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We continue to the Sunday games, which featured the Atlanta Legends and San Antonio Commanders picking up massive victories for their playoff hopes over the Memphis Express and Arizona Hotshots.
Officially being midway through the season, here is how I rank the QB, RB and WR positions going forward :
| QB | RB | WR |
| 1. Garrett Gilbert | 1. Trent Richardson | 1. Charles Johnson |
| 2. John Wolford | 2. Tarean Folston | 2. Rashad Ross |
| 3. Josh Woodrum | 3. Zac Stacy | 3. Mekale McKay |
| 4. Aaron Murray | 4. Kenneth Farrow | 4. De’Morany Pierson-El |
| 5. Mike Bercovici | 5. D’Ernest Johnson | 5. Nelson Spruce |
| 6. Zach Mettenberger | 6. Joel Bouagnon | 6. Quinton Patton |
| 7. Logan Woodside | 7. Jhurell Pressley | 7. Seantavius Jones |
| 8. Luis Perez | 8. Ja’Quan Gardner | 8. Dontez Ford |
| 9. Keith Price | 9. De’Veon Smith | 9. Richard Mullaney |
| 10. Philip Nelson | 10. Terrell Newby | 10. Reece Horn |
The most notable RB I left off my list would most likely be Terrell Watson. If you read my article from Saturday, I worry ever so slightly about San Diego's trio of backs going forward. Bishop Sankey entering the mix has thrown a monkey wrench into the backfield, and it is going to be difficult to trust any of them until we can get a better understanding of how Mike Martz plans on employing the group. Kenneth Farrow left Sunday's game with an injury so keep an eye on his prognosis, and the same could be said for Terrell Newby. The WRs have created a substantial separation from the top-three to everyone else. You could mix and match numbers 4-10 how you would like, but I am rather content with how I have them listed. In case you were wondering, Jalin Marshall came in at 11 and Malachi Jones 12. Our Sunday recap can be found below, so without further ado, let's dive into what transpired during the final two contests. When you're done, catch up on Saturday's action right here.
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Atlanta Legends 23, Memphis Express 20
The Atlanta Legends put themselves back into the playoff race with a 23-20 victory over the Memphis Express. The team is now 2-0 with Aaron Murray under center, and they find themselves only one game behind the sputtering Birmingham Iron for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Murray has been brilliant since entering the lineup in Week 4, throwing for 306 yards on Sunday to go along with one touchdown and one two-point conversion. An argument could be made that Murray is the second best QB in the association, and the Legends have become a darkhorse contender for the title. I wouldn't count out the Iron when it comes to turning around their current situation, but the Eastern Conference has become much more of a fight to the finish than anyone could have ever imagined a few weeks ago.
Notable Performances From Atlanta
Tarean Folston (RB)
If you are looking for someone other than Trent Richardson who could finish the season as the number one PPR back from this point forward, look no further than Tarean Folston. An injury to Akrum Wadley opened up the pass-catching role on the team, and Folston has seized the opportunity and run with it.
Since taking over the position in Week 4, Folston has rushed for 104 yards in two games, adding 11 receptions on 13 targets for 89 yards and two scores. The extra rushing work is a bonus, but Folston is going to be able to carve out an Alvin Kamara type role for the team that will see him receive five-plus attempts out of the backfield every week. Congratulations if you own Folston, you just struck AAF fantasy gold.
Seantavius Jones (WR)
I have been emphasizing what a great buy-low opportunity there was for Seantavius Jones the past two weeks, and the 26-year-old finally got himself back on track with five receptions on six targets for 89 yards.
Jones has garnered 31 pass attempts on the season, which is eight more than teammate Malachi Jones and fifth best in the league. Both Jones' are top-15 caliber WRs, but Seantavius has taken the upper hand when it comes to value. The buy-low window isn't as good as it was a week ago, but some owners might think they are selling Jones off high after his showing on Sunday and not realizing that they are actually underselling him.
Keith Towbridge (TE)
Keith Towbridge brought in all four targets on Sunday, gaining a season-high 56 yards. Towbridge has seen a slight bump in playing time because he is the best blocker on the team and has collected 13 targets in the previous three games. The 23-year-old has excellent size at 6'5" and is worth a look for those that need a TE.
Notable Performances From Memphis
Zach Mettenberger (QB)
Zach Mettenberger provided a better fantasy performance than the numbers would indicate. For the second straight week, the 27-year-old was bailed out by a rushing touchdown from one yard out but only completed nine of 17 attempts for 181 yards.
I had Mettenberger as my QB4 after last weekend, but I think there are some concerns when you consider how head coach Mike Singletary wants to play. The whole situation is becoming very reminiscent of how Birmingham uses a run-first style and tries to win by making defensive plays. I think Mettenberger will provide a steadier floor than most QBs, but his upside might be somewhat limited given the teams more conservative play calling nature.
Zac Stacy (RB)
Zac Stacy is another player that I have been advising owners to go out and get before he returns to being viewed as an untouchable option. Stacy's 13 carries for 41 yards were not overly impressive, but his two touchdowns and two catches for 45 yards provided a productive day for the 27-year-old bruising back.
Stacy's 11 targets in the passing game the previous four weeks is very encouraging for his long-term value, and he is shaping up to be a poor man's version of Trent Richardson. That is still good enough to give him top-five value at the running back position, and he is starting to have an increased floor because of his receptions out of the backfield.
Reece Horn (WR)
After taking a step forward in Week 4, Reece Horn took two steps back against the Atlanta Legends. It wasn't so much his fault that he caught one pass on four targets for 29 yards, but when your QB only completes nine throws in a game, things aren't going to be too bright.
