Scoring is up in the NFL this season which means there is more fantasy production to go around including to some of the cheaper options. Typically, injuries are the cause of value to open up and while there are a few instances of that this week, most of my value recommendations for Week 5 are more about players that just haven’t performed very well so far this season which has depressed their salary but they are not dead yet.
So, onto the value plays for Week 5…
The DailyFantasyNerd FanDuel Value Plays for Week 5
Quarterbacks
DK | Russell Wilson (SEA) vs. LAR $5,100
Russell Wilson is a perfect example of what I was referring to in the intro. His fantasy production has gone down in each of the four weeks so far this season as has his salary but I’m not about to write-off a QB that was in the Top 5 in fantasy ranking before the season. His matchup this week against the Rams isn’t an easy one but it should provide a positive game script for Wilson and the passing game as they will likely play from behind. Wilson also gets his top WR Doug Baldwin back for his second game which is a plus.
Other options
- Matthew Stafford (DET) vs. GB $5,700
- Blake Bortles (JAC) @ KC $5,500
FD | Blake Bortles (JAC) @ KC $7,000
Blake Bortles is likely my Cash game QB on both sites this week. When Leonard Fournette is out the Jaguars offense typically favors Bortles and the passing game. This week with Fournette out, Bortles also draws the best possible matchup against the Chiefs who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season. Bortles will also potentially need to air it out to keep up with the Chiefs high-flying offense and he offers nice value at QB.
Other options
- Derek Carr (OAK) @ LAC $7,000
- Ryan Tannehill (MIA) @ CIN $6,600
Running Backs
DK | Ty Montgomery (GB) @ DET $3,800
I am starting to warm to the idea of Ty Montgomery as a sneaky value option this week, especially on a PPR site like DraftKings at his $3,800 salary. The Packers will be missing numerous of the starting WRs this week with Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison and even Davante Adams missing practices this week. If two or all three of them are out a lot of attention will shift to the trio of rookie WRs, and rightfully so (see my Marquez Valdes-Scantling write up below). However, Rodgers could also look to lean on his most familiar target left which would be Montgomery. The Vegas total sits over 50 for the game and the Packers could find themselves playing from behind in Detroit which feeds perfectly into Montgomery getting extra snaps, targets and fantasy production. Fellow RB Aaron Jones could also be leaned on more on the ground if the Packers get a positive game script with the lead. Both will find their way into some lineups for me this week.
Other options
- Aaron Jones (GB) @ DET $4,300
- Austin Ekeler (LAC) vs. OAK $4,200
- Corey Grant (JAC) @ KC $3,700
FD | Derrick Henry (TEN) @ BUF $5,800
If there is ever going to be a week to use Derrick Henry, this is the week with the Titans as about a touchdown road favorite against the Bills. In the two games this season that the Titans held a lead for most of the game in Week 2 and 3, Henry got 18 carries in each game. While the production wasn’t there averaging just 3.1 YPC he was facing the Jaguars and Texans in those matchups. The Titans should be working with a lead this week against the Bills who have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season including five rushing scores through four weeks. A 100-yard game with a score or two is not out of the question for Henry this week.
Other options
- TJ Yeldon (JAC) @ KC $6,500
- Matt Breida (SF) vs. ARI $6,100
Wide Receivers
DK | Mohammad Sanu (ATL) @ PIT $4,000
Any time you can get a starting WR in a game with the highest Vegas total on the slate for a mere $4,000 you have to give him consideration. Sure, Julio Jones piles up most of the yardage and Calvin Ridley is scoring all of the TDs the last few weeks, but Mohammad Sanu has had six or more targets in three of the Falcons four games and is coming off a game with nine receptions for 111 yards. All it takes for Sanu to quadruple his salary is to get four receptions for 60 yards and a score which seems possible in a game with a 57-point Vegas total.
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Other options
- Dede Westbrook (JAC) @ KC $4,700
- Marvin Jones (DET) vs. GB $4,700
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB) @ DET $3,300
FD | Marquez Valdes-Scantling (GB) @ DET $4,800
Like I wrote in my Ty Montgomery write up above, the Packers could be without all three of the starting WRs this week. That would put Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the rest of the rookie WRs in Green Bay on the field. Valdes-Scantling got some extra run in place of Cobb in Week 4 and while he had just one reception for 38 yards on three targets, he was on the field for 71 percent of the Packers offensive snaps. He appears to be the next option and is in play if at least two of the Packers starting WRs miss Sunday’s game against the Lions.
Other options
- Keelan Cole (JAC) @ KC $5,700
- Jordy Nelson (OAK) @ LAC $5,600
Tight Ends
DK | Austin Seferian-Jenkins (JAC) @ KC $2,900
While I’m all-in on Blake Bortles at QB this week, determining which of his pass-catchers will get the love this week is challenging. I’m perfectly fine with going “naked” Bortles without any of his receiving options but if you want a low-cost investment in the Jaguars passing game then give Austin Seferian-Jenkins a look. He has been targeted at least four times in each game this season and the Jaguars could see an increase in pass attempts this week with Fournette out and facing the Chiefs which should also lift all the Jaguars receivers target volume. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing TEs this season.
Other options
- Vance McDonald (PIT) vs. ATL $3,700
- Ricky Seals-Jones (ARI) @ SF $2,900
FD | Vance McDonald (PIT) vs. ATL $4,600
Vance McDonald has been plowing through defenses the last two weeks on his way to nine receptions for 174 yards and a score. This week he’ll matchup against the Falcons in the game with the highest Vegas total of the week, so you’ll definitely want exposure to the Steelers offense and McDonald gives you some cheap exposure while filling a tough position. McDonald has a good individual matchup against the Falcons and is near minimum salary on FanDuel.
Other options
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins (JAC) @ KC $4,600
- Jeff Heuerman (DEN) @ NYJ $4,400
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