by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
There are only two teams on byes this week (Vikings and Buccaneers), and they hardly have an impact on the rankings. Instead the bigger issues are top performers facing difficult matchups (like Matt Ryan traveling to Seattle), those expected to produce who are consistently struggling (like Eli Manning) or injuries (like Cam Newton and Carson Palmer). Trying to keep those things in mind, let’s take a look at the rankings for the coming week:
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. Cincinnati
- Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Miami
- Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Atlanta
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – vs. Carolina
- Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – at Houston
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – at New Orleans
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – vs. Dallas
- Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals – vs. New York Jets
- Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders – vs. Kansas City
- Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – vs. Cleveland
- Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – at New England
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – at Seattle
- Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Chicago
- Brian Hoyer – Chicago Bears – vs. Jacksonville
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys – at Green Bay
- Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles – at Washington
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – vs. Los Angeles
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – at New York Giants
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. Denver
- Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins – vs. Philadelphia
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Baltimore
- Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – at Oakland
- Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – vs. San Francisco
- Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins – vs. Pittsburgh
- Brock Osweiler – Houston Texans – vs. Indianapolis
Thoughts:
- Ben Roethlisberger leads the NFL with 15 TD passes, with 3+ TD throws in four of the five games the Steelers have played. The Dolphins don’t have a particularly strong secondary, including 8 TD vs. 1 INT, so there’s a good chance that he lights it up once again.
- It had been a slow start for Russell Wilson, but he’s coming off a big game against the Jets (309 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT) and will have had a bye week to get fully healthy. Considering his matchup against the Falcons, who are allowing the most points per week to opposing quarterbacks, he’s an easy Top 5 option and could easily be the #1 producer in Week 6.
- The numbers for the Houston Texans may look pretty good overall, but they just allowed Sam Bradford to throw for 271 yards and 2 TD. Andrew Luck has already thrown for 320+ yards three times this season, could he make this #4?
- It’s been a slow start for Carson Palmer, but he’s expected to be healthy and faces what has been an abysmal Jets’ secondary (12 TD vs. 2 INT). Call him a “sleeper” if you want, but he’s going to be impossible not to trust.
- Matt Ryan has been among the best quarterbacks in the league through five weeks (1,740 yards, 12 TD, 2 INT), but he draws the top rated Seahawks defense. While it’s impossible to call Ryan a sit, it also is impossible to call him a must start. Consider him a borderline QB1, but much better suited to be utilized as a QB2.
Is it time to drop Eli? ROS: others available are Bortles, Tyrod, Dak. Non-Keeper league.
Hoyer is also available in my league
Hello Professor, 12 team standard, I have Julio jones and Aj green with DeVante Parker on the bench. Donte moncrief is on waivers Would you drop parker for moncrief? Thank you
Prof. Jeremy Kerley or Cameron Brate for a WR stash.
Sorry Prof. Should of said Jeremy Kerley or Cameron Meredith.
Hey Prof,
What do you think of me trading Jordy to get M Gordon?
3 WR league, and I have Demaryius, Landry, Cooks, Desean, Dorsett, John Brown. Only RBs I have are, Coleman, Sproles, and David Johnson.
Hey Professor,
Who should I start this week?
T. Gurley, L. McCoy, J. Charles, B. Marshall, M. Jones, G. Olson, J. Graham.
I need 2 RB, 1 WR and 2 flex. Standard League.
Thanks.
Hoyer or Dalton Rest of the year. Hoyer has been on fire.
Chris – I wouldn’t drop him, though Bortles is the best option right now
Patriots – Nah, I like Parker’s upside a little bit more
haggy – I like Meredith in terms of upside, but Kerley is “safer”
Stephen – I’m good with that
Jim, I haven’t dug in to RB/WR yet and it’s still early but I’d guess Charles/Jones ar on the bench
Haggy – Dalton, Hoyer has a habit of starting fast before fading
Thanks prof
Prof, alshon or Marvin Jones ros? Also would you trade Travis kelce for either? I also have Zach miller. Thanks
Alshon for sure, and I’d trade KElce for him w/o a second thought
Done and done. You’re the man prof
2 qb league I have tannehill and Newton with no back up….got offered Kirk Cousins and d Jackson for Jordan howard and Micheal floyd….really don’t want to loose howard and Pretty sure I may be able to get Winston for mckinnon. Should I try the Winston trade?
Whats up prof… Kirk/Matt Ryan? And also would you stash either James Starks/james white? Lacy is questionable and Blount (who I have) was questionable last week.
Thanks for the input
Drop Terrelle Pryor for Cam Meredith? Have Alshon and this would give me backup for him and his injuries…
Kyle k – Yea, I’d definitely prefer the Mariota trade as opposed to giving up Howard
Pablo E – Tough matchup, but I’d still go Ryan (he’s been too good). I’d definitely stash White, especially if it’s a PPR format
Bms914 – I think Pryor has the higher upside. Meredith’s fumble issues are a bit of a cnocern…
Pro,
I’m starting this week in a 16 team PPR League:
QB – Ryan
RB – Gurley and West
WR – Nelson, Cooks and Baldwin
K – Gano
My bench is:
QB – Flacco
RB – Sproles and Derrick Henry
WR – Hurns and Sanu
TE – Henry and Eifert
Do you see anything I need to do to improve my lineup from my bench?
I also need to pickup a kicker this week so would you drop TE Henry or WR – Sanu.
Thanks
Looks good and if you don’t need to start a tight end, drop Henry
Henry is a scoring machine.
Three kickers were dropped this week so there are 7 available for next week when I need one. I should be OK. Just hate to drop Henry or Sanu. If Henry scores again nest week I think he will be some good trade bait. I sure wish I knew when Eifert was coming back.