Following a strong showing from LeSean McCoy in his return to action in Week 6, his owners are feeling pretty good today. A deeper look at the team's play calling offers even better news. Of the Bills' 23 offensive plays in our designated area, 15 have been called runs. That 65 percent rate is highest in the NFL. McCoy and Karlos Williams won't be scoring on short-yardage opportunities in this offense, but this surely is a detriment to the fantasy upside of Charles Clay and Sammy Watkins.

Carolina Panthers - The Panthers are averaging only 1.6 called pass plays per game in this zone this season. That's seventh-fewest in the NFL. With Cam Newton under center, Carolina has leaned more on the run, but they actually haven't been in "scoring position" as often as you'd expect from a 5-0 club. The Panthers are averaging four plays per game here, which ranks 22nd. Jonathan Stewart is coming off a breakout, two-score game at Seattle, but he will struggle to find paydirt if Carolina isn't in scoring position more often.

Chicago Bears - The Bears have run 35 offensive plays within 10 yards of the goal line this season, which is most in the NFL. At 5.8 per game, they trail only the Patriots on a per-game basis. Although this is potentially promising news for the team's offensive weapons, inefficient play is a part of the equation. Chicago has scored on only three of 16 pass plays. That 16 percent rate is third-worst in the league. Matt Forte is tied for the league lead with 13 carries in scoring range. He's seeing enough volume to produce at a RB1 level most weeks. Eddie Royal, meanwhile, has been targeted a league-high seven times when Chicago is in scoring range.

Cincinnati Bengals - The red-hot Bengals pace the NFL with 23 offensive touchdowns and, at 4.1 per game, trail only the Patriots in the category. Of those 23 scores, 13 have come on plays run in our designated high-scoring area. The Bengals rank highly in both plays and efficiency in the area, which is an added bonus for their fantasy-relevant players. Cincinnati is averaging 3.2 designed rushes per game, which is second-most behind only the Vikings. They've scored on six of those 19 runs, which is mid-pack in the league. On the other hand, their 2.2 pass plays per game ranks 16th in the league, but Andy Dalton has scored on 54 percent of the tries, which is the league's best rate. The Bengals are scoring a ton and leaning heavily on their running game, especially near the goal line, which bodes very well for Jeremy Hill. Despite struggling early on this season, he has managed six touchdowns. He remains an ideal trade target during Cincinnati's bye week.

Cleveland Browns - The Browns join the Jaguars and Rams as the only teams yet to score a rushing touchdown within 10 yards of the goal line this season. Cleveland is averaging 2.5 plays per game in the area, which ranks 28th in the league. Even worse, the Browns have scored on only 20 percent of their 15 tries, which ranks 26th in the league. Low volume added to low efficiency is always bad news in the scoring department. Although he belongs in the TE1 discussion, this is more reason to consider selling high onGary Barnidge, who won't be able to sustain his absurd scoring production in an underperforming offense.

Dallas Cowboys - One of the league's pass-heaviest teams when the goal line is in range, Dallas has called pass 74 percent of time in our somewhat-arbitrary zone. That's second-highest in the league. The Cowboys are averaging 3.4 drop backs per game here, which is third-most. A part of this is the inefficient play of Brandon Weeden. Of 17 dropbacks, only two have resulted in a score. That's a rate of 12 percent, which is tied with the 49ers for worst in the NFL. On the other hand, Dallas has scored on four of six run plays within 10 yards of the goal line. It's a small sample, but that 67 percent conversion rate is best in the league. With Christine Michael expected to take on a larger role starting this week, this is additional evidence that you should be selling Joseph Randle.

Denver Broncos - Averaging 1.5 offensive touchdowns per game, the Broncos currently sit tied with the Seahawks for dead last in the league. A dismal goal-line offense is a major reason for their struggles. Denver is averaging 2.2 plays per game in our designated zone. That's sixth-fewest in the league. The only thing worse than their volume has been their efficiency. The Broncos have scored on 2 of 11 dropbacks and 1 of 8 runs. Overall, they've converted 16 percent of their snaps into scores, which is second-worst in the league to only San Francisco. Especially with Denver on a bye this week, Peyton Manning is no more than an end-of-the-bench player right now. Extremely heavy target volume is all that keeps Demaryius Thomas andEmmanuel Sanders in the WR1 conversation.

