Fantasy News

Saquon Barkley totals 129 yards, two scores in Week 5 loss.

Barkley was bottled up as a runner with 15 carries for 48 yards, but he added four receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns through the air, including a 57-yard score on a trick-play pass by Odell Beckham Jr. Not that it wasn’t obvious already, but the game proved Saquon is a matchup-proof RB1, and there’s a case to be made that he’s already the best running back in the league. Barkley remains an elite option heading into a Thursday night matchup with the rival Eagles. The Penn State product has almost as many receiving yards (274) as rushing yards (308) through five games.

10/8/18 - 10:04 AM ET

Odell Beckham Jr. has up-and-down game in 33-31 loss to the Panthers.

Beckham caught eight passes for 131 yards and a score while adding a 57-yard touchdown pass to Saquon Barkley, but he also lost a fumble on a punt return and had a couple drops—one on fourth down and one in the end zone. Of course, Odell caused controversy prior to the game by going to the media to basically complain about Pat Shurmur and Eli Manning, and it’s fair to wonder if the Giants are already regretting signing him to a long-term extension. After the loss, Beckham even took credit for the team even making it a game despite some crucial mistakes, and he’s shown no interest in taking any responsibility for a 1-4 start. All that said, OBJ is a top-level talent, and off-field drama shouldn’t really impact fantasy teams if he continues getting peppered with targets. Plus, Beckham gets a tremendous matchup on a short week to face Jalen Mills (who might be vulnerable to double moves more than any cornerback in the league) and the Eagles. He’s a high-end WR1.

10/8/18 - 09:56 AM ET

Eli Manning, Giants fall in heartbreaking fashion to the Panthers.

Manning was 22/36 for 326 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 33-31 loss that ended on a 63-yard field goal by Graham Gano as time expired. Overall, the stats looked good for Eli, but he struggled to take care of the ball with two ugly interceptions, both of which came in the second half. New York needs to turn things around quickly at 1-4 and entering a short week to face the Eagles, but Philadelphia has a very attackable secondary with a modest pass rush through five games. That said, Manning is difficult to trust as anything more than a low-end QB2 option, and even that’s based on the hope that Pat Shurmur will have another strong offensive game plan to allow Eli to put up numbers.

10/8/18 - 09:48 AM ET

James Washington doesn’t catch a pass in Week 5.

Washington was targeted on an out route, but the ball got on him quick as it appeared he might not have been ready for it to come to him. The rookie receiver will probably have some big weeks this season, but he can’t be trusted in fantasy lineups yet.

10/8/18 - 09:47 AM ET

Ryan Switzer catches one pass in Week 5.

Switzer gained five yards on his lone reception and lone target of the game against Atlanta. He’s a key contributor on both offense and special teams, but Switzer is not a fantasy option at the moment.

10/8/18 - 09:46 AM ET

Vance McDonald catches one pass against the Falcons.

McDonald gained six yards on his lone reception in the Week 5 win. This was a disappointing performance after back-to-back very good games, but McDonald will look to bounce back next week against Cincinnati.

10/8/18 - 09:45 AM ET

Xavier Grimble catches one pass in Week 5.

Grimble gained nine yards on his lone reception, his first of the season. Grimble is not on the fantasy radar at the moment.

10/8/18 - 09:43 AM ET