Love: 

Tom Brady: Coming off a rough fantasy week against the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will have a great bounce-back week against a Washington Redskins defense that has allowed 10 passing touchdowns and over 250 yards per game. The high flying Patriots offense should be back in full swing this week and it starts with Brady. 

David Johnson: Finally under a competent quarterback in rookie Kylar Murray, Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson’s catching ability can be fully utilized. This was on full display in Week 4, where he caught 8 of 11 targets for 99 yards. If he can increase his TD production, he could be a top 3 fantasy back. I think this could start as soon as this week against the Cincinnati Bengals, one of the weakest defenses in the NFL.

Chris Godwin: The second best wide receiver in fantasy by points scored (62 points non-PPR) through the first four weeks isn’t anyone who you’d expect, Chris Godwin. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense rolling after a slow start, the New Orleans Saints should be a great matchup for the wideout. 

Austin Hooper: Hooper, an Atlanta Falcons tight end,  has been one of the most productive tight ends this season, and he should continue this despite the tough Houston Texans defense he will face this week. Last week against the Titans he hauled in 9 catches for 130 yards. This efficacy has been brought from him all season long. He has 28 catches for 307 yards, on only 33 targets. Hooper doesn’t need many throws to be elite, which makes him a dangerous threat to your fantasy opponents. 

Hate:

Baker Mayfield: With Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield slumping in his second season and a powerful and experienced San Francisco 49ers secondary, Mayfield should be filling up a bench spot this week. Until he proves he can consistently put up solid fantasy numbers, he should remain there. 

Joe Mixon: One of the most disappointing running backs this season has been the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon. His disappearance on the goal line, with zero rushing touchdowns this far, and his below-average yards per carry have hurt his production this year. Andy Dalton has looked great, and there has been increased reliance on the wide receiver core. Mixon could be left in the aftermath of the offense this week. 

Calvin Ridley: Fantasy owners have winced over the last two weeks at Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley’s production following an incredible start to the year (2 touchdowns, 169 yards). He has had a combined 4 receptions for 38 yards the last two games. He has been outscored by fellow Falcon Mohammad Sanu. As Ridley and Sanu battle for the second wide receiver job behind Julio Jones continues, Ridley seems to be losing. He is incredibly risky to start this coming week.

OJ Howard: Tampa Bay Buccaneer OJ Howard has been losing the trust of quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston has consistently picked wide receivers, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, as opposed to Howard. He has yet to have a 100-yard game or a touchdown and has only 12 targets all season. For reference, the Tampa Bay offense scored 55 points last week and had 385 yards of throwing offense, but Howard only found 33 of those yards. Sit him this week at New Orleans.