DraftKings Daily Fantasy Picks for Week 5

– John Bandinelli

Hello again, and welcome to week 5 of my DraftKings daily fantasy football column. I have some more picks for you to fill your lineups with this week. There are some bargains out there this week and some great matchups with players I’m willing to pay up for.

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QB

High End

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) – $7200

The Steelers are wearing the throwback bumble bee jerseys at home this week and for whatever reason Big Ben always plays great when they’re in those uniforms. Coming off a ridiculous 300-yard, 5 TD game I think Ben keeps that momentum going this week against a Jets defense with no Darrelle Revis.

Tom Brady (NE) – $7500

I would be very surprised if Brady is not the most highly owned QB this week. Which is exactly why I’m not playing him. Okay, that’s not entirely true, I do have one Brady lineup. He gets a really soft matchup for his first week back. I think a lot people will think that New England will come out guns blazing and make it a statement game and run the score up over 50. I don’t think so and I don’t trust Belichick to do that. Personally I hope Cleveland kicks the snot out of the Pats.

Solid Start

Carson Wentz (PHI) – $6400

This is my favorite QB play this week. I wish I would’ve played him 2 weeks ago but who would’ve guessed that the rookie QB would put up 300-yards and 2 TDs against the Steelers. Wentz is off to great start in his first year in the NFL and is coming off a bye to face the Lions. Detroit is second to only Atlanta for the most passing points allowed per game.

Bargain

Brian Hoyer (CHI) $5500

Hoyer may have earned the starting role from Jay Cutler last week. The Bears face a Colts team who requested to not have a bye week after the London game. Stack him with Jordan Howard and either Alshon Jeffery or Eddie Royal and you might have something if the Bears play well. I think Hoyer is a high risk but high reward pick this week. Keep him out of your cash games.

Notables

Philip Rivers (SD) $6900

Aaron Rodgers (GB) $7700

Derek Carr  (OAK) $6800

RB

High End

DeMarco Murray (TEN) – $7200

Murray continues to be the only form of consistency on the Titans offense. His price has certainly gone up in the past few weeks but I’ll be paying up for him where I can. DeMarco has more than 20 points a game through the first 4 weeks and he faces a Miami team that’s allow an average of almost 130-yards rushing a game.

Solid Start

Jordan Howard (CHI) $5200

Howard is another back who’s price jumped a pretty penny this week. Coach John Fox said that Howard will continue to be used as the primary back in Chicago. Even though there is a big price jump for him this week I still think he can put up enough points through volume of snaps to make him worth the play. Especially against a mediocre Colts team who refused a bye week after a London game.

Bargains

Terrance West (BAL) – $4800

Justin Forsett was released this past week by the Ravens after being a healthy scratch last week. The next man up is Mr. West. He had a nice first start last week against Oakland. He will look to build on that this week against Washington, a team who does poorly versus the run.

Jerick McKinnon (MIN) – $4000

Filling in for the injured Adrian Peterson, McKinnon the main back in Minnesota for now. The Texans have given up 400-yards and 5 TDs to rushers so far this season. McKinnon appears to be in line for a productive weekend and should certainly hit his value. Matt Asiata did manage to snake on touchdown last week but McKinnon showed that he can also reach pay dirt later in the game.

Other Notables

Frank Gore (IND) $5700

Melvin Gordon  (SD) $7000

WR

High End

Jordy Nelson  (GB) $7900

The Pack are coming off of a bye week to face the New York Giants in Lambeau. Jordy has scored in every game he’s played in this season. Him and Aaron Rodgers seem to be very in sync and both of them should have solid games in front of the home crowd.

Alshon Jeffery (CHI) $7800

There are a lot of injury question marks around the receiving unit in Chicago and I think Alshon is the one who receives the most benefit from it. The questionable designation given to the veteran wideout appears to just be weekly maintenance and he should play on Sunday. Always double check to be sure though. I’m also interested in Eddie Royal this week if ends up starting as well. The Bears are definitely a team you’re going to want to check the injury report for Sunday morning.

Solid Starts

Amari Cooper  (OAK) $7200

I feel like a lot of people are going to be chasing points with the week that Crabtree had last week, so I’m switching off of him and onto Cooper. He’s had a rough couple weeks but is due for and definitely capable of a rebound this week against a porous San Diego team.

Brandon Marshall (NYJ) $7100

If the Steelers continue to be the Steelers I expect the Jets to go down early and have to play catch up. Which might be Mike Tomlin’s game plan, get up early force Fitz to throw and get a pick or two. While that may end up being what happens I think if there’s anyone to benefit from the Jets throwing more it’s Marshal. The Steelers secondary is nothing special and I think Brandon gets free on a big one this week. And if the Steelers are up and go prevent in the 4th there’s always garbage points. We all love those.

Bargains

Robert Woods (BUF) $3900

Woods is being thrust into the WR1 role with Sammy now on the IR. He should see close to double digit targets or more every week. He is due for a TD, this might be the week he gets it if the Bills can keep the offense balanced and keep the Rams guessing. The Rams have allowed the most receptions to wide receivers in the league and have a total of almost 850-yards receiving against through 4 games.

Super Deep Sleeper Bills Special

Justin Hunter (BUF) $3000

So the story goes that Hunter was released by Miami early in the week after being claimed from the Titans in the offseason. He was planning on resigning to Miami’s practice squad until Rex and the Bills stepped in and claimed him off the wire. The 6’4” wideout with 4.4 speed is a red zone target. He will have less than a week to learn the playbook and will be playing against the Rams this Sunday according to Rex Ryan. So, if you’re looking for a risky WR3 potentially WR2 with a TD possibility this week take a shot on him Bills fans. You’re getting him for a minimum price so go spend big elsewhere!

Notables

Steve Smith Sr (BAL) $5300

Travis Benjamin  (SD) $6500

TE

Solid Start

Zach Ertz (PHI) $3500

Coming off a rib injury from week one, Ertz has had three weeks to recover and with the bye week he’s only missed two games. Week one he had 7 targets for 64 yards. I think the Eagles get him involved right away. Detroit had allowed 6 TDs from TEs so far this season. I’m all in on Ertz this week.

Notables

Delanie Walker (TEN) $4700

DEF

High End

Vikings $3400

15 Sacks, 5 Fumble Recoveries and 6 Interceptions through 4 games. Need I say more? The Viking are a tier one defense.

Solid Start

Eagles $2900

The Eagles defense dominated Pittsburgh in week 3 and should be well rested coming off of a bye. I don’t think Matt Stafford will be able to do much better than Big Ben this week. The Eagles haven’t allowed more than 14 points this season.

Bargain

Bears $2200

This one is a long shot, but I think Luck is due to throw a pick 6 this week. He has been sacked 15 times so far this year. Again the Colts are on a short week. This is definitely your best option if you want to go cheap on defense this week.

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That concludes  week 5, hopefully you found something here that helps. As always feel free to tweet me with questions regarding lineups, matchups or general DraftKings questions. Good luck this week!

– John Bandinelli (Twitter)