Detroit Lions - Detroit faced a brutal schedule to start the season, but turned the corner with four touchdowns against Chicago in Week 6. Additional reason for optimism is the team's success near the goal line. The Lions haven't been to our designated area often (2.2 snaps per game -- second fewest), but they've converted a hefty chunk of their tries. Matt Stafford has four touchdowns on nine passes in this zone, which, at 44 percent, is the league's eighth-best mark. Overall, the Lions have scored on 38 percent of 13 snaps, which is sixth-best. With one of the league's easiest schedules going forward, the likes of Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Eric Ebron, Ameer Abdullah and even Joique Bell make for intriguing buy-low targets.

Green Bay Packers - The Packers have run 22 pass plays within 10 yards of the opponent's goal line this season. That works out to 3.7 plays per game, which trails only Miami (4.4) for most in the league. Considering their quarterback, this shouldn't be a surprise, but 73 percent of Green Bay's plays have been passes in this area. That's the league's fourth-highest mark. This is great news for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' receivers, but only adds to the anguish felt by Eddie Lacy owners this season.

Houston Texans - Despite the recent return of Arian Foster, the Texans can't seem to get the job done on the ground this season. That's especially the case at the goal line. Houston has scored on one of 10 tries in scoring range. That 10 percent "success" rate is fourth-worst in the league. Somewhat a byproduct of the rushing struggles, Houston has leaned on its passing game in this area. They've actually had some success, scoring on eight of 15 dropbacks. That 53 percent rate is second-best in the league to only Cincinnati. The key here is Arian Foster. If he turns a corner and returns to his 2015 form, his touchdowns will rise at the expense of the league's target leader,DeAndre Hopkins.

Indianapolis Colts - Despite Andrew Luck's two-game absence, the Colts sit sixth in the league in offensive plays per game in scoring range. Of their 5.3 plays per game, 3.0 are of the passing variety. That's also sixth-most in the league. Efficiency has been near mid-pack, but that will rise with Luck back near full health. The Colts' high-scoring, pass-first offense will continue to allow WR2 production from both T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief. Andre Johnson and Coby Fleener are only worth flex and TE1 consideration, respectively, during bye weeks.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Armed with twin towers Allen Robinson andAllen Hurns on the outside and Julius Thomas down the seam, the Jaguars have relied heavily on their passing game in scoring range this season. Of course, it hasn't helped that T.J. Yeldon and friends haven't had much success in the area. The Jaguars are the only team in the league without a rushing score this year, and one of three teams yet to score within 10 yards of the goal line. They are 0-for-6 in the area. On the other hand, they've called pass on 74 percent of 23 plays, which is second-highest in the league. They've scored on 41 percent of those dropbacks, which helps explain how Robinson and Hurns have combined to score nine of the team's 13 offensive touchdowns. Hurns remains an obvious sell-high option.

Kansas City Chiefs - Not a ton jumps out as it relates to the Chiefs' play calling near the goal line. They're averaging 4.3 snaps per game and have called pass 58 percent of the time. Both are right near league average. Their efficiency through the air (20 percent) isn't particularly good, but they've been better on the ground (36 percent). Of course, with Jamaal Charlesno longer in the picture, that latter mark figures to dip. Note that Charcandrick West was on the field for 38 of Kansas City's 57 offensive plays and handled both of the team's carries within 10 yards of the goal line Sunday. Despite the rough outing, he remains in the RB2 mix.

