Fantasy football strategy, rankings, and podcasts

Welcome to another week of fantasy football investment advice geared to help you win it big in DFS. Last week was pretty rough going as injuries knocked out a few of our guys mid-game to limit their fantasy production so hopefully we can avoid the big injuries this week. Speaking of this week, I'll be taking the bulk of my risk on an insanely cheap backup QB turned starter and using the savings to target a few big names.

QB  - Luke McCown, NO - $5,200 at CAR:  It was announced today that Drew Brees will sit out week 3 with his bruised rotator cuff which opens the door for McCown to show the Saints he can play outside of practice. This pick is primarily for the price to afford better position players for the rest of the roster, but McCown is also an unknown so we could get a surprise and end up with more value here than expected.

RB - Carlos Hyde, SF - $7,800 at ARI:  Hyde was one of the aforementioned injured players from my lineup in week 2 where he didn't play the entire second half. Before getting injured he was on pace for 26 carries and 100 yards last week which would've matched his carries from week 1. I expect heavy touches from Hyde this week with Reggie Bush sidelines again. Matchup looks good on paper too as Arizona is giving up the 7th most fantasy points to opposing RBs.

RB - Justin Forsett, BAL - $7,200 vs. CIN:  Forsett has been under performing from his numbers last year, but a home game against a Bengals defense giving up the second most fantasy points on the ground thus far is just what he needs to get back on track. It looks like Lorenzo Taliaferro may not play or be limited this week as well which could mean more goal line looks for Forsett as well.

WR - Antonio Brown, PIT - $9,300 at STL:  This is the number 1 reason for taking the cheap value at QB, to be able to afford the hands down best WR option any given week. Brown is coming off a 195 yard performance on 9 catches with a touchdown and a 2 point conversion last week which he could easily replicate.

WR - Julio Jones, ATL - $9,000 at DAL:  This would be the number 1a reason for taking the cheap value at QB. Julio Jones has dominated all season and it looks like Atlanta wants to feed him the ball as the only WR with more targets through 2 weeks is Julian Edelman. With Tevin Coleman out this week I expect Atlanta to lean on the pass even more.

WR - James Jones, GB - $5,700 vs. KC:  Since Jones has been reunited with Green Bay he's done nothing but score TDs. He may be a risky play since he hasn't been getting many targets, but the ones he does get are quality in the red zone. There is also an outside chance Davante Adams will either not play or be limited this week due to an ankle injury so Jones could see an uptick in targets.

TE - Tyler Eifert, CIN - $5,900 at BAL: It looks as if Eifert has established himself as the number 2 passing option in Cincinnati and through 2 weeks has had the second most targets among TEs just behind Gronkowski. The Ravens have been good at stopping the run this year so expect Dalton to have to air it out frequently.

K - Nick Folk, NYJ - $4,600 vs. PHI:  Kickers aren't interesting, especially choosing bottom barrel kickers. Philly is giving up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing kickers for whatever that is worth though.

DEF - Seahawks, SEA - $5,300 vs. CHI:  This game should be an absolute bloodbath in favor of Seattle. Chicago is forced to start Jimmy Clausen at QB and will also be without Alshon Jeffery. Expect Seattle to hold the Bears to little or no points as well as to record a few turnovers.

The draft season is upon us, and look no further than drinkfive to provide you with rankings to guide you through your draft. If you still need to prep for your draft, make sure you check out our draft tips podcast for this year.

Fantasy Football Podcast - How to Draft a Winning Team in 2016

The rankings feature many familiar names right at the top - Antonio Brown leads the WR list, The Gronk sits atop the TE list and Purple Jesus has once again risen to the top of the running backs. If you're a gambling man - and if you play this game, I'm sure you are - the best bet in our books is to go with AB if you find yourself with the #1 overall pick, pretty much regardless of your league's format. Make sure to stay tuned to the site for updates as the preseason rolls along.

Taking a look at the player trends over the past few weeks can reveal some surprising things - it's important, though, to temper expectations in some cases and realize that some great (and some awful) performances can be the product of gameflow as much as the talent and/or rising production of a player. But since each player can only be owned by one team at a time in most standard fantasy leagues, you've got to scoop them up before anyone else and make smart decisions as far as when to play a rising (or falling) star. What do you think about these scenarios? Will the players listed below live up to expectations based on recent weeks? Make sure to check out the podcast to find out which side we take on each player.

Quarterbacks:

Marcus Mariota (TEN)

Week 4 @ HOU – 13/29, 202 yds, 1 INT, 9.08 pts

Week 5 @ MIA – 20/29, 163 yds, 3 TD, 1 rush TD, 30.52 pts

Week 6 vs CLE – 17/24, 284 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT, 28.76 pts

Mariota has exploded the last two weeks, throwing for 6 touchdowns against just one interception. Mariota is still only owned in 61% of yahoo leagues, but he’s the #8 overall QB so far this season. Mariota has a very favorable schedule ahead of him, with 5 of his next 6 games against bad teams before going into his week 13 bye. Mariota has finally found some receiving targets and could easily finish the season as a top 10 QB. We’ll start the line on him at 22 points this week, at home vs IND.

