Is Josh McCown for real?
Recapping the Week 5 installment of Burning Questions:
| Player | Week 5 Outlook | Result |
| Isaiah Crowell | Sell | RB2 in PPR, while Duke Johnson was a back-end RB2 |
| Chris Johnson | Flex | No. 21 RB |
| Devonta Freeman | RB2 | It’s Freeman’s world, we’re just living in it |
| Blake Bortles | Bench | No. 3 QB |
| Richard Rodgers | Serviceable bye-week fill-in | No. 12 TE in PPR |
NOTES: If you didn’t sell Crowell last week…I’d do so now as Johnson once again dominated the snaps, 56-34…I’ve been high on Freeman in this space since summer, but I sold him short last week…That’s two straight weeks with at least five catches and 45 receiving yards for Richard Rodgers as he’s starting to get consistent looks in the Packers’ offense…I also pegged Chris Johnson right as a flex play, but whiffed on Blake Bortles…And I was apparently one week too early in endorsing Seattle’s Thomas Rawls.
On to Week 6.
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1) Is it time to believe in Josh McCown?
Don’t look now, but Josh McCown has thrown for a league-high 1,154 yards in three games since returning to the Browns’ starting lineup. Yes, Josh McCown. He has tossed two touchdowns in each of those games with only one total pick, and he is also coming off a franchise-record 457 passing yards at Baltimore this past week. According to Pro Football Focus, he boasts a ridiculous 111.5 QB rating when pressured.
He has developed a nice chemistry with WR Travis Benjamin and TE Gary Barnidge, the latter of whom I’ll get into in a moment. As of Thursday night, McCown remained available in more than 85 percent of ESPN leagues. At 36 years old, he has been around the block with several different teams, without much success. So his lack of ownership to this point is somewhat understandable. But make no mistake, he has found a real comfort level under coach Mike Pettine and coordinator John DeFilippo in Cleveland, and it’s time fantasy owners stop ignoring his insane stats.
WEEK 6 AND BEYOND
This week, the Browns host a Denver squad that has given up the fewest fantasy points to opposing passers, and McCown was a limited participant in back-to-back practices with an ankle injury. While he is not a recommended fantasy start in Week 6, he is certainly worth scooping up if your starter has an upcoming bye or has underperformed.
2) Can Gary Barnidge continue his pace?
Browns tight end Gary Barnidge is the No. 3 fantasy tight end behind only Rob Gronkowski and Tyler Eifert, and we’re almost halfway through the fantasy regular season. As of Thursday night, he was still unowned in one-third of leagues and was on the bench in more than half. Both figures are a mistake.
Over the last three weeks, Barnidge has averaged six catches for 106 yards and a touchdown per game. As mentioned above, McCown has blossomed under pressure, and Barnidge has been a big reason for that as his safety valve. With 25 targets over the last three weeks, the volume has been there as well as the red-zone attention. Granted, you can’t count on circus catches between his knees every week, nor can you rely on McCown airing it out 40 times a game. But with the tight end position once again in flux, Barnidge has already made the case that he belongs as a TE1.
WEEK 6 AND BEYOND
While the Broncos have been tough against opposing passers, they are 12th against tight ends. He’s more of a borderline TE1/TE2 this week, but if you’ve got an open roster spot, now is the time to make the move.
3) Is Doug Martin really back?
With Tampa Bay on bye this week, Doug Martin owners are no doubt weighing whether to sell high on running back Doug “Muscle Hamster” Martin. I don’t own any shares of Martin in my leagues this year, but if I was in that position, I would protect him like Don Corleone because feature backs don’t just grow on trees.
When it comes to Martin, the volume has been there, as he has notched 20 or more carries in three of his last four games. The production, obviously, has been there for the No. 3 fantasy RB on the season. Last week, he simply shredded Jacksonville for 123 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, marking his second straight week over the century mark on the ground. According to PFF, he caused nine missed tackles and earned his highest single-game grade of his career.
WEEK 6 AND BEYOND
After bursting onto the scene as a rookie in 2012, Muscle Hamster all but vanished from the fantasy radar with consecutive injury-plagued and ineffective seasons. Well, he’s officially back. Martin has caught all 11 targets thrown his way this year, and he has even excelled in pass protection. He also has an awfully favorable schedule after the bye.
4) What’s up with the Lions’ backfield?
Chalk one up for the darkhorse in Detroit. Through five weeks, it’s neither veteran Joique Bell nor rookie Ameer Abdullah standing as the most productive Lions’ fantasy running back. It’s none other than Theo Riddick, who currently stands as the No. 15 RB in PPR formats. Riddick is coming off a career-high 10 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown against Arizona this past week, and he has caught at least five passes in four straight games.
Yes, he has only two rushing attempts on the year, but the 24-year-old is coming into his own as Matthew Stafford’s safety blanket out of the backfield and in the slot, a la Darren Sproles. His 30 catches on the season lead all running backs in the NFL. Abdullah got benched last week for fumbling (the third time he put the ball on the ground in five games) and has averaged only 3.3 yards per carry, and Bell has really not been effective since 2012. Those are all attractive storylines for Riddick, who has logged 75 snaps over the last two games and is available in nearly 75 percent of leagues.
WEEK 6 AND BEYOND
Riddick popped up on the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday with a groin injury, so continue monitoring his status. But if he checks out healthy for Sunday’s matchup against Chicago, and you’re hurting at RB, Riddick is an enticing flex option in PPR formats as the Bears have allowed a pair of TD receptions to opposing running backs. I also wouldn’t worry about Bell’s looming return to the lineup from an ankle injury, as Riddick has locked down his role on the Lions’ offense.
5) Is Tavon Austin worth rostering?
Rams’ receiver Tavon Austin was more bust than boom in his first two years, but we’re starting to see some life in Year 3. With Nick Foles taking over under center for St. Louis this season, Austin is still seeing just under five targets per game, but he has been more productive with his opportunities of late. Somewhat quietly, Austin is up to five touchdowns on the season including a Week 1 punt return, with three of those scores coming in the last two weeks.
He has also logged 13 carries for 99 yards, as the Rams have found creative ways to get the speedy Austin in space where he can inflict some damage as a gadget playmaker. Despite his limited opportunities in the passing game, he ranks inside PFF’s top-10 graded wideouts since Week 3.
WEEK 6 AND BEYOND
The Rams are on bye this week, but if you’ve got a roster spot, Austin makes for a decent hold. The schedule opens up nicely for the Rams when they come out of the bye, as Cleveland’s banged up secondary is on the docket in Week 7.
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Mike Castiglione is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, you can view his archive or follow him @RickDancin.
