Week 5 was pretty much par for the course in the 2020 NFL season. Another big time injury (Dak Prescott), more Covid scares, a crazy schedule, and some fantastic games. This season more than ever it’s important to think ahead, keep your head on a swivel, and think outside the box. Here are my 10 things that you need to know for Week 6.
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1. Dalton takes over for Dak in Dallas.
With the unfortunate injury to Dak Prescott, Andy Dalton takes over as the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. What kind of fantasy implications will this have? Dalton is a capable quarterback who is surrounded by the best supporting cast he’s ever had. However, don’t forget this is still Andy Dalton. He’s the definition of a mediocre quarterback, and although he has a semi-high ceiling, his floor is still rock bottom. He’s a decent QB2 in Superflex leagues, but beware the bad Dalton can show up at any time. It’s a downgrade for Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, they should both be fine, but their ceiling is capped with the loss of Dak. This could be a boost for Michael Gallup, however. Dalton targeted Gallup early and often, including two times on the game-winning drive. We’ll have to see if Dalton continues to target Gallup, but it’s something to keep an eye on. I expect this offense to lean more on Ezekiel Elliott and the rushing attack, but his value should stay relatively equal to what it was. You can start all Cowboys this week with confidence in a projected shootout with Arizona.
2. Laviska Shenault is here to stay.
A name that got lost in the insanely deep wide receiver class of this year’s draft was Laviska Shenault. Among rookies, he ranks second in targets (28), receptions(23), third in receiving yards (270), and is being used a dual-threat, averaging almost two rushes a game. Shenault is coming off a season-high in targets (8), catches (7) and his highest fantasy total of the season (14.9). He’s scored in double digits in four of five games, and should continue to see plenty of targets in an offense that has had over 40 passing attempts in every game since Week 2. He’s locked in as a WR3 this week and beyond, with potential to keep moving up if Jacksonville continues to increase his involvement in the offense. While I don’t think he leapfrogs DJ Chark as the WR1 on the team, I can see him becoming the 1a in this offense and be this years Terry McLaurin. If he’s available in your league, see my tweet below:
Somehow Laviska Shenault is only rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues! 🤦♂️
If Shenault is available in your league, RUN AND GO PICK HIM UP RIGHT NOW! #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/92DCi3Taaf— Jay Felicio (@GMenJay) October 16, 2020
3. Le’Veon Bell signs with Kansas City.
The fantasy football community held its collective breath once Le’Veon Bell was released by the New York Jets. Who would Bell sign with and instantly ruin the fantasy value of a running back? The answer was surprisingly the Kansas City Chiefs. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been solid, but far from what was expected when Damien Williams opted out. This digs into his value for redraft leagues, but opens up a buying opportunity for dynasty, as Bell only signed for the rest of the year. It’s really hard to say what will happen, was Bell’s lack of production because he was a member of the Jets, or is he just washed? How much work will he steal from CEH? I predict it’s going to be a headache for fantasy owners. I don’t think 2017 Bell is coming back, but he’s got enough talent to produce numbers in the Chiefs offense. Although CEH hasn’t had a breakout game, he’s extremely talented as well. Both are RB2s with sky-high ceilings and rock bottom floors. If one gets hot in a game, Reid may ride the hot hand. Right now it’s just a guessing game, Bell will likely see passing-down work with potential for more. I’d hold CEH, and look to sell Bell if someone si willing to pay a kings ransom. He’s far from a guarantee.
4. Buy low on Matt Ryan.
After starting the season red hot averaging 32 fantasy points in the first two weeks, Matt Ryan has struggled mightily since. It just so happens that Julio Jones hasn’t been healthy since Week 2. Funny how that works.
As you can see in the chart above (from the Rotoviz game splits app) Ryan without Julio in the lineup sees his completions go down, touchdowns go down, interceptions go up, and passing yards go down by roughly 40 yards. The defense is abysmal, and Ryan will likely always have a positive game script. The Falcons are currently averaging 40 passing attempts a game, and Julio Jones is expected to come back from injury this week. Ryan has plenty of weapons in Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, Hayden Hurst, and Todd Gurley. It’s only a matter of time before he gets back on track. Get him before its too late.
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5. Don’t worry about Lamar Jackson.
