For those of you who are struggling this season, wouldn't it be great to go back and re-do your Fantasy draft? Imagine the things you would change. I looked at the draft results of one 12-team PPR league where I'm 1-4, and there are many mistakes I would love to correct.
For example, I drafted Robert Woods in Round 3 over Chris Godwin and Amari Cooper. At the time of this draft in late August, Cooper was dealing with a foot injury, but I would love to have either Godwin or Cooper over Woods. I also took Woods over Cooper Kupp.
In Round 6, I drafted Aaron Rodgers, and I never take a quarterback early. But here, I went against my usual tendencies, which stings even more since Rodgers has struggled early in the season.
In Round 10, I drafted Jamison Crowder one spot ahead of Michael Gallup. I didn't expect Gallup to be this good, and Crowder has struggled with Sam Darnold out. We'll see if the outlook changes for Crowder now that Darnold is back, but I would obviously rather have Gallup for the rest of the season among these two receivers.
Now, I also did some good things with this roster, but some bad luck has put me at three games under .500. I'm still confident I can turn this team around and compete for a playoff spot, but I need to win this week.
I'm sure many of you are in a similar position, and hopefully Week 6 brings some good fortune. If you have some time, go back and look at some of the mistakes you made on Draft Day, and imagine what could have been with your team this year.
Editor's Note: Projections are provided by CBS Sports and not Jamey Eisenberg. Projected points are for PPR leagues.
Start 'Em & Sit 'Em
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Start of the Week
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It's all set up for Kyler Murray to have a big week against the Falcons at home. Hopefully, he will take advantage of this matchup.
The rookie quarterback for the Cardinals has been inconsistent so far through five games – in Fantasy and reality. Arizona is 1-3-1 coming into this game against Atlanta, and Murray has three games with at least 20 Fantasy points and two games with just 15 points.
He just had his best game as a pro in Week 5 at Cincinnati, which was the Cardinals first victory. Murray passed for 253 yards and ran for 93 yards and a touchdown, which was good for 25 Fantasy points.
I expect him to do better this week. Only the Dolphins and Cardinals allow more Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than the Falcons, and the past four opposing quarterbacks against Atlanta have each scored at least 20 Fantasy points.
Murray should continue to make plays with his legs – he has at least six Fantasy points in each of the past three games because of his running – as well as exploit this secondary. It should be a big week for Murray, and I expect him to be a top five Fantasy quarterback in Week 6.
I'm starting Murray over: Aaron Rodgers (vs. DET), Carson Wentz (at MIN), Jared Goff (vs. SF), Philip Rivers (vs. PIT) and Jameis Winston (vs. CAR)
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
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Ryan is quietly having another outstanding Fantasy season, and he comes into Week 6 having scored at least 20 Fantasy points in 16 of his past 21 games going back to last year. He's passed for at least 300 yards in every game this season, and he has at least three touchdowns in three of his past four games. The Cardinals have allowed four of five quarterbacks to score at least 22 Fantasy points this season, and Ryan and Murray should put on a show in Arizona on Sunday.
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Sometimes bad performances can lead to good Fantasy production, which happened with Prescott in Week 5 against Green Bay. He struggled with three interceptions in a 34-24 loss, but Prescott still had 463 passing yards, two touchdowns and 27 rushing yards, which was 26 Fantasy points. He's now scored at least 25 Fantasy points in four of five games, and I like him to keep rolling this week at the Jets. Only Tom Brady in Week 3 has more than 17 Fantasy points against the Jets this season, but I expect Prescott will do well in this matchup. Keep him active in all leagues.
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Winston will look to extend his streak of games with at least 20 Fantasy points to four, which is something he's only done once in his career. In 2016, Winston once had a four-game streak with at least 20 Fantasy points, and I expect him to match that this week against the Panthers. Carolina has allowed a quarterback to score at least 20 Fantasy points in two of the past three games, including Gardner Minshew in Week 5. And Winston has improved since he scored just 14 Fantasy points against the Panthers in Week 2, with Carolina's defense banged up since then as well.
