I have Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck. Should I start fielding offers for Rodgers? - @ryandenzy (via Twitter)
Michael Fabiano: If you're not trading, you're not trying! I would put both quarterbacks on the block and see what offers are made. Who knows, someone in your league could be so enamored with Luck after his huge performance against the Green Bay Packers that he/she is willing to made you a terrific deal. With that said, I would not deal Rodgers for anything but an elite player at your position of need. If running back is a problem area for you, for example, I would be targeting Arian Foster, Ray Rice or LeSean McCoy in a deal for the Packers quarterback. In terms of Luck, I would try to get a runner such as Darren McFadden or Ryan Mathews in exchange. Shoot for the stars!
Great call on Mathews last week. Can we close the book on Jackie Battle now? - P. Maloney (via Facebook)
M.F.: Battle is still worth a roster spot if you want to handcuff Mathews, but Sunday night's game against the New Orleans Saints proved that he is not on the same level when it comes to talent or fantasy value. Chargers coach Norv Turner has also indicated that Mathews could see a greater workload moving forward, and even said that he expects "[Mathews] to be one of the league's leading rushers." That's music to the ears of fantasy owners. If you ask me, Mathews needs to be in your lineup week in and week out for the remainder of the season.
Should I be worried about Stevan Ridley this week after his second-half fumble against the Denver Broncos? Will coach Bill Belichick be up to his "Belitricks" again? - S. Banner (via Google+)
M.F.: Belichick isn't going to stand for Ridley's fumble issues if it becomes a trend, but I'd be more worried about this week's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks than Belichick outright benching him. We all talk about how awesome the San Francisco 49ers are against the run (and with good reason), but the 'Hawks are right there when it comes to stunting the fantasy production of backs. In fact, Seattle has allowed an average of just 9.02 fantasy points to runners. That's a mere 1.64 points more than the Niners. What's more, no team has allowed fewer rushing yards to backs than coach Pete Carroll's team.
I have been offered Calvin Johnson in exchange for Victor Cruz. Should I make the move? - @ArtnElyJacoby (via Twitter)
M.F.: If I could land Megatron for Cruz, I would do it in a heartbeat. Sure, the Salsa king has been terrific this season. He's second in fantasy points at his position and is tied with James Jones for the most touchdown catches with five. But this is Calvin Johnson we're talking about. So unless the Madden curse has you spooked, getting Johnson at this point would be a tremendous move. Remember that even though he has "struggled" compared to 2011, Megatron has still averaged just 2.69 fewer fantasy points than Cruz after five weeks. I don't know about you, but I think he'll average more points than the Giants wideout when the season is said and done.
I need a sleeper quarterback for Week 6. Help me Obi-Won Fabiano, you're my only hope! - S. Paulson (via Facebook)
M.F.: I'm not sure I can teach you to levitate an X-Wing fighter out of the swamps of Dagobah, but I can hook you up with a sleeper or three. There are actually a lot of good quarterbacks with favorable matchups, such as Alex Smith (vs. New York Giants) and Christian Ponder (at Washington Redskins). However, I think Kevin Kolb could be the best of the trio. How's this for a nice stat? Quarterbacks facing the Buffalo Bills have scored more than 18 fantasy points in four of five games against them this season. The Bills have also allowed 23 touchdown passes in their last eight road games and 12 scoring strikes this season overall.
Is it time to drop Steve Smith? I need help at running back and could pick up Brandon Bolden or William Powell. I also have Andrew Hawkins, Brian Hartline, Steve Johnson and Andre Roberts at wideout. - D. Geffers (via Google+)
M.F.: There's no chance I would drop Smith. I agree that he has been a huge disappointment in the last three weeks, scoring a combined 16.80 fantasy points, but I'm not ready to throw in the towel on him. In fact, I would drop either Hawkins or Roberts before Smith if you need to add a running back. I will warn fantasy owners that things could get worse with Smith before a statistical improvement comes, as his next two games (after the Week 6 bye) come against very tough pass defenses (Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears). The schedule isn't as treacherous after that, however, as Smith will go up against the Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the following three weeks.
Who should I target off the waiver wire from Jahvid Best, William Powell and David Wilson? - @p343890 (via Twitter)
M.F.: I think Best is the most attractive choice, barring any sort of setback in his return from the concussion problems he had last season. Neither Mikel Leshoure nor Kevin Smith have secured a featured role in Detroit, and Best is a talented and explosive runner when he's on the field. Do I see him emerging into a true No. 1 runner? No, but I can see Best turning into a Darren Sproles type of weapon for coach Jim Schwartz. In Arizona, Powell will see more work with both Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams out of action. However, he's destined to share the workload with La'Rod Stephens-Howling and Alfonso Smith until Wells is eligible to return. Wilson is still behind Ahmad Bradshaw on the depth chart in New York, and this week's matchup against the Niners makes him even less attractive if you need a one-week replacement.
What do I do with Chris Johnson and Antonio Gates? I thought I stole each of them in our draft. Now I feel like I was robbed! - W. Bergantino (via Facebook)
M.F.: I feel the same about CJ2K. It's like getting a great deal on a used car, only to see the muffler fall off and the transmission drop two days after driving it off the lot. And in the case of Johnson and Gates, there is no warranty. It's a buy-as-is transaction, and you can't trade either one of them in for anything of value. Heck, I might not even be able to get Greg Zuerlein in a deal for Johnson! Coincidentally, the Rams rookie kicker has almost double the fantasy points of CJ2K! Double! Unless you can find a sucker out there who thinks one or both of these players will turn things around, well, you're likely stuck with them. Sort of like that dude with the broken-down used car.
I'm stacked at wide receiver and need a running back. Who would you trade from Marques Colston, Malcom Floyd, Mike Wallace and Wes Welker? - L. Fuller (via Google+)
M.F.: I'd deal Colston, who has been on absolute fire. After scoring a combined 14 fantasy points in his first three games, the Hofstra product has exploded for 52.40 points in his last two contests. The problem with Colston, though, has been injuries and an inconsistent level of production. Also keep in mind that Colston has recorded increased numbers while Lance Moore has been injured, so he's almost certain to see his totals decline after the Week 6 bye. That's not to suggest that he will be a complete bust, because Colston is always a threat to post good totals with Drew Brees under center. I just think his value won't be higher this season than it is right now, so he's the best one to cash in on in a possible trade.
What do you make of Rashard Mendenhall? - @@tarheeldaddy (via Twitter)
M.F.: I was dead wrong last week about the Steelers running back. He looked pretty good for a player coming off a reconstructive knee procedure, rushing for 81 yards and scoring a touchdown against a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense. With that said, he should be considered a No. 2 fantasy runner or flex starter in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans. Their defense has allowed an average of over 22 fantasy points per game to opposing runners, so it's clearly a favorable matchup.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
