So many storylines heading into Week 6, especially and injuries piling up.and the NFL trade deadline approaching. What's the biggest fantasy storyline for each Sunday team?
Jets -- The "Breece Hall watch" is on, as the 0-5 Jets probably have a few weeks to decide whether to (a) trade Hall, (b) keep him with the intention of re-signing him, or (c) keep him with the intention of letting him walk after the season. 2024 fifth-rounder Isaiah Davis is a must-roster until at least the trade deadline.
Broncos -- Courtland Sutton's only single-digit performance was in Week 2 -- the only game where Troy Franklin posted double-digits. Is this what we should expect going forward?
Ravens -- The last time Derrick Henry averaged fewest fantasy points (11.9) was in 2017, when he was merely a 1B running back. With Cooper Rush struggling, tomorrow I'd be shocked if Baltimore didn't try to run the offense through Henry.
Rams -- My podcast episode from eight days ago raised the question: Can we now trust Matthew Stafford as a weekly fantasy starter? He's enjoying his second-best fantasy season since 2012.
Jaguars -- Once again, all eyes are on Brian Thomas Jr., who dominated last year (in part) because he earned double-digit targets in his final six games. This year he's cleared seven targets only once.
Seahawks -- In 12 games last season, Cooper Kupp had four red-zone touchdowns on six catches (10 targets). In five games this year, he has only two red-zone catches for zero TDs. Interestingly, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has scored on both of his red-zone receptions, while Tory Horton has scored on his lone red-zone reception. So all three are getting comparable looks, but Kupp is the only one who has converted them into touchdowns.
Panthers -- Will Rico Dowdle take care of business against a beatable Dallas D? If he does, it'll be hard to imagine Chuba Hubbard reclaiming the starting job.
Cowboys -- Still amazed by Ryan Flournoy's breakout last weekend, and also still unsure whether he'll average more than seven fantasy points the rest of the year
Steelers -- How will Jaylen Warren's return impact Kenneth Gainwell, who absolutely crushed it in Pittsburgh's previous game?
Browns -- On a podcast episode over the summer, I pushed Dillon Gabriel as a likely Superflex bargain despite his QB49 ADP, simply because there was no conceivable way that Cleveland would stick with Joe Flacco all year. Was Gabriel's impressive Week 5 debut an accurate indicator of his rest-of-season potential?
Saints -- Once again, Alvin Kamara vs. Kendre Miller, and with Kamara questionable and New Orleans' postseason "hopes" dim at best, the rest-of-season scales tilt toward Miller.
Patriots -- And once again, Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Treveyon Henderson. This past Monday's podcast episode goes into more detail.
Dolphins -- I'm still blown away by 33-year-old Darren Waller's resurgence, though I guess it makes sense with Tyreek Hill finished and no #2 WR stepping up. The only comparisons I can think of are Rob Gronkowski and Jason Witten; all three were out of the NFL for a year, and then achieved fantasy relevance when they returned. But the difference is that Waller hasn't been a consistent fantasy option for four seasons. Now he's averaging the most points of his career thru two games.
Chargers -- Kimani Vidal vs. Hassan Haskins. Or if Nyheim Hines is activated off the practice squad, it might not matter.
Colts -- Tyler Warren leads all tight ends with 307 receiving yards. But he's tied for 11th with only four red-zone targets and has zero catches on two targets inside the opposing 10. His jump from near-elite to elite probably hinges on whether he can become a more consistent scoring threat.
Cardinals -- Kyler Murray's questionable and the backfield is a mess, as Michael Carter (2.7 yards per carry) doesn't appear to be the answer despite his impressive Week 5 fantasy output. Will Emari Demercado's game-altering fumble prevent him from overtaking Carter?
Raiders -- Geno Smith wallowed in obscurity after the Jets gave up on him in 2014. He finally got another shot in 2022, resulting in an extraordinary campaign and Comeback Player of the Year honors. But in the 37 games since, he's thrown only 47 TD passes and a whopping 33 interceptions. He's had only one losing season as a full-time starter . . . and that was in 2014. If he's benched for Kenny Pickett, it could crush the already precarious fantasy ceilings of Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker.
Titans -- I gave up on Calvin Ridley. Then he rebounded with a 5-131-0 receiving line. 93 of those yards came in Tennessee's miraculous fourth-quarter comeback. A fluke, or is he officially "back"?
Buccaneers -- Rachaad White has averaged less than 3.0 yards per carry in three straight contests. Last week's touchdowns helped a lot of fantasy managers. But can he continue to hold off Sean Tucker?
49ers -- Will we see more magic from Kendrick Bourne and Jake Tonges?
Packers -- A get-right matchup after failing to beat Cleveland (loss) and Dallas (tie). Matthew Golden's seems poised for a breakout.
Bengals -- The Joe Flacco era begins in Cincinnati, in what might be this franchise's briefest QB era since AJ McCarron a decade ago.
Chiefs -- Speaking of a decade ago, it's been 10 years since KC has started a season worse than 2-3. They actually started 1-5, lost all-world RB Jamaal Charles for the season, and then reeled off 10 straight wins. While this year's Chiefs have plenty of fantasy question marks, their backfield has become one of fantasy's biggest headaches.
Lions -- Once again, will Jameson Williams get going? After leading the team with eight targets in Week 4, he had only one in Week 5.
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