Anybody who is currently panicking about Lamar Jackson is the definition of regency bias. Depending on scoring, even with his “slow” start, Jackson ranks around QB10, still a QB1. There are a few things to take into consideration. Four of Baltimore’s five games have been blowouts. He didn’t have to be full-fledged Lamar Jackson to win those games. He’s still averaging 23 points a game even though he didn’t break the 20 point threshold in three of five games. Jackson may not wind up the QB1 this season, although it’s within the realm of possibility. He’s also been nursing a sore knee, which could be a reason for the lack of rushing. Use this as a cautionary tale to not “buy high” in drafts. Those who took Jackson in the first few rounds of drafts paid premium draft capital to get him. To them he’s a bust because they bought him at his peak value. If anyone is panicking, buy low. He’s still the reigning MVP and one of a handful of players that can single-handedly carry you to a fantasy championship.
6. Don’t forget about Phillip Lindsay.
Still available in 40% of Yahoo leagues, Phillip Linsday’s a potential starting RB that you can have for dirt cheap. The pre-season hype that Linsday had has been forgotten thanks to a Week 1 turf toe injury. It was reported that Phillip Lindsay outperformed Melvin Gordon in training camp all offseason, and it was looking more like this would be a 50/50 split than was anticipated when the Broncos signed Gordon to a big deal. Now Gordon is dealing with a DUI arrest, and thanks to the new rules in the CBA could be potentially looking at a three-game suspension. If Lindsay is available on your waiver wire, pick him up, and see if you can acquire him on the cheap if he’s not. He’s locked in as a flex play during bye weeks, and if/when Gordon misses games, can produce as a solid RB2.
7. Don’t just bench Mark Ingram, drop him.
It’s been a difficult season for those who roster Mark Ingram. He’s virtually tied with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins at roughly a 20% snap count, and he’s only scored double-digit fantasy points twice in five games. The two games he did score in double digits, he was aided by touchdowns. He’s not getting volume and also has a quarterback who is a VERY capable rusher who will steal production. Up next is a difficult game against an Eagles defense who ranks as the eighth toughest matchup for opposing running backs. There is no way I’d start Ingram outside of the deepest of leagues. I’m completely comfortable dropping him, he’s merely a name at this point in his career.
8. Pick up and Start Mecole Hardman.
Sammy Watkins is hurt again. Shocker, I know. Although he didn’t do much last week, Mecole Hardman played a season-high 69% of the snaps and is expected to be a bigger part of this offense while Watkins is out. He’s had limited targets this season, but he’s produced with them. He has 13 catches on 17 targets for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. Few players offer his upside, and any piece of the Chiefs offense is worthy of flex consideration. He’s had at least seven points every week since Week 2, including an 18 point and 12 point performance in Weeks 3 and 4. As long as Watkins is out, Hardman is a solid flex play with upside to win you your week.
9. “Higbeast” is a Hig-bust.
I had my fair share of bad calls this off-season, but one that I was dead on the money was that Tyler Higbee would be a bust. He went nuclear Week 3 against the Eagles, catching three touchdowns and scoring 28.4 points. But Higbee hasn’t scored double digits in any other game this season and is only being targeted on 6% of his snaps. He’s only run 34 routes in the past two weeks and was out targeted by Gerald Everett against the Washington Football team. Higbee has a difficult matchup this week as well, as the 49ers are stingy against tight ends. Only one tight end has totaled over 35 yards against them this season. Higbee isn’t someone you can start this week, and someone I’d keep out of my lineup all together until if/when he turns it around. But don’t count on it.
10. Pick up Antonio Brown.
Hear me out before you completely dismiss the idea. Would I drop a potential flex player for him? No way. But his eight-game suspension is over in two weeks, and once it is, the rumors will start to heat up. Antonio Brown has already been rumored in connection with Houston, Seattle, and Baltimore. Even if he winds up not playing this season, he can still offer your team some value. One the rumor mill is in full AB mode, if you don’t want to stash him, trade him. Look at the deals people got for Le’Veon Bell before he even landed on a team. A player’s trade value is at its peak coming back from suspension or injury. If you can get anything of value for him, it’s a win. He costs nothing right now. If you have a bench spot to burn and he does somehow comeback, he can still be a game-changer. The end of your bench should be used on lottery tickets, and there are none bigger than Brown.
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