Injuries are piling up all over the place, and when you combine the injuries with byes and postponed games, you have to keep your fantasy head on a swivel this year! Lucky for you, I am here every week bringing you the blood bank guarantees, also known as the ‘Studs, Duds & Sleepers’!

Studs:

Quarterbacks:

Kyler Murray, AZ:

Most would describe Murray’s 2020 campaign as a little disappointing through five games. He is middle of the pack in both yards per game (259.8) and touchdowns (8), while his six interceptions are less than only Kirk Cousins (7) and Carson Wentz (9). That being said, he gets a terrible Cowboys defense that is giving up 400+ yards per game – equally bad against the pass (250/g) and the air (150/g). Fresh off a game of more than 400 all-purpose yards, it isn’t unrealistic that Murray puts up another 400 yard game this week.

Aaron Rodgers, GB:

Despite only playing four games, Rodgers is tied for second with 13 touchdowns and is averaging more than 300 passing yards per game, despite missing DaVante Adams the last few games. The Bucs pass defense is middle of the pack, and this game has the potential of being a shootout, which will mean big numbers for Rodgers.

Others receiving votes:

Patrick Mahomes, KC:

There are a lot of folks out there claiming Mahomes is off to a slow start… if 295 passing yards per game and  13 TDs and 1 INT through five games is a slow start, sign me up!. Despite playing a tough Bills defense, I like Mahomes to have a big day.

Matt Ryan, Atl:

The Vikings have a bottom 10 pass defense (270+/g and 10 passing TDs) and Matt Ryan and the Falcons are likely to be playing inspired after the firing of their long time head coach this week. I expect Ryan and this passing attack to put up big numbers this week.

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Running backs:

Ezekiel Elliott, Dal:

I like Elliott to have a big game for three reasons: 1) The Cardinals give up nearly 125 yards rushing per game at a 4.5 yards per carry clip; 2) speaking of playing inspired, I think Elliott and the Cowboys offense will be playing inspired after the gruesome injury of their leader, Dak; and 3) because of the injury to Dak, I expect the Cowboys to lean on Elliott even more than normal.

Derrick Henry, Ten

Henry didn’t put up a bunch of yards this week against a tough Bills defense, but he did have two touchdowns and a stiff-arm which should have Josh Norman contemplating retirement! Henry should find the going a lot easier this week against a Texans defense which ranks 30th against the run, giving up more than 160 yards and one rushing touchdowns per game

 

Others receiving votes:

Alexander Mattison, Min:

Despite missing most of the game on Sunday, Dalvin Cook still ranks first in the NFL in yards (489), more than 100 yards ahead of second place (377). With Cook out, Mattison looked good, putting up more than 130 all-purpose yards and three receptions.

 

Pass Catchers:

DeAndre Hopkins, AZ

Despite switching teams and getting no preseason or camp, Hopkins still leads the NFL through five games in yards (528), yards per game (105.6) and receptions (45). He and Murray should have a field day against the Cowboys’ porous pass defense.

Robby Anderson, Car:

He goes from ‘Sleeper’ last week to ‘Stud’ this week. After five games, I think it is safe to say Anderson isn’t flying under any radars anymore. He may only have one touchdown, but he ranks third in yards (489), fourth in receptions (36), and is coming off an day where he pulled in 8 of his 13 targets for 112 yards.

Others receiving votes:

Stefon Diggs, Buf:

Fresh off a game where he saw 16 targets and pulled in 10 for 106 yards, Diggs now has surpassed 100 yards in three of his five games with Buffalo, and has hauled in six or more passes in four of his five games.

Mark Andrews, Bal

Andrews pulled in six of his nine targets against the Bengals for 56 yards and a touchdown, which is great output for a tight end. Against a banged up Eagles team, I look for Andrews to have another good week.

 

Duds:  

Carson Wentz, Phi:

Second week in a row Wentz sits about the ‘Duds’ list for quarterbacks. While he did throw for two touchdowns and 250+ yards against a tough Steelers defense, he did throw two more picks to allow him to continue to lead the world in interceptions (9) and turnovers as a whole (12). I see him adding to his turnover total this week against the Ravens.

Phillip Rivers, Ind:

The Bengals are far from being considered a tough defense, but they have a respectable pass defense which is coming off their best game of the year, containing Lamar Jackson to just 180 yards passing and 3 yards rushing. Rivers, on the other hand, has not been what the Colts were looking for and enters the game with only four touchdowns to five interceptions.

Others receiving votes:

Baker Mayfield, Cle:

Mayfield and the Browns offense are on a roll, but he has thrown for less than 200 yards three times this year. A lot of that has to do with the fact that their ground game has been so effective that he hasn’t had to throw a ton. Well, I don’t see the Browns run game being as effective against the Steelers, nor do I see Baker keeping the turnover sheet clean this week.