Miami Dolphins - The The Dolphins are currently averaging a league-high 4.4 dropbacks per game within 10 yards of the goal line, serving as perhaps the best example of why it's important to review both volume and efficiency. Their 5.8 snaps per game in the range is third-most. Miami has leaned heavily on Ryan Tannehill in scoring range, calling a pass a league-high 76 percent of the time. Of course, a deeper look shows that a major reason for the high number of plays is inefficient play. Miami has scored on six of 22 called passes and one of seven runs. Overall, their 24 percent scoring rate is eighth-worst in the league. This is a talented offense that is pointed in the right direction under new head coach Dan Campbell, so don't be afraid to buy on the likes of Tannehill, Lamar Miller, Rishard Matthews, Jarvis Landry andJordan Cameron.

Minnesota Vikings - Armed with Adrian Peterson, it shouldn't be a surprise that Minnesota has called a league-high 4.3 run plays per game in scoring range this season. The Vikings have called run 63 percent of the time, which is second-highest to only the Bills. Effectiveness has been an issue, however, as only three of 17 attempts have resulted in a touchdown. Plain and simple, the Vikings aren't running many plays or scoring very often and have leaned heavily on Peterson, who is tied for the league lead with 13 carries in scoring range. As is, Teddy Bridgewater, Mike Wallace, Kyle Rudolph and even surging Stefon Diggs can't be counted on for consistent production.

New England Patriots - The NFL's top-scoring offense this season, New England is averaging a hefty 4.2 offensive touchdowns per game. For perspective, that's higher than the 4.0 mark they put up during their record-setting 2007 campaign. The Patriots are averaging 6.2 offensive snaps per game in scoring range this season, tops in the NFL. They've scored on 42 percent of the tries, which is third-best. Having called a balanced game and proving efficient in both areas, the Patriots sit in the top six in both dropbacks and designed runs in the range. They've scored on 41 percent of passes (10th-best) and 43 percent of runs (fourth-best). This is an elite offense running on all cylinders. Tom Brady, Dion Lewis, LeGarrette Blount, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Stephen Gostkowski (hey, some rare Fantasy 32 kicker love) should never leave your starting lineup.

New Orleans Saints - One of the best offenses of the past decade, the Saints have struggled this season. They've managed only 4.2 offensive snaps per game in scoring range, which ranks 21st in the league. They've scored on 25 percent of 18 dropbacks, which ranks 20th. On the plus side, the team's running backs, led by Mark Ingram, have delivered on the ground. The unit has combined to score on six of 13 tries in the range. That 46 percent rate is third-best in the league. Ingram, also heavily involved as a receiver, sits fourth among running backs in fantasy points this season.

New York Giants - Poor in both volume and efficiency in this area, the Giants average 3.3 snaps per game in scoring range. That ranks 26th in the league. New York has converted on 20 percent of those snaps, which also ranks 26th. The Giants tend to lean on the run in this area, calling pass only 45 percent of the time -- the league's eighth-highest mark. The Giants have taken a step back in terms of offensive touchdowns so far in 2015, and this does not provide optimism that one of the team's running backs will see enough scoring opportunities to warrant consistent RB2 consideration.

New York Jets - The Jets' strength is their defense, but that hasn't stopped Ryan Fitzpatrick and company from racking up touchdowns at will this season. New York is averaging 3.0 offensive touchdowns per game, which is tied for fifth-most in the league. High volume and efficiency near the goal line is a large part of the success. The Jets are averaging 5.2 snaps per game in scoring range. They've scored on 10 of their 26 plays. That 38 percent success rate is sixth-best in the league. Leaning on its running game in the area, New York's 2.8 runs per game ranks sixth. Chris Ivory has four touchdowns in four games this season and sits fifth in fantasy points among running backs despite missing two games (one for a bye and the other due to injury). Ivory is locked in as a mid-pack RB1.

Oakland Raiders - The Raiders have scored on four of their eight pass plays in scoring range this season. The bad news is that the volume is low (1.6 dropbacks per game is seventh-lowest), but the good news is that the efficiency is great (50 percent touchdown rate is third-best). Overall, the Raiders aren't getting to scoring range often enough, ranking 25th in the league at 3.4 snaps per game. Amari Cooper has been targeted while inside the opponent's 25-yard line only twice in five games. That's nine fewer thanMichael Crabtree. Cooper will need more looks in the range or he'll struggle to score three or four touchdowns the rest of the way.

