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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.

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

Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Grayson Allen

Likely to Miss Third Straight Game
Rui Hachimura

Misses Second Consecutive Game Tuesday
Jaden McDaniels

Iffy for Tuesday
Jakob Poeltl

Out Against Heat
Khris Middleton

Available Versus Hornets
Corey Kispert

Returns to Wizards Lineup Tuesday
Bilal Coulibaly

Questionable Tuesday
Zach LaVine

Remains Unavailable Tuesday
Tristan da Silva

Ruled Out for Monday
Jalen Suggs

Ruled Out for Monday
Quentin Grimes

Uncertain to Suit Up Against Nets
Aaron Wiggins

Ruled Out for Monday
Dominick Barlow

Might Miss Tuesday's Meeting with Brooklyn
Deandre Ayton

Available Against Suns
Jalen Duren

Available for Monday
Alexandre Sarr

Off the Injury Report for Tuesday
Austin Reaves

May Return on Tuesday
Tyler Herro

Not Ready to Return Tuesday
Ron Holland II

Ruled Out for Monday
OG Anunoby

Ruled Out for Tuesday
Jerami Grant

Ruled Out for Monday
Rashee Rice

Still in Concussion Protocol, Estimated as Non-Participant on Monday
J.J. McCarthy

Listed as DNP on Monday Ahead of Week 17
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
DK Metcalf

Suspended for Two Games Following Confrontation with Fan
Christian Dvorak

Returns to Flyers Lineup
Elias Pettersson

Still Out Monday
Brandon Montour

to Miss Four Weeks After Hand Surgery
Miles Wood

Available Against Kings
Zach Werenski

Ruled Out Monday
Leo Carlsson

Won't Play Monday
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
TreVeyon Henderson

Exits Week 16 Victory with Head Injury
Mikhail Sergachev

Sets Up Two Goals
Fabian Zetterlund

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Cale Makar

Has Three-Point Performance Against Wild
Tomas Hertl

Notches Three Points Sunday
Connor McDavid

Continues Scoring Tear Against Vegas
Sidney Crosby

Becomes Pittsburgh's All-Time Leading Scorer
Tristan Jarry

to Miss Couple of Weeks
Lamar Jackson

Questionable to Return in Week 16 with Back Injury
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox
Patrick Kane

to Miss Fifth Consecutive Game
Quinshon Judkins

Done for the Season with Broken Leg
Nick Chubb

Officially Active Against Raiders in Week 16
Gardner Minshew

Won't Return in Week 16
Woody Marks

Officially Inactive for Week 16
Quinshon Judkins

Carted Off in Week 16, Ruled Out with Apparent Leg Injury
Tua Tagovailoa

Dolphins Hope to Trade Tua Tagovailoa in the Offseason
Woody Marks

Not Expected to Play in Week 16
Washington Commanders

Commanders to Retain Dan Quinn, Fire Joe Whitt?
New York Giants

Marcus Freeman is a Top Candidate in Giants' Head Coaching Search
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Expected to Return as Bengals' Head Coach in 2026
Las Vegas Raiders

Pete Carroll's Future with Las Vegas Raiders in Doubt
Tee Higgins

Active for Week 16 Against Dolphins
Woody Marks

Plans to Play Against Raiders in Week 16
Tee Higgins

Likely to Play at Miami on Sunday
Drake London

Expected to Return in Week 16
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Play, Will Ease Back In
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal

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