I realize I sound like a broken-record salivating about Horn's skill set every article, but he is the unquestioned top target on the team and remains my favorite buy-low player in the AAF. The offense hasn't quite figured everything out just yet, but if they do, Horn is a tantalizing prospect that can make highlight reel grabs and provide WR1 value.
San Antonio Commanders 29, Arizona Hotshots 25
Down 26-0 at halftime, the Arizona Hotshots made a valiant effort to get the game to 29-25. Unfortunately, a late onside kick conversion was not to be, and the Commanders walked out of Arizona with a massive victory to take over the top spot in the Western Conference.
After beginning the season 2-0, the Hotshots have spiraled in the past three contests. The positive news is that they haven't lost any of the games by more than one score, but a loss is a loss, and the team will need to find some answers. The subtraction of WR Richard Mullaney in the lineup due to a knee injury has stagnated the offense, and the team appears to have limited options besides Rashad Ross to help open up the passing attack. Reports have said that Mullaney is getting closer to re-entering the fray, but we haven't received great intel when it comes to what is exactly wrong with him.
Notable Performances From San Antonio
Logan Woodside (QB)
Who needs Johnny Manziel!? Logan Woodside put together a masterful display of football on Sunday night, throwing for 290 yards on 21 of 27 attempts, adding two touchdowns and one interception. Woodside did most of his damage in the first half to make it a 26-0 game at halftime, but it was the best performance we have seen from the 24-year-old this season.
Woodside is currently only my QB7 because of the impending news of a potential Johnny Manziel signing, but the former Toledo product did more than enough to thwart off Manziel for at least another week. San Antonio has one of the best WR cores in the AAF, and Woodside has massive potential if he can consistently put this type of effort together. I think he is better served if you have one of the other seven QBs to rotate him with, but Sunday showed that Woodside is able to carve out strong games when given the right matchup.
Kenneth Farrow (RB)
Kenneth Farrow left Sunday's game in excruciating pain, clutching his shoulder in great discomfort. Before exiting, Farrow had only amassed 25 yards on the ground from 12 attempts but was having a productive fantasy day with a touchdown and one reception for 43 yards.
Farrow is a top-five RB when healthy, but there is concern that his injury could be somewhat serious. Aaron Green would most likely take over a portion of the workload if Farrow were forced to miss time, and Trey Williams would perhaps see a steadier contribution of groundwork but presumably would stick as a change-of-pace back. It is too early to tell what exactly is going on with Farrow, but his owners need to be prepared to cover their bases if the 26-year-old misses any time.
De'Marcus Ayers (WR)
Mekale McKay was the best wideout for the Commanders with five catches on five targets for 91 yards and a score, but De'Marcus Ayers seemed to be the second option in the passing game on the night. Ayers hauled in four of five targets for 50 yards and has now averaged nearly six attempts per contest since being activated in Week 2.
Ayers is currently a WR3 in San Antonio's prolific offense, but as everyone clamors over McKay's performance, go out and acquire the 24-year-old former NFL vet. McKay is untouchable in most trade discussions, but Ayers is going overlooked as the second best option on perhaps the second best offensive unit.
Notable Performances From Arizona
John Wolford (QB)
Yikes! John Wolford had himself an interesting evening, to say the least. Wolford threw three costly interceptions on the night but posted massive fantasy numbers with 246 passing yards, two touchdowns, two two-point conversions and 30 yards rushing.
Wolford hasn't looked quite the same since injuring his back during the game in Week 3, but he continues to provide fantasy numbers that pretty much no other QB besides Garrett Gilbert can match. However, Wolford is clearly missing Richard Mullaney in the offense, and the addition of the 26-year-old would do wonders for the offenses ability to spread the field.
Jhurell Pressley (RB)
Perhaps it was due to a negative game-script, but Jhurell Pressley bombed against the San Antonio Commanders. Pressley only managed 20 yards on eight carries, adding two catches for 17 yards. The performance comes on the heels of his 110-yard explosion during Week 4, but Tim Cook out-snapped Pressley on the night, causing some concern to Pressley owners around the world.
Pressley has dealt with these ups-and-downs practically every week. Two games of slightly over 18 points have been mixed in with three contests of less than six. The 26-year-old is an extremely high-end RB2, but he isn't getting any of the goal-line work and hasn't scored a rushing touchdown all year. There are only six RBs in the league that I would rather have, but it might not hurt to see if any of the owners in your league attach more value when it comes to Pressley than they should. If you don't want to move him or can't, that is fine but just be prepared for some volatility throughout the season.
Rashad Ross (WR)
Similar to Mekale McKay on Sunday night, Rashad Ross continued his onslaught on the AAF. You can add six more targets, five receptions, 106 yards and a score to his tally this season. No WR has been a steadier producer than Ross has been, and he is the only wideout to catch a TD in every game this season (six total on the year). Not to mention that he is the only WR that has received at least five targets in every contest, giving him an AAF total of 32 on the year, fourth best in the league.
Ross and Charles Johnson have separated themselves from everyone else when it comes to value, and both wideouts are inching towards a second chance in the NFL. Expect to see the 29-year-old make an NFL camp this summer and conceivably become a steady producer for an organization.
Freddie Martino (WR)
With Josh Huff being placed on IR and Richard Mullaney still dealing with a knee injury, Freddie Martino stepped up against the San Antonio Commanders with four catches on seven targets for 34 yards. Mullaney is going to be back into the mix soon, but Arizona runs a ton of three-WR sets, and Martino is the likely beneficiary over Marquis Bundy.
Martino was one of the standouts in training camp and has a nice blend of speed and agility to stretch the field. The 27-year-old is currently a WR3/WR4 but is quickly climbing season-long ranking lists and can be had for a massive discount when considering his upside.
