Fantasy Football: Week 5 Bye Week Alternatives

Week Five byes: Chicago, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Diego

Quarterbacks

Tons of talent will be resting this week at the QB position. Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, and Jay Cutler all are sitting. Hopefully, you’re matched up with someone in the same boat as you.

Solid Alternatives:
Brett Favre – The Old Man gets to face St. Louis. Adrian Peterson will get his, but Favre could throw a couple of TDs before he rests on the sidelines.
Jason Campbell – Carolina has been terrible. They are coming off a bye, which should help, but Campbell should still be able to move the chains.
Trent Edwards – If he can’t do it against Cleveland, when can he?

Running Backs

Some good RBs will be sitting as well. Matt Forte, Ryan Grant, LaDanian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Reggie Bush all have byes.

High-end Alternatives:
Willis McGahee/Ray Rice – They both are nice starters this week against Cincinnati.

Solid Alternatives:
Marshawn Lynch/Fred Jackson – They both could be used against Cleveland.
Larry Johnson – Not my favorite option, but at least he’s at home against Dallas.
Ahmad Bradshaw – When the Giants get up big on Oakland, Bradshaw will take over.
LeSean McCoy – Brian Westbrook has had a week to rest, but McCoy will get work against Tampa Bay, especially when they get up big.
Knowshon Moreno – I think it’s going to be heavy on the run when Josh McDaniels faces his mentor Bill Belichick.
Leon Washington – I see him doing something electric against Miami on Monday Night Football.

Desperation Time:
Glen Coffee – A little tougher matchup against Atlanta, but he should get plenty of work.
Julius Jones – Not the biggest fan, but he could have a decent day against Jacksonville at home.

Wide Receivers

With good QBs out, it’s natural to have good WRs out. Marques Colston, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Vincent Jackson leave the biggest holes in fantasy lineups. Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, and Johnny Knox have found their way into lineups and need to be accounted for as well.

High-end Alternatives:
Braylon Edwards - Now that he’s back with Derek Anderson, he should be nice play against Buffalo.
Patrick Crayton – Romo gets a bit of a breather against Kansas City. Crayton should benefit.
Bernard Berrian/Percy Harvin – Should get theirs against the Rams.
Kevin Walter/Steve Breaston – Arizona/Houston should be a shootout. Both could go off.

Solid Alternatives:
Santana Moss – It’s hard to predict what Moss will do, but it looks like a good time to use him against Carolina.
Derrick Mason – Should be able to pick his spots against Cincinnati.
Nate Burleson – Should get plenty of looks against Jacksonville.
Lee Evans/Terrell Owens. – It’s sad they’ve fallen this low, but they aren’t must starters now. They should get loose on Cleveland though.

Desperation Time:
Jeremy Maclin – Will Donovan McNabb, assuming he plays, get the rookie some work against Tampa Bay?

Tight Ends

Antonio Gates, Jeremy Shockey, and Greg Olsen will need to be replaced.

High-end Alternatives:
Visanthe Shiancoe - St. Louis should have a hard time containing him.
Heath Miller – No reason he doesn’t smoke Detroit.
Todd Heap – Should continue he resurgence against Cincinnati.

Solid Alternatives:
Kevin Boss – Nice matchup against Oakland.
Marcedes Lewis – Not a bad play against Seattle.

Desperation Time:
Dante Rosario – Mediocre play against Washington

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.