Del Pilar's Mailbag: Friday edition

The Friday edition of the PFW fantasy football mailbag has William Del Pilar answering your WDIS questions. Week Six brings you the following teams on bye: Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Titans, Cardinals and Seahawks. You're losing the services of players like QB Philip Rivers, RB Willis McGahee, WRs Dwayne Bowe, and Sidney Rice. Prepare properly as we enter the midway point of the fantasy season.

You can reach me via:      

- Twitter: @wdelpilar

- Email: fantasydoctor@pfwmedia.com

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/ProFootballWeekly

Since Josh Morgan got hurt late in the game against Arizona, is it correct to think that WR Michael Crabtree is going to benefit the most from that? I mean, they are already pretty beat up at receiver with 49ers WR Braylon Edwards being out for a few more games. What I am trying to ask — is Crabtree worth the pickup or is he going to keep getting 40-50 yards a game?
—Chris via email

Chris, Crabtree should be the beneficiary with WR Josh Morgan (fractured ankle) heading to injured reserve. The Niners blew the Bucs out and there was no reason to play Crabtree every snap. To be honest, I love what head coach Jim Harbaugh did with the rotation and getting the wideouts playing time. That hurts fantasy owners but in the long run it will benefit all the receivers. Edwards will return in 2-3 weeks. He's depth on one of my rosters, which means I can afford to watch him for a couple of weeks and see how he performs. I would think this is Crabtree's final opportunity with the 49ers and he's on his way to bust status unless he turns it around. I just can't see Harbaugh accepting him next season, as he's not one of the coach's picks and he has no loyalty to Crabtree. The only way I see Crabtree sticking around is by performing this season. It's boom or bust and I'm giving him a couple of weeks to prove he belongs on my roster. 

Should I start Anquan Boldin or Plaxico Burress in the second WR spot? Then, in the flex, should I start RB Ryan Torain?
—smartkid992

Boldin and Plaxico have similar numbers, but the Jets are going back to the ground game. Boldin is the Ravens' No. 1 wideout and QB Joe Flacco will look his way on his first read, or at least should. Burress is also older and slower based on what I've seen and not capable of making the same plays he did with the Giants. This, along with my growing belief that QB Mark Sanchez isn't as good as advertised and is too inconsistent, tells me Boldin is your man this week and long-term. Torain is a great low-end No. 1 fantasy back this week. He's a great pick for your flex position.

I am rolling at 4-1 and want to keep it going. Who should I start as my flex this week — WR DeSean Jackson or RB Darren Sproles? Thanks.
— Keith via email

Sproles is playing great fantasy football. Well beyond what anyone thought, especially in PPR leagues. Jackson has mixed history against the Redskins, averaging 2.3 receptions for 56.8 yards and 0.8 TDs. His touchdowns are his saving grace and that's the only reason I would say to start him. That said, Sproles is averaging 11.4 touches for 89.8 offensive yards and 0.4 TDs per game. Jackson is the safer pick here as he's the No. 1 option and has shown he can score against the Redskins. It's a risk, as Sproles' touches are increasing. Tough call and a great question.

I have Miles Austin, Roddy White, A.J. Green, Mike Wallace, Larry Fitzgerald and Eric Decker at WR. Is Decker worth holding onto or should I trade him away and pick up Malcom Floyd or Michael Crabtree? Pick two of these to start: LeSean McCoy, Jahvid Best, Earnest Graham, Ryan Torain and Isaac Redman.
— Devin via email

it's smart to look at moving Decker now because QB Tim Tebow is going to hurt his value, but not for either Floyd or Crabtree, who are not producing either. I love Torain's matchup this week and head coach Mike Shanahan is going to start where he left off, by going with the hot hand. That's Torain. He'll cede time to the other backs but he'll be the primary runner and I view him as a low-end No. 1 or solid No. 2 fantasy back against an Eagles team that can't stop the run.

My QBs right now are Matt Hasselbeck and Sam Bradford. Do I roll with Bradford vs. Green Bay, despite how poorly he has been playing? Or do I waive him and pick up one of the available alternatives: Andy Dalton, Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, Jason Campbell, Alex Smith or Rex Grossman? Slim pickings, I know, which is why I want to keep Hasselbeck through his bye. Thanks for your help.
— KG via email

KG, I would drop Bradford, as I agree with your logic but there are better matchups out there. McCoy's facing a very soft Raiders secondary, allowing 300-plus yards and two TDs per game over their last four. Campbell's facing a Browns team allowing 220-plus yards and nearly two TDs per game. If you want to play it safe, stick with Bradford, as he has had a bye week to gain confidence, improve and prepare. However, if interceptions and sacks hurt you too much, then out of the following two, Campbell and McCoy, Campbell is the safer pick. Go with him.

I was offered Andre Johnson and Shonn Greene for Chris Johnson and DeSean Jackson. Not only do I want to know if that's a good trade on my part, but I was also wondering if you knew anything at all about the Chris Johnson hamstring injury ordeal. Thanks again!
— Aframe95 via email

That's a tough trade to take, as I hold CJ2K and D-Jax in higher regard than Greene. Greene's a subpar back and Johnson is hurt and might or might not come back in Week Seven. I would ask for more for CJ and play him up as being back, because if he is back, the drop-off to Greene is too big to make the trade. 

I have WRs Brandon Lloyd and Vincent Jackson on bye this week. My receivers available are Jordy Nelson, Mario Manningham, Marques Colston and Lance Moore. WDIS? Pick three.
— Sean via email

It's always a risk when you bench one Saints WR for another but keep Moore on the bench and start Nelson, Manningham and Colston. Colston's should be close to 100 percent whereas Manningham has a nice matchup despite his current lack of production and Nelson might see two or eight targets depending on how the game shakes out. He also can score on only a few targets.

I'm in a PPR league. Which two running backs do you start? Michael Turner, MJD or Ahmad Bradshaw? What three receivers — DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Miles Austin, Santana Moss or Victor Cruz? Thanks.
— Jeff via email

I love Turner this week going against the Panthers. Turner is due for a big game and the Panthers give up about 140 yards per game over their last four. Bradshaw also has a good matchup facing the Bills and MJD is a semi-safe play against the Steelers, who have struggled against the run. The two with the most upside are Turner and Bradshaw, so go with them if you don't mind risk. Go with Bradshaw and MJD if you want to play it a little safe. Regarding your wideouts, go with Austin and, while Cruz has a great matchup, it's tough to bench Jackson. If you don't mind risk, go with Austin and Cruz. But if you want to play it a little safe, go with Austin and Jackson.

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/10/14/del-pilars-mailbag-friday-edition-6

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