Fantasy Fix: Which Week 5 Stars are Worth Picking Up?
Oct 6, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett yells from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at AT
Every Tuesday, once all the games have been played, Fantasy Footballers hit the waiver wire looking for the biggest performers from the weekend. Let’s take a look at some players who made a big splash last week and try to figure out if they’re really worth a roster spot.
WR Justin Blackmon – Week 5: 19 Points – Pick him up!
In his first game of the season, the 2012 fifth overall pick reeled in 136 yards and a touchdown on 5 catches. He also strung together some very nice performances in the second half of last season. This man is worth more than a 34.5% ownership rate. Nay-sayers will cite the Jaguar’s lack of a strong quarterback and uh, well, the lack of everything else. However, Chad Henne is not that terrible, and we have to believe that MJ-D will average more than 2.8 YPC, thus attracting SOME attention. The fact is: Blackmon, an OSU product, was the best WR in all of college football two years ago. Do you guys know any other Cowboy who took about a year to come around? (See what I did there?)
Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
WR Terrance Williams – Week 5: 23 Points – Leave him there!
One day, Terrance Williams may be the perfect compliment to Dez Bryant. That day will not likely be this Sunday, and it probably won’t be any Sunday, Monday, or Thursday the rest of this year. T-Will has remarkable ability, but he is incredibly unpolished. Sure, he will break free and make a big catch every now and then, but he’s not the best option out there if you want solid production. I just wouldn’t roll the dice, especially now that Miles Austin appears to be on the way back.
Cardinals D/ST – Week 5: 20 Points – Pick ’em Up!
The Arizona Cardinals defense was a sleeper of mine going into the season. By the end of 2012, they had accumulated 22 Interceptions (second only to the Bears) and had given up an average of just 200 passing yards a game.
This helped them sneak into the top 10 at the end of the year. Oh, and remember, it’s D/ST – anybody ever hear of Patrick Peterson? How about Javier Arenas, the other returner, who they traded for in May, SEC record holder for Punt Return touchdowns and yardage? Yes, this defense lost some leaders (see Duece Lutui, Joey Porter), but they’ve still got anchors to help these young guys develop. Plus, the difficulty of their remaining schedule is moderate at best.
RB Pierre Thomas – Week 5: 20 Points – Leave him there!
Hoping for consistent production out of a Saints running back is like hailing a taxi at a bus stop. Sure, you might catch one now and then, but really, why would you choose to go there? Last week, Mark Ingram was held out due to a toe injury. Did Pierre Thomas get more carries? Yup. 19 carries – gained 36 yards. His 20 points came as a receiver. But wait, isn’t there already a New Orleans back who specializes in the passing game? Well whatever. Ingram’s out, and competing with one other back for opportunities isn’t bad. What’s that you say? Jed Collins and Khiry Robinson also got carries? Who are they? Exactly my point. Thomas is a great back, and once in a while he’s an interesting play, but teams with heavy passing attacks – like the Saints, Packers, Patriots, Broncos – they always prefer backs by committee. It’s not that you can’t find value in a back on one of those teams, but they’re not usually worth the headache.