Ricky Dimon
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Uncertainty currently surrounds the NFL, as the coronavirus is starting to rear its ugly head. Cam Newton is out for the New England Patriots, while the Tennessee Titans are dealing with a full-blown outbreak. That also means uncertainty may be surrounding your fantasy football team, depending on your roster. Postponements and other schedule rearrangements must be monitored, in addition—as always—to the myriad of injuries being sustained.
As always, we are here to clear up some of the questions.
Let’s take a look at the best players at each position heading into the Week 5 matchups, as well as potential sleepers and players you should either start or sit.
Positional rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Russell Wilson, SEA (vs. MIN)
2. Patrick Mahomes, KC (vs. LV)
3. Lamar Jackson, BAL (vs. CIN)
4. Dak Prescott, DAL (vs. NYG)
5. Kyler Murray, ARI (@ NYJ)
Running Backs
1. Alvin Kamara, NO (vs. LAC)
2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (vs. NYG)
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC (vs. LV)
4. Dalvin Cook, MIN (@ SEA)
5. Josh Jacobs, LV (@ KC)
Receivers
1. DeAndre Hopkins, ARI (@ NYJ)
2. Tyreek Hill, KC (vs. LV)
3. Michael Thomas, NO (vs. LAC)
4. Tyler Lockett, SEA (vs. MIN)
5. Calvin Ridley, ATL (vs. CAR)
Tight Ends
1. Travis Kelce, KC (vs. LV)
2. George Kittle, SF (vs. MIA)
3. Darren Waller, LV (@ KC)
4. Mark Andrews, BAL (vs. CIN)
5. Zach Ertz, PHI (@ PIT)
Kickers
1. Harrison Butker, KC (vs. LV)
2. Justin Tucker, BAL (vs. CIN)
3. Rodrigo Blankenship, IND (@ CLE)
4. Wil Lutz, NO (vs. LAC)
5. Chris Boswell, PIT (vs. PHI)
Defense
1. Rams (@ WAS)
2. Steelers (vs. PHI)
3. Ravens (vs. CIN)
4. Cardinals (@NYJ)
5. 49ers (vs. MIA)
Sleepers
Tim Patrick, RB, NE (vs. DEN) – Cam Newton is out, so the Patriots would do well to keep the ball on the ground—even though they can’t give it to Sony Michel (quadriceps). Sure, Denver’s run defense is solid; but Patrick turned 17 attempts into 100 yards last week. He is going to get his chances.
Justin Jackson, RB, LAC (@ NO) – Austin Ekeler suffered a hamstring injury last week and is on injured reserve for at least a month. Joshua Kelley has fumbled in back-to-back games. Thus it is Jackson who could suddenly get the majority of L.A.’s carries, and New Orleans’ defense is not exactly daunting right now.
Deebo Samuel, WR, SF (vs. MIA) – Don’t forget about Deebo! He was awesome as a rookie last season before missing the first three games of 2019 with a foot injury. Samuel is back now, but you might not know it because he did not do much in Week 4. He should do a lot more against the Dolphins.
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
Start ‘Em
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Carolina (@ ATL) – The Falcons are starting second-string and third-string guys in the secondary due to all of their injuries. Bridgewater has completed more than 70 percent of his passes in three straight games and threw two TDs last week against Arizona.
Kenyan Drake, RB, ARI (@ NYJ) – The winless Jets are giving up 129.0 rushing yards per game and have already surrendered six touchdowns on the ground. Drake, who has gotten at least 18 touches in three of four games this year, will be able to take advantage.
Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (@ SEA) – How bad is Seattle’s pass defense? Well, it is allowing 401.0 yards per game through the air. Only two other teams are yielding more than 300! Part of the reason is opponents play from behind, and that will likely be the case with Jefferson and the Vikings.
Sit ‘Em
Matt Ryan, QB, ATL (vs. CAR) – It is true that Ryan is far from the main problem in Atlanta, but he has not looked great through four weeks. Julio Jones (hamstring) will probably be out, or at best he will be limited. Ryan has thrown only one touchdown pass in the past two outings.
Melvin Gordon, RB, DEN (@ NE) – New England’s run defense has been solid, to the tune of 115.3 yards allowed per game. What is especially notable about the unit is that it has given up only one touchdown on the ground. Gordon scored twice against the Jets last week… but it’s the Jets.
Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (vs. LAR) – Dwayne Haskins has been benched… which might actually be a good thing for McLaurin’s prospects. Still, nothing could make anyone feel good about The Football Team’s offense right now. Moreover, the Rams are eighth in passing defense.
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