One thing I always wondered in my 20s was whether my children would want to play fantasy football with me when they started growing up. I’m blessed and have enough children to fill up my right hand when I count, so I hoped some of them would eventually join our family’s fantasy football league if I ever created one. About six or so years ago, my brother and I decided to co-commission our family’s own fantasy league and even started a podcast to discuss current events and injuries in the NFL. The “If you build it, they will come” mentality is what I was aiming for.
What I failed to think about is how much it would suck to lose to your own creation in fantasy football, especially one who is playing in their first year. My five-year-old son chose the Panthers as his favorite team last year and has never looked back (poor kid). He always roots for Carolina, whether they win or lose, and picks them every week in our family’s pick-em. The kid loves the Panthers so much that he drafted their rookie wide receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, with the first overall draft selection in our family’s fantasy league. He loves Carolina so much that before the game, he dropped the injured James Conner and added a certain Carolina running back who happened to go off for 40+ points this week .
My five-year-old beat me in fantasy football. Woof, I’m down BAD. Now, before you start saying he needs help running his team, I have him decide through the players that he has on his team each week. If the players have no issues, he keeps them on the starting roster, and he does the clicking himself. Which I feel like makes it worse that I lost. I also lost to my fourteen-year-old the week prior, but we won’t get into that today. My team is 2-3 in my family league, and I can only curse and shake my fist at the fantasy gods for handing me such a tough start to the season.
I followed the redraft bro’s hype and drafted players like Trey McBride, Ladd McConkey, and Drake London. I even drafted Christian McCaffrey as my RB1 because I love the 49ers and I am a homer. Goes to show you that even if you get an A+ grade from Yahoo Sports in your email, your team can “catch the fade”. Hopefully, you’re not in the same 2-3 situation that I am in, but in the case that you are, I hope this article can help you straighten the navigation on your team’s future championSHIP.
Enough of the pleasantries, let’s get to the body and the sole purpose that you are here. “The numbers, Mason, what do they mean?!?” Here are some tidbits and data from this week that caught my eye. Stats are from ProFootballReference.com, and snap percentages come from the game summaries over at NFL.com (you can also see player played percentages on Sleeper.com underneath the game log tab in each player’s personal profile). I use Sportac.com when reviewing and discussing player contracts, and will primarily refer to the depth charts from Ourlads.com.
Streaky Good Players
Players who may have had a hot start to the season are more likely to be consistent, which increases their chances of getting a shout. I will conduct a brief analysis of the players, and some weeks, when I have the time, provide insight into why they are having success. The more times I write this weekly article, the longer the list will become, keeping players on the consistent list if they stay consistent, and adding new faces to avoid it becoming too stale. FantasyPros scoring settings, which I reference in the player notes, can be found here. I apologize for the unorganized numbers mess. The article is a work in progress. Any questions about the players mentioned? You can always write me on Twitter, and I’d be happy to provide more details.
Players From Previous weeks
| Position | Player | Team | FPTS WK 1-5 |
| Defensive Lineman | Brian Burns | New York Giants | 19/15/21.6/13.3/6.3 |
| Linebacker | Jack Campbell | Detroit Lions | 11.3/11.5/22.5/15.3/17 |
| Linebacker | Tyrel Dodson | Miami Dolphins | 16.8/11.3/24.5/23.5/3.8 |
| Defensive Back | Nick Cross | Indianapolis Colts | 14/10.5/11.5/17/11.5 |
| Defensive Back | Tykee Smith | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 15/16.5/9.8/13.5/13 |
Players Added This Week
| Position | Player | Team | FPTS WK 1-5 |
| Defensive Lineman | Dorance Armstrong Jr. | Washington Commanders | 12.5/14/15/7/16.8 |
| Defensive Lineman | Josh Sweat | Arizona Cardinals | 0.8/17.5/8.8/13.5/19.8 |
| Defensive Lineman | Bryce Huff | San Francisco 49ers | 0/15.8/13.3/5.5/8.8 |
| Linebacker | Demario Davis | New Orleans | 16.3/16/12.3/11.5/18.3 |
| Linebacker | Devin Lloyd | Jacksonville | 2.3/8.8/11/26/15.5 |
| Defensive Back | Paulson Adebo | New Orleans | 11.3/19.5/11.3/5.3/11.5 |
| Defensive Back | Jalen Pitre | Houston | 6.8/8.3/14/10.3/18.3 |
Offensive / DST Mentions (Half PPR):
| Position | Player | Team | FPTS WK 1-5 |
| Quarterback | Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams | 13.6/18.3/14.8/27.4/25.6 |
| Running Back | Javonte Williams | Dallas Cowboys | 19.4/22/9.7/17.5/26.4 |
| Wide Reciever | Michael Pittman Jr. | Indianapolis Colts | 17/6/16.3/12.6/12.4 |
| Tight End | Dalton Kincaid | Buffalo Bills | 12.8/5.7/15.1/9.3/13.8 |
| Defense | N/A | Kansas City Chiefs | 3/3/12/8/7 |
Streaky Bad Players
The opposite of good streaks is that you must have the other. This section highlights some players who may be performing consistently, nonetheless, but in a way that is detrimental to your fantasy team. I dive into what’s going on with the player, why the struggles are occurring, and whether to pivot in your leagues.