Philadelphia Eagles -- Say what you want about the Eagles' offensive struggles, but their running backs have delivered when in scoring range. The Eagles are averaging 2.0 running plays per game in this area, and have scored on 42 percent of those attempts. That's the league's sixth-best conversion rate. One area of weakness is their inability to actually get into scoring range. The Eagles are averaging 3.8 plays per game within 10 yards of the goal line, which ranks 23rd. Those heavily invested in DeMarco Murraycan feel better knowing the team is relying heavily on its backs when in scoring position.

Pittsburgh Steelers - With Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williamsplaying at a high level, and Ben Roethlisberger out of action due to injury, it makes sense that Pittsburgh has called run 60 percent of the time in scoring range this season. That's the league's fifth-highest mark. The Steelers are averaging 3.0 running plays per game here, which is fourth-most. Of course, it's fair to expect this to change once Roethlisberger returns. Pittsburgh has scored at least three-quarters of their offensive touchdowns through the air each of the past three seasons. They sit at 53 percent so far in 2015. Bell again figures to fall short of 10 rushing touchdowns, but he touches the ball so often that he's safe as a top-2 fantasy running back.

San Diego Chargers - The Chargers have run 13 plays within 10 yards of the goal line this season, which is tied with the Lions for fewest in the NFL. Having called a fairly balanced game when actually in scoring range, the Chargers rank 30th in dropbacks and 29th in called runs in the area. The good news is that they've been efficient. Albeit a small sample, San Diego has scored on 40 percent of runs and 38 percent of passes. Both are in the upper half of the league. The lack of scoring opportunities helps explain Melvin Gordon's failure to find the end zone this season. This is obviously a concern, but Gordon's 91 touches should've delivered at least a touchdown or three. He's due for some regression to the mean in the area.

San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers have been one of the league's worst teams in terms of converting scoring-range opportunities into touchdowns, so it should be no surprise that they've scored only 10 times in six games this season. San Francisco has four offensive scores on 27 tries within 10 yards of the goal line. That 15 percent success rate is worst in the NFL. Colin Kaepernick has converted only two of 17 passes into touchdowns in the range. Mid-pack in scoring opportunities and struggling badly with efficiency, Kaepernick, Carlos Hyde, Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith will continue to struggle in the touchdown category.

Seattle Seahawks - Averaging a dismal 1.5 offensive touchdowns per game, the Seahawks currently sit tied with the Broncos for dead last in the league in the category. Seattle's woes near the end zone are a primary reason for the struggles. The Seahawks have run only 15 plays in scoring range, four of which have been runs. That 27 percent passing rate is fourth-lowest in the league, and that's hard to believe considering how dominant Seattle has been on the ground over the past few seasons. Even worse, passing the ball has not worked. Seattle has scored on two of 11 pass attempts in scoring range. That 18 percent conversion rate is fifth-worst in the league. Jimmy Graham has been targeted only five times within 10 yards of the end zone this season (he had 24 targets with the Saints last year). Marshawn Lynch has missed some action, but has only two carries within four yards of the goal line in four games this season.

St. Louis Rams - The Rams have struggled to find their way into scoring range this season, and they haven't had much success when they arrive there. With Nick Foles at the control, the Rams are averaging 2.4 snaps per game in our designated area. That's third-fewest in the league. Foles has dropped back to pass six times in scoring range, which is dead last in the league. Even worse, St. Louis has scored on only two of the 12 plays. With Todd Gurley in control of the Rams' backfield, this team will assuredly improve in the efficiency area, but even Gurley will struggle to rack up touchdowns if Foles can't move the ball.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Despite the presence of rookie Jameis Winston and the success of Doug Martin, the Buccaneers have relied heavily on their passing game in scoring range this season. Their 3.0 pass plays per game is sixth-most, and they've called pass 68 percent of the time, which is eighth-highest. Led by Martin, Tampa Bay has scored on three of seven rushes in the area, which, at 43 percent, is the league's fourth-best mark. A wise onlooker would expect Tampa Bay to rely more on the run in this area going forward.

