(Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)
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We almost went four for four in our recommendations in Week 4, but Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster put up a dud and I’m not sure I have recovered. Like a cornerback who gets toasted for a touchdown, we need to have a short memory and move on to the next week.
Running Backs
Cash Game Option:
Arizona Cardinals David Johnson ($11,600) –The Cardinals running back finally showed life in Week 4 as he touched the ball 25 times and scored a touchdown. The Cardinals now square off against the 49ers in a game that is expected to be close as San Francisco is only favored by four. The 49ers have given up the second most receptions to running backs this season with 35 which should benefit Johnson despite at times the running back coming off the field due to pass blocking concerns. I think we are getting to the point where Johnson will begin to be priced at the talent level that he is so we don’t have many more opportunities to roster a volume back at this price. Take advantage.
Tournament Option:
Green Bay Packers Aaron Jones ($9,100) – There is a strong possibility the Packers will be without their top two wide receivers and possibly their top three due to injuries which means they could rely on the run game more than usual. Jones went from playing 25 percent of the team snaps in Week 3 to 38 percent in Week 4. I think that will only rise as he continues to work his way back from missing the first two games due to suspension. The Packers take on the Lions who rank 27th in rush defense according to Football Outsiders. We still don’t know the workload for Jones, but I think the opportunity and the price puts him firmly in the elite tournament conversation.
Wide Receivers
Cash Game Option:
Green Bay Packers Marquez Valdes-Scantling ($6,400) – As previously mentioned, the Packers receiving core is hurting which gives opportunities for others. All signs point to Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison missing the game against the Lions due to injures, but Davante Adams could as well. Valdes-Scantling would see an increase in snaps and at his price, he makes for a strong punt option. The Lions rank 28th against the pass according to Football Outsiders so there will be opportunities to make plays and we know quarterback Aaron Rodgers wants to throw the ball. It’s never easy to use a player who has two catches for the season, but the opportunity along with the cost makes him a strong option.
Tournament Option:
Jacksonville Jaguars Dede Westbrook ($9,200) – I recommended quarterback Blake Bortles in cash games so I have to like the receiving core for the Jaguars. The matchup against the Chiefs along with Bortles’ price is what makes him a strong cash game option, but it’s hard to know exactly what receiver he will be throwing the ball to. Westbrook saw 13 targets in Week 4 which led to nine catches for 130 yards, but the receiver only saw four targets the week before and five targets in Week 2. Teammate Keelan Cole is $500 more than Westbrook but he only saw three targets in Week 4. However, he did see nine targets in Week 3. As you can see, it’s a coin flip who Bortles will target, but they are all in play in tournaments due to a Chiefs secondary that is dead last against the pass.