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Minshew continues to impress in Fantasy and reality, and he's scored at least 20 Fantasy points in four of the five games that he's played. He just had his best outing in arguably his toughest matchup at Carolina in Week 5, and he scored 24 Fantasy points. He has another tough test in Week 6 against the Saints, although New Orleans has allowed four of five quarterbacks to score at least 21 Fantasy points this year. I like Minshew as a low-end No. 1 quarterback in Week 6, and hopefully Minshew Mania keeps going for at least one more week.
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Goff has obviously struggled this season, and he has a tough matchup this week against the 49ers. San Francisco has allowed one quarterback to score more than 17 Fantasy points, which was Andy Dalton in Week 2 when he scored 22. But Goff's track record against the 49ers is impressive since he's averaging 26.7 Fantasy points per game in his past three meetings with San Francisco. And he's averaging 22.5 Fantasy points in two home games this year. He also has the chance to fall into quality production based on volume since he's attempted 117 pass attempts over the past two weeks. With Todd Gurley (quad) hurt, Goff could have to carry the offense once again, which makes him a low-end starter in Week 6.
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Sleepers
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Dalton's Fantasy production in Week 5 against Arizona was about what I expected. I thought he would do well with a limited ceiling, and he scored 22 Fantasy points. That's now three games with at least 22 Fantasy points in five outings, and he has just one game with fewer than 18 points on the season. I can see him in that range again in Week 6 at Baltimore. In his past three games against the Ravens, Dalton has 698 passing yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions, and he's scored at least 22 Fantasy points in each outing.
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The hope for Allen this week against Tampa Bay in London would be that he does what each of the past three quarterbacks did against the Buccaneers. Daniel Jones, Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater each scored at least 24 Fantasy points against Tampa Bay, and hopefully Allen gets in that range. We have only seen Allen have one game over 13 Fantasy points, which was Week 3 in his first start at Arizona. Since then, he's combined for 16 Fantasy points against Houston and Jacksonville. But this matchup is easier given what the Buccaneers defense has looked like the past three games, so hopefully Allen takes advantage of this matchup.
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The Packers started off the season dominating opposing quarterbacks, holding Mitchell Trubisky, Kirk Cousins and Joe Flacco to a combined 22 Fantasy points. But that wasn't exactly the best competition. In the past two games against Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott, those quarterbacks each scored at least 25 Fantasy points, and Stafford could be in that range. He's already scored at least 28 Fantasy points in two of four starts this year, and he has 1,480 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception in his past five games against Green Bay, with multiple touchdowns in each game over that span. And in his past seven games coming off a bye, Stafford is averaging 19.1 Fantasy points per game, with four games of at least 20 Fantasy points in those outings.
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Sit 'Em
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Wentz didn't have to do much last week against the Jets, and he scored just 13 Fantasy points in a 31-6 victory. He might have similar production this week, although it will be a much tougher opponent on the road. The Vikings allow an average of just 16.6 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and only Matt Ryan in Week 1 scored more than 20 Fantasy points against this defense. Wentz is averaging 22.0 Fantasy points per game in two road outings this season, but I expect this to be a tough test. I would only start Wentz in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues.
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Mayfield has been a disaster so far this season, and he just had his worst game of the year in Week 5 at San Francisco. He scored minus-2 Fantasy points with 100 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He has yet to throw multiple touchdowns in any game this year, and his right shoulder is a little banged up after Monday's loss to the 49ers. We hope he can shake it off this week against the Seahawks, but Seattle has limited Kyler Murray and Jared Goff to just 34 Fantasy points combined in the past two games.
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Cousins quieted some doubters with his performance last week against the Giants, but we expected him to play well in that matchup. It was against an inferior opponent, and he scored a season-high 24 Fantasy points. While the Eagles defense has been favorable to opposing quarterbacks – Case Keenum, Ryan and Rodgers scored at least 24 Fantasy points – I don't trust Cousins when he's playing a good team, even at home. He's someone to avoid in most formats this week.
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Bridgewater was fantastic in Week 5 against Tampa Bay. He completed 26 of 34 passes for 314 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and he scored a season-high 34 Fantasy points. He now has at least 20 Fantasy points in two of three starts for the injured Drew Brees (thumb), but this could be a tough matchup for him on the road, especially if Jalen Ramsey (back) returns to the Jaguars' secondary. Jacksonville has allowed one quarterback to score more than 15 Fantasy points in the past four games, which was Joe Flacco in Week 4 with 28 points in the first game Ramsey was out. I don't see Bridgewater following suit in this matchup on the road.