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</article>Tennessee Titans - Tennessee is averaging 5.4 snaps per game within 10 yards of the goal line this season. That's fourth-most in the league. Efficiency has been near league average across the board, and Tennessee has leaned slightly toward the run in this area. The Titans rank ninth in rush attempts per game (2.6) and 10th in dropbacks (2.8). This is promising news for the prospects of Marcus Mariota and current "lead" back Antonio Andrews. Of course, with the Titans' running game struggling, rookie David Cobb is a logical stash in deeper leagues.

Washington Redskins - The Redskins have moved to a run-heavy offense this season, and that shows up when the team is near the goal line, as well. Washington is averaging 3.2 designed runs per game, which is second-most in the league. They've struggled with efficiency, however, scoring on three of 19 tries. That 16 percent rate ranks 26th in the league. On a positive note, Kirk Cousins has converted 6 of 13 dropbacks into touchdowns while in scoring range. That 46 percent rate ranks fifth in the league. With scoring opportunities racking up, Alfred Morris and Matt Jones remain in the RB2/Flex conversation when the matchup is right.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Weaker matchups mean Calvin Johnson is back for good[/h]KC Joyner, NFL Insider

The fantasy football theme for Week 6 was redemption. A number of players who had been early-round disappointments in fantasy draft rooms finally found their stride, including Matthew Stafford (33 points), Andrew Luck (27 points),Martavis Bryant (25 points), Calvin Johnson (22 points), Jonathan Stewart (19 points), Lamar Miller (17 points), LeSean McCoy (15 points), Jimmy Graham (14 points) and Julius Thomas (13 points).
As positive as this week's turnaround was, the question for these players is whether can they keep the upgraded scoring pace going forward. There is also the question of whether some other high-profile players such as Peyton Manning(nine points) and A.J. Green (three points) can find similar redemption in the near future.
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Let's take a look at places where the game tape and metrics offer some clarity into these situations.

