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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:

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

  • 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!

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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