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Bust Alert
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I'm a believer in this Steelers defense, and it has been tough against opposing quarterbacks of late. After giving up back-to-back games with at least 30 Fantasy points in the first two weeks of the season against Tom Brady and Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh has limited Garoppolo, Dalton and Lamar Jackson to a combined 26 Fantasy points over the past three games. Rivers just lost another offensive lineman in center Mike Pouncey (neck), who was placed on injured reserve, and Rivers scored just four Fantasy points in Week 5 against Denver. I can see another week of limited production, and Rivers is a low-end starter at best in most formats.
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Running Backs
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Johnson went into his bye in Week 5 after his best game running the ball with 26 carries for 125 yards (4.8 yards per carry), as well as two catches for 32 yards and a fumble, in Week 4 against Kansas City. He's now scored at least 15 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he has at least 18 total touches in three of four games this year. The Packers have allowed a running back to score in four games in a row, with seven touchdowns allowed to the position over that span, and Johnson had 85 total yards in his lone meeting with Green Bay as a rookie in 2018.
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Let's give both Patriots' running backs a starting nod this week, especially with Rex Burkhead (foot) still banged up. Without Burkhead in Week 5 at Washington, Michel went off for 16 carries for 91 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and a touchdown, as well as a shocking three catches for 32 yards on three targets. Michel has now scored a touchdown in three of his past four games. White did his usual thing against Washington with six carries for 26 yards (4.3 yards per carry), along with six catches for 46 yards on nine targets. He's now scored 25 PPR points in his past two games combined. Five running backs have already scored or gained at least 100 total yards against the Giants this year, and they have allowed 10 receptions to Chris Thompson and Dalvin Cook out of the backfield in the past two games.
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Like the Patriots, I expect both Washington running backs to be useful this week against the Dolphins. Miami allows the most Fantasy points to running backs on average, and the Dolphins have already allowed nine total touchdowns to the position in just four games. Peterson has been a disaster so far this year with one touchdown, which he scored in Week 2 in his first appearance of the season, and he's had fewer than 34 total yards in all four outings. But this is a good week to trust him as at least a flex. And Thompson has scored fewer than 10 PPR points in three of four games, but I expect him to get back on track in this matchup, especially in PPR leagues.
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Gordon had a quiet season debut in Week 5 against Denver with 12 carries for 31 yards (2.7 yards per carry), as well as four catches for 7 yards on six targets. The encouraging thing was 16 total touches against the Broncos, and hopefully that game knocked the rust off from missing the start of the season with his holdout. Austin Ekeler is still worth starting in all leagues as well, but Gordon should have the chance to help Fantasy managers in this matchup at home. The Steelers have allowed a running back to score in three of their past four games, and I'm expecting Gordon to find the end zone in Week 6.
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Williams was the lead running back for the Chiefs in Week 5 against the Colts over LeSean McCoy, and we'll see if that continues this week against the Texans. He will definitely play the majority of snaps on passing downs, and that could be huge in this matchup. Houston has allowed the most receptions to running backs this season with 45, and seven running backs have already caught at least four passes against this defense in five games. Five running backs have already scored at least 10 PPR points against the Texans with just their receiving totals alone. Williams should have the chance for a big week in PPR.
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Sleepers
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The Chiefs have allowed a 100-yard rusher three games in a row, and Hyde will again be the lead running back for the Texans. This is also a revenge game of sorts since Kansas City traded Hyde to Houston prior to the season. Hyde has scored in two of his past three games, and he has at least 16 total touches in consecutive outings.
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Drake will hopefully get a season-high in touches this week against Washington as Miami comes off its bye. This is a game where the Dolphins can run the ball and likely won't be chasing points in dramatic fashion, and Drake just scored a season-high nine PPR points in Week 4 against the Chargers. Washington has allowed four touchdowns to running backs in the past two games.
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This is a terrible matchup, and I don't expect the Giants to have much success on offense. But Hilliman can fall into enough production with his total touches to be a potential flex, especially in PPR. In the three games where the Giants had a healthy running back start and finish the game, that guy had at least 16 total touches. And a Giants running back has at least three catches in four of five games this year. The Patriots have allowed five running backs to catch at least four passes this season.
