Into every life, a little rain must fall. It's time for America's Team to get out the umbrellas.
Everything's been going great. You've won four straight since losing a squeaker to Michael Fabiano in Week 1. Now you're 4-1 and sitting on top of the division in the NFL Fantasy LIVE Experts League. Only Adam Rank (El Presidente) at 5-0 has a better record.
All seems right with the world. Except one thing -- Julio Jones.
The top receiving option for the Atlanta Falcons (and your fantasy squad) is out for the year with an injured foot. You were going to need a short-term option with the Falcons on a bye this week. But now Team America will need a permanent replacement for Julio.
Enter Jason Smith, who has been chasing Rob Gronkowski like a silly rabbit after a sugary breakfast cereal. He's proposing to take Gronk off your hands for Bilal Powell and Antonio Brown. On one hand, you've waited this long to get something out of the Patriots tight end. On the other hand, you could use a WR.
We put that question out to Twitter earlier on Wednesday and the majority of you seemed to be thumbs-down on the deal. It might have something to do with the fact that Bilal Powell finds himself in a bona fide timeshare in the Jets' backfield with Chris Ivory and possibly Mike Goodson. It probably doesn't help that the Steelers' offense hasn't been anything to write home about, either.
Regardless of whether you pull the trigger on the trade or not, you're going to have to make a few lineup moves in advance of this week's matchup with the winless Healthy8, managed by Elliot Harrison. If there's anything to cushion the blow of losing one of your best players, it's running up on a team struggling to get its first win.
At this point, you're looking at five players to fill two slots. There's Torrey Smith, who has been underappreciated as a No. 1 receiver. Maybe it's because he only has one touchdown this year. Maybe it's because Joe Flacco lapses into Interception Mode on occasion. Maybe it's because everyone keeps expecting this team to pound the run with Ray Rice. Either way, it's time we all took notice of Torrey Smith.
Then there's DeSean Jackson. He's been a beast for much of this early season for fantasy owners -- even if it hasn't translated to wins for the Philadelphia Eagles. That's all well and good, but this week, he's taking a trip to Revis Island. The view is terrible and the accommodations are cramped. DJax is a man on the go, but is he immune to getting island fever?
The rest is a hodgepodge of secondary and tertiary options in their respective offenses. Can you trust Kenbrell Thompkins with Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski back on the roster? Has Lance Moore been surpassed by Kenny Stills in New Orleans? Will Mike Williams be able to prosper with Mike Glennon under center for the Buccaneers?
Personally, we'd suggest Smith and Jackson. But who are we to tell you what to do? Especially after you've just reeled off four straight wins.
Oh, and you might want to do something about your running back situation? We're pretty sure you'd like to roll with Marshawn Lynch -- even against a good Tennesee Titans defense. But we know that it's always nice to be asked. The bigger question is what to do about your other RB spot? Is it BenJarvus Green-Ellis? Or do you have a renewed confidence in Stevan Ridley?
Then again, that question could be answered for you if Ridley can't suit up and go this week against the New Orleans Saints.
Finally there's the little issue of what to do about the flex spot for America's Team in Week 6. Granted, it's mostly a mixture of the leftovers from guys who aren't starting in the other spots in the lineup. It's sorta like what you'd get if the other guys from Wham!, The Police and 10,000 Maniacs had gotten together in teh early 1990s to start their own band. You might check it out, purely from a curiousity standpoint. But are you really buying it?
Then again, life is tough in these fantasy streets. There are plenty of teams that are less fortunate than you. After all, you could have been forced to put in a waiver claim for Mike Glennon or ... gasp Thad Lewis!
So those are your choices, America? Can you run the winning streak to five and extend your lead in the division? Can you survive the loss of one of your most productive players? And as always, is there a move you'd like to see this team make? Let us know -- either in the comments below or by hitting us up on Twitter. Just be sure to include the hashtag #AmericasTeam.
Be sure to get your votes in to help Team America set its lineup for Week 6. You can make your voice heard by clicking on the images to the right or by going over to Fantasy Genius. And if you still have questions that you need answered for your own fantasy team this week, head over to Genius and put it out to the fantasy audience at large.
Good luck and happy Week 6. Go America!
