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Joseph Hutchins | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Wide Receivers
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 5
10/5/17
QBs | RBs | WRs

Bye Weeks: Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans, Washington

DeVante Parker

The Titans secondary that has surrendered multiple WR touchdowns in three of four games.


Grab a Helmet

DeVante Parker v. TEN: Ready for another installment of “Stoppable Force Meets Movable Object?” The Jay Cutler-led Miami offense has been excruciating to watch the last two weeks and only a last-second, garbage time touchdown in Week 3 helped them avoid two consecutive shutouts, unconscionable considering the competition (Jets and Saints). Parker scored that lone touchdown and appears to be the only fantasy-worthy Dolphin at the moment. That’s likely to change soon (too much talent on this roster), especially as Cutler gains more familiarity with his new mates and the Fish reconnect with their home fans. Yep, it’s Week 5 and Miami hasn’t even played a true home game yet. I like Parker’s chances of exposing a Titans secondary that has surrendered multiple WR touchdowns in three of four games so far and is giving up the second most fantasy points to the position. Find your fortitude and start DeVante.

Sterling Shepard v. LAC: The league’s two most disappointing teams square off on Sunday in the Something’s Gotta Give Bowl at MetLife Stadium. For my money, New York’s struggles are way less excusable than the Chargers’. They have a franchise QB who’s won multiple Super Bowls, the best wide receiver in the business, and one of the league’s most talented defenses. Oh, and a very good second fiddle to that best receiver in Mr. Shepard. The former Sooner was targeted ten fewer times than OBJ last Sunday, but caught every one of them and was nearly as productive (5.4 v. 9.0 points). In fact, he’s actually caught more passes for more yards and more fantasy points than his more acclaimed teammate through four weeks. And yes, that’s on fewer targets. Beckham Jr. likely draws Casey Hayward this weekend, meaning Shepard could be heavily involved out of the slot. Start him.

Jaron Brown @ PHI: I recommended the unheralded Brown last week and he made me look good by snatching a team-leading eight balls for 105 yards. That makes for 29 targets the last three weeks, good enough for 8th overall at the position. Shocking, right? Here’s more shocking news: He’s only owned in about 20% of ESPN leagues. Here’s even more shocking news: His teammates, J.J. Nelson and John Brown, are owned in twice as many leagues despite being way less productive during that stretch. It’s OK to be skeptical of guys who come out of nowhere and I practice healthy skepticism regularly. Nevertheless, guys who produce multiple weeks in a row and command more targets than Larry Fitzgerald (also shockingly true) in the league’s most pass-happy offense should be owned in pretty much every league. Go get him before your league mates do, gang. The secret’s just about out.

Grab Some Wood

Amari Cooper v. BAL: Coop seemed like a classic third year breakout candidate after garnering 13 targets in the opener v. Tennesee and racking up 12.2 fantasy points. There were warning signs even in that stat line, however (he only caught five of those passes), and his production since has basically fallen off the table. In his last two games, both Raider losses, the Crimson Tide product has turned 13 more targets into only 3 catches and a laughable 15 yards of production. This despite the fact Michael Crabtree missed the Week 4 game v. Denver, making Cooper the clear WR1 for that critical divisional showdown. Crabtree’s likely back for Week 5 v. Baltimore but Derek Carr isn’t and that means an instant downgrade for all Raider assets. Until we see signs of life and evidence he can be productive with EJ Manuel slinging footballs, Cooper belongs on your bench.

Zay Jones @ CIN: Everyone’s talking about the Rams’ resurgence, but ever so quietly, Buffalo is 3-1 and has, at least temporarily, broken New England’s stranglehold on the AFC East. They’ve done it with efficient quarterback play (when will Tyrod get some love?), a solid 1-2 punch at RB (Shady McCoy and Mike Tolbert), and the league’s most efficient defense (just 13.5 ppg allowed). They’ve also done it despite an astounding lack of productivity at the WR position (11.6 FPts/G). Only Jordan Matthews has topped even 30 receiving yards in a game (30!) and now he’s on the shelf indefinitely. Don’t assume Jones slides into that WR1 role by attrition. The Bills have beaten some really good teams by playing good D, running the ball, and throwing it occasionally to their criminally underrated TE, Charles Clay. Meanwhile, the ECU product has only tallied 57 yards. Nothing to see here.

Sammy Watkins v. SEA: It’s hard to fault Buffalo for dealing the talented but uneven Watkins to LA considering how successful they’ve been without him. Maybe this ends up being one of those win-win types of deals? Watkins will have to get better to make that so, oddly, as he’s largely missed out on the Rams’ 2017 points party. Outside of a Week 3 explosion against the woeful Niners (six catches, 106 yards, and two scores), he’s averaging a meager 3.5 points/game. Rashard Higgins averages more and the Cleveland rook’s only caught two passes the past two weeks. Los Angeles needs more out of their most talented wideout to continue its resurgence, but they probably won’t get it this weekend. Richard Sherman is a production-curtailing corner if ever there was one and he’ll draw Watkins duty at the Coliseum. Sit Sammy down and grab the short dogs (Seattle) this Sunday.

Good luck, folks!

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers