Keepers & Sleepers: Week 5 recap, week 6 preview
By: Chase Rosenquist, Columnist
Hello fellow fantasy footballers. This is a new segment all about the past week’s results in the world of fantasy, projections for next week and tips you’re going to need to bring your fantasy season back to life. My name is Chase Rosenquist and I look forward to discussing fantasy football for the rest of the season. Let’s get started.
So far this season we’ve come to figure out a couple of things. Running backs (RBs) are hard to come by and hand cuffing RBs has become a way of fantasy. Also tight ends (TEs) are a dime a dozen, trade for a quality one while you can. Speaking of TEs, Gary Barnidge of the Browns is the real deal. Alright can’t get side tracked yet. Quarterbacks (QBs) have stayed rather consistent but some are too streaky to trust. As for wide receivers (WRs) it’s become a lot harder to pinpoint who’s going to explode that week, there is always that random player stealing quality fantasy points from those big name WRs.
Week 5
Last week was an explosive week for fantasy as the NFL totaled 621 points, which means that a lot of fantasy points were accumulated either for or against you. QBs made a huge splash with guys like Eli Manning and Josh McCown throwing for over 400 yards, while others like Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer and Michael Vick ended up lacking in fantasy points but still were able to lead their teams to victory. The RBs situation has now become even scarcer as Jamaal Charles is done for the season. However, RBs like Thomas Rawls, Devonta Freeman, Todd Gurley, Justin Forsett and even Doug Martin had spectacular games and led the RBs in fantasy. To be honest, all these guys had successful games because of their great matchup against opposing defenses.
As for WRs, again it’s those guys you don’t see coming who steal the fantasy points from the big name guys. Those out-of-nowhere guys I’m talking about were Allen Hurns, Marquess Wilson, Kamar Aiken and even Brandin Cooks has been quiet so I’ll even say he is on the rise, but especially Willie Snead while raking up 141 yards. TEs stole the show this weekend on the receiving end with guys like Gary Barnidge, Antonio Gates, Tyler Eifert and Jacob Tamme surprisingly reeling in the most catches for his team.
Sleepers for Week 6
Week 6 is looking to bring a lot of excitement and even more fantasy points throughout the league. Watch out for explosive numbers coming from explosive players. For some sleeper players this week I am suggesting to take a strong look at guys like:
- QB Sam Bradford (PHI) – With the Giants letting up on average the most passing yards a game in the NFL, I expect Bradford to continue his recent success in this offense and have a 350+ yard game.
- QB Brian Hoyer (HOU) – Mark my words, Hoyer will throw for over 250 yards and three touchdowns this weekend against the Jaguars.
- RB Charcandrick West (KC) – West is a must add for this week and I expect him to become the new head guy in KC. Start West this week especially because of a promising match-up with a weak Vikings defense against the rush, while allowing an average of 125 rush yards a game.
- RB Ronnie Hillman (DEN)- It’s time for Ronnie Hillman to take over that RB spot for the Broncos as they are set to face one of the worst run defenses in the league.
- RB Melvin Gordon (SD) – When will Gordon breakout, is the real question here. He definitely has a good match up ahead of him to capitalize, look for Gordon to have his breakout game against the Packers.
- WR Kamar Aiken (BAL) – Aiken had a very promising performance last week as he was technically the number one receiver. I’m projecting Aiken to have a great game and go over 100 yards and a touchdown, even if Steve Smith plays (yeah, I said it).
- WR Allen Robinson (JAC) – Robinson is starting to become a reliable WR in fantasy, and I say he keeps it up with a big game against the Texans.
- WR Willie Snead (NO) – Snead is one of my favorite random players and has seemingly come out of nowhere. He just put up his first 100 yard game of the season and he’s a must start for me this week, as I say he does it again.
- TE Julius Thomas (JAC) – Coming off of his hand injury that kept him out all season so far last week, Thomas didn’t make much noise at all. Look for this to be his real come back game and give the Jaguars the TE they paid for.
- TE Delanie Walker (TEN) – Walker is usually just a touchdown or bust guy fantasy wise but watch for this to be his big game of the year. Going against a weak Dolphins defense I expect Marcus Mariota to hit his check downs, where Walker will more than likely be camping out all afternoon.
“Studs” and “Duds” for Week 6
| “Studs” | “Duds” |
| QBsDrew Brees (NO)Matt Ryan (ATL)Eli Manning (NYG)Tom Brady (NE) | QBsMichael Vick (PIT)Marcus Mariota (TEN)EJ Manuel (BUF) *starting for injured T.TaylorColin Kaepernick (SF) |
| RBsDevonta Freeman (ATL)TJ Yeldon (JAC)Matt Forte (CHI)Eddie Lacy (GB)Dion Lewis (NE) | RBsAmeer Abdullah (DET)Mark Ingram (NO)Demarco Murray (PHI)Jeremy Hill (CIN)Alfred Morris (WAS) |
| WRsDeAndre Hopkins (HOU)Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG)Brandon Marshall (NYJ)Julian Edelman (NE)Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) | WRsSammy Watkins (BUF)Jeremy Maclin (KC)Jarvis Landry (MIA)Pierre Garcon (WAS)Kendall Wright (TEN) |
| TEsAntonio Gates (SD)Tyler Eifert (CIN)Rob Gronkowski (NE)Charles Clay (BUF) | TEsJordan Reed (WAS)Jimmy Graham (SEA)Dwayne Allen (IND)Jordan Cameron (MIA) |
| DEFDenver BroncosCincinnati BengalsTennessee Titans | DEFPittsburg SteelersIndianapolis ColtsNew York Giants |
This upcoming week 6 will definitely be something interesting in regards to the world of fantasy football. Be on the lookout for some of the moves I have projected for the week. I am expecting a lot of fantasy activity this week and plan to share some fantasy glory along with you viewers. Don’t be afraid to leave a comment, ridicule me for my predictions, or thank me for bringing your fantasy team back to life and just join the discussion.
