You don’t have to be as sneaky this week.
Week 4 saw a whopping six teams on a bye, forcing fantasy owners to look to the waiver wire for alternate options in their lineup. And, if you started guys like Teddy Bridgewater or Andre Holmes, you were probably pretty happy with the results. This week, however, we go down to just two teams off, and both are arguably two of the least fantasy-relevant teams in football in the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of viable under the radar options to choose from this week.
That’s what we call a segue, folks.
Quarterback
Austin Davis @ Philadelphia Eagles- You probably don’t want to start Davis, but if you are in a two-quarterback league or own a struggling passer such as Tom Brady, Davis is certainly worth a look. Did you know that, despite a rather lack-luster receiving corp, Davis actually leads the entire NFL in completion percentage? (72.3.) He’s played well for the Rams and has been anointed the starter. Meanwhile, the Eagles defense has allowed every quarterback they have faced this season to throw at least two passing touchdowns, and are surrendering the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers this year (21.86). He has also improved in each game he’s played this season, and if the Eagles get ahead in this contest, you’ll see Davis have to throw the ball a little more.
Running Back
Bishop Sankey vs Cleveland Browns- This may very well be the greatest week of my life. Sankey, my man crush entering the draft, is finally going to see more work, and more often, according to Ken Wisenhunt. That bodes well, especially since Sankey played 46 percent of the Titans’ snaps last week, and has now passed Shonn Greene in snaps for the season. Over the past two weeks, Sankey is averaging 6.1 and 5.7 yards per carry, so I guess you could say his “footwork” is improving. Sankey is a good back, with good vision and very strong lateral ability. Meanwhile, the Browns defense ranks 28th in the NFL against the run, surrendering 153.7 rushing yards per game, to go along with a healthy 29 fantasy points per game to opposing backfields. Only the Falcons have been worse through four weeks. And when Tennessee is passing, it’ll be Sankey in the game, not the plodding Greene. If you didn’t buy Sankey so far, your time is running out. It’s time to do the Sankey Leg.
Andre Williams vs Atlanta Falcons- Williams benefited from a blowout, as well as Rashad Jennings getting 34 carries in Week 3, as he played a ton during the Thursday night game against the Redskins. He looked very good against one of the league’s better run defenses, carrying the football 15 times for 66 yards and a touchdown. Now he gets to face the worst run defense in the NFL in Atlanta, who have allowed a league-worst nine rushing scores this season. Sure, Jennings is going to see most of the work, but Williams will still be out there, too, and the matchup is so, so good. You saw Matt Asiata find the end zone three times against the Falcons last week, so there is definitely potential for Williams to find paydirt at least once. Opposing offenses are averaging 33.8 carries per game against Atlanta, the third-most in football.
Wide Receiver
Allen Hurns vs Pittsburgh Steelers- Over the last two weeks, the Steelers have allowed 632 passing yards, while surrendering three touchdowns to opposing receivers. Hurns, meanwhile, appears to be legit, ranking 10th in the NFL in touchdowns with three, while sitting 12th among wideouts in fantasy points. Jacksonville can’t run the football and could be behind in this game, which means more volume for Hurns. The matchup is great, too, as the Steelers defense is very banged up and the offense is clicking more with Blake Bortles under center for Jacksonville.
John Brown @ Denver Broncos- Brown has been a great addition the the Cardinals passing game, scoring three touchdowns and hauling in at least four passes during his first three career games. He’s played a healthy 113 snaps, and has a solid matchup this week. The Cardinals, who are already throwing the football 57 percent of the time, should be throwing a lot again this week against the Broncos. And, believe it or not, but if Drew Stanton is under center again, I like Brown a bit more. The two have the most chemistry after working together in practice a ton, and Stanton doesn’t tend to take many shots down the field.
Tight End
Garrett Graham @ Dallas Cowboys- Start all of your tight ends against the Cowboys. They are allowing nearly 19 fantasy points per game to the position thus far, easily the most in the NFL. I would dive into the stats and such, but a simple table should suffice.
