Fantasy News

Mike Evans gets held under 50 yards by the Patriots.

The big fourth-year receiver caught five of eight targets for 49 yards in Tampa Bay’s Week 5 loss. Evans got off to a nice start to the game, catching a couple passes early. But cornerback Stephon Gilmore and New England did a good job covering him for most of the game. It would help if the broadcast camera angles were changed so we can see what’s going on down the field, but the Patriots probably doubled Evans some of the game. Through four games, Evans is on pace for 96 catches, 1,104 yards, and eight touchdowns—not what people that selected him in the first round have expected so far. And he gets a date with Patrick Peterson in Week 6.

10/6/17 - 12:26 AM ET

Adam Humphries catches three passes in Week 5.

Humphries was targeted five times in the game, gaining 51 yards on his three receptions. He was a key target for Jameis Winston at the end of the game when the team was attempting a comeback and he’ll remain a key member of the Bucs, but he’s not a reliable fantasy option.

10/6/17 - 12:21 AM ET

Cameron Brate scores in loss to New England.

Brate caught five of nine targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Thursday night game. He did struggle with a couple drops, including one in the end zone, but the touchdown was a nice back-shoulder type of catch against tough coverage. Brate continues to be a weapon by the end zone, which gives him solid fantasy value despite the presence of rookie O.J. Howard. He has a difficult matchup against Arizona in Week 6, though.

10/6/17 - 12:19 AM ET

DeSean Jackson goes over 100 yards in Week 5 loss.

Jackson caught five of nine targets for 106 yards, including a long of 41 against the Patriots. The long was on a pass over the middle that Jackson caught and nearly took to the house while showing his elite speed before just getting tackled from behind by Devin McCourty. Jackson got deep on a play earlier in the game, but Jameis Winston didn’t loft it, which gave his speedy receiver no chance to catch up to it. DeSean is on pace for 56 receptions, 996 yards, and four touchdowns this season.

10/6/17 - 12:17 AM ET

Doug Martin flashes big time in his first game of 2017.

Martin did not start the game in his first game back from his four-game suspension (he served one of the four games last season), but he played very well and will be the clear starter moving forward. Martin carried 13 times for 74 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots, showing excellent vision, quickness, and acceleration in the game. He also added an eight-yard reception. After Martin gashed them on his first several carries the Pats did make an effort to limit him, but this was a great first game back for him. Martin looks like he could be an immediate RB1 in fantasy leagues, and he should be in lineups despite a difficult matchup against the Cardinals next week.

10/6/17 - 12:14 AM ET

Jameis Winston nearly leads Bucs back against the Patriots.

The first half or so of the game did not start off well for the passing offense of the Buccaneers, as they couldn’t get much going through the air. But they picked it up late in the game and nearly made a comeback against New England and had a shot to win it on the final play of the game. Overall, Winston was 26/46 for 334 yards and a touchdown, along with three carries for 11 yards. He did struggle with accuracy—including an overthrow on a potential deep touchdown to DeSean Jackson—and decision-making during the game, but he did fine in the box score. Winston has a difficult Week 6 game against the Cardinals.

10/6/17 - 12:11 AM ET

Chris Hogan gets team-high 11 targets in Week 5.

Hogan worked as Tom Brady’s top target in the game, grabbing eight passes for 74 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay. The touchdown was New England’s only of the game, and it was on a five-yard curl that was caught right at the goal line. On the first drive of the game, Hogan was wide open on a route over the middle, but Brady surprisingly misfired and it was intercepted. Still, it was a big game for Hogan, who now has five touchdowns this season and has been putting up great numbers since Week 1. He might be the best Patriots receiver to own in fantasy leagues.

10/6/17 - 12:06 AM ET