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Fantasy Mad Libs - Starts and Sits for Week 5

Cliff Clinton evaluates some unexpected sleepers and busts for week 5 of the 2016 NFL season by playing a game of fantasy football fill in the blanks.

Think fast - what’s the worst trade you’ve ever made?

I’ve been playing fantasy football for more than five years at this point, and trading has always been one of my favorite aspects of playing, not exactly an uncommon feeling. We all love when our teams are good, maybe even great, but there’s not a fantasy feeling that quite matches pulling off a trade that ultimately takes your team from the basement to the ceiling.

I play in one league that has seen some truly infamous trades in the last few years. I won’t reveal the identities of any participants, as there is always one party that ends up kicking dirt around the parking lot and wondering where they went wrong. There was the infamous Branden Oliver for Odell Beckham Jr. trade. There was the Calvin Johnson for David Johnson trade. Hell, Russell Wilson was traded for Carson Palmer…. last year. And this is not a pushover league. In fact, it is the most difficult league I play in due to dynasty settings and bench depth. 

That brings us to 2016, when I was the only one who had too many running backs. Not a bad problem to have this year, but really not a bad problem to have in a dynasty league where our RBs tend to go from $70-$100 in initial rookie bidding (or about $170 in a $500 league, thank you Ezekiel Elliott.) I had tried unsuccessfully to shop one of my “extra” running backs, and had tried to turn $1 into $1.50 with every offer I made, all being turned down. Finally, I got desperate; I needed a cheap backup QB (remember, deep league, nearly all half-decent starters were owned) and preferred to get him pre-draft so I could save my salary for my targeted rookies. So I threw out an offer in which I’d get Ryan Tannehill, and he would get my…. sigh…. my “pretty cheap to keep” DeMarco Murray.

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As Week 5 continues marching on, the number one running back in fantasy football is staring me in the face, and before I know it, I’ll be facing both him and Le’Veon Bell. If only Bon Jovi were here to give me the power to turn back time.

If you’d like to share your “Worst Trade” story, email me; I’ll feature my favorites next week (or after receiving no good stories, will pretend I never asked for input and talk about something else entirely)

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

Running Back

Lamar Miller will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.

Are you there, God? It's me, a Texans running back heading to face the Vikings in Minnesota. The Vikings' run defense may not be where they are the best (and arguably, it's their worst trait as a defense) but I have to think the unit will be more successful than the were against New York in Week 4. I think Lamar Miller could possibly fall into the end zone, but I can't imagine the Texans generating any offense, and may need to play catch up, leaving Miller out of the fantasy equation.

Dear Frank Gore, do you like like me? I like like you this week.

Gore has been sitting out this week because he's a gorgeous thoroughbred running back whose has been running for a very long time and occasionally needs his rest (Editor's Note: Cliff Clinton is a 49ers fan and lives almost squarely in the past). So the Indianapolis Colts are giving it to him, and in a week where I may not have Christine Michael or Mark Ingram due to a bye, I'm not nervous to slide Gore into a key RB slot. The Bears have been miserable against the run so far this season, and Gore has found the end zone for three straight weeks. Use him if you've got him.

Am I going to really start James White in Week 5? (less than 20% ownership in Fleaflicker leagues)

This is a weirdly risky play; James White is not the lead back for the New England Patriots in 2016, and the Patriots vs Browns match-up is likely to become the "Tom Brady Exercises All Of His Demons" game. But James White was one of fantasy's most valuable running backs in the last seven games of the 2015 season despite never having more than 3 rushing attempts a game during that stretch. It's kind of an incredible outlier, and though White hasn't had much fantasy relevance so far, he's a decent FLEX play if you're in need.

 

Wide Receiver

Don't hand me my money back, I'm going double-or-nothing on Jarvis Landry

He's my fantasy MVP pick, and the seventh best WR in PPR leagues so far this season.... and he's only got one touchdown. Last week in this space I said that Michael Crabtree was due, but this is a different animal; the Titans passing defense is better (DeAndre Hopkins owners, I'm pouring one out) but Miami's offense has looked begrudgingly better than Houston's. Landry is due, and in a week that's not loaded with obvious plays, I'm going with this talented receiver.

