Week five of fantasy football was another one of those boom-or-bust type of weeks we’ve become accustomed to seeing this season. Either you had Roddy White who went off for 210 yards and two touchdowns, or you had Calvin Johnson who left the game in the first quarter after one catch for two yards. In one league, I found myself on the bad end of a matchup where the guy I played had both White and Michael Turner, who combined for 307 yards and five touchdowns. I never had a prayer.
The good news, however, is a number of potential fantasy contributors came out of the woodwork. The timing couldn’t be better as we find ourselves in the middle of bye-weeks struggling to find replacements.
On a bye-week note, from here on out, whichever defense is facing the Browns is start-worthy. I don’t care if it’s the Lions, it will work. Against the lowly Bills, Derek Anderson completed two passes and had negative fantasy points, though somehow the Browns still won the 6-3 thriller. Speaking of the Bills, the same story goes for them, except maybe the Lions’ defense. These are two terrible teams.
So entering week six, I have a few players still available in many leagues who can be big contributors in these troubled times.
Miles Austin WR/DAL – I mentioned Austin in the preseason as a potential sleeper, and in his first start for the Cowboys, he was the star of the day racking up 250 yards and two touchdowns. Something tells me he earned both a spot in the starting lineup and the trust of Tony Romo.
Jeremy Maclin WR/PHI – This first-round pick started in place of Kevin Curtis and clearly has great chemistry with Donovan McNabb. He caught six balls for 142 yards and two touchdowns against my Bucs. He probably won’t match those numbers too often, but I expect the talented Mr. Maclin to remain a key cog of the pass-first Eagle offense.
Eddie Royal WR/DEN – I was about ready to write off the second-year speedster after he did absolutely nothing through the first four weeks. But in week five, with a surprisingly effective Kyle Orton, Royal caught 10 passes for 90 yards as the Broncos upset the Patriots. I won’t go so far as to say he’s definitely “back”, but he’s definitely someone to keep your eye on. He also returns kicks, so his value increases if you get points for return yards in your league.
Nate Burleson WR/SEA – I mentioned him Friday as a receiver I thought would have a big week, and with six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns, he did me proud. I know, it’s hard to depend on a Seahawk, but the fact remains Burleson has the skills and is one of the most targeted receivers in the NFL.
Matt Hasselbeck QB/SEA – Speaking of the Seahawks, Hasselbeck returned from injury with seemingly no rust. He threw for 241 yards and four touchdowns in an embarrassing beatdown for the Jaguars. Not every team is as bad as the Jags, but Hasselbeck could be very valuable in coming weeks as starters go on bye.
Josh Johnson QB/TB – It will take some serious huevos to start him, but Johnson has a pretty high ceiling. The Bucs lose big every week, but that’s part of his value. Against the Eagles he threw for two touchdowns and 240 yards and gained another 40 yards on the ground. He’s got great weapons around him with Antonio Bryant, Kellen Winslow and Derrick Ward. He’s a Hail Mary play, but it’s not as insane as you might think.
Daunte Culpepper QB/DET – Pep’s value relies on Matthew Stafford’s health, so keep an eye on that, but in relief duty against the vaunted Steelers’ defense Culpepper threw for 282 yards and one touchdown and added another 44 yards on the ground. Keep in mind, he did that without the aforementioned Megatron.
Jamaal Charles RB/KC – The best thing I can say about Charles is Larry Johnson sucks. Against the Cowboys, Charles totaled 63 yards on eight touches. LJ, on the other hand, rushed the ball 21 times for only 37 yards, a 1.76 average. Assuming the Chiefs’ coaches aren’t consulting with Al Davis, Charles should see a healthy increase in carries.
Sammy Morris RB/NE – With Fred Taylor lost to injury, Morris emerged as the starting running back. I don’t trust anyone in the Patriots’ backfield on basic principle, but Morris got 19 touches and turned them into 107 yards. He’s no every-week starter, but when he has a good matchup, Morris merits consideration as a No. 2 running back.