Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 5 BOOM or BUST!
Fantasy football lineup advice – Running Back
BOOM:
Mark Ingram II, BAL @ PIT
Ingram has been hit-or-miss to start the season, totaling 29.1 FPPG in contests against Miami and Kansas City, but falling under 10 points in each of his other two matchups. Still, the 29-year-old has proven to be a valuable fantasy asset on the run-heavy Ravens, boasting an average of 6.0 yards per carry (third-best among RBs) with 5 touchdowns thus far. A lack of receiving work hurts his numbers when he doesn’t find the end-zone, but that shouldn’t worry owners.
Baltimore’s potent rushing attack meets Pittsburgh this week. Through four games, the Steelers have handed over the fifth-most FPPG (29.0) and fourth-most rushing yards to opposing backs. Meetings between these two squads are generally close, down-to-the-wire games, meaning the Ravens should play to their strengths and feed their leading rusher in this divisional battle.
Devonta Freeman, ATL @ HOU
After a brutal start to his 2019 campaign, Freeman’s numbers have progressively gotten better each week (4.1, 9.4, 12.5, and 18 fantasy points). In his last game against the Titans, Freeman caught eight of his nine targets (both season-highs) for 72 yards, an encouraging sign for the two-time Pro Bowler. Atlanta’s o-line and Freeman’s depleting goal-line usage are still areas for concern, but he’s definitely trending in the right direction.
This week, he draws a Houston front-seven that’s been uninspiring to this point, coughing up 26.3 FPPG to tailbacks (eighth-most in the NFL). The Texans have also surrendered the fourth-most receiving yards to the position, paving the way for a nice showing from Freeman. After displaying his exceptional receiving chops last week, expect QB Matt Ryan to continue utilizing Freeman in a similar fashion.
BUST:
Aaron Jones, GB @ DAL
Jones came back to bite me last time he was selected as a “BUST,” posting his best fantasy output of the young season (25 points) against the Vikings. However, aside from that game, he’s averaged just 12.6 FPPG. Jones’ value has been purely dependent on touchdowns, rushing for only 48.7 yards per game (3.3 YPC). His passing-game role has been fluctuant, and if Jamaal Williams is able to clear the concussion protocol before Sunday, we could see it begin to evaporate.
Even if Williams cant suit-up, Jones will be faced with the tall task of overcoming one of the league’s strongest front-sevens in the Cowboys. Heading into Week 5, Dallas ranks in the top-10 in the league in rushing yards allowed. Last week, this unit limited Alvin Kamara to just 11.7 fantasy points and have performed well against the run all season (especially in the red-zone).
Wayne Gallman, NYG vs. MIN
Who needs Saquon Barkley after all? All jokes aside, Gallman couldn’t have asked for a better first go-around at leading the Giants backfield. He took over the every-down role for the G-Men, gathering 118 scrimmage yards to go along with a pair of touchdowns. While the team figured to add more depth behind Gallman in Barkley’s absence, they have yet to sign another capable runner. He’ll remain a staple of the Giants’ offensive attack in the meantime, but they’ve got some rough matchups ahead.
New York may have a tougher time moving the ball this week when they face a much-stronger Minnesota defense. The Vikings currently sit as the fourth-best defense against RBs, allowing the position just 17.9 FPPG. Things only get worse the following week, having to play a historically-good Patriots D. The volume may be there for Gallman, but it’s best that owners use a wait-and-see approach with the unproven ball-carrier.
Sleeper:
Chris Thompson, WSH vs. NE
A matchup with the New England Patriots may seem like a no-brainer to steer clear of, but if you take a closer look, you’ll see that pass-catching running-backs is something this team has been susceptible to. Dominant in all other facets of their defense, the Pats have actually allowed 189 yards through the air to RBs thus far (10th-most). I’m not encouraging you to start Thompson, but he may be a sneaky play for desperate owners.