The Big Lead

Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire: Kenneth Dixon Will Reward Your Patience

By Jason Lisk

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Kenneth Dixon (owned in 53% of all CBS leagues) returned to practice for the Baltimore Ravens last week, but was still inactive on Sunday, coming back from the MCL injury in the preseason. If you had any doubts about what the Ravens thought of the rookie and how they plan to use him, that should be quelled by the team (again) releasing veteran Justin Forsett.

That’s shows that Forsett was simply an inferior placeholder for Dixon, and the team did release Forsett in the preseason but brought him back after final cuts on a team-friendly contract, while Dixon was out.

Dixon is a very capable receiver, and should be a more productive version of Forsett’s role, and can also potentially take even more of Terrance West’s role if he shows he is healthy. For now, expect him as a flex/matchup play, but with upside to be even better than that as the season goes on. If you had been reading here all season, you would have picked him up weeks ago, but if he is still available, now is the time.

Here are the remaining recommendations for Shallow Leagues (owned in 67% or less of CBS leagues), Average Leagues (50% or less), and Deep Leagues (33% or less).

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow: Carson Wentz (60%) at Detroit is a great matchup play. The Lions have allowed opponents an average of 283 passing yards and 3 touchdowns so far this year, and Zach Ertz returns coming out of the bye week.

Ryan Tannehill (63%) is your other option in shallow leagues as the Dolphins will throw lots of short passes in lieu of a running game against the Titans.

Average and Deep: Derek Anderson (1%) is a viable starting option because the Bucs’ defense is not good, if Cam Newton cannot go because of the concussion. If you are in a start-2 QB league he’s a great play.

Jay Cutler (14%) didn’t play last week, and will be questionable this week against Indianapolis. But just like last week, when Brian Hoyer (1%) threw for 300 yards and 2 TDs against the Lions, this is a favorable matchup if you need a bye week fill-in.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow: Terrance West (53%) is a good matchup play against Washington, for at least one week while we see if Baltimore eases Kenneth Dixon into a workload.

Fozzy Whittaker (54%) had 9 catches for 83 yards last week and should continue to be a PPR play, with matchups against Tampa (60 yards receiving to opposing backs so far) and New Orleans up in the next two weeks.

Darren Sproles (59%) continues to get it done and has a great matchup against the Lions.

Average: James White (45%) hasn’t done much so far this year, but Tom Brady returns this week, so expect a bump to all receiving options in New England.

DeAndre Washington (38%) is close to solidifying a full platoon with Latavius Murray after another week where he outperformed the starter.

Deep: Wendell Smallwood (29%) has been getting more carries with the Eagles and with Mathews having an injury before the bye, is worth a cheap add and a monitor this week.

Dexter McCluster (13%) hasn’t done much yet, but if the Chargers are playing from behind, he will get a chance to play the Danny Woodhead role as the season goes on.

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow: Quincy Enunwa (61%) is a guy who should be added as we await more news on Eric Decker’s long-term status. If Decker is out for awhile, Enunwa is a weekly Top 36 play at WR.

Average: Chris Hogan (39%) hasn’t done much the last few weeks (not many receivers in New England have with Brissett starting), but he’s worth a speculative add in a deeper league to see if the Brady connection is worth it.

Deep: Robert Woods (15%) had 7 catches last week, and with the news that Sammy Watkins is on the IR, Woods is the top option in Buffalo.

Jeremy Kerley (3%) has been the top option for Blaine Gabbert in San Francisco, having been targeted 32 times through the first 4 weeks (10 more than any other player).

Kenny Britt (13%) is leading the Rams in yards and receptions after four games.

Dontrelle Inman (4%) had a big 100-yard receiving game against the Saints, and the Chargers have another favorable matchup with the Raiders.

 

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow: Hunter Henry (57%) was a top recommendation last week and didn’t disappoint, and should be starting again this week against Oakland.

Average and Deep:  Richard Rodgers (9%) becomes a better option vs NYG with Jared Cook’s injury. Cameron Brate (23%) goes against the Panthers, who have allowed 4 touchdowns to tight ends so far this year.

 

SHALLOW LEAGUES

  1. RB Kenneth Dixon, BAL
  2. TE Hunter Henry, SD
  3. WR Robert Woods, BUF
  4. QB Carson Wentz, PHI
  5. RB Terrance West, BAL
  6. WR Quincy Enunwa, NYJ
  7. RB Darren Sproles, PHI
  8. TE Richard Rodgers, GB
  9. RB Fozzy Whittaker, CAR
  10. RB DeAndre Washington, OAK

 

AVERAGE LEAGUES

  1. WR Robert Woods, BUF
  2. TE Richard Rodgers, GB
  3. RB DeAndre Washington, OAK
  4. WR Chris Hogan, NE
  5. RB Wendell Smallwood, PHI
  6. RB James White, NE
  7. WR Kenny Britt, LA
  8. WR Jeremy Kerley, SF
  9. TE Cameron Brate, TB
  10. QB Jay Cutler, CHI

 

DEEP LEAGUES

  1. WR Robert Woods, BUF
  2. TE Richard Rodgers, GB
  3. RB Wendell Smallwood, PHI
  4. TE Cameron Brate, TB
  5. WR Kenny Britt, LA
  6. WR Jeremy Kerley, SF
  7. QB Jay Cutler, CHI
  8. QB Derek Anderson, CAR
  9. RB Dexter McCluster, SD