DFS NFL FanDuel Week 5: Mini Slate Lineup Advice
Welcome to the Week 5 NFL FanDuel Mini article. In this article we will be taking a look at a relatively new slate that was introduced about half-way through the MLB season this year. Unlike a traditional FanDuel NFL lineup, you only have to roster five players (QB, RB, RB, WR, WR) in the FanDuel Mini format. One other slight difference is that all tight ends also appear as wide receivers, so you do have the option of using a tight end if you choose to do so. The total salary cap ($60,000) is the exact same as a traditional NFL FanDuel lineup, but they do scale the salaries up a little bit to accommodate for the smaller roster size. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite options for the FanDuel Mini slate in Week 5.
Quarterback
Dak Prescott DAL: $11,000 vs. GBP
Dak Prescott had another solid performance last weekend against the Rams throwing for 252 yards and three touchdowns, while also picking up 25 yards on the ground. Currently this game with the Packers has the highest projected total in Vegas and it is expected to be a close game. If this game does end up being a shootout, Prescott will probably be putting up excellent numbers at for this salary.
Aaron Rodgers GBP: $14,500 @ DAL
If I’m going anywhere else this week, then it has to be up to the best quarterback on the slate in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has thrown at least two touchdowns or for more than 300 yards in all four games this season. As I mentioned with Prescott, this game currently has the highest projected game total in Vegas and I fully expect this game to have plenty of fireworks and be a back and forth battle to the end.
Running Back
Le’Veon Bell PIT: $15,000 vs. JAC
Le’Veon Bell finally had a performance similar to what we saw on a weekly basis in 2016, with two touchdowns and a total of 186 yards on 35 carries and six receptions. The Jaguars have been dominant against the pass, but pretty poor against the run so far this season. Therefore, I really think that the gameplan for the Steelers will revolve around Bell again in Week 5.
Todd Gurley LAR: $13,000 vs. SEA
Todd Gurley had another strong performance against the Cowboys in Week 4. Defenses can no longer stack the box against Gurley since Jared Goff has made huge strides from his rookie season one year ago. Many people may be scared off of Gurley this week since he is playing against the Seahawks. However, the Seahawks have not been nearly as good against the run since the beginning of the 2016 season, especially when away from Seattle.
Duke Johnson CLE: $9,500 vs. NYJ
If I am going cheap at running back this week, I will be going with Duke Johnson. The Browns announced earlier this week that Johnson will not take over as the lead running back for the Browns, despite being much better than Isaiah Crowell through the first four games. However, if Crowell struggles early in this game and the Jets get out a lead, I could definitely see the Browns’ changing their tune and giving Johnson the majority of the touches for the rest of the game.
Wide Receiver
DeAndre Hopkins HOU: $12,000 vs. KC
DeAndre Hopkins took a huge step backwards in 2016 after having a monster 2015 season. This was mostly due to the poor quarterback play that Hopkins had to play with last year. DeShaun Watson has really emerged over the past couple of weeks and he has been by far the best quarterback that Hopkins has played with during his career. Hopkins is well on his way to putting up similar numbers to the 2015 season and he very well could have another solid game against the Chiefs, since the Texans should be able to move him around to avoid Marcus Peters.
Larry Fitzgerald ARI: $8,500 @ PHI
It was looking like Larry Fitzgerald was going to have a pretty poor game against the 49ers in Week 4. However, his day was salvaged with a game winning touchdown in overtime. The Eagles have a pretty stout front seven, capable of making Carson Palmer pretty uncomfortable. However, if he Palmer can just find some time in the pocket to throw the ball, Fitzgerald should be able to shred this secondary, which has played pretty poorly so far this season.
Golden Tate DET: $10,000 vs. CAR
So far in 2017, Golden Tate has alternated solid games and bad games. Surely the pattern suggests that he will definitely have a good game this Sunday against the Panthers. All kidding aside, I definitely think Tate will bounce back in Week 5. According to Pro Football Focus, Tate lines up in the slot 80% and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn lines up in the slot 99% of the time for the Panthers. Tate should be able to run circles around Munnerlyn, considering he is the 79th ranked coverage cornerback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus’s position grades.
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