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Fantasy Football Q&A Mailbag - Week 5

Your weekly fantasy football Q&A mailbag. Mike Dente answers your lineup and start/sit questions from Twitter to help you put together winning rosters for Week 5.

Week 4 of the 2018 NFL Season is in the books, and here is a quick fantasy recap to keep you up to date. Mitchell Trubisky! Six touchdown passes, 43.5 fantasy points, who saw that coming? Meanwhile, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, Carson Wentz, Aaron Rodgers, and Ben Roethlisberger all finished outside the top 12. Things remained a little more consistent at running back, with Alvin Kamara leading the way and Ezekiel Elliott coming in at number two with 41.1 and 34 points, respectively.

Cooper Kupp's incredible Thursday night performance held up to make him the top receiver of Week 4, while Corey Davis and Taylor Gabriel had breakout games, scoring over 30 fantasy points each. Lastly, Jared Cook continued his dominance, as he compiled over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns to put him at the top of the Week 4 and year-to-date tight end scoring leaders.

With Week 5 quickly approaching, it's time to dig into the RotoBaller Mailbag. I will be answering several of the best questions from Twitter each and every week. Thanks to everyone who sent theirs in for this edition! Before we get to the questions, here is a quick look at all of the upcoming games, as well as the current Vegas spreads and point totals:

  • Indianapolis at New England (-10.0) - Total 51.0
  • Tennessee (-3.5) at Buffalo - Total: 39.0
  • NY Giants at Carolina (-7.0) - Total: 44.5
  • Miami at Cincinnati (-6.5) - Total: 49.5
  • Baltimore (-3.0) at Cleveland - Total: 47.0
  • Green Bay (-1.0) at Detroit(-1.5) - Total: 51.0
  • Jacksonville at Kansas City (-3.0) - Total: 49.0
  • Denver at NY Jets (-1.0) - Total: 42.5
  • Atlanta at Pittsburgh (-3.0) - Total: 57.5
  • Oakland at LA Chargers (-5.0) - Total: 53.5
  • Minnesota at Philadelphia (-3.0) - Total: 45.0
  • LA Rams (-7.0) at Seattle - Total: 50.0
  • Arizona at San Francisco (-4.5) - Total 41.0
  • Dallas at Houston (-3.0) - Total: 45.5
  • Washington at New Orleans (-6.5) - Total: 52.5

 

Week 5 Reader Q&A

Mike's Take:

Kenyan Drake: Drake is averaging 8.1 FPPG (fantasy points per game), which is 43rd among all running backs. Perhaps more concerning is the fact that he had just four touches this past weekend. I remain hopeful that he can get back to the level that he played at last year, but Adam Gase is holding him back more than anything. A 35-year-old Frank Gore has taken 46 percent of Miami's backfield touches, and there are no signs of that changing any time soon. If I'm a Drake owner, I would hold him for now since his value is extremely low. However, with Drake clearly in the doghouse and Gore holding limited upside, one player who I would keep an eye on in deeper leagues is Kalen Ballage

Dalvin Cook: Out of the three backs you mentioned, Cook is the one I trust the most for the rest of the season. Even though Cook said his hamstring "isn't there yet" as of yesterday, he is the clear-cut starter for the Vikings when healthy and he can do it all, including catching passes out of the backfield. It's important to remain patient with Cook by keeping him on your bench until he's fully recovered and ready to resume a full workload. He's got RB1 potential for the second half of the season.

Leonard Fournette: Fournette has to be one of the most frustrating players to own in fantasy this year. He's got the ability and situation to be a top-five fantasy back, but he could be out several weeks after aggravating his hamstring injury on Sunday. T.J. Yeldon has proven to be more than capable when filling in as the starter, as he currently ranks 14th in FPPG despite not being a full-time starter this year. Even when and if Fournette is fully healthy this year, it appears likely Yeldon will still see about 30-35 percent of the team's backfield touches, including most of the receptions. If you can trade Fournette to a top team that can afford to wait out his injury, I would definitely entertain that idea for the right price.

 

Mike's Take:

It depends on a few factors. In typical 12-person leagues, I think you could consider adding Foreman as a bench stash, providing you have a deep enough bench and aren't dropping a fantasy-relevant player for him. Foreman is eligible to return to the lineup in Week 7 and he's someone who could fall into a starting role for the second half of the 2018 season.

Lamar Miller is yet to rush for a touchdown or manage 100 yards on the ground in a single game. He's averaging a mediocre 3.9 YPC, and just 0.60 fantasy points per touch. Sitting at 1-3, the Texans need a spark somewhere and the 22-year-old running back could be it. Will he be the savior to fantasy teams? I doubt it, but he could produce flex-worthy numbers down the stretch.

 

Mike's Take:

For those wondering, he is referring to Chris Conley here. Don't forget that Sammy Watkins got injured early and did not return to the game on Monday night, which could explain the inflated snap count.

Conley is tied for 85th in FPPG, and has just a nine percent target share for the Kansas City offense this year. He's also averaging just over two receptions per game. With Tyreek Hill, Watkins, and Travis Kelce all ahead of him in targets, I don't see a reason to add Conley in many formats, especially with Watkins practicing this week.

 

Mike's Take:

In terms of pure value, I prefer Landry over Michel in PPR formats. Michel should see a lot of touches moving forward, but his upside could be capped with a minimal role in the passing game. Michel has just two receptions in the three games he's played this season, while James White is averaging nearly six per game.

I would like to see more production from Landry, but the one thing that really stands out is his 32 percent target share, which is tied with Julio Jones for the league-lead. He could produce top 10 numbers the rest of the way, but even so, his worst case scenario is WR2 territory. Not too shabby.

 

That's all I have for this week, ladies and gents! To have your questions featured next week on our mailbag, please send them to @1ststopfantasy and/or @RotoBallerNFL with #RotoBallerMailbag. Good luck in your Week 5 matchups!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
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