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".
Perhaps you are like me in the sense that you were sitting there in the middle rounds of your myriad fantasy football drafts, trying to decide which quarterback to select, and you chose Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson because not only is he great, but he is also durable. Raise your hands if you did that. Guilty! Now here we are entering Week 6 and, of course, because this year I decided to reach a bit to get the quarterback that never gets hurt, I now have to start Jared Goff in a key league. Well, sure, Goff is durable, too, but not the point.
Anyway, there is more rankings upheaval this week because of injuries, mostly, though in more than a few cases we still lack clarity on how many games some of the players will miss. In a few cases, some of the running backs were supposed to play in Week 5, and they did not. We do not really know for sure how many games Wilson will miss. Regardless, here is one analyst's latest end-of-season rankings along with our positional trade index, because things constantly change. Good luck trading!
Quarterback
Rankings changes:Patrick Mahomes remains elite, but six interceptions in his past four games is a problem. He slides down a tad and the Bills' Josh Allen, fresh off his Sunday night vanquish in Kansas City, usurps the top spot. Allen's MVP-level season rolls on. Later down the list, small upgrades for the Bengals' Joe Burrow and Browns' Baker Mayfield, while Wilson is a notable drop thanks to his finger injury and subsequent surgery. Keep him rostered.
Trade for: Not a bad time to trade for Wilson, actually, for he may return for all of November and with little worry of diminished performance. Perhaps the Wilson investor in your league(s) is desperate for help now. The Eagles face the Buccaneers this Thursday, but after that, Jalen Hurts and his pals get a steady diet of non-playoff opponents.
Be cautious trading for: Well, the Sam Darnold balloon burst on Sunday. Some will trade for the Titans' Ryan Tannehill, but with or without Julio Jones, the passing side of the offense is a problem. Good luck hoping the Saints' Jameis Winston really is this efficient. Finally, it is hard to believe the 49ers' Trey Lance and Bears' Justin Fields are this average statistically, but we all see it. Perhaps we must wait until 2022.
Running back
Rankings changes: Hope for the best when it comes to injuries to the Giants' Saquon Barkley and Chiefs' Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but we may not see either of them until November. Backups Devontae Booker and Darrel Williams now become fantasy relevant. Barkley remaining in RB2 territory speaks to his awesomeness and the lack of better options. This position lacks depth. Backups Alexander Mattison (Vikings) and Chuba Hubbard (Panthers) ran well in Week 5 and even if they do not start in Week 6 because the stars return, they must be rostered. Stash the Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson, Bears' Tarik Cohen and Colts' trade candidate Marlon Mack in case they become relevant soon, too.
Trade for: A week ago we recommended trading for Barkley. Now he is hurt again. Nah, do not trade for Barkley. Frankly, trade what it takes for a top-15 running back and hope for health. Austin Ekeler may be enough to win your league. So may Kareem Hunt. Meanwhile, it may not be this week or this month, but how can the North Carolina products Javonte Williams (Broncos) and Michael Carter (Jets) not get more chances soon?
Be cautious trading for: The Arizona running backs fit here. James Conner keeps scoring touchdowns, but is he good? He has no role in the passing game. Chase Edmonds should be a RB2, though he did not look like it Sunday. Meanwhile, it remains risky counting on the Panthers' Christian McCaffrey and Vikings' Dalvin Cook. Perhaps they play this week, but do not assume they play all the games from here on out.
Wide receiver
Rankings changes: Well, that was quite a performance by the Chargers' Mike Williams. He slides to WR1 territory, and tops his teammate. Bengals rookie Ja'Marr Chase moves safer into WR2 status. Otherwise, few changes at the top. The Rams' Robert Woods looks better today. Same with the Buccaneers' Antonio Brown and Giants' Kadarius Toney. Anyone else getting tired of waiting for the Titans' Julio Jones and Browns' Odell Beckham Jr.? Farewell to the Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder).
Trade for: The three Buccaneers options seem rather safe, as long as Tom Brady is there. Same with the top Rams and Vikings options.
Be cautious trading for: The Seahawks options. Perhaps DK Metcalf will be fine with Geno Smith, but he drops a bit in the rankings. So does Tyler Lockett. And trade for the rookie Toney if you love him, but these are the Giants. Stuff tends to go awry.
Tight end
Rankings changes: The 49ers' George Kittle hit the injured list with his calf injury, so while he should return in a few weeks, there is always worry about reinjury. Also, with his team's quarterback play, perhaps Kittle struggles to return to a top tight end level. Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts and Bills surprise Dawson Knox move up. Perhaps the Browns' David Njoku keeps moving up as well.
Trade for: Noted this last week, but other than the Chiefs' Travis Kelce and Raiders' Darren Waller -- and Waller has not been great of late -- trading for any tight end is a risk.
Be cautious trading for: Pitts finally looked awesome, but he is still a rookie.
