The whistle has just blown on the 1st Quarter of the 2019 Fantasy Football season. Perhaps you own Dalvin Cook, who’s pounded your opponents raw (as predicted), and you’re off to a 4-0 start. Maybe you’ve been hampered by the pathetic “Top-Tier WRs” like Odell Beckham and DeAndre Hopkins, and are trying to climb out of the basement.
The good news? Regardless of where you currently stand, you still have plenty of time to crush the 2019 season. Many Waiver Wire Hail Mary’s have yet to be unearthed. Current Busts could suddenly explode and rifle your team up the ladder. Dominant fast-starters could screech to sudden halts.
The bad news? Bye Weeks are here. And, as you can tell, the season is flying at a Mecole Hardman pace. If you fall further down to 1-4 or *gasp* 0-5, the hole could soon grow too deep, and 2019 will be out of reach.
Thus, a win is as crucial as ever. Begin this crucial prep with my Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and the Week 5 Rankings Rundown (below). I’ll also keep a running list of fantasy news you need to know heading into Week 5.
Plus, get all your questions answered by catching The Fantasy Tailgate Sit / Start Show on Facebook Live – both Thursday @ 7:30 PM EST, and Sunday @ 11am EST. Plus, always hit me up @RotoStreetWolf.
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Week 5 Updates
Saturday, 10/5
- Sam Darnold has officially been ruled out. While we were originally high on Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder against this awful PHI secondary, neither can be trusted with Luke Falk at QB. Meanwhile, PHI D/ST should be streamed everywhere.
- Melvin Gordon will return Sunday, but his workload isn’t expected to be his usual ~70% as he shakes off rust. Via Anthony Lynn: “I don’t want to put (Melvin Gordon) in there and play him too much, and I really don’t have to. I like what Austin Ekeler has been doing.” I still like Gordon against a DEN team surrendering the 4th most FPs to RBs, but Ekeler suddenly becomes the safer, more intriguing play. He rises to RB11 this week, while Gordon falls to RB15.
- After practicing in limited fashion Thursday and Friday, Tevin Coleman seems likely to return this Sunday. Though Matt Breida feels likely to retain his value after thriving as the between-the-20s guy, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson no longer are usable until we see Coleman’s usage. Breida slips slightly to my RB28, while Coleman is my RB39 as we figure out his role.
- Based on injuries around them, both Auden Tate (19%) and KeeSean Johnson (2%) are viable streaming WRs in an ugly-shootout style set up. Both are $3500 on DraftKings.
- Michael Gallup will return in Week 5, but isn’t overly recommended because he’ll square off with the GB secondary — one of the tops in the league. Still, his presence benefits the entire offense, especially Dak Prescott.
- As expected, both Davante Adams and Jamaal Williams have been ruled out for Sunday. Aaron Rodgers was already one of the easier sits this week, but has even less appeal without his only viable weapon. Meanwhile, Aaron Jones should again be near 80% of snaps and touches, and has to be locked into matchups with DAL weaker against the run than pass (but formidable at both)
- Jalen Ramsey will sit once again for the Jaguars. Not only does this lessen the appeal of the Jags D/ST, but boosts the outlook Panthers outlook. Ramsey’s replacement, UDFA rookie Tre Herndon, was murdered by the Broncos for 119 yards and 2 TDs on 9 targets. Curtis Samuel, who rises 7 spots to WR30, could finally explode, though Kyle Allen will need to handle a ferocious Jaguars pass-rush much better than he did HOU last week. Samuel is just $4500 on DraftKings.
- DeSean Jackson is officially OUT, so Nelson Agholor remains a viable streamer, despite last week’s disappearance. He’s a reasonable $4700 on DraftKings.
- Mike Williams has been confirmed for Sunday. With Keenan Allen drawing Chris Harris‘ blanket coverage, Williams becomes an immediate fantasy option. He’s my WR40 for the week, and a paltry $4500 on DraftKings.
As a reminder: these Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings are based on 1/2 PPR, 4 Pt Passing TD Scoring.
Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings
Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings Rundown
Make sure to get that crucial win with the RSJ Fantasy Tailgate: the best Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Sit / Start Show, LIVE on Facebook.