 

Running backs:

Miles Sanders, Phi:

I was shocked to see Sanders have two touchdowns against the Steelers last week. Even more shocked to see he averaged 7.3 yards per carry….however, 74 of his 80 yards came on one run, meaning he averaged just 0.6 yards per carry on his other 10 carries. I think Sanders will struggle again this week against the Ravens, and won’t get the big run and multiple touchdowns to save his fantasy day.

Melvin Gordon III, Den:

Well, his game against the Patriots was moved back to this week…so he stays here! Gordon is coming off a huge week two weeks ago, but I don’t like the matchup. With the quarterback situation in Denver, Belichick will focus on limiting Gordon and force whomever is behind center to try and beat them through the air.

Others receiving votes:

Joe Mixon, Cin:

With the exception of Week 4, the Bengals can’t run the ball and the Colts are very good at stopping the run. Opponents have only scored one touchdown on the ground against the Colts and are averaging just 86.4 yards per game on the ground. With injuries and byes, you will be starting Mixon, just don’t expect a big day.

Raheem Mostert, SF:

The Rams have a top 10 run defense and to say the 49ers offense struggled last week against the Dolphins, would be an understatement. If you can, leave Mostert on the bench this week.

 

Pass Catchers:

Terry McLaurin, Was:

There is no better story in the NFL this year than the return of Alex Smith, but he threw for 2.2 yards per pass last week. Even if Kyle Allen returns as the starter, he wasn’t much better, throwing for just 74 yards before leaving last week. I wouldn’t be playing any players from The Football Team this week if you don’t have to.

A.J. Green, Cin:

Basically a copy and paste from last week. After missing all of 2019 and half of 2018, Green just looks slow and unable to get open. In the last two weeks, Green has managed just 1 catch for 3 yards. Through five games, he has zero touchdowns, and is averaging about 20 yards per game. Until further notice, Green should be on your bench.

 

Others receiving votes:

N’Keal Harry, NE:

Cam Newton may return this week, but even if he does, Harry has little to no value at this point – regardless of who the Patriots are playing. Through four games, he is averaging just 41 yards per game and less than 10 yards per catch….and nearly half of his catches and yards game in Week 2. In his other three games, he is averaging 3 catches and 31 yards per game.

Travis Fulgham, Phi:

After a huge game (10 receptions, 152 yards, 1 TD) against a tough Steelers defense, I know it may be tempting to count on him as a ‘Sleeper’ and take a flyer on him this week…I wouldn’t if you don’t have to. I don’t see lighting striking twice here, especially against the Ravens.

 

Sleepers:

Andy Dalton, Dal:

Dalton lead the Cowboys to a huge comeback win last week and into first place of the NFC East. While he is no Dak, he won’t be much of a drop off either. Given the weapons Dallas has, he is fantasy starter worthy.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mia:

If you have another option, I would go that route, because Fitzpatrick is nearly impossible to predict. That being said, if you are in a bind this week and need a fill in, you could strike lightning like those who started him last week. Coming off a 350 yard, 3 touchdown week, maybe the Moustache is on a heater!

Jared Goff, LAR:

Goff is quietly having a solid year: nearly 1,400 yards, 8 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions and he gets a 49ers defense which is decimated with injuries and just surrendered 43 points and 436 yards to Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins.

 

Running backs:

Darrell Henderson, Jr., LAR:

The Rams backfield is still hard to figure out, and while Henderson only had 38 yards on the ground last week, he lead the team with 15 carries, had three receptions for 30 yards and added two touchdowns. With Henderson, you are hoping for touchdowns, and thus far, he has four in five games.

James White, NE

Speaking of backfields which are hard to figure out, the Patriots are that every week of every year. That being said, White usually sees enough work in the passing game to make him a Flex consideration in PPR leagues.

Le’Veon Bell, NYJ…er, Todd Gurley, Atl:

Well, my original selection just got released, so a little late night edit here…so Gurley it is! He is having a nice come back season with the Falcons. Despite the team’s struggles, Gurley has five touchdowns in five games and is coming off a 14 carry, 121 performance, his first 100 yard performance since December 2nd, 2018! Few realize this, but Gurley is 3rd in the league with 375 yards rushing and tied for second with 5 rushing touchdowns.

 

Pass Catchers:

Preston Williams, Mia:

If you are looking for possible lightning in a bottle, Williams may be your guy! After netting just six catches for 89 yards in the first four weeks, he exploded with 106 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Perhaps him and the Moustache found a connection!

Jonnu Smith, Ten:

Maybe he isn’t a ‘Sleeper’ but I don’t feel like I have heard a lot about him yet this year. However, he now has five touchdowns in four games, including two multiple touchdown games. He should have another solid day against a bad Texans defense.

Jamison Crowder, NYJ:

Crowder has played in just three games this year, but in every one of those games, he has seen 10+ targets, caught at least seven and surpassed 100 yards – including an 8 catch, 1 touchdown and 116 yard performance last week. In fact, in Week 5, Crowder had 116 of the Jets 195 passing yards, or 59.4%..