Players Previously Mentioned:
| Position | Player | Team | FPTS WK1-5 |
| Defensive Lineman | Tuli Tuipulotu | Los Angeles Chargers | 0.8/12.3/2.3/43.8/0 |
| Linebacker | Robert Spillane | New England Patriots | 4.5/10/27/10.5/13.8 |
Spillane put on a fair display in Primetime on Sunday night, posting 13.8 FPTS. He won’t be on the list next week. Tuipulotu, on the other hand, went sackless and finished with minimal tackles in his WK5 matchup with the Washington Commanders. It looks like Tuipulotu could be nothing more than a player to slide into your flex when you have no other options and hope it works out in your favor as a weekly boom-or-bust starting option.
Players Added This Week
| Position | Player | Team | FPTS WK 1-5 |
| Defensive Lineman | Greg Rousseau | Buffalo Bills | 6/4.3/0.8/3.8/17.3 |
| Defensive Lineman | Will McDonald IV | New York Jets | 16.8/0/7.5/5.5/1.5 |
| Defensive Lineman / Linebacker | Dallas Turner | Minnesota Vikings | 2.3/12.5/0.8/3.8/9.3 |
| Linebacker | Henry To’oTo’o | Houston Texans | 14/16/5.3/3.8/8.5 |
| Linebacker | Frankie Luvu | Washington Commanders | 6/1.5/8.3/16.3/4.5 |
| Linebacker | Joe Bachie | Indianapolis Colts | 3.8/6/6/5.3/3.8 |
| Defensive Back | Antione Winfield Jr. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5.3/6/16.8/7.8/4.5 |
| Defensive Back | Cam Bynum | Indianapolis Colts | 11/11.8/5.3/8.3/2.3 |
The Texans blew out the Ravens, so there were a few players that rotated aside from the MLB Azeez AL-Shaair on Sunday. Henry To’oTo’o and E.J. Speed received the bulk of the workload, which was the second consecutive week that we’ve seen Speed dip into To’oTo’o’s workload. This could be the new weekly reality, which, for me, makes the situation worth monitoring, but I wouldn’t feel confident starting either guy as my LB1/2.
Key IDP Injuries To Monitor
| Position | Player | Team | Injury | Status |
| SAF | Kyle Hamilton | Baltimore | Groin | Q |
| LB | Roquan Smith | Baltimore | Hamstring | Q |
| LB | Matt Milano | Buffalo | Pectoral | Q |
| DT | Ed Oliver | Buffalo | Ankle | Q |
| LB | Dorian Williams | Buffalo | Knee | Q |
| CB | Chau Smith-Wade | Carolina | Chest | Q |
| LB | T.J. Edwards | Chicago | Hamstring | Q |
| DT | Grady Jarrett | Chicago | Knee | Q |
| EDGE | Shemar Stewart | Cincinatti | Ankle | Q |
| EDGE | Marshawn Kneeland | Dallas | Ankle | Q |
| LB | Jack Sanborn | Dallas | Concussion | Q |
| LB | Zach Cunningham | Detroit | Hamstring | Q |
| DT | Devonte Wyatt | Green Bay | Knee | Q |
| DT | Grover Stewart | Indianapolis | Biceps | Q |
| EDGE | Travon Walker | Jacksonville | Wrist | Q |
| LB | Omar Speights | Los Angeles | Ankle | D |
| LB | Tyrel Dodson | Miami | Concussion | Q |
| EDGE | Andrew Van Ginkel | Minnesota | Neck | Q |
| DE | Keion White | New England | Elbow | Q |
| EDGE | Chase Young | New Orleans | Calf | Q |
| SAF | Justin Reid | New Orleans | Concussion | Q |
| EDGE | Jermaine Johnson II | New York | Ankle | Q |
| LB | Francisco Mauigoa | New York | Foot | Q |
| EDGE | Alex Highsmith | Pittsburgh | Ankle | Q |
| CB/SAF | Upton Stout | San Francisco | Ankle | Q |
| DE/DT | Yetur Gross-Matos | San Francisco | Hamstring | D |
| CB | Devon Witherspoon | Seattle | Knee | Q |
| SAF | Julian Love | Seattle | Hamstring | Q |
| DE | DeMarcus Lawrence | Seattle | Quadriceps | Q |
| SAF | Christian Izien | Tampa Bay | Quadriceps | Q |
| EDGE | Arden Key | Tennessee | Thigh | Q |
Waiver Wire Additions
Yes, it is only Tuesday, but some of these guys may be hanging around, so keep a keen eye out, and remember not every fantasy application’s projections are the final say. Conduct thorough research to ensure you have the most comprehensive knowledge to make the most informed decision possible when setting your lineups. Don’t flex out on Thursday; keep those players who have a short week game in their actual position, so you have more flexibility for your team on Sunday.
