Some things change and some things stay the same.
The once almighty Patriots are definitely not the same. They are one of the worst teams in the NFL, which is not something I’m used to saying about a Bill Belichick coached team. Last week, New England suffered the worst loss under their infamous head coach when the Cowboys annihilated them in a 38-3 victory at Jerry’s World. This past week, they incurred their worst home loss under Belichick, being shut out in a 34-0 route courtesy of the Saints.
The real problem in New England could be their stadium renovations. Since they constructed their new hilariously wide jumbotron and oddly tall lighthouse, they’ve earned an 0-3 season at Gillette. In all seriousness, it’s just jarring to see a Patriots team not only this bad, but also this dysfunctional.
One thing that will never change though is the cycle of the Cowboys. The preseason Super Bowl hopefuls once again showed out in their first few games, demolishing lackluster competition and everyone overreacted, coining them as true championship contenders. Then the rubber met the road Sunday night and the 49ers showed them what a real Super Bowl caliber team looks like embarrassing them in a 42-10 victory in primetime.
Enough of regular NFL football, we’re here for fantasy glory and there’s plenty to unpack from Week Five.
Is King Henry’s Reign Over?
Since being drafted in the NFL, the Titans’ Derrick Henry has defied the expectations of elite running backs, playing at a seemingly inhuman level. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he’s also built like a monster truck at 6′3″ and 247 lbs.
He makes use of his towering frame, not shying away from contact and often delivering hits rather than taking them. Since he was drafted in 2016, Ezekiel Elliot is the only player with more carries than Henry and no one has rushed for more yards over that span.
He is the epitome of a workhouse back, making fans wonder over the last couple years when his decline will inevitably come. When will all the hits he has taken start to show their toll?
Sadly, we could be witnessing the beginning of this superstar’s fall. He has only surpassed 100 rushing yards in one game, an oddity for him. He is usually on the field constantly, but lately rookie ball carrier Tyjae Spears has been lurking. The first year back only took 6% and 10% fewer snaps than Henry in the last two weeks.
Spears’ rushing attempts are not eye-popping, as Henry will still take the bulk of the carries, but he’s on the field and active in the passing game (which Henry is not), seeing at least four targets in four of five games this season. It’s also not unrealistic to think that Henry’s physical playstyle could catch up to him and leave him injured, in which case Spears would assume the lead role.
He’s not a flashy guy, but he’s a steady hand who should give you solid numbers every week and has the potential to boom later on this season. He’s also widely available, only rostered in 25.6% of ESPN leagues prior to waiver claims going through. If you have some room on your bench and want some depth, he’s well worth a stash.
Logan Leading the Pack
Logan Thomas is still playing? Not only is the fourth round tight end from 2014 still suiting up for the Commanders, but he’s doing so at an extremely high level.
He’s actually vying for the No. 1 passing option in a pretty talented Washington receiving room that includes the likes of Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. He is fourth in the team in total targets, but leading his squad in targets per game with 6.25 (having missed one game thi year due to injury).
Quarterback Sam Howell seems to be fond of him as well, helping Thomas explode for a monstrous game this past Thursday. He snagged nine of 11 targets and took them for 77 yards and touchdown, 20.7 PPR points.
He’s fifth, yes FIFTH, in PPR points per game among TEs with 11.6. That’s more than guys like George Kittle, Dallas Goedert and Darren Waller.
Washington is a frisky team and their offense is better-than-expected, middle of the pack in points per game. The fact that Thomas is only rostered in 8.1% of ESPN leagues at the time of writing is a straight up fantasy sin.
If your tight end is anything less than elite, you should be claiming Thomas before it’s too late.
“Frankel’s Fantasy Files” runs every Wednesday.