This is Week 5 NFL Takeaways! It sounds crazy to say, but we are almost a third of the way through the fantasy football season!
We not only saw the return of Jonathan Taylor and Cooper Kupp in Week 5, but we saw the resurrection of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. They both now look like the lineup cornerstones you drafted them to be.
Fantasy Lineup Analysis
Speaking of lineups, I’d like to introduce the first ever edition of “I have to at least mention it” Fantasy Lineup!
QB: Joe Burrow can officially go back into your lineups.
RB: De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert are still in a 50/50 time share.
RB: Derrick Henry is looking more human than in years past.
WR: Calvin Ridley is so back. He’s tied for the most team targets and was clearly Lawrence’s go-to-guy
WR: Cooper Kupp and Ja’Marr Chase are more than back.
FLEX: Adam Thielen is a set-it and forget-it in your lineups until further notice.
TE: Kyle Pitts and Dallas Goedert managers have found signs of life!
SF: If Joshua Dobbs isn’t your No. 1 priority streaming option, that’s a problem!
Takeaway No. 1: We Have to Talk About Lamar Jackson and the Ravens Offense
Much like my Jacksonville takeaway from last week, this Baltimore Ravens offense has been so incredibly MID.
Now, we know what Lamar can do on the ground. Additionally, we have actually seen some really good games from him this season. For example, he had 100 rushing yards and two rushing TDs in Week 3 against the Colts. However, his pass catching weapons have really struggled this season.
When you dive into the box scores, you notice that Lamar Jackson doesn’t have a game with more than 240 passing yards. He only has four passing TDs in five games. No Baltimore player has more than 80 receiving yards in a game this season.
The thought coming into this year was that Todd Monken was going to open up this offense and unlock the passing game that had been missing in years past. Well, through five weeks, it’s obvious that has not happened. Additionally, if you are starting guys like Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers each week, you’ve probably been disappointed.
Also, considering the Ravens play in London next week, I’d be looking to barter a trade pretty soon. Because as I’m sure all of you know, if the Ravens play as mediocre as they have these first five weeks, every manager is going to see it and those guys’ value will plummet even more.
Takeaway No. 2: Go Get You Some Alvin Kamara!
If you took a chance on Alvin Kamara in drafts this season, congratulations. It looks like an absolute SMASH pick!
Last week against Tampa Bay, Kamara had 13 catches (granted it was only for 33 yards). He then follows up that performance with 97 total yards and a goal-line touchdown in Week 5 against the Patriots.
Although we haven’t seen the efficiency we used to rave about a couple years ago, we are seeing something that many managers used to beg for when Sean Payton was in town. The coveted bell cow role is Kamara’s.
Over the past two weeks, Kamara has averaged 24.5 touches per game. In fact, while Dennis Allen has been the head coach, Kamara has seen more touches than he ever did with Sean Payton.
What’s also a new development is historic touchdown vulture Taysom Hill is nowhere to be found! Alvin Kamara scored a touchdown from the one yard-line today, and Taysom Hill wasn’t deployed. This is a very exciting development for Kamara owners across the world.
It might be hard to pull off, but I would be buying high on Alvin Kamara. The players I would consider give up are Puka Nacua, Jonathan Taylor, Mark Andrews, and Deebo Samuel.
Takeaway No. 3: DeVonta Smith or John Cena? I Can’t Seem to Find Either One.
After catching a touchdown in each of his first two games, DeVonta Smith has very much cooled off. He’s averaged just four catches for 37 yards and zero TDs. However, I’m not telling you to sell him, I’m telling you to BUY!
When you have A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, D’Andre Swift, and Jalen Hurts all in the same offense, there are going to be weeks where one or two of these guys are left out. Unfortunately for Smith, those weeks have came all in a row, but we saw a similar stretch like this last year from Smith and then went on to finish as a top 10 WR.
In 2022, Smith had games where he put up PPR performances of 0 points, 4.7 points and 7.3 points.
I truly believe that he’s just a victim of bad luck. He’s going to bounce back in a big way for the rest of the season. Therefore, steal him from the teams that are 1-4 or 2-3 and sell them on the fact he had one catch for six yards in Week 5.
Guys I would be giving consider trading for him are Zay Flowers plus, George Pickens plus, DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and Gabe Davis.