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Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Age was considered to be the primary reason Johnson only had 33 fantasy points before Week 6, yet the real thing holding him back was a brutal schedule. In Weeks 3-5, the Lions faced three defenses in Denver, Seattle and Arizona that often covered Johnson with what I term "red-rated" cornerbacks. A red rating indicates that a coverage defender is someone who can shut down most pass-catchers and who can even hold dominant wide receivers somewhat in check.
The Bears had no one close to being considered a red-rated coverage defender, so Johnson was finally able to showcase his skills to the tune of six receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown. Johnson has only one red-rated cornerback on the rest of his schedule, so look for this newfound statistical excellence to continue.
Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins
Miller had 18 points for the season before the Week 6 game against the Titans, when he posted 17 points. A major component of that superb showing was a Dolphins blocking wall that posted a good blocking rate (GBR) of 61.8 percent in that contest. GBR is a metric that gauges how often a group of blockers give their ball carriers good blocking, which is very roughly defined as not allowing the defense to disrupt a rush attempt.
To get an idea of how dominant that 61.8 percent GBR is, note that the leaguewide average in GBR this year is 39.8 percent. More importantly, Miami also leads the league in GBR this year, as its 52.5 percent mark after Week 5 made the Dolphins the only team in the league with a GBR of better than 50 percent. They had the highest GBR in the NFL last year as well, so this performance is likely not an anomaly.
Miller's future fantasy production could be held back by a somewhat difficult schedule, as over the next five weeks the Dolphins have four road games, including three against teams that rank in the top five in fantasy points allowed per game to opponents' running backs (the Eagles, Patriots and Jets). That may cap Miller's upside potential, but when a ball carrier is getting good blocking at a 50 percent or higher clip, he's worth consideration for a flex spot every week.
Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks
Graham was initially brought to the Pacific Northwest to fix Seattle's terrible passing numbers when close to the other team's end zone.
This mindset helped lead to all four of Graham's targets in Week 1 occurring on red zone plays. That line of thinking only lasted one game, as Graham has seen just three red zone targets in the past five weeks.
What has happened since then is Graham has become highly productive on plays outside the red zone. Since Week 3, Graham ranks second among tight ends in receiving yards on plays that don't start in the red zone (282). What this means is Seattle is successfully incorporating him into the offense in other areas of the field. If or when the Seahawks' offense starts to use him in the red zone as well, it could move Graham's fantasy point totals back to a level that puts him in contention with Rob Gronkowski for the top overall spot among fantasy tight ends.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
At first glance, Green's overall numbers look really good. He ranks 10th in vertical receiving yards (330 on aerials thrown 11 or more yards downfield) and tied for seventh in stretch vertical yards (194 on passes traveling 20 or more yards downfield). He also has 201 yards on short passes (targets directed 10 or fewer yards downfield), a total that is tied for 21st.
Those numbers don't hold up quite so well if Green's Week 3 contest in which he caught 10 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns against Baltimore is taken out of the equation. Subtract that matchup and Green has tallied only 163 short pass yards, 141 vertical pass yards and 36 stretch vertical pass yards in five games. This hasn't held Andy Dalton back, as he places third among quarterbacks in vertical yards per attempt (16.6), something that indicates the Bengals aren't solely reliant on Green to make a big play like they may have been in previous years.
Green also has a bye in Week 7 and three red-rated cornerbacks on the rest of his matchup slate. One of those red-rated battles will be in Week 16 against Denver, a fact that may not bode well for fantasy owners playing in championship contests. Add it all up and it might be time to trade Green out for another high-quality starting wide receiver.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
There were signs pointing toward a Week 6 turnaround for Manning, but that did not pan out.
In looking at why, the first issue that may come to mind is Manning's lack of arm strength. It's clear his arm isn't what it used to be, but the reality is the biggest reason for his point decline this season is a lack of touchdowns on short passes (defined as aerials thrown 10 or fewer yards downfield).
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</article>Manning had 37 short pass touchdowns in his record-setting 2013 season, a total that was nearly double the second-place finishers in that category (Drew Breesand Ryan Tannehill, 20). The pace dropped off to 23 short pass scores last year, but that figure was still good enough to finish tied for third among quarterbacks.
This season Manning has only three short pass touchdowns in six games, with only one since Week 2 and zero in the past two weeks. A lot of that has to do with a Broncos offense that is tied for 31st in offensive touchdowns on red zone plays (6). Denver is also mediocre in number of offensive red zone plays per game (7.5, tied for 24th), so it's not merely a matter of failing to convert plays into scores; the Broncos just aren't getting enough red zone plays.
Some of this may be corrected, but the odds that it gets fixed to the point that Manning will get back to his 2013 or 2014 form are very low. The schedule turns a lot more favorable for Manning from Weeks 8-10, so he's still a solid buy-low candidate during the Broncos' Week 7 bye, but don't go into that trade expecting a return to his 18-20 point days.

 

[HacheMan]

[h=1]Fantasy: Murray's rise is no mirage; keep or sell high on Eagles RB?[/h]Matt Bowen, ESPN Insider

Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray was a ghost through the first three weeks of the NFL season. With averages of only 9.7 carries and a dreadful 15.7 yards rushing per game, fantasy owners had a right to question his usage in Chip Kelly's offense. What was Kelly doing and where was the Murray from 2014, the back who consistently produced numbers in the Dallas Cowboys' offense?
Coming into the 2015 season, Murray was a projected top-10 fantasy back, a player owners could lean on to rack up consistent 100-yard games and put the ball into the end zone. Plus, do you remember the offseason narrative? Murray was the running back Kelly wanted. His skill set was a great fit for Philadelphia's zone schemes. And, well, the numbers would follow, right?
Nope. This dude was a total bust after three weeks and it was time for Kelly to go back to the college game. His system? It doesn't work anymore. He's not a genius.
But hold on just a minute here. Maybe the narrative is finally starting to change on Murray, Kelly and the Eagles playbook. Over the past two weeks, Murray has seen his carries go up (21.0 per game) and the total rushing numbers are increasing, too (96.0). Plus, after his first 100-yard game on Monday night (which included a rushing touchdown), Murray is suddenly hot again and fantasy owners have some decisions to make.<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>
Will the train keep rolling? Is Murray back? Or is it time for owners to dangle Murray on the trade market and use his Monday night performance against theNew York Giants as a bargaining chip in trade talks?
Let's examine how the Eagles went back to the basics and finally found a way to get production out of their prime free-agent acquisition. Plus, is Murray worth keeping in fantasy or is he a prime sell-high target?
[h=2]Lateral runs, the Buck Sweep and Murray's system fit[/h]Coming into the Monday night matchup with the Giants, Murray had a total of 72 yards rushing before contact. That's brutal for a back who plays with excellent vision and has the burst to get up through the hole. However, part of that can (and should) be attributed to some odd play calling from Kelly.
One of the head coach's favorite schemes is the "Buck Sweep." In reality, this is the same concept we saw from old-school coaches like Vince Lombardi. Pull the big boys to the edge of the formation, get some beef at the point of attack and let the running back follow 300-pound men up the field. With Kelly, the scheme hasn't truly changed much, but window dressing has been applied. In Philadelphia, Kelly aligns the running back to the play side (trying to break tendencies) out of the shotgun alignment.
But the process, or the execution, is very slow to develop with the running back taking a counter slide step (allows the big boys up front to pull) before following both the center and guard to the edge. This forces a back like Murray to work laterally to the line of scrimmage instead of getting downhill with speed. And it also allows second-level linebackers, and safeties, the time to pursue, defeat blocks and find the ball (see diagram below).


In the Week 2 matchup versus the Cowboys, the Dallas defenders destroyed this play, blew up the scheme with defensive-line penetration and scraped their linebackers over the top to meet the blockers on the edge. The result? There was nowhere for Murray to go. In fact, Murray's stat line from the day was downright embarrassing for fantasy owners. He totaled 13 carries and 2 yards. Yikes. That's bad football.
Now, the Eagles didn't run Murray on this exact scheme every time and Dallas pretty much obliterated any run play Kelly called on the afternoon. And when that's paired with sub-par quarterback play from Sam Bradford, well, the wheels are going to fall right off the bus.
But that didn't stop another new narrative from forming. Maybe, just maybe, it was Ryan Mathews who was the better fit for Kelly. Sure, Mathews is a good back. He's tough, physical and there is no question he hits the hole with speed. However, why take a player like Murray and run him laterally to the line of scrimmage? It was time to make a change and start catering to Murray's skill set with more touches and schemes that fit his ability.
[h=2]The inside zone is back in play[/h][h=2][/h]Get the ball to Murray with options. That's really the goal here. It's not that Murray is unable to produce in power schemes. He did it last season for the Cowboys and he has shown in Philadelphia that he can follow a lead block. But the zone scheme? Man, that's really when he starts to put in the work.
That should have been expected, right? Just look at the '14 tape with Murray exposing defenses on a regular basis in the Cowboys' inside and outside zone schemes (see diagram below).


What are we looking at here? It's the inside zone versus the Tennessee Titans. Nothing complex. In fact, it's pretty basic, with zone blocking up front and Murray getting the ball deep in the backfield. Based on the pursuit of the second-level defenders, Murray can hit the downhill hole or look to press the edge. This caters to his ability at the position and also allows Murray to bounce this ball all the way to the outside (which he does here) to create a one-on-one matchup in space versus a cornerback. That's a win for Dallas when cornerbacks are forced to tackle against Murray.
Now, as we flip back to Monday night, the Eagles used the same scheme (multiple times) during a crucial third-quarter drive after the Giants gave them new life with a running-into-the-kicker call to keep the offense on the field. With a combination of the inside zone, quick (high-percentage) throws from Bradford and play-action (boot), the Eagles didn't walk the ball down the field. Nah, they sprinted, using Kelly's tempo and simple play calling on the way to a Murray touchdown.
And the zone scheme was the top call when the Eagles wanted to get Murray moving quickly toward the line of scrimmage (see diagram below).