Offensive Players:
- QB Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers: Last week, I said start at your own risk, but now, as long as Jones is in, I feel confident in his abilities enough so that he could be a solid QB2 in Superflex. Still risky in one-quarterback formats.
- RB Zonovan Knight, Arizona Cardinals: Last week was a literal nightmare for Arizona fans. After Emari Demercado let go of the ball at the one-yard line on what seemed at first glance to be a touchdown, the game ended in disaster as the Cardinals fell to the then-defeated Titans. Knight scored a touchdown at the end of the game, but only averaged 2.8 yards per carry on his four attempts in week 5. This is more about someone having to be the RB2, rather than a Knight being a must-roster player. With that said, I think while Denercado is in the “dog house,” I think Knight gets some work this week. Either way, Michael Carter is the team’s RB1 until Benson returns.
- RB Hassan Haskins, Los Angeles Chargers: Hampton was seen in a walking boot. I think Haskins is the next man up.
- RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
- WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans: Some managers may have cut Ridley after his four weeks of play resembled something made out of a horror movie. He was targeted ten times in week 5, still no touchdowns on the year, but perhaps those will come if the Titans can continue to give Ridley a good amount of targets per game.
- WR Isaiah Bond, Cleveland Browns: Fresh off a seven-target game, Bond is a decent pivot if you have a bye week coming up and are looking to take your chances on a guy. Let’s see if he continues to receive targets and earn the trust of his teammates.
- WR Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks: Probably not on your waiver wire, but a nice depth piece if he is in redraft leagues.
Defensive Players:
- LB Dee Winters, San Francisco 49ers
- LB Teddye Buchanan, Baltimore Ravens (Injuries are hitting the Ravens pretty bad, but Buchanan has been a bright light for IDP managers who scoop him off the waiver wire.)
- LB Eric Wilson, Minnesota Vikings
- LB E.J. Speed, Houston Texans: It’s still a timeshare for the Texans LB2, so keep an eye on the situation.
- LB Trenton Simpson, Baltimore Ravens: The LB2 in Baltimore until Roquan Sm
- LB Elandon Roberts, Las Vegas Raiders
- LB Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia Eagles
- LB Austin Ajiake, Indianapolis Colts – Ajiake seemed to be the passing-down linebacker for the Colts, who continue to have a battle for the WILL linebacker position. Ajiake is in a battle with Joe Bache and, at times, Chad Muma. Ajiake finished as the snap leader of the three in week 5. Start in deeper leagues only, and I’ll be sure to monitor that linebacker rotation as we get deeper into the season.
- LB Demetrius Knight, Cincinnati Bengals
- LB Shemar James, Dallas Cowboys: With Sanborn on the injury report, James is the linebacker with the hot hand in Dallas.
- LB Christian Rozeboom, Carolina Panthers
- DL Abdul Carter, New York Giants
- DL Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers
- DI Maliek Collins, Cleveland Browns – In True Position redraft leagues, Collins is worth a look as he has two consecutive games now with multiple tackles, as well as getting into the backfield. The inconsistencies are there in Collins’ game for fantasy, but something is in the air in Cleveland as the defensive line and front seven as a unit have been a bright spot for a mildly gloomy time in the franchise’s history.
- LB/DB Jamal Adams, Las Vegas Raiders – I wouldn’t say he’s a reliable starter just yet, but he had an uptick in snaps last week and finishes as the team’s LB3 in snaps. If you’re in a deep league, check your wire and catch the wave before it breaks.
- DB Kevin Byard, Chicago Bears
- DB Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles
- DB Marques Sigle, San Francisco 49ers – The jig is up, Sigle has posted enough solid tackle numbers weekly for me to say he’s an every-week starter. A lot of Sigle’s snaps come from the box, and it helps that he’s been targeted several times in each of his past two games. He faces Tampa Bay this week, which has been relying heavily on the pass offensively. He is probably rostered in your league, but the name is worth a look as your DB2/3.
That’s all I have for this week. Stay like water; don’t use your Flex spot on Thursday. Always watch your waiver wires and league transactions. Best of luck in week 6, my fellow IDPer’s and fantasy friends.
The Sports Affiliation 