Through four weeks, the winnings haven’t been coming as expected. It’s been a weird year as gross humans top the weekly scoring ranks and expected studs aren’t living up to their reputations. This makes us work longer and harder to grind out better picks for you all to make sure we’re turning profits like nobody’s business.
Let’s get it.
To get our Stock Watches, Weekly Rankings and Podcast episodes directly on your iPhone, download our brand-new app in the App Store.
Quarterbacks:
- Lamar Jackson ($7,100)
- With Mahomes off the slate this week, Lamar Jackson finds himself ranked QB1 in Week 5. He’s a cheat code with his rushing stats to top onto his already impressive passing numbers. His lowest output on the season is 21.28 points so if you’re going to spend up, feel safe using Lamar.
- Carson Wentz ($6,100)
- Plus matchup here for Wentz as a home favorite against the Jets in Week 5. The return of Alshon Jeffery was big as it gives Wentz one of his favorite targets back against a weaker secondary. Last week they attacked a poor Packers’ run defense on the ground, so look for them to move it through the air next.
- Andy Dalton ($5,700)
- I nearly threw up writing this pick, but the matchup for Dalton looks great. The Cardinals defense is one we can target on a weekly basis. The Bengals offensive line has been so bad they haven’t really been able to establish any sort of run game. The pass catchers are dealing with injuries, but this is Dalton’s one shot to be of service in 2019.
Running Backs:
- Ezekiel Elliott ($8,300)
- We haven’t gotten a true Zeke explosion game yet, which could be due to his offseason antics/rust. Anyways, I like his odds of a massive game here against a struggling Packers run defense. Sure they’ve been great in the secondary, but opponents have gashed them on the ground like Jordan Howard did Week 4 (15-87-2 rushing, 3-28-1 receiving). Dallas needs a bounce back win here and should lean on their elite RB.
- David Johnson ($7,500)
- DJ got a significant bump of $700 in his salary which is tough, but the matchup couldn’t be any better here. The Bengals defense stinks, and Arizona is dealing with a handful of injuries to pass catchers. With a bunch of touches up for grabs this week, some new WRs are sure to take part in the offense, but DJ should see a nice increase in his workload Week 5.
- James Conner ($6,200)
- This could very well change if Conner does not suit up because of an ankle injury (Jaylen Samuels at $4,100 would be a lock), but Conner looked great in his role in the new Steelers’ offense. Samuels took a lot of carries from Conner out of the Wildcat, but Conner looked the best he’s been all year. If he can keep up his receiving numbers, he should have a solid output this week.
- Jordan Howard ($5,100)
- Reactionary? Sure. But the Eagles have found what they’re looking for in Jordan Howard as a lead back. He’s dominating snaps and touches of the RB group and should see plenty of work as a home favorite against the Jets. He’s going to stay pretty cheap so if you need flexibility he’s an option.
- Duke Johnson ($4,200)
- Here’s a Hail Mary play to consider on an emergency basis. The matchup is ripe against Atlanta who surrenders lots of receptions to RBs. Duke ran for 9.3 ypc last week and showed some life in a bland season thus far for Texans RBs. For this low a price, you need an average rushing day while peppering in a handful of receptions to get you up to double digit DK points.
Wide Receivers:
- Julio Jones ($7,700)
- He was held in check last week, but Julio looks to have a solid draw this week against the Texans. He owns a Top 3 WR/CB matchup per PFF going against Lonnie Johnson Jr, for a Falcons team that desperately needs a win off a 1-3 record.
- Adam Thielen ($6,700)
- Thielen was not happy last week over his low usage and the team’s inability/willingness to throw the ball downfield. It’s no secret Minnesota has been run first with Dalvin Cook, but a matchup with the Giants is amazing for Vikings receivers. Stefon Diggs has missed practice with a sketchy undisclosed injury, and Thielen boasts the #1 WR/CB matchup against DeAndre Baker. Cousins apologized after the last game, so I’d expect Thielen to see A LOT of work this week.
- Larry Fitzgerald/Alshon Jeffery ($6,000/$5,900)
- I love both of these guys in near matching salaries. Fitzgerald benefits from a poor Bengals defense, and injuries to two key Cardinals receivers. This means more work for Fitz, who has been a target hog for Kyler Murray. With Jeffery, he’s a nice stack with Wentz as the WR1. The Jets have been solid at slowing down tight ends while struggling deep and with receivers. Enter Jeffery.
- DJ Moore ($5,200)
- With Jalen Ramsey still not practicing with Jacksonville, it appears he won’t be suiting up once again in the secondary. That’s a huge plus for Panthers receivers, especially for Moore, who should avoid coverage with AJ Bouye this week. Samuel presents an interesting option at the cheaper $4,500 but he’ll probably be a chalkier play.
- Auden Tate ($3,500)
- The injury to John Ross thrusts Tate into a bigger spotlight. He’s had 10 and 6 targets in his last two games and now welcomes the terrible Cardinals defense into the fold. He will be my low price WR used as Dalton has shown chemistry with Tate, and his targets should see a slight bump with the offense’s subtractions.
Tight Ends:
- Jimmy Graham ($4,300)
- The loss of Davante Adams will be big for the Packers offense, and will certainly need others to step up against a solid opponent. Graham returned to the fold in Week 4 with 9 targets going for 6-61-1 in a big matchup against the Eagles. Dallas has been a stingy defense, but has been slightly weaker against TEs. I can see this as a game Rodgers hangs around in while leaning on his big TE in the red zone.
- Tyler Eifert ($3,300)
- This is a play only if you believe in trends. Last week it was Will Dissly who carved up the Cardinals defense, carrying on the trend of TEs going extremely well against this team. Eifert’s numbers have been very poor, but with the extreme plus matchup here, and the team losing John Ross opens up more looks for Eifert and others.
Defense
- New England Patriots ($4,300)
- The team has allowed 13 points on defense this season through four games. The Redskins have yet to decide who will start at QB between Case Keenum, Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins. It won’t matter which it is, the team will struggle to move the ball and put up points. Haskins being the starter would offer more turnover upside for sure.
- Tennessee Titans ($3,000)
- The Titans are one of our top streaming defenses of the week welcoming Buffalo into Nashville for Week 5. Josh Allen is still dealing with the concussion protocol which would leave Matt Barkley under center which would be a delicious matchup. Even if Allen clears, the Bills aren’t a team putting up a lot of offensive points.
- Cincinnati Bengals ($2,500)
- Puke. Still, those darn Cardinals are a team we love to target in DFS. Sacks galore, Kyler throwing dumb interceptions, and Cincy is at home. It’s not a terrible punt play if necessary.
Do you have any early leans? Questions about which guy you should go with this week? Want to yell at me for missing an obvious play? Sound off below or hit me up on Twitter where you can follow for daily news or advice on players.
