Tag Team, back again
Check it to wreck it, let’s begin
Party on party people let’s make some noise… like these two quarterbacks I keep writing about, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Gardner Minshew. In Week 5, Fitzpatrick finished as the third-highest scoring quarterback and Minshew as the 13th. On the season Fitzpatrick is the current QB6 and Minshew is the current QB12 in scoring. These guys are simply producing and yet after multiple “Money Maker” and “add this guy” write-ups by me in my articles, Fitzpatrick is not highly rostered let alone in starting line ups and Minshew is only rostered on about 50% of teams.
If you are playing in a one quarterback league you should be considering both of these guys. If you are playing in a super flex or a 2 QB league and they are not starting there is clearly something wrong with you. Both Minshew and Fitzpatrick should be rostered in every league at the very least.
I am trying to help you here. I will admit though that if you play against me then just stop reading now and go back to tiddly winks, Dungeons and Dragons, watching porn or whatever it is you do when you aren’t reading my stuff.
These three words mean you’re getting busy.
Whoomp, there it is!
I just wanted some sort of a tune in your head so you can dance around while you read this.
So if you are new around here this is how it works:
Money Maker – I think this person will perform well this week and be better than expectations
Heart Breaker – These players will perform lower than projections
Quarterbacks
💰 Money Makers
Kirk Cousins – Has been pretty much mediocre so far this season. Last week he faced the third worst defense against quarterbacks and produced 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. Not crap but also certainly not spectacular. This week he gets the Falcons and the friendliest defense to quarterbacks in 2020. I would expect another multiple touchdown game in week 6. ($7,100 on Fanduel and $6,100 on DraftKings)
Best Week 6 QB Matchups
– Kirk Cousins vs Falcons (allowing 30.14 fantasy PPG to QBs)
– Patrick Mahomes vs Bills (allowing 22.64 fantasy PPG to QBs)
– Cam Newton vs Broncos (allowing 21.43 fantasy PPG to QBs)— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 15, 2020
Ben Roethlisberger – The Browns have been pretty good so far this season against the run, but against the pass they are the eighth friendliest defense to quarterbacks. Big Ben has thrown for multiple touchdowns in every game this season. 10 in total, meanwhile the Browns have given up 12 touchdowns to the passing game this season. Welcome to another multiple touchdown game for Roethlisberger. ($7600 on Fanduel and $6,700 on DraftKings)
Matthew Stafford – Stafford has thrown for multiple touchdowns in 3 out of 4 games this season. This week he gets the Jaguars defense that gives up an average of 284 yards per game passing and quarterbacks have scored 12 touchdowns against. Stafford is someone I am playing in season-long without question in Week 6. ($7300 on Fanduel and $6,300 on DraftKings)
Other quarterbacks I like in Week 5
There is the obvious: Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson
The not so obvious: Cam Newton, Daniel Jones, and Gardiner Minshew
💔 Heart Breakers
Joe Burrow – Last week Burrow struggled against the Ravens 9th ranked defense against QBs and this week he gets the toughest defense against the position in the Colts. The Colts have given up only one 20 point game to a quarterback this season and that was to Gardner Minshew in Week 1.
Teddy Bridgewater – He was a money maker last week both figuratively and literally for me. I loved me some Teddy Bridgewater in Week 5. But guess what it is week 6 and Teddy gets to play the Bears defense this week. No quarterback has thrown more than 1 touchdown against the Bears and no quarterback has surpassed the 300 yard mark as well. Look elsewhere.
Others quarterbacks to avoid: Nick Foles, Philip Rivers, Kyle Allen, and Carson Wentz
Running Backs
💰 Money Makers
David Montgomery – Last week Monty has a decent game against the Buccaneers, 7 receptions for 30 yards, another 29 yards rushing <yawn>, and a touchdown. This week he gets to play the friendliest defense to running backs – the Panthers. The Panthers give up an average of 112 yards rushing, 8 receptions, and another 56 yards receiving to the running back position. You see where this is going right. Lots of touches, lots of yards and maybe a touchdown. ($ 5,900 on Fanduel and $5,800 on DraftKings)
If David Montgomery doesn’t tally at least 100 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs this week against Carolina…
I will shave @ffdustydog’s beard into mutton chops.
— Jake FF'ing Trowbridge (@JakeTrowbridge) October 14, 2020
Ronald Jones – What exactly does Ronald Jones have to do to get some respect from his coaches? Last week against the Bears defense he had 125 total yards. This week he is playing a defense that is weak against the run. The Packers give up yards to running backs on the ground 93 per game and through the air 70 per game. RoJo will have a VERY good Week 6 ($5,000 on Fanduel and $6,000 on DraftKings)
James Robinson – I mentioned Robinson here last week and he was just average. But I have to have him here again as this week as he is playing the Lions who are currently the third kindest defense to running backs. He stays with his consistent number of touches with 18 in Week 5. He will maintain that touch total and if you know me, I am following the volume there. ($6,500 on Fanduel and $6,800 on DraftKings)
Other running backs to play
The obvious: Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Mike Davis, Miles Sanders, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The not so obvious: Alexander Mattison, Todd Gurley, and Myles Gaskin
💔 Heart Breakers
Darrel Henderson – Henderson has been very productive when he is getting the touches. The one thing we are learning about the Rams is that they may change who is getting the touches. Let’s mix that question in with they play the second-ranked defense against the run this week in the Niners. It looks like the Rams will throw, a lot.