Aaron Rodgers (GB)

Week 3 vs DET – 15/24, 205 yds, 4 TD, 26.40 pts

Week 5 vs NYG – 23/45, 259 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT, 17.86 pts

Week 6 vs DAL – 31/42, 294 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 13.46 pts

Anyone who follows us tracking trends knows that this one was coming. Rodgers is traditionally the gold standard for fantasy football consistency, but this year, especially the last few weeks, he has looked like fool’s gold. So far this season, Rodgers looks much like he did last year in completion percentage and yards per passing attempt, two categories that he used to excel in. Now Rodgers has a short week at home vs the Bears, but he’s likely to be without both Eddie Lacy and James Starks. Will the Bears be just what he needs to get his mechanics corrected, or do his struggles continue? We’ll start the line at 19 points.

Running Backs:

James White (NE)

Week 4 vs BUF – 4/12 yds, 5 rec/50 yds, 6.20 pts

Week 5 @ CLE – 5/26 yds, 4 rec/63 yds, 8.90 pts

Week 6 vs CIN – 7/19 yds, 8 rec/47 yds, 2 TD, 18.60 pts

James White is trending up in both points and touches, mostly thanks to the return of Tom Brady. Everyone knew that the focus of the offense would be much more towards passing once Brady returned, so White’s uptick is to be expected. The biggest question with the Patriots backs has always been – How long will this last? Dion Lewis is waiting in the wings to return, though it may not happen until after the Week 9 bye. With White playing better, do you keep starting him, or offer him up as trade bait? This week, the Patriots go to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers without Big Ben. We’ll start his line at 11.

Isaiah Crowell (CLE)

Week 4 @ WAS – 16/120 yds, 1 TD, 20.20 pts

Week 5 vs NE – 13/22 yds, 4.00 pts

Week 6 @ TEN – 9/16 yds, 3.60 pts

Isaiah Crowell started out the season like he was fired from a cannon. He put up just shy of 400 yards and 3 TDs in his first four games and looked like he was headed towards top-10 RB status for the season. Then it’s like he suddenly remembered what team he plays for, and promptly saw his production drop like a rock. This is partly due to the uptick in touches for Duke Johnson Jr, but when your yards per carry goes from 6.45 (Wk 1-4), to 1.72 (Wk 5 & 6), it’s hard to keep giving him the ball. Crowell is still 90% owned, and started in 51% of Yahoo leagues last week. This week he faces the Bengals in Cincy, and we’ll set his line at 9 points, and ask, would you start him this week?

Wide Receivers:

Jamison Crowder (WAS)

Week 4 vs CLE – 3/2 rec, 21 yds, 2.10 pts

Week 5 @ BAL – 3/3 rec, 35 yds, 1 Return TD, 9.50 pts

Week 6 vs PHI – 4/3 rec, 52 yds, 1 TD, 10.30 pts

Jamison Crowder has a larger role on the Redskins offense with Jordan Reed out with a concussion. It’s not settled if he’s coming back this week, but Reed is often out multiple weeks when he has a concussion. Crowder has made some big plays helping the team win each of the last two weeks. With the decline of DeSean Jackson, can Crowder step up to start filling some of that role? We’ll start the line for Crowder at 7 points for his matchup against the Lions, giving up the 5^th most points to opposing WRs.

Antonio Brown (PIT)

Week 4 vs KC – 5/4 rec, 64 yds, 2 TD, 18.40 pts

Week 5 vs NYJ – 11/9 rec, 78 yds, 1 TD, 13.80 pts

Week 6 @ MIA – 8/4 rec, 39 yds, 4.50 pts, 4.50 pts

Antonio Brown was the consensus #1 pick going into the 2016 season, and he already has 2 games where he’s scored under 5 points. It’s not time to panic with Brown, but this week looks like it’s about as tough as matchups get. His starting QB will be Landry Jones and the opposing team will be the New England Patriots. It seems like this so-called juggernaut of an offense can never get going because of injuries and/or suspensions. Brown is the only consistent part, but even this week you may consider benching him. We’ll start our line for Brown at 12 points.

Tight End:

Hunter Henry (SD)

Week 4 vs NO – 7/4 rec, 61 yds, 1 TD, 12.10 pts

Week 5 @ OAK – 4/3 rec, 74 yds, 1 TD, 13.40 pts

Week 6 vs DEN – 8/6 rec, 83 yds, 1 TD, 14.30 pts

Now those are some numbers that are just screaming consistency. Hunter Henry is easily the most impressive rookie TE this season (there were only 3 drafted, after all). Having scored a TD in each of the last 3 games, he’s also drawn 19 targets and is 2^nd in scoring over the last 4 games at the TE position. With Antonio Gates hobbled and on the way out anyways, Henry is in a perfect position to continue his breakout rookie season on a team that is always starving for pass catchers. This week, Henry faces the Falcons, who have given up the 5^th most points to opposing tight ends. Can he continue his impressive streak? We’ll start his line at 13 points.

Hello everyone! The playoffs are upon us and that doesn't mean that fantasy football has to end! Please see our rankings below for the entirety of the playoffs (rest of season). Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell top the overall rankings here, which only begs the question: how far will the Steelers get in the postseason? Interestingly enough, the next pair on the board is Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman, from the Atlanta Falcons.

Obviously, we here at drinkfive.com think highly of both Atlanta and Pittsburgh going into the Wild Card week. Tom Brady and the New England Defense sit on top of their respective categories, however - as you can never discount Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Although we don't rank any of the Dallas Cowboys as #1 at their position, it will be hard to beat the regular season darlings at home and we wouldn't shy away from using any of their superstar players in DFS or fantasy playoff leagues next week. Good luck!