FanDuel NFL: Wide Receivers Week 5
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NFL: Wide Receivers Week 5 is a column highlighting the best player, most affordable, and best value options for your FanDuel NFL lineups focusing on salary versus expected points. The intention of this article is to help you build your FanDuel NFL lineup for the most likely big payday each week.
I like to lean on FantasyPros for weekly point projections, the information is a result of consensus from many fantasy football experts. I check the point projection results, which update daily, with the salary set by FanDuel for players each week. Entering week 5, we’ll continue to see fluctuate as receivers rise and fall throughout the season. A reminder, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks are all on a ‘bye’ this week. So top receiver options like Allen Robinson are not in play for week 5.
To help you optimize your FanDuel NFL lineups each week, we’re focusing on the Most Points, Best Affordable, and Most Value options. This article will focus on the Wide Receiver position. Here’s a brief description of each category:
- Most Projected Points – Evaluation of top projected point options from FantasyPros
- Best Affordable – Your most affordable, best player, options leaving you with enough money for good players in other positions
- Most Value – Identify the cheapest players with the highest upside
Now, let’s take a look at the players everyone’s targeting:
Next: Most Projected Points - WR
Most Projected Points – WR
Julio Jones ($8,900 / 15.0) had 42 FanDuel NFL points last week against the Carolina Panthers…mic drop. Jones had 300 yards and a touchdown on twelve receptions. The Falcons were able to throw to Jones all over the field. Before we get too excited about Julio, the Panthers pass defense does not look like the same pass defense of 2015. They really miss Josh Norman. So Julio and Matt Ryan destroyed a mediocre pass defense in week 4. This week, the Falcons play a Denver Broncos pass defense which is 3rd in the NFL for passing yards per game, 194/game. Also, the Broncos have only given up two passing touchdowns in the first four weeks of the season. Week 5 is going to be a tougher challenge for Julio and the Falcons. Paying $8,900 against a top five defense is not a good deal. Fade Jones this week.
But if you’re looking for a top five FanDuel NFL WR, look no further than Antonio Brown ($9,600 / 18.5). Brown is averaging 18.73 FanDuel NFL points per game, 2nd only to Julio Jones. And this week, Antonio and the Steelers face a New York Jets pass defense that’s now 26th in the NFL. The Jets are giving up over 300 yards and two touchdowns per game. Revis Island is becoming heavily populated by happy wide receivers. Even though Brown is incredibly expensive this week, $9,600, if you can afford him he’ll likely pay-off with a big return.
Between A.J. Green ($8,700 / 15.9) and Odell Beckham Jr. ($8,500 / 15.3), I actually like Beckham more this week. Yes, Odell is struggling in his sophomore season. As I wrote about in my Preseason WR Rankings, I noticed Beckham seemed to lose his cool, often, toward the end of last season. It wasn’t just the Josh Norman game, it happens often. However, the Giants are intent on making sure their star wide receiver continues to remain calm, while staying intense on the field. I think they’ll keep Beckham in check this week. Also, the Giants are playing a Green Bay Packers passing defense that is surprisingly bad, so far this year. The Packers are giving up over 330 passing yards per game, along with two touchdowns per game. This seems like a great time for Beckham to finally get into the end zone.
Green, on the other hand, is playing against a solid Dallas secondary. After a disappointing start to his career, Morris Claiborne is emerging as one of the top defense backs in the NFL this year. Green may still have a decent day, but it’s going to be hard to get. Also, I’d rather save $200 in salary and get a sure 15 points from Beckham, versus risk an additional $200 and potentially have A.J. fall below 10 points this week. Odell is a good play this week, fade Green.
Completing the Top five for WR points this week is Jordy Nelson ($8,400 / 14.5). Nelson has quietly provided FanDuel NFL players with 17.7 points per game, 5th among all receivers. However, the Packers are facing a top 15 pass defense this week. Nelson should still be able to get around 10-15 points, as Aaron Rodgers top receiver, but don’t expect more on a somewhat expensive $8,400 salary for a mediocre return.
Next: Best Affordable - WR
Best Affordable – WR
With the New England Patriots Tom Brady back on the field, and mad as hell, I expect Julian Edelman ($7,000 / 12.6) to be the primary benefactor. While still getting several targets, including seven receptions in each of the first two weeks, Edelman has mostly been quiet this season. But with Tom Brady back in the lineup this week, Edelman’s utility should sky-rocket. The 5’10” 200 lbs. wide out is a common target when Tom is slinging the football. The Patriots also like to direct snap to Julian at times, and run jet sweeps to Edelman. We should see a breakout game for Julian on a very reasonable $7,000 salary in week 5.
Carson Wentz should continue to roll this week against a beat-up Detroit Lions who are struggling to defend the passing game. That makes Jordan Matthews ($7,000 / 13) a very good and affordable option for week 5. After nearly ten targets per game to open the season in the first two weeks, Matthews only had two receptions in week 3. However, one of those catches was in the end zone. This week, Jordan should get more looks than he did against the Steelers. The Lions pass defense is 21st in the NFL in yards per game, 282.5. But more importantly for FanDuel NFL, they’re giving up 3 passing touchdowns per game, opening the door for 1-2 TD’s for Matthews this week. Jordan is a good bargain in week 5.
Next: Most Value - WR
Most Value – WR
Nelson Agholor ($5,400 / 6.3) is a sneaky play this week. Agholor’s fantasy value is often down-played by the fact that the Eagles have been spreading the ball around to their tight ends and running backs, along with their wide receivers. As discussed in the FandDuel NFL Week 5 QB article, Carson Wentz is set up for a big passing game against a generally bad Lions passing defense. Jordan Matthews should be the biggest benefactor in week 5 for the Eagles. However, Went continues to throw to Agholor, getting at least five targets per game and 40 yards per game. And Nelson found the end zone agains the Bears, totaling 11 FanDuel NFL points in week 1. This could be another week were Agholor finds the end zone and exceeds 10 points, on a VERY cheap $5,400 salary.
Eddie Royal ($5,700 / 8.3) is another under-the-radar type of play. With Kevin White now on the I.R. and the Bears struggles to get talented Alshon Jeffrey the ball, we can expect Eddie Royal to continue to provide weekly fantasy value. Royal has found the end zone three times in four games, has had 50+ yards in three games, and exceed 100 yards last week against the Lions. However, keep an eye on Eddie’s injury status. Royal has been out of practice twice this week due to a calf injury. But the Bears will be desperate to keep him on the field, and he should have a good day against a struggling Indianapolis Colts.
Wrapping up, if you can afford Antonio Brown, this is a great week to plug him into your lineup as a top WR. Odell Beckham Jr. is also a great option. Julian Edelman and Jordan Matthews are great affordable options. Nelson Agholor and Eddie Royal are your top value options at wide receiver for week 5. Good Luck FanDulers!