DraftKings NFL: Week 5 lineup
By Joe Romano
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons – $9100
No surprises here, Antonio Brown tops the wide receiver rankings yet again. Brown is off to a slow start for his standard and is the second highest scoring fantasy receiver on his team. The Steelers offense needs to get back on track and this is a good week to do so. Previously mentioned, the Atlanta Falcons present an opportunity for the Steelers to find a rhythm. The Falcons have allowed on average the seventh most points to opposing receivers. Browns set for a good game against a banged up Atlanta defense.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh Steelers – $8500
On the opposing offense from Brown is Julio Jones and the Falcons. Jones is still his normal maddening self for fantasy players. He’s watched rookie Calvin Ridley put up back to back monster fantasy performances. Yet Jones still sits atop the NFL in receiving yards. Unfortunately it means little for fantasy players if he does not find the end zone. Luckily Pittsburgh, the opponent this week, second best defense for opposing receivers. They’ve allowed seven touchdowns to receivers in this young season. Jones may actually benefit from Ridley’s success with defenses unable to pay the extra attention he normally gets to him.
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants @ Carolina Panthers – $8000
Speaking of elite receivers that have failed to find the end zone, here is Odell Beckham Jr. The NFL’s highest paid receiver is 14th in receiving yards and has zero touchdowns on the season. He is letting his frustrations be known to the media this week too. For fantasy Beckham is second on his team to Sterling Shepherd in points. Saquon Barkley’s arrival has limited the amount of force feeding Beckham has received and his production has taken a huge hit. This week with Carolina he will be facing the NFL’s 23rd ranked defense for fantasy receivers. It is a tough matchup and hard to trust Beckham after four straight sub-par performances to start the season.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs Oakland Raiders – $7800
Another disappointing fantasy performer this season who had high hopes is the Chargers’ Keenan Allen. He’s been overshadowed by the budding performances of Mike Williams. Los Angeles has also been spreading the ball around and running more. This limits Allen who made his name on volume more than anything. Better days lie ahead, and one could be Sunday against the Raiders. Oakland has given up the fourth most points to receivers. Allen can dominate this Raiders secondary especially from the slot where Oakland struggles.
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles – $7700
Speaking of slot receivers, there may not be a more dangerous slot receiver than Adam Thielen. Stefon Diggs gets a deserved amount of hype but it is Thielen who leads the team in receiving yards with only one less touchdown. Thielen is also only two catches behind Michael Thomas’ absurd pace with 40 through four games. There is a case that Thielen has been the best receiver in the NFL this season with the most yards per game and second most catches. He gets a Philadelphia secondary that looks to be suffering a Super Bowl hangover. The Eagles allow the fifth most points to fantasy receivers. Thielen could be a week winner this time around with only the fifth highest price.
Value Wide Receivers
Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks vs Los Angeles Rams – $5000
On paper the matchup against the Rams does not look like a good place to find value for wide receivers. However look back one week and you will see that slot receiver Adam Thielen torched this Rams defense. Now Doug Baldwin, finally healthy gets a crack. His ability to play inside makes him enticing this week as a value play and outside the top 30 priced wide receivers.
Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals vs Miami Dolphins – $5700
A shocking revelation for the Bengals offense has been the emergence of Tyler Boyd. The former second round pick is neck and neck with A.J. Green in terms of targets and prodcution through this season. With a tough game against the Dolphins ahead for Green it could open the door for Boyd. Miami’s Xavien Howard has been stellar and should draw the matchup with Green giving Boyd the opportunity for a big game. It is almost becoming a chalk pick which may be a reason to pause in certain play styles. He’s priced reasonably well at $5700 despite his impressive start through four weeks.
John Brown, Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns – $5600
The Baltimore Ravens have once again overhauled their wide receiving corps in the offseason. Coming over from Arizona, John Brown looks like the prize jewel for the unit. Formerly thought of as just a deep threat, he’s found a nice niche in the Ravens offense. Joe Flacco seems to be given a new life and a great connection with Brown. This week he draws the Browns and more than likely E.J. Gaines. Gaines has been awful in Cleveland this season. Brown leads the team in targets and receiving yards and that trend can continue on Sunday.