Week 5: Fantasy Studs and Duds

Studs

Demaryius Thomas- DT has been working his way back into fantasy relevance, in the last three games he has gone over 90 receiving yards and posted back to back touchdowns. Look for his impressive form to continue, going up against a Falcons defense that has looked to be improved, Thomas will exploit them with his size and deep threat ability. With Lynch possibly starting this week, due to Siemian being injured, Thomas may see an increase in targets, especially with Lynch’s big arm, as Lynch likes to throw the deep ball.

Mike Evans- Evans is coming off a tough game against the Broncos and their vaunted secondary. He only managed to finish the day with 59 receiving yards and no touch downs, look for a bounce back game this week. Evans is Winston’s favourite target and should see a big output this week, against a Panthers team that got absolutely torched by Julio Jones (300 receiving yards last week). Evans should have a strong day and may finish the game with a pair of touchdowns as well, his physicality and size makes him a perfect receiver for the red zone. Last week the Panther’s had no answer for Julio Jones, I don’t think they are going to be able to sort out their secondary in time for Evans to come in and post a big total.

David Johnson- What a remarkable player this young running back is. In a tough matchup against the Rams stout defensive front last week, Johnson still managed to rush for 83 yards and total 41 receiving yards. We have also learnt after the Rams game that Chris Johnson has now been placed on IR, therefore giving David’s value a huge boost, he will be on the field for the majority of the plays this week. Look for him to explode, with the Niners run defense being exploited last week by the Cowboys, once NaVarro Bowman was taken off the field, Johnson could have a huge day. We have now learnt that Bowman is now out for the rest of the season, without him to lead this inexperienced defense, teams will exploit them in the run game. Add into this equation the fact that Carson Palmer may not play due to a concussion, the Cards may want to dial up the run game and lean on Johnson.

Melvin Gordon- Gordon continues to be a main stay in this column, a big factor in this, is the sheer volume that he is getting. Whilst Gordon has only rushed for over 100 yards once this season, the way in which the Charger’s are using him in the offence, makes him a must start. Gordon has seen an increased workload in the receiving game once Woodhead was ruled out for the season, he is also being used as a consistent scoring weapon in the redzone. Scoring a touchdown in every game this season, Gordon is looking like a true featured back. This week he is going up against a Raiders defense that hasn’t looked especially good against running backs, and ranks the 5th worst to fantasy backs. Whilst the Raiders are improving, Gordon and this offensive line may dominate them in the trenches. Look for Gordon to continue to keep posting high and consistent fantasy totals.

Ryan Matthews- Matthews has been getting a lot of work in this new Philly offence, if he is fully healthy, look for him to capitalise upon a very good matchup this week against the Lions. Detroit have lost a number of their starting line backers, and it showed last week. Jordon Howard the rookie from Chicago, ran all over this defense last week, totalling 140 all purpose yards. Whilst Matthews has been dealing with an ankle injury previously, he is now coming off the bye, so hopefully the week off will have given him enough time to sort out this niggling issue.

Duds

DeAndre Hopkins- Its hard to think that at one point during draft season, Hopkins was in the mix as a top 5 receiver. He now has two back to back games in which he has not recorded over 60 receiving yards, last week he only managed to come down with one catch against the Titans. Hopkins owners should be cautious this week, he is playing a Vikings defense at home, that has continually harassed the quarter back and shut down opposing receivers. The Vikings held ODB to 23 receiving yards on Monday night football. Start Hopkins if you have to, but if you have other options this week, I would consider leaving Hopkins on the bench.

Carlos Hyde- Hyde is coming off a good but not great game against the Cowboys last week, finishing with a touchdown and 74 rushing yards. Unfortunately for him and this Niners offense they are going against a Cardinals defense that gives up the 6th fewest fantasy points. It doesn’t help that the Niners passing attack is almost non-existent, teams will continue to game plan for Hyde particularly. The Cardinals defensive front is formidable, lead by Calais Campbell, Hyde is going to have a tough day running the rock. Start Hyde with caution.

LeGarrette Blount- Blount had his first game this year in which he did not find the end zone. Whilst I don’t think Blount will be held to under 60 yards again, because the Browns running defense has been patchy at best this season, he wont explode. With Tom Brady coming back off a four game suspension, look to see this offence switch from a running offence to one that solely revolves around Brady and his arm. Julian Edelman and Gronk will see their fantasy stock rise, yet Blount may be stuck in a rotational play, and only be used sparingly.

Eric Ebron- Whilst Ebron has been a good start over the last four weeks, his play has been steadily regressing. Whilst he did finish with 42 receiving yards last week, he hasn’t been able to haul in any touchdowns since week one. This week he goes up against a Philly defense that ranks number one against opposing tight ends. Whilst the tight end position is very thin at the moment, Ebron might be a risky play this week, and will only see value if the Lions are down by a lot late and Stafford has to throw the ball around.

Beware- Matt Ryan- Ryan is currently the top quarter back in all of fantasy. An amusing idea, considering the quarterbacks taken ahead of him in drafts. Ryan has been on fire throwing for over 300 yards in three games, and is coming off a 500-yard performance against the Panthers on Sunday. Yet Ryan has played secondaries like the Bucs, Raiders, Saints and Panthers, all defences that are looking woeful in their respected secondaries. This week Ryan takes on the best secondary in football, the Denver Broncos lead by Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, this Broncos defense will create problems for Ryan and the receivers. It will be a great matchup to see Julio Jones going against this secondary, but I would still start Ryan with caution, don’t expect another 40-point fantasy game from Matty Ice.