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The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Key Pickups for Week 5

With Week 4 in the books, fantasy football leagues are now near a quarter complete. There may be a select few owners who are sitting pretty right now but most are frustrated with an under performing team or at least need to make a few adjustments in their lineup. While the free agent market is slimming down, there are still players on waiver wire who could potentially give a team the boost it needs. Here is a list of players that should be helpful as moving forward.

Teams that have bye in Week 5 – Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  1. Kolb, Kevin (QB, ARI) – As Larry Fitzgerald gets involved in the Cardinals’ offense, now Kolb gets attention by fantasy owners. He threw 324 yards with three touchdowns (and two interceptions) against the Dolphins last week and is facing the Rams in Week 5. He isn’t going to be amazing but will be productive enough to be considered as a starter.

  2. Bolden, Brandon (RB, NE) – Bolden carried 16 times for 137 yards with a touchdown and caught one pass for 11 yards. He isn’t likely to be this productive next week, but it is worth it to consider him for a bench spot in case the starting running back, Stevan Ridley, gets hurt.

  3. Mendenhall, Rashard (RB, PIT) – Mendenhall is currently probable for Week 5 against the Eagles. His workload will be managed and he won’t be too productive, but he is likely to be the starting running back in the near future. He is still available in many leagues and should be a solid option.

  4. Battle, Jackie (RB, SD) – Against his old team, the Chiefs, Battle rushed 15 times for 39 yards with a touchdown and caught four passes for 42 yards with another touchdown. Although Ryan Mathews was more productive in terms of yards per carry, being involved in both rushing and passing is promising. He should be decent against the weak Saints’ defense in Week 5.

  5. Blount, LeGarrette (RB, TB) – Blount carried six times for 17 yards with a touchdown while Doug Martin carried eight times for 33 yards. Blount was a goal-line carrier and scored a touchdown. If Blount keeps scoring and has a big play in a game, his role should be increasing as moving forward.

  6. Roberts, Andre (WR, ARI) – Roberts had six receptions for 118 yards with two touchdowns. He has been targeted 25 times in the past four games and his role in the Cardinals’ passing game has been increasing. The opponent is going to primarily focus on Larry Fitzgerald, so Roberts will continue to be open.

  7. Hawkins, Andrew (WR, CIN) – Hawkins caught three passes for 39 yards last week. He is not a fantasy star, but the Bengals are facing the Dolphins who have given up the eighth most points against opponents’ wide receivers. A.J. Green will get the most targets, but Hawkins should be considered for Week 5.

  8. Little, Greg (WR, CLE) – The Browns usually don’t have many fantasy stars due to their weak offense, but Little should be considered for Week 5. He was targeted a team-high 10 times and caught four passes for 77 yards. He leads the team in targets and yards. Quarterback Brandon Weeden seems to throw more and more as the season goes on which adds value to Little. He should be fine against a Giants defense that has given up the seventh most points against the opponents’ wide receivers this season.

  9. Avery, Donnie (WR, IND) – Avery caught two passes for 28 yards in Week 3. Now the Colts are facing the Packers after their Bye Week. Avery has been targeted an average nine times per game and should be productive against a Packers defense that has given up the 13th most points against opposing wide receivers.

  10. Pitta, Dennis (TE, BAL) – Pitta was absolutely disastrous for fantasy owners last week; he no catches and was targeted only twice. However, he still has the fourth most targets among tight ends and should be good against a weak Kansas City defense.

  11. Minnesota Vikings D/ST – The Vikings are facing the Titans at home in Week 5. If the Vikings’ defense continues to perform like it did against the Lions last week and the 49ers in Week 3 it will definitely have fantasy value.

  12. New York Giants D/ST – The Giants are facing the Browns at home in Week 5. Cleveland Browns! As long as running back Trent Richardson is stopped, the Giants defense could be a fantasy stud in Week 5.

  13. Cincinnati Bengals D/ST – The Bengals are facing the Dolphins in Week 5. The Dolphins running back Reggie Bush isn’t 100% healthy, so the Dolphins are likely going to pass more. The Bengals should be alright

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