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I'm listing Edmonds here with the chance that David Johnson (back) misses this game or is limited. If Johnson is out then Edmonds would be a must-start running back in all leagues. Johnson has averaged 18 total touches a game this season, and Edmonds will inherit most of that work if he starts. The Falcons have also allowed a running back to score or gain at least 100 total yards in four of five games this year.
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Smith continues to share playing time with Devonta Freeman, and he could be a potential flex option this week. Smith played 47 percent of the snaps in Week 5 at Houston (Freeman was at 54 percent), and Smith had a season-high 11 total touches, including six catches for 45 yards on six targets. Arizona has allowed four running backs to score or gain at least 100 total yards in the past three games.
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Brown could end up as a quality starter this week in all leagues if Todd Gurley (quad) is out against the 49ers. Gurley missed practice Wednesday, and Brown would step in as the starter, although he could share touches with Darrell Henderson, especially in the passing game. But Brown would likely be the one working near the goal line, and Gurley has scored four times in the past two games. Brown scored twice in Week 1 at Carolina, and Gurley had at least 15 total touches in three of five games this year.
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Sit 'Em
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It's nice to hear that Howard is the lead running back for the Eagles, and his production over the past three games has been encouraging. He has five touchdowns over that span, and he's scored at least 12 PPR points in two of those outings. But even though he's the lead guy, he's still sharing touches with Miles Sanders. And this is a tough matchup against the Vikings, who are among the league leaders with only one rushing touchdown and three total scores allowed to running backs this year. Howard is only a flex option for Week 6.
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McCoy is still in play as a flex option this week against the Texans, but it's hard to trust him given his production when Damien Williams has been active. Williams has appeared in three games this year, and McCoy is averaging just 5.6 PPR points in those outings, including a season-low two points in Week 5 against the Colts. Coach Andy Reid said McCoy is having issues with pass protection, which isn't ideal for his playing time, and this is a matchup the Chiefs can exploit with their running backs out of the backfield. McCoy could always fall into the end zone, but I'm concerned about his ceiling this week. And as we've seen when Williams is active, the floor with McCoy so far has been pretty low.
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I don't love the matchup for the Broncos running backs this week, but it's hard to sit Phillip Lindsay with the way he's played of late. He's scored at least 24 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he's worth using as a No. 2 running back in all leagues. Freeman, despite splitting playing time almost evenly with Lindsay, hasn't been as successful. He has yet to score a touchdown this season, and he's been under nine PPR points in three of five games this year, including two in a row. It's easy to sit Freeman in most formats against the Titans, who have allowed just two touchdowns to running backs on the season.
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Jones took a step back with his production in Week 5 at New Orleans when he scored just seven PPR points. This was after scoring at least 13 PPR points in each of his previous two games. He was held to four carries for 9 yards in Week 2 at Carolina in a game where he dealt with an ankle injury, but I'd be hesitant to start him this week as well. He's still sharing touches with Peyton Barber, and Jones isn't a guarantee to score (he has two career touchdowns) or work in the passing game (he has five catches on six targets this season). He's only a flex option for Week 6.
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Bust Alert
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I'm a little concerned for the 49ers running backs this week now that standout fullback Kyle Juszczyk (knee) is out. I'd still consider Tevin Coleman a low-end No. 2 running back and Breida as a flex, but I expect Coleman to be the better of the two. While Breida scored 27 PPR points in Week 5 against Cleveland, he ripped off an 83-yard touchdown run to buoy his stats. Without that, he had 10 carries for 31 yards and no scores, and Coleman should get the majority of the work near the goal line. Now, I do like that Breida had three catches for 15 yards and a touchdown on three targets against the Browns, and hopefully he continues to work in the passing game. But I would only trust him as a flex option this week against the Rams.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receivers
Start 'Em
As expected, McLaurin struggled in Week 5 against New England, and he finished with three catches for 51 yards on seven targets. It's the first time in his four-game career that he's failed to score a touchdown, but he should start a new streak in Week 6 at Miami. The Dolphins are among the league leaders in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and they have already given up seven touchdowns to the position in four games. Five receivers have also scored at least 12 PPR points against Miami this year.
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