In an effort to aid you in your lineup-setting endeavors, I’ll be providing a weekly glimpse into my rankings; meaning, I’ll be highlighting players I like or dislike more compared to the expert consensus rankings or who I simply like or dislike for that given week. My ranking at the time of the writing will be alongside the player’s name. Needless to say, that ranking will likely change as the week progresses.
Bear in mind that I start this writing earlier in the week, so Expert Consensus Rankings will likely be different by the time of publication. These cannot be held against me – only used for credit.
While I do acknowledge that kickers are people too, neither they nor D/STs will be included.
Finally, these cannot be held against me – only used to give credit when credit is due.
As always, feel free to reach me on Twitter for any queries before the slate and I’ll try to get back to you.
*Note that Rankings are half PPR scoring applies and are subject to change
Week 5 Likes
HOU vs. JAC – QB6
It’s a big week for Mr. Watson; it already has been. Gone is the man who was seemingly holding this franchise back as the overdue cessation of Bill O’Brien’s employment came to fruition. It’s not that Watson hasn’t really been doing his part, but he’s been underperforming relative to preseason expectations. What’s been most surprising is Watson’s lack of designed and improvisational rushing. It will be interesting to see how he and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly open up the playbook. This is do-or-die time for Watson and the Texans in a crucial divisional matchup with the Jaguars. You should feel good with him as your starter, at least for one more game.
CAR @ ATL – QB10
Flying under the radar on Sunday was the performance of Theodore Bridgewater in a quality home victory. The Bridge totaled over 300 yards and three touchdowns, including 32 yards and a score on the ground. I’m not calling him a weekly No. 1 fantasy quarterback just yet, but we need to more seriously consider Bridgewater as a starter, especially with bye weeks commencing. He’s a viable replacement for Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford in Week 5.
KC vs. OAK – RB2
He’s not quite my top-ranked running back, but there aren’t many players I’m going to trust more in Week 5 than Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs have continually featured their first-round pick. At his position, he ranks in the Top 10 in carries, rushing yards, targets, receptions and receiving yards. You’re starting him anyway, but the usage and the matchup are cause for celebration. The Raiders, after all, yield the most fantasy points per game to running backs so far in 2020, including two total touchdowns per game.
JAC@ HOU – RB7
The surprising campaign of young Jimmy Robinson continues. Yes, he lets me call him that. The undrafted Illinois State product is seeing a copious amount of playing time thus far. In fact, he hogged literally every single backfield snap for Jacksonville in Week 4. And it’s not like he doesn’t deserve it either. Robinson is on pace for nearly 1,800 total yards, 56 receptions and 12 touchdowns. Not bad for being missed on by every FBS school and not drafted by every NFL team, eh? By the way, the Texans are surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
CAR @ ATL – WR16
It’s time to stop overlooking and/or underrating Robby Anderson. His role in this new offense is undeniable and he’s played well in it. The man on the same team as D.J. Moore leads Carolina in every significant receiving category and is third in the NFL in yards after catch (193). To boot, the Falcons have yielded the second-most receiving yards to wide receivers in 2020. Start Bob Anderson.
SF vs. MIA – WR36
It would kind of be cheating to say Aiyuk and/or Deebo Samuel, but I posit that at least one of them is going to overachieve in Week 5. This meager Miami defense allows 34.6 FPPG to wide receivers – sixth-most through four weeks. I don’t care who the quarterback is; I’m OK with plugging Aiyuk or Samuel into a flex spot. I also like this matchup for Jerick McKinnon if Raheem Mostert remains inactive.
TEN vs. BUF – TE5
Don’t be surprised to see this game be postponed, but right now we’re setting our lineups with healthy Titans and Bills in them. While the Bills defense is relatively stingy as a whole, they haven’t guarded tight ends well. What’s more, is linebacker Matt Milano – arguably Buffalo’s most important defender – is in danger of missing this contest (if there is one). Smith is tough to guard and bring down as it is. Once again, I’m including him in my top-five tight ends. If this game is suspended, I like Darren Fells as a sneaky start if Jordan Akins remains in the concussion protocol.
PIT vs. PHI – TE13
Not many people are talking about it, but Ebron is coming off his best game as a Steeler in which he tallied five catches on seven targets for 52 yards and a touchdown. He is steadily becoming more involved in this offense. The triumvirate of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington will keep Ebron’s ceiling low. Still, he’s a worthy start for those who need to replace T.J. Hockensen or recent breakout Robert Tonyan. Heck, he’s a worthy start for those who don’t need a bye-week substitute.
Week 5 Dislikes
CLE vs. IND – QB25
He had his fun against one of the worst defenses in the NFL on Sunday, although he didn’t jump off the page statistically. Nevertheless, Mayfield is falling back down to earth this week against the shield’s best pass defense.
PHI @ PIT – QB22
This Philadelphian civil war might get out of hand fast if Wentz isn’t given better protection. He’s been sacked 14 times through three games – as many as Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Philip Rivers, and Ryan Tannehill combined – and faces what many call the NFL’s best pass rush led by T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. Wentz barely cracks my Top 25 fantasy quarterbacks as of this writing.
NO vs. LAC – RB35
There is no better time to sell high on Latavius Murray than right now. He’s coming off a two-touchdown performance and is heading into a difficult matchup in which Michael Thomas may very well return. The Saints won’t need to count on Murray as much. Even last week he was only in on 29 snaps. Snap back to reality.
MIA @ SF – RB30
Again, I’m not saying you should bench Myles Gaskin; he remains a serviceable flex option. That being said, the 49ers do lead all defenses with the least fantasy points per game permitted to running backs. If he’s not careful, Myles might blow a Gaskin this weekend (see what I did there?).
CIN @ BAL – WR46
Whether you want to believe it or not, Tyler Boyd is the new alpha receiver in Cincinnati. Rookie Tee Higgins has apparently even passed Green in Joe Burrow’s target hierarchy (pick him up if available). Not only that, but he’ll face one of the best cornerback duos in the league this week in Marlon Humphery and Marcus Peters. I’m not suggesting that Green be released by any means; he just can’t be trusted as more than a flex – even that’s pushing it.
CLE vs. IND – WR37
See the above explanation for Baker Mayfield. Also, Landry’s not going to save his day with a touchdown pass this time around. Finally, look for the Browns to use a run-heavy attack again, even with Nick Chubb sidelined.
MIA @ SF – TE12
Let’s be honest – Gesicki was one of the biggest busts and let-downs of the entire Week 4 slate. He was in one of his best matchups of the year facing the Seattle Seahawks, who didn’t even have their safety enforcer Jamal Adams on the field. It’s hard to imagine he’ll do worse than his one catch for five yards, but he’s a fringe TE1 for me as the 49ers boast the second-best fantasy defense against tight ends.
NYJ vs. AZ – TE21
I want to wait and see if Herndon is used more if/when Adam Gase is canned, but I’m fine with dropping him if there are better alternatives on the waiver wire (a la Robert Tonyan) or if he’s your No. 3 tight end. Gase simply does not involve Herndon in the offense as much more than a blocker. The Cardinals aren’t tight end pushovers anymore like they were last year either.
Zach hails from the bustling metropolis of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Three things Zach enjoys are football, food and water. Three things Zach doesn’t enjoy are kale, mushrooms and the company of those who enjoy either (except hobbits). Zach is a life-long Broncos fan and has been playing fantasy football longer than he hasn’t. He had top-five finishes in FantasyPros’ 2016 NFL DFAC competition and the 2016 SFB480.
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