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Fantasy POV: Flex players – 1st quarter report card and week 5 picks

By Darwin (Deni) Martin

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 04: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 04: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Probably the most difficult selection by a fantasy football owner is choosing a “flex” player to boost his team’s scoring.

Since the first quarter of the 2020 NFL season has been completed, it is time to pass out awards to fantasy football flex players.  The winners include skilled players like Dalvin Cook of Minnesota and Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf. The “losers” include Nyheim Hines of Indianapolis and Tennessee’s Darrynton Evans.

The following information lists the flex players by category and week of the season.  A “1st Quarter” winner and week 5 selection are included for each category.

Surefire Starters

  • Week 1 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 2 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 3 – Robby Anderson, Carolina Panther wide receiver and Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings running back
  • Week 4 – Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings running back and D. K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
  • 1st Quarter – Since the Fantasy POV articles recommended two “Surefire Starters” at the flex position beginning with week 3, the two best flex players are Dalvin Cook and D. K. Metcalf.

Summary: Cook could easily be a “Surefire Starter” at running back, but he is often playing “second fiddle” to Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones or Ezekiel Elliott.  Metcalf is the perfect receiver to pair with teammate Ty Lockett or any of the other Tier 1 receivers.  If Amari Cooper or Adam Thielen are available, they are talented flex players and could be used in week 5 games.

Riding the Bench

  • Week 1 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 2 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 3 – David Johnson, Houston Texans running back and Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers tight end
  • Week 4 – Darrynton Evans, Tennessee Titans running back and Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers running back
  • 1st Quarter – Since our articles recommend two “flex” players ride the bench every week, the co-winners in this category are Darrynton Evans and Jordan Reed.

Summary:  Evans has been used in one game this season.  Reed was filling in for George Kittle, but has been placed on the injured release list (IRL).  They should continue to ride the bench in week 5.

Underrated

  • Week 1 – This category for flex players did not start until week 2 of the season
  • Week 2 – This category for flex players did not start until week 2 of the season
  • Week 3 – Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks running back
  • Week 4 – Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
  • 1st Quarter – Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

Summary:  Carson has five touchdowns (2 on the ground and 3 through the air).  He has 350 total yards and on many teams would be a reliable No. 2 running back.  Carson should remain a highly-valued flex player.

Overrated

  • Week 1 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 2 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 3 – Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts running back
  • Week 4 – Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals running back
  • 1st Quarter – Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts

Summary: After Hines scored 2 touchdowns and 45 FFP in week 1, his usage and productivity have declined.   Hines should not be used as a flex player in week 5.

Flex Sleeper of the Week

  • Week 1 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 2 – This category for flex players did not start until week 3 of the season
  • Week 3 – Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
  • Week 4 – Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
  • 1st Quarter – Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys

Next. Fantasy football first quarter tight end grades. dark

Summary:  Cooper’s recent performances actually make him better suited as a “Surefire Starter” candidate at wide receiver.  He is tied with Tier 1 wide receiver Mike Evans of Tampa Bay with 85.1 FFP. Thielen is at least a No. 2 receiver on a fantasy team.  For week 5, the best flex “sleeper” is wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. of Cleveland.

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