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Week 5 of the NFL season brings with it some interesting and enticing matchups. Read on for recommendations for cash and tournament DFS play for Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, and Tight Ends.
Quarterbacks
Tournament Options:
Carson Wentz, PHI ($11,400) vs NYJ
Carson Wentz has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and has nine passing touchdowns in the first four games of the year. His success should continue this Sunday when he takes on the New York Jets. Wentz has thrown for multiple touchdowns in three out of four games and has a running game that demands attention. He is a great tournament play against a defense that has had problems limiting opponent’s passing games.
Kirk Cousins, MIN ($10,500) at NYG
The big question in this game is are the Giants for real? After allowing just three points to the Redskins last week will the defense show up again or will Kirk Cousins have his way in the passing game? I think Cousins is worth the risk in tournament play with his talented receivers and a running game that will demand attention. Cousins has had trouble producing this season but given his price tag, he is quite attractive this weekend.
Kyler Murray, ARI ($11,900) at CIN
Kyler Murray has been quietly productive this far into the season. He has alternated between multiple and zero touchdown games thus far into the season. Murray has also thrown for over 300 yards in two games and possesses a nice boost with his ability to run. I would be very comfortable rolling with Murray in tournaments against a Bengals team that has allowed some of the highest-scoring in the league.
Cash Options:
Tom Brady, NE ($11,900) at WAS
Tom Brady may be coming off a tough week but I would trust him in cash games this weekend against a struggling Washington team. In Weeks 1 – 3, Brady had multiple touchdowns and was at or near 300 yards passing. I would bet on a return to a high level of playing this weekend with over 300 yards passing and multiple scores yet again against a Washington team that has looked out of sync thus far into the year.
Deshaun Watson, HOU ($12,200) vs ATL
Deshaun Watson is another player who has alternated two high-end performances with two lower fantasy outputs this year. The Falcons should present him with the opportunity to get back on track. Throwing to DeAndre Hopkins certainly helps Watson’s cause and he should be able to use his legs against a suspect Falcons defense.
Wide Receivers
Cash Options:
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU ($14,700) vs ATL
Hopkins has had some struggles thus far into the season. He started hot with 8 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. Since then he has failed to break 70 receiving yards and has been held scoreless. He should form an excellent stack with Watson this weekend against an Atlanta team that has had its problems keeping opposing teams out of the endzone.
Michael Thomas, NO ($12,100) vs TB
Michael Thomas has produced nearly as well with Teddy Bridgewater under center compared to Drew Brees. He has only one touchdown catch on the year but has been heavily involved in the passing game catching 10, 10, 5, and 9 passes in the first four games. Tampa Bay has given up over 300 passing yards in the last three games and Thomas should pose a considerable problem for their defense to stop.
Tournament Options:
Sterling Shepard, NYG ($10,900) vs MIN
Sterling Shepard has been all over the field for the Giants and Daniel Jones in the past two games. He has caught at least six passes in the three games he has been active in and led the Giants in targets, receptions, and receiving yards last week. The match-up against the Vikings will be more challenging that last weekend, but his heavy involvement in the passing game makes him an excellent tournament play.
Calvin Ridley, ATL ($9,200) at HOU
Calvin Ridley has a tough match-up against a good Texans defense but should be able to take advantage of all the attention Julio Jones will demand. Ridley had an excellent start to the season but has subsequently cooled off over the last two weeks. His price point and skill set creates an excellent opportunity in tournament play for his game against Houston.
Tight End
Cash Options:
Evan Engram, NYG ($10,900) vs MIN
Evan Engram is coming off a down performance from last weekend and has a tough match-up against the Vikings. He was second last weekend in targets but was unable to get much going outside his one big gain. He did have several opportunities in scoring positions but was unable to connect with Jones for a touchdown grab last weekend. He should once again be routinely targeted this weekend and will look to get back into the endzone in what could turn into a competitive game.
Darren Waller, OAK ($9,300) vs CHI
Darren Waller has been heavily targeted in each of the first four games this season. Waller is leading the Raiders in targets, catches, and yards through the first four weeks of the season and will look to continue his strong showing against a tough Bears defense in Week 5. The dominating Chicago defense might keep ownership somewhat low, but Waller figures to be highly targeted yet again this weekend. He will also inevitably snag his first scoring pass sooner rather than later.
Tournament Options:
O.J. Howard, TB ($7,000) at NO
O.J. Howard has been relatively quiet throughout the first four games of the season. He has ten catches for 131 yards and no touchdowns. Keep a close eye on Chris Godwin’s availability this weekend. Should Godwin be held out, Howard becomes a strong tournament play, especially for his price point.