Joe Mixon – You do see me put him here often don’t you? People are beginning to think I personally don’t like him. I am sure he is a fine upstanding young man. I know all you film watchers want to argue and tell me how talented he is. I saw all the victory laps after week 4. So hey 1 out of 5 weeks he has really produced. 20% of the time you guys were right. This week he is up against the Colts and the third-best defense against the run. His volume is nice but the efficiency isn’t there. If you are playing him I hope he touches the ball 30 times again to at least make him playable.
Melvin Gordon/Phillip Lindsey – The Patriots are actually really good against the run. So I don’t care which Broncos RB you are considering playing. Expect them to struggle. The Patriots have not given up 100 yards to a team on the ground as of yet. They have also only given up 1 touchdown to a running back this season, on the ground or through the air.
Other running backs that will cost you in Week 2: James Conner, Damien Harris, and Frank Gore
Wide Receivers
💰 Money Makers
Odell Beckham Jr. – Beckham appears to be riding a roller coaster this season, down one week and up the next. He was down last week so… well… I think you get it right? It is a little more complicated than that but this week the Steelers and their pass friendly defense are up. The Browns more than likely will be playing from behind and throwing. Beckham exploded against Dallas and the Brown will be looking for that kind of production this week as well. He is averaging 8 targets a game and those will be productive this week. ($6,700 on Fanduel and $6,400 on DraftKings)
NOTE: Whenever I say Odell Beckham Jr. I say it in my head like I am saying Barty Crouch Jr. when calling him to trial in the Harry Potter movie.
WR Leaders in Air Yards per Route Run
1. Marquise Brown (4.25) 👑
2. Adam Thielen (4.24)
3. Calvin Ridley (4.13)
4. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (3.75) 😕
5. Odell Beckham Jr. (3.57)
6. Jerry Jeudy (3.37) 🤔
7. Allen Robinson (3.35)
8. DK Metcalf (3.16)— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) October 14, 2020
Jamison Crowder – I was talking about him in this column, on Twitter, and Discord. Right now his per-game averages are: 11 targets, 7 receptions, 111 yards, and he has scored 2 touchdowns this season. This guy is the primary option on his team and the Jets will have to throw the ball. The passing tree has one branch and that branch right now is Crowder. (30% target share in week 5). The guy simply produces. ($6,600 on Fanduel and 6,100 on DraftKings)
Christian Kirk – Kirk is healthy and on the field. He is the second-best wide receiver on his team. In Week 5, he saw 7 targets for 5 receptions and 78 yards. In Week 6 he is going up against the Cowboys and the second-worst defense against the pass. Obviously Hopkins and Edmonds will do some damage in the passing game. So will Kirk.
Other wide receivers to play
The obvious: Adam Thielen, Deandre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyreek Hill
The not so obvious: Darius Slayton, Devante Parker, Will Fuller, and Julian Edelman
💔 Heart Breakers
DJ Moore – The Bears are tough on the passing game. Only one wide receiver has over 100 yards against them this season. The volume hasn’t been there weekly for Moore and this week will be tough. We are most likely looking at another 4 catch 49 yards type game.
Amari Cooper – In Week 5, Cooper saw season lows – 4 targets, 2 receptions 23 yards. The Cardinals are actually pretty good against the wide receiver position. With a change at quarterback and a game script that more likely will have CeeDee Lamb heavily involved. I am not putting Cooper in my DFS lineups. Obviously, if you have him in season-long you are playing him.
TY Hilton – In Week 5, Hilton got more involved in the offense with 6 receptions for 69 on 10 targets. The Bengals defense is actually pretty good against wide receivers, no one has a 100 yard game against them this season. So if you found last season giving you hope for Hilton I am here to remove your hope in Week 6. Don’t jump out a window or anything, I only mean hope in Hilton, not your entire life.
Other wide receivers will cost you: John Brown, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Boyd, and Golden Tate.
Tight Ends
💰 Money Makers
Irv Smith – Do you need a bye week fill-in? Or a guy to finalize your DFS roster with. Irv Smith, trust me make it him. He had 4 receptions for 64 yards in week 5, he has the Falcons up n week 6. The Falcons are the second-worst at defending tight ends. Tight ends average 6 receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons. They have given up multiple TD games to guys like Jimmy Graham and Robert Tonyan. ($4,300 on Fanduel and $2,500 on DraftKings)
Evan Engram – The Washington Football Team is very kind and loving to tight ends. They have given up 5 touchdowns this season to the position. Evan Engram is a tight end. The Washington Football Team will be nice to him. Because they give up a touchdown almost weekly to this position he may not even need high volume to produce. 6 receptions, 68 yards and a touchdown is literally what you can expect. ($5,600 on Fanduel and $4,900)
Other tight ends to play
The obvious: Jonnu Smith, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, and Travis Kelce
The not so obvious: Eric Ebron, TJ Hockenson, Austin Hooper
💔 Heart Breakers
Tyler Higbee – The Niners are pretty tough against the tight end, they are top ten against the position. He averages 3 targets a game. It’s fairly easy to see he needs to find his way to your bench. Truthers beware as Gerald Everett appears to be passing him for the Rams.
Robert Tonyan – We seemed to forget about you Mr. Tonyan over your bye week. Last time we heard from you was a 3 touchdown game. This is the guy leading all tight ends in touchdowns this season with 5 and yet I am still telling you not to expect too much from him in week 6. Tampa is good against the position and he will need a touchdown to produce this week.
Other tight ends that will cost you: Dalton Shultz, Jimmy Graham, Tyler Eifert and Drew Sample
If you are looking for Defenses to stream take a look at The Stream Option by Kyle Larson.
Thanks for checking out our Money Makers and Heart Breakers column. For more great content from the Undroppables, follow us on Twitter, follow @MikeReedyFF for more great content, and visit back for Mike’s weekly UNtangling the Wire (waiver wire) article.
