Fantasy Football: 5 Replacements for Cam Newton in Week 5
Cam Newton is officially out in Week 5 for the Carolina Panthers. Who are five replacement options for fantasy football owners to turn to?
It’s looked like Carolina Panthers quarterback and reigning MVP Cam Newton has been destined to be out all week long. However, it wasn’t until Saturday that the Panthers officially ruled the signal-caller out for their Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hey fantasy football owners; at least they didn’t wait until Monday after you already had your lineups set.
Even if that was nice of Carolina to those that own Newton in fantasy football, that still doesn’t alleviate all of the issues that arise. If you have a shallow bench or if you’re backup to Newton is in a horrible matchup, you may well be scrambling trying to figure out what to do at quarterback in Week 5.
Lucky for owners in that situation, there are several options that are quite intriguing coming into Week 5. The even better news is that a number of these quality replacement options are likely available in your league. For good measure, though, we’ll take a look at the five best replacement options that are owned in under 50 percent of leagues (per ESPN Fantasy Football).
Let’s dive in to get you started with salvaging your Week 5 in fantasy.
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
5. Derek Anderson – Carolina Panthers (4.5% Owned)
On the field for the Panthers, Carolina will be forced to roll with Derek Anderson now that the reigning MVP has been ruled out in Week 5. The veteran Anderson may have enough in the tank to lead the Panthers to a win on Monday Night Football. However, he might also have enough to be a viable replacement option for Newton owners in need of some assistance for this week.
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Late in the game in Week 4 when Anderson was thrust into action following Newton’s concussion, he actually put up pretty ridiculous numbers. For coming in as late in the game as he did, he still managed to throw for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Though he did throw two picks and despite this all coming in garbage time, producing 12 fantasy points in that short of a time is eye-catching to say the least.
Anderson and the Panthers have a matchup on Monday that Newton owners were certainly looking forward to. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been lit up in almost every game this season through the air. All of the receiving weapons will still be in-tow for Carolina in this game and I don’t think the Bucs can cover them. Moreover, Jonathan Stewart is also out in Week 5, thus necessitating the Panthers throwing the ball often. It’s a gamble, but I like Anderson’s chances to still have a nice fantasy day as he makes the start in place of Super Cam.
Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
4. Brian Hoyer – Chicago Bears (14.9% Owned)
A player who should really be getting a bit more attention than he is from fantasy owners—regardless of Cam Newton injury—is Brian Hoyer with the Chicago Bears. Since coming in as the backup to the injured Jay Cutler, Hoyer has been consistent and productive for the Bears in running the offense. Maybe it’s just the name or the fact that the Bears as a whole are horrible, but you can’t deny what he’s done to this point.
In his two starts this season, Hoyer has thrown for over 300 yards in each of them. Moreover, he’s thrown for a pair of touchdowns in each outing as well. The result has been showings of 18 and 20 fantasy points, respectively, in ESPN standard scoring. Perhaps the most comforting notion of all is that he has only one turnover (a lost fumble in Week 3) through his two starts.
Though he’ll be without Kevin White now, the matchups don’t get much better than Hoyer’s in Week 5. The Indianapolis Colts couldn’t stop a group of fifth-graders the way that their defense has played this season. Considering that Hoyer has been playing as well as he has been, this is a matchup desperate Newton owners will want to take advantage of.
Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) huddles with his team during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Miami 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
3. Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins (28.7% Owned)
Trusting Ryan Tannehill in fantasy football is a bit like trusting the guy holding a knife threateningly to not stab you. It’s going to work out absolutely horribly and with you in a ton of pain. However, I’m making an exception in Week 5 given the circumstances with Cam Newton and given the fact that Tannehill will be up against a Tennessee Titans defense that has been getting picked on in the passing game all season.
While you’d expect Jarvis Landry to be under the blanket of Jason McCourty and somewhat of a non-factor in this game, that would leave Perrish Cox covering either Kenny Stills or DeVante Parker. Spoiler alert, but Cox doesn’t stand a chance against either of those guys. He’s been singled out and picked on by opposing offenses all season and I expect that Adam Gase will have Tannehill doing the same thing on Sunday.
Despite the perception of Tannehill because of his lack of wins and turnovers, he’s actually been a decent fantasy quarterback this year. Save from putting up only seven points in Week 4 during the Thursday Night Football game, the Dolphins signal-caller has put up solid outings in terms of fantasy points. He dropped 14 points in Week 1, 22 in Week 2, and then 18 in Week 3. Mind you, that’s all while he’s still been dealing with the same turnover problems. It might not be the most settling start of your fantasy football life, but Tannehill is a solid option in Week 5.
Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field.Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
2. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens (44.1% Owned)
I’m one of the many people that believes most of what the Baltimore Ravens have done up to now has been smoke and mirrors. The one quality opponent they’ve played this season (Oakland Raiders), they lost to. However, that has very little to do with fantasy production and Joe Flacco has shown that he’s not afraid to air it out with the group of receivers that he currently has around him in B’More.
Through his first four games this season, Flacco hasn’t posted a game without double-digit fantasy points. Moreover, he’s thrown for over 250 yards in three of his four outings while also having at least one touchdown pass in each of those same three games. He’s quite enjoyed having Mike Wallace as a weapon to help him showcase his cannon of an arm by taking big shots downfield. Moreover, he and Steve Smith are still working together quite nicely these days.
Flacco and the Ravens will be at home this week for a big game against DMV-rivals, the Washington Redskins. While Hurricane Matthew might bring some wind and rain (light, of course) into the equation, that’s a matchup that Baltimore and their quarterback should be able to exploit. Opposite Josh Norman, it’s Quinton Dunbar and Kendall Fuller that can both be susceptible to getting picked on. I expect Flacco to do so and have a solid game.
Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) carries the ball as he attempts a two point conversion against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Broncos won 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
1. Trevor Siemian/Paxton Lynch – Denver Broncos (14%/4.4% Owned)
The Denver Broncos are another team with a relative unknown leading up to Week 5 when it comes to the quarterback position. In their dominant Week 4 victory, starter Trevor Siemian left early with a shoulder injury and did not return to the action. In relief, rookie Paxton Lynch came into the game and performed quite well in mop-up duty to secure the fourth-straight win to start 2016 for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Siemian this season has been inconsistent to say the least. However he looked to be hitting his stride prior to the injury. In Week 3 and the limited action from Week 4, Siemian threw for 380 yards and five touchdowns with no turnovers. That’s good for 34 points by standard scoring. Lynch wasn’t too shabby when he came in, though. In also limited action, he still managed 10 fantasy points with 170 yards passing, his first-career touchdown pass, and no turnovers.
It looks like Siemian might play this week against an Atlanta Falcons defense that has largely been suspect for the 2016 season. Even if he doesn’t, I have a great deal of confidence in Lynch to be every bit as good if he must step into the role. Both are widely available and I’d bet on either of them if I’m without Newton.
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