Again, we are talking about "options" here for Murray as it applies to Kelly's system, with the running back taking the handoff from Bradford out of shotgun alignment at the mesh point (quarterback-running back exchange). Murray can now get downhill, press the ball to the front side of the formation or look to cut back to expose the open side edge (as he does here).
The more immediate point here is that Murray is now past the second level and into the secondary, where the safeties have to make a tackle. That's plus-10 yards. Time to move the sticks and continue using that tempo versus a tired defense that can't get off the field.
Over the past two weeks, which produced consecutive wins for the Eagles, Murray has been utilized more and his touches and rushing yards are climbing.
In Week 5, Murray carried the ball 20 times for 83 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown in a win over the New Orleans Saints. On Monday night, Murray posted 22 carries for 109 yards (5.0 per carry) and put the ball in the end zone again. Plus, don't forget about Murray as a receiver. Kelly loves to throw the quick swing pass to running backs. Those are free yards in my opinion and it's resulted in Murray recording 10 receptions for 51 yards in those two games.
But the number that really stands out is the yards before contact. Remember Murray's number in the first three weeks? Yeah, it was a total of 72 yards before contact. In the past two weeks he's totaled 78 yards before contact.
Let's not make this more complicated than it needs to be with the Eagles running back. Murray is producing more and getting to the second level with much more speed (thus avoiding getting blasted at the line of scrimmage) on the zone runs.
He's a downhill back. Let him work.
[h=2]Time to deal Murray?[/h]Looking ahead to Murray's next three matchups (with a bye coming in Week 8), he is a solid play in DFS. Starting with the Week 7 matchup versus the Carolina Panthers and then games against the Dallas Cowboys (Week 9) and Miami Dolphins (Week 10), all three defensive units have given up some big fantasy numbers (in standard scoring leagues) to opposing running backs.
The Panthers gave up consecutive 30-point games to running backs in Weeks 3 and 4 (versus the Saints and Buccaneers, respectively). The Cowboys? They were punished in Week 3 by Devonta Freeman and the Falcons (37 points) and then followed that up with another unimpressive display in Week 4 versus the Saints (35 points). And I'm willing to bet the Eagles use the tape from their previous meeting with Dallas to make some adjustments before the rematch. How about the Dolphins? Well, they've been exposed, having given up 25 points to theBuffalo Bills in Week 3 and another 30 in Week 4 versus the New York Jets.
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</article>However, moving past DFS, is now the time for Murray owners to trade the Eagles running back? With his numbers on the rise and his solid performance coming off the Monday night game, there should be some real interest there. Owners should entertain offers for Murray at this stage, but given the future numbers I expect him to produce, it's time to be very selective.
What about trading Murray for a player like Baltimore's Justin Forsett? Take a pass. The same with Cincinnati's Giovani Bernard and New England's Dion Lewis. What about the Saints' Mark Ingram? He was drafted much later than Murray in standard leagues but is a top-five fantasy running back at this stage of the season. Nope. I still would prefer Murray the rest of the season. However, what about the Jets' Chris Ivory? He's another top-five fantasy RB commodity. In his case, yep, I would make that trade and ship Murray out of town.
The point here is simple with Murray. For owners who want to ride it out with him, go for it. This is the back we all expected to see in Kelly's offense. And with the upcoming matchups, Murray can continue to push those numbers up. But for owners who want to take advantage of this new love for the Eagles running back, you have to aim high in trade talks. Use this sudden leverage and go get yourself a RB1 who can run the rock all season long.