I will be discarding my Amari Cooper and replacing him with two cards from the deck

I couldn't have been higher on Amari Cooper heading into the season, and I know many people who felt the same. I've watched a lot of Raiders games this year, and this is very much a make or break game for Cooper. He will no longer be facing Jason Verrett after Verrett's second-ending injury, so it means this is a game where he SHOULD be contributing. Despite his coverage he's had no more than six receptions in any game so far this season. There are so many names I'd rather play this week as my second WR, making Cooper a FLEX at best. He's not quite a bench player for me yet, but if he doesn't perform this week, it could be a real possibility.

Maybe he’s born with it, maybe it’s Eddie Royal

Chicago's number two receiver, now that former target leader Kevin White has hit IR, and there are snaps to go around. Royal is everyone's big sexy pickup in Week 5, so if he's still available in your league I'd run, not walk. I'm now just one of a thousand guys on the internet telling you OH MY GOD EDDIE ROYAL IS BACK EVERYONE.

I cannot believe, in 2016, Cordarrelle Patterson may be on my roster 

That's not even a fun fill-in line as this looming thought in my head for the entire week. The Minnesota Vikings are, by record, the best team in the NFC. Cordarrelle Patterson was on the field for the second most snaps among receivers, more than Charles Johnson. Cordarrelle Patterson is.... I can't even say it... Cordarrelle Patterson is......... you can probably put Patterson on your bench in the absolutely deepest of leagues because the workload may be legit, and I'm going to go vomit in my sink.

Tight End

Parachute? I don't need no parachute, I have Zach Miller

Don't overthink it; increased workload in the passing game due to White's injury, a defense that can't exactly limit tight ends, Miller is a must start this week. Hell, he may never have a week as a "Don't Start" for the rest of the season. That said, he suddenly appeared on the injury report with a rib issue Wednesday, so don't put that parachute away just yet...

Don't cry kids! We will bury Jacob Tamme in the yard

I think Jacob Tamme could be an interesting TE the rest of the way, but with a hip injury and a bad matchup vs Denver, I'm avoiding him in Week 5. Unless you're a Kelce or Graham owner who is stuck, nearly every other top-10 TE has a matchup I prefer.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Isaiah Stewart

Downgraded to Questionable Saturday with Illness
Rui Hachimura

Optimistic to Return vs. Kings
RJ Barrett

Ruled Out for Remainder of Friday with Ankle Injury
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Exits in Second Quarter Friday
Robert Williams III

Exits Early Friday With Knee Injury
Tari Eason

Exits Friday with Ankle Sprain
Kevin Huerter

May Miss Saturday's Game vs. Mavericks
Julian Champagnie

May Sit Saturday vs. Boston
Mark Scheifele

Scores Twice as Jets End Skid
Jalen Smith

Could Sit Again Saturday
Ace Bailey

Misses Second Straight Game
John Carlson

Records Two Assists Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Absence Extends to 10 Games
Karel Vejmelka

Picks Up Win No. 20
Mike Conley

Ruled Out Saturday for Rest
Clayton Keller

Dishes Out Three Assists Friday
Jamie Benn

to Remain Out Saturday
Ilya Mikheyev

Expected to Play Saturday
Alexander Kerfoot

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Friday
Brandon Williams

Won't Play Saturday
P.J. Washington

to Remain Out Saturday
LeBron James

Ready to Face Bucks
Andrew Nembhard

Could Miss Another Game Saturday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Uncertain for Saturday
Ryan Kalkbrenner

on Track to Return Saturday
Bruce Brown

Active Against Hawks
Aaron Gordon

Available Friday Night
Christian Braun

Cleared to Play Friday
John Klingberg

Could Return Sunday
Noah Laba

Could Return Saturday
Travis Konecny

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Kevin Stenlund

Available Friday
Anze Kopitar

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Aliaksei Protas

Back in Action Friday
Connor Bedard

Returns to Action Friday Night
Max Kepler

Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
CFB

Cam Coleman Visiting Alabama on Friday
Omarion Hampton

Expects to Play Sunday Night
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Trending to Land at Florida
CFB

NCAA Denies Trinidad Chambliss a Sixth Year of Eligibility
Omarion Hampton

Questionable for Wild-Card Weekend
Kyle Tucker

Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker
Ketel Marte

Will Remain With Diamondbacks
Rashee Rice

to be Reviewed Under League's Conduct Policy
Travis Konecny

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Thursday
Blake Coleman

Makes Early Exit for Precautionary Reasons
Carter Hart

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Joel Eriksson Ek

Out Day-to-Day
Joel Kiviranta

Labeled Week-to-Week
Brendan Smith

Out for 3-4 Months After Surgery
SJ

Sharks Acquire Laurent Brossoit
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals

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