Eric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments".
Dak Prescott is out and Andy Dalton is in. Yes, the rest-of-season fantasy football rankings see a shake-up at quarterback with the top-five option from Dallas seeing the unfortunate end to his 2020 campaign. Dalton had some moments as a longtime Cincinnati Bengals starter and he inherits Prescott's myriad weapons in the Cowboys' passing game, but what does that mean for his fantasy ranking?
Of course, the trials of the NFC East-leading team signal just one major change in these ever-changing rankings. Check it all out below, along with the latest Stock Watch! Good luck to everyone in Week 6 and beyond!
QB Stock Up
Andy Dalton, QB, Dallas Cowboys: Dalton had A.J. Green for the length of his tenure in Cincinnati but now he gets Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup -- along with Ezekiel Elliott, too. We shall see if the Dallas offensive line can protect Dalton, but this is surely someone to consider in multi-QB formats right away.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: He strangely remains a bit under the radar but this longtime fantasy asset has scored between 18 and 22 fantasy points in each of his four games thus far in 2020. That's nothing tremendously awesome, but there have been no stinkers, either. Reliability matters as well! Add in hotshot rookie Chase Claypool and Big Ben sure appears to be locked in as a QB1.
Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts: This is merely a hunch, but for those in deeper formats who are tired of relying on the awful Philip Rivers (as the Colts must be at this point, despite words to the contrary), Brissett at least took care of the football last season and avoided losing games. Since some leagues need to know every starting quarterback, this guy could soon rejoin the club. Brissett enters the rankings at the expense of Tyrod Taylor and others who appear to be a long way from earning playing time.
QB Stock Down
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: As noted in the Sunday night blog entry looking ahead to Week 6, Jackson has already (through five weeks) had more games with under-60 rushing yards than he did all last season. Yes, he remains a clear-cut fantasy starter. However, if he is not running with the football -- and we acknowledge a knee injury could be the issue, but it all counts the same -- then he is not in the running with Patrick Mahomes to be fantasy's "signature quarterback." Wait for him to destroy the Philadelphia Eagles defense in Week 6 and then consider trading him.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: This cannot be all about the injured Julio Jones. Still, Ryan is barely averaging a paltry 10 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, albeit versus solid defenses. One year ago, Ryan surpassed 300 passing yards in 11 separate contests. This season, he is 1-of-5, and a coaching change isn't likely to help.
RB Stock Up
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings: The Dalvin Cook injury on Sunday night provided him with a prime-time opportunity to shine -- and the second-year man from Boise State turned 23 touches into 136 yards and 16.6 PPR points. With Cook likely to miss at least another game, if not more, you're looking at a fantasy starter.
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams: Also as noted Sunday night, a healthy Akers performed well in Week 5 and his coach told anyone who would listen that more chances to do so are pending. Act now on the latest "rookie running back who has been provided a solid opportunity" before it is too late!
Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers: Both the QB situation and the team defense appear to be unmitigated messes with the 49ers. As for Week 5 positives, at least Mostert returned from injury to shred Miami's defense. He was about the only one on San Francisco to do so.
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers: The team is scheduled to take Week 6 off with a bye. When it returns to action, Austin Ekeler may be back in the fray. However, the way rookie Joshua Kelley continues to underwhelm, Jackson's strong outing on Monday should give him some opportunity, regardless.
RB Stock Down
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs: Perhaps everyone fell in love with the rookie a bit too soon. Oh, we still rank him generously as an RB2, but as with Baltimore's Jackson, the numbers might not match the hype. Edwards-Helaire provides a solid floor of scrimmage yards, but he has done nothing with his goal-line chances. He last scored a touchdown in Week 1 and his name might allow for a greater trade return than it should. Editor's note: Edwards-Helaire's rest-of-season value took a further hit with the Chiefs' signing of Le'Veon Bell late in the week.
Jordan Howard, Miami Dolphins: Perhaps averaging less than 1.0 yards per rush finally did the trick and got the veteran benched on Sunday. Normally it would appear obvious to move on from such a player, but he began Week 5 still oddly rostered in 40% of ESPN standard leagues. Get someone else.
WR Stock Up
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks: With nearly 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns in five games, there seems to be little that can stop Seattle's passing offense, other than the Week 6 bye!
Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles: Who? This second-year surprise journeyman (yes, he is already well traveled!) has emerged as the top weapon for Carson Wentz. While he could lose targets when Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson return, who wants to bet either brittle veteran returns soon -- or remains intact when they do?
WR Stock Down
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers: I remain a fan of both the player and the offense, but the emergence of Chase Claypool (who scored four touchdowns Sunday), combined with Johnson's continuing inability to stay out of the trainer's room, puts a damper on his value.
Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs: Somewhat similarly, Watkins is no bastion of regular health -- and now he is out again with a hamstring injury. Mecole Hardman should step up and, if he thrives, perhaps Watkins will struggle to find playing time when and if he returns.
TE Stock Up
Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints: It does not take much at this position to move a fellow up in the rankings. Cook returned from a multigame absence (groin) to score a key touchdown Monday night. It vaults him back into starting consideration in deeper formats.
TE Stock Down
Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts: Here's another fellow with promise. Sadly, Alie-Cox caught nary a pass in Week 5 and now is nursing a knee injury. In addition, this passing game is not a strong one.
