Fantasy Mailbag 2016: Week 6

The highest scoring non-quarterback in Fantasy Football right now is David Johnson (aka #DJ2K). He added two touchdowns and 157 rush yards to his total last week against San Francisco.

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Johnson has gained over 100 yards from scrimmage in every game, so far this season, and faces a Jets defense that has allowed 16 receptions, 125 yards and two touchdowns to running backs in the last two weeks. He may not see as many carries as he got against the 49ers (27) because Carson Palmer is set to return, but you can count on his receiving skills to do some heavy damage against the J-E-T-S…blah blah blah.

Mail Time!

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TE: The perennially slow starting Seahawks offense seems to have found a connection between Russell Wilson and Jimmy Graham. Graham has recorded back-to-back 100-yard performances for the first time since 2003. The Falcons are also the second worst (to the Browns) at giving up TDs to the position.

Flex: Jordan Howard recorded the 9th most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in Bears franchise history. Names like Anthony Thomas, James Allen, and yes…Walter Payton…produced better games in their first year, and just by up to 30 yards. In terms of matchups, Howard doesn’t have an easy one in Jacksonville. They have allowed 104 rush yards per game and only 2 touchdowns on the ground. Based on the volume Howard gets in the Bears offense (running and receiving) you can’t let him sit.

DEF: I’m not sure about the Panthers in the long-term, due to their young secondary being taken advantage of nearly every weekend and having one takeaway in their last 3 games. Short term, their matchup with the Saints has shootout potential, and that’s bad for any defense. I like your Titans pick against Cody Kessler and the Browns. The Titans are making a lot of noise with back-to-back multi-interception games and ranking 6th in sacks.

 

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Steve Sr. is (1) not a tight end and (2) dealing with an ankle injury that knocked him out of last week’s game. Go with James White.

 

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If I learned anything last week, it’s not to doubt Devonta Freeman. Against the best defense in football, Freeman totaled 123 yards and a touchdown. You can look at the yards per carry as a negative, but 26 touches is proof he is Atlanta’s every down back (with Coleman getting his work receiving). The upside is in Freeman’s favor, while Frank Gore will give you either 75+ yards or a touchdown…like he has in every game so far this season. Up to you.

 

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TE: In the Brian Hoyer era for Chicago, Zach Miller is averaging 6 catches, 61 yards and a touchdown. While Hoyer is spreading the ball around, he does seem to have favorite targets in 3rd down situations and Miller is one of them. Keep riding that train as Zach Ertz is facing a defense that gave up less than 60 yards to both Gary Barnidge and Dennis Pitta.

Flex: Matt Forte is that guy we all want to love (with good reason) but we really shouldn’t. He hasn’t done anything close to his monster Week 2 and Bilal Powell is taking more and more pass targets away from him. I also don’t think this will be a good week to play Travis Benjamin. As you know, Broncos are probably looking for blood on Thursday Night Football this evening. Jordan Matthews is your best call.

 

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Well, Quincy Enunwa would’ve been a pretty great pickup. Sammie Coates would be outstanding, if you can find him. Outside of those two? Chris Hogan, Jeremy Kerley and Devante Adams are decent week-to-week fill-ins, but I would try to make a trade if you are looking for a dependable solution for the rest of the season.

 

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Melvin Gordon is going to get the touches against a Broncos D (that has given up the 10th most points to RBs) and has averaged a score in every game. If I’m looking for a safer play though, it’s Kelvin Benjamin against the Saints. They have allowed 86+ yards to 6 different receivers in 4 games and are letting quarterbacks just CHUCK IT on them. Love the shootout potential at the Superdome this weekend, Cam Newton or not.

Have more Fantasy lineup questions? Don’t hesitate to ask on Facebook or Twitter

Fantasy Mailbag 2016: Week 5

Did you have either Julio Jones or Matt Ryan in your lineup last week? Both? Or did you leave one on your bench because you underestimated how good they are paired together?

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It’s hard to doubt these two again for a while, right? They (the unstoppable force) take on Denver (an immovable object). Ryan is the the highest scoring quarterback in Fantasy Football. The Denver defense leads the league in sacks, have only allowed 1 touchdown reception (to Kelvin Benjamin) and have allowed just 3 receptions on 7 targets in the red zone.

X-Factor? Julio being Julio. He’s a Mutant and likely future X-Men, so there’s that.

Mail Time!

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TE: You have a strong predicament there, considering both TEs are facing really terrible defenses. With Tom Brady returning and Rob Gronkowski back to 100%, I feel more comfortable with Zach Miller’s targets this weekend than Martysaurus Rex. Miller is definitely going to be depended on more with the loss of Kevin White and he is going up against The Replacements…being the Colts linebackers.

QB: Neither matchup looks pretty for your quarterbacks but there are two things to consider:

  1. Matt Ryan is playing like the best quarterback in football right now.
  2. The Eagles defense hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown yet this season.

The Falcons run game helps setup Ryan and his receivers better, even against the Broncos defense.

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TE: Martysaurus. 

RB: I like Giovani Bernard’s ability in open space against Dallas much more than Tevin Coleman having to play second fiddle against the Broncos.

WR: Sammy Coates was one of the best WR pickups you could snag on the waiver-wire this week but I like Quincy Enunwa much more in this matchup, with Eric Decker likely to sit out. Steeler’s are ranked 30th in defending #2 WRs.

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QB: I’m shocked Philip Rivers is available in your league. If you can get him, play him. The Raiders are THE WORST at defending pass yards and are in the bottom 3rd in allowing pass touchdowns.

DEF: The Rams will be your best bet this weekend, as they are SMOTHERING quarterbacks this year and not even Tyrod Taylor can out run Aaron Donald.

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TE: Ertz. Carson Wentz loves throwing to his tight end and the Lions haven’t figured out how to defend the position in the past season and a half.

WR: For the reasons I like Philip Rivers above, I REALLY like Travis Benjamin. You don’t have a bad play though, considering Jordan Matthews plays out of the slot and will do so in a very good matchup. The Lions allow the 6th most fantasy points against receivers.

 

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I also don’t feel good about Stafford this week, but if you can stream a QB…go with #HoyerTheDestroyer. He has 300+ yards and 2 TDs in each of his past 2 starts and it should continue this weekend against a Colts defense that has 3 TDs to 2 of the 4 QBs they have played against this year.

 

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QB: I feel better about Wentz against the Lions than I do Jameis repeating Matt Ryan’s murderous work. I don’t think you’ll be particularly wrong with either though.

RB: GAH…it pains me to say it because I’m not a big fan of his Fantasy prowess (love him as a person though) but you have to go with Frank Gore in this matchup. Davonta Freeman is facing the best defense in football. Gore is not.

 

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We don’t normally do Keeper League things on here, but I do want to talk about Kevin White. White was getting better every week before he was placed on IR. He had more receptions than any Bears receiver in their first 4 games. I think it depends on how desperate you are for an extra roster spot, what’s available, who will emerge to pickup for your draft next year…I haven’t given up on White’s potential and I like the prospects of him playing with a new quarterback in 2017.

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Ben. 

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I hope you didn’t go with Michael Floyd…

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The best thing in this trade appears to be Michael Crabtree. Problem is…Kelce has all the ability to be a top end Tight End and could be elite paired with a Top 10 quarterback. You don’t seem to be needy for a major trade but Crabtree would help you in the short run…Kelce would help you in the long run. I’ll let you decide.

 

Have more Fantasy lineup questions? Don’t hesitate to ask on Facebook or Twitter