Yahoo DFS Football: Week 5 Picks

Yahoo DFS Football: Week 5 Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.

TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)

QB: Brian Hoyer (SF, $21)

Seriously, Brian Hoyer! He's had three brutal games to start the season against the Panthers, Seahawks and Cardinals, and understandably did next to nothing in any of those contests. However, when he faced the Rams, he threw for 332 yards and posted three total TDs. Now he'll face the Colts, who have allowed the third most passing yards in the league. Head coach Kyle Shanahan should have great success dialing up plays to help Hoyer come up big this week.

RB: Le'Veon Bell (PIT, $35)

Nothing says "I'm back" better than 39 touches, and that's how Bell got his season rolling after a slow start to the year. The Steelers have never been afraid to ride him. Neither should you. Despite his hefty price tag, he'll be facing the Jaguars who have given up a league-high 662 rushing yards. Not enough? They're allowing 5.7 yards per carry along with five rushing TDs. It would be a shock if Bell didn't see massive volume again, especially given the matchup.

WR: Pierre Garcon (SF, $17)

He's been up and down this year for sure, but there's no shame in averaging 32 yards against Patrick Peterson and the Seahawks secondary in a pair of road games. In his two other matchups, Garcon was targeted 10 times in each and averaged 111 yards. Well, this week isn't exactly a difficult draw, as the Colts have coughed up the third most passing yards in the league, making this a premium matchup. It should be noted that some will worry about Vontae Davis shadowing Garcon. Although it's an understandable concern, the 49ers' WR is a great route runner facing off with a CB who can't be nearly at full speed with all the time he's missed.

Other Against-the-Grainers

QB: Josh McCown (NYJ, $23), Jacoby Brissett (IND, $22)
RB: Bilal Powell (NYJ, $20), Andre Ellington (ARI, $13), Thomas Rawls (SEA, $14)
WR: Marvin Jones (DET, $14), Tyler Lockett (SEA, $11), Marqise Lee (JAC, $12)
TE: Evan Engram (NYG, $12), George Kittle (SF, $12)
DST: Kansas City Chiefs ($17), Carolina Panthers ($14)

CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers (GB, $36)

With an elite floor and top-end upside, Rodgers is worth his salary this week. Since the Packers are beat up at RB, and it would be a shock if Ty Montgomery suited up with multiple broken ribs, Rodgers will likely put the team on his back more than usual. He's coming into this game on fire as well, having thrown for at least 311 yards with a total of seven TDs over his last two games. In terms of the defense, the Cowboys won't have an answer for this passing attack, as they've already given up eight TD passes to start the season.

Running Back

Duke Johnson (CLE, $13)

It's all about the price tag with Johnson this week. With Isaiah Crowell struggling along with some favorable game scripts, Johnson's been very productive lately. He's posted at least 60 total yards (with an average of 81) over his last three games, and even though it's possible that this matchup with the Jets is close, it seems as if he's earned more work at Crowell's expense. Regardless, the Jets have given up at least 49 receiving yards to three different RBs this year – look for Johnson to be the fourth. If he should see rushing attempts as well, New York allows 4.7 yards per carry, so yes, this is a great spot for the Browns' RB.

Carlos Hyde (SF, $30)

Even though Hyde just finished a three-game stretch that included matchups against the Seahawks and Cards on the road, he's been money for fantasy purposes. During that stretch, he's piled up at least 94 total yards in each contest while receiving a significant work load. He'll be up against a Colts' defense that's allowed six rushing TDs and the 11th most yards in the league on the ground. This is clearly a fantastic spot for Hyde in cash games.

Wide Receiver

Stefon Diggs (MIN, $25)

Even if Sam Bradford (knee) doesn't make it back this week, Diggs should continue to keep his strong season rolling against the Bears. He's already had three games with at least 93 yards along with a pair of multi-TD games, and he'll be up against a defense that's allowed an opposing WR to score in three straight. In addition, Chicago has also given up at least 66 yards to one WR in each game this year. He's a strong play, even with Case Keenum at QB, but even better should Bradford suit up.

Dez Bryant (GB, $26)

Finally! For the first time in five weeks, Bryant won't have a talented and physical CB looking to wrestle him for 60 minutes. He'll be at home against a Green Bay secondary that lacks any type of shutdown presence, making this a great spot for the Dallas star to have a big game. That said, he has a great floor for cash games, since he was targeted 38 times in the three games in which he didn't face Patrick Peterson. In addition, the two superstar WRs to face this secondary this year both went for over 100 yards, and Bryant should be the third.

DeVante Parker (MIA, $23)

Steady is the name of the game in cash, and Parker has started the season being targeted at least eight times in each game while posting at least 76 yards. He's clearly been the preferred downfield option for Jay Cutler, and this week's matchup is great. He'll be up against the hapless Titans, who have allowed a league-high 11 TDs to WRs along with the fourth most passing yards in the league. In addition, Tennessee has given up at least 105 yards and a TD to both DeAndre Hopkins and Doug Baldwin.

Tight End

Charles Clay (BUF, $21)

Well, the Bills aren't exactly a high-powered passing attack, but someone has to catch the ball. Clay has been targeted between six and nine times in three games already and he's had three games with at least 10 fantasy points. He'll continue to be the focal point, aside from LeSean McCoy, in the passing game, so he should be productive. Although his opponent, the Bengals, have been strong against the TE this year from a statistical standpoint, they haven't faced a high-performing player at the position, so the numbers lack validity.

Defense/Special Teams

Philadelphia Eagles ($18)

A home game for a ferocious front seven against a turnstile offensive line, what's not to like? Not only are the Eagles an excellent defensive unit despite some issues in the secondary, but it's hard to imagine Carson Palmer will have time to throw anything downfield in this game. For the record, the Cards have given up a league-high 17 sacks while throwing five INTs.

Honorable Mentions

QB: Dak Prescott (DAL, $30), Russell Wilson (SEA, $34)
RB: Jordan Howard (CHI, $22), LeSean McCoy (BUF, $31)
WR: A.J. Green (CIN, $30), Jordy Nelson (GB, $32)
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ, $13), Travis Kelce (KC, $23)
DST: Buffalo Bills ($19)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jim Coventry plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mvp1986, DraftKings: mvp1986.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NFL Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NFL fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Coventry
Coventry was a finalist for the FSWA football writer of the year in 2022. He started playing fantasy football in 1994 and won a national contest in 1996. He also nabbed five top-50 finishes in national contests from 2008 to 2012 before turning his attention to DFS. He's been an industry analyst since 2007, though he joined RotoWire in 2016. A published author, Coventry wrote a book about relationships, "The Secret of Life", in 2013.
NFL Expert Picks: Monday Night Football Ravens at Chargers
NFL Expert Picks: Monday Night Football Ravens at Chargers
NFL Picks and Player Props for Week 12 Monday Night Football
NFL Picks and Player Props for Week 12 Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football DFS Breakdown: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Monday Night Football DFS Breakdown: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens
NFL Waiver Wire: Week 13 Early Watch
NFL Waiver Wire: Week 13 Early Watch
NFL Reactions: Week 12 Recap
NFL Reactions: Week 12 Recap
Eagles at Rams: Sunday Night Football  Odds, Picks, and Predictions
Eagles at Rams: Sunday Night Football Odds, Picks, and Predictions