It’s the Week 5 daily fantasy under the radar plays. For your consideration, the following picks are designed to offer insight and opportunity for value. So you can differentiate from the field and also fit in the studs. Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson, and Carson Wentz are in a great position. The stud running backs, Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dalvin Cook should be jammed into lineups. Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins will be in, what should be, the most stacked game of the week between the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans. And, Keenan Allen remains in consideration for a lock at the wide receiver position.
Let’s go deep. Where is the value? And who might be going overlooked? The following are my Week 5 daily fantasy under the radar plays.
Player stats and prices are taken from Draft Kings
Week 5 Daily Fantasy Under the Radar Plays
Quarterback: Chase Daniel $4,800
This is not a glamorous pick, and admittedly Daniel is a low floor (fantasy points in the mid-teens), low ceiling (20-25 fantasy points) play for Week 5. However, he will be leading the 3-1 Chicago Bears against the Oakland Raiders, in England, whose defense is giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Daniel has proven to be more than a capable fill-in for Trubisky. He started two games in 2018, albeit against struggling defenses, in the Detroit Lions and at the New York Giants. Daniel attempted 37 and 39 passes respectively and won both games. It should be noted that Tarik Cohen (possible stack?) was the beneficiary in those games which he was targeted eight and fourteen times. If you’re going to jam in all the studs at running back? And I am.
Week 4 pick: Case Keenum (0.48 points). Result: BUST!!
Running Back: Jaylen Samuels $4,100
There are several running backs in great positions. Not only the aforementioned studs, but players like Mark Ingram, Joe Mixon, and David Johnson are excellent plays. While this may not be completely under the radar, Samuels is gaining traction in the industry due to the uncertainty of James Conner‘s injury. He’ll be heavily leaned on by Mason Rudolph. Samuels is a beast in all facets of the offensive scheme. And, we like backs that catch out of the backfield. If Samuels gets the usage we expect, with an inactive Conner, then we can pay up at a wide receiver spot or at tight end. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a Baltimore Ravens defense that has allowed a league-leading six touchdowns to the running back position.
Week 4 pick Kerryon Johnson (15.7 fantasy points). Result: Ok!
Wide Receiver: KeeSean Johnson $3,500
If we’re going to jam in the high priced studs at running back, we have to find value at the wide receiver position. There are a few options in good spots such as Dionte Johnson of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Auden Tate of the Cincinnati Bengals. However, I’m going with KeeSean Johnson here and this is why. Both the Arizona Cardinals and Bengals are looking for there first win of the season in what we expect to be a high paced game. Additionally, Johnson will be thrust into a starting role with Christian Kirk and Damiere Byrd sidelined with injuries. The sixth-round pick out of Fresno St. will have something to prove. This game also has a nice Las Vegas total of 47.
Week 4 pick: Preston Williams (8.6 fantasy points). Result: Bust!
Tight End: Dawson Knox $3,100
I’m digging deep on this pick. The Buffalo Bills at Tenessee Titans has the lowest expected total of the week at 38. Josh Allen is in the concussion protocol and Matt Barkley could be starting for the Bills. Tyler Eifert looks to be the high owned play against the Cardinals tight end friendly defense. Knox is an excellent athlete and one way for the Bills to move the ball against the Titans stingy defense could be short passes that Knox is more than capable of stretching into longer gains. Surprisingly, the Titans defense is near the bottom of the league in giving up fantasy production to the tight end position (sixth lowest based on DK scoring at 16 points per game).
Week 4 pick: T.J. Hockenson (11.7 fantasy points). Result: Ok!
Defense: Atlanta Falcons $2,500
The most highly owned defense will be the New England Patriots. However, there are a few teams at or below the $3,000 mark that are viable plays. The Houston Texans offensive line continues to struggle to keep Deshaun Watson upright. Also, the Texans running game doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. In what should be a pass-heavy affair I like the Falcons to get to Watson a handful of times which could lead to a turnover or two.
Week 4 pick: Denver Broncos (9.0 fantasy points). Result: Ok!
Under the Radar
Whether it’s in cash or a GPP tournament, hitting the green line or even a tournament takedown, it is the position or two that differentiates you from the field. The Week 5 daily fantasy slate offers a number of studs in excellent positions. As value opens closer to lock try to determine which player offers the highest opportunity for volume. Thus leading to an increased opportunity to hit their ceiling.
Good luck and good DFS!
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