All updated projections for the most current NFL season are here: weekly Yahoo projections - weekly DraftKings projections - weekly Fanduel projections.
Week 4 is over and in the wake of all the upset/surprise wins, people playing daily fantasy football are scrapping last week's lineups and starting fresh for week 5. On daily fantasy football sites like Draftkings or Fanduel, it's always key to find the players with the most value. Players who are expected to have the most production for the least amount of salary to keep that weeks lineup under cap. There seem to be less bargain week 5 RBs available because the ones that were sleepers (low salary price) and performed are now at a salary appropriate to their production. There are some high cost running backs that will be worth it to pick this week because of favorable matchups and the other RB slot/flex spot can be filled with some value players.
LeSean McCoy ($7,800) St. Louis@Philadelphia
Hasn't exactly been performing as most have hoped he would after the season he had in 2013. He still has a high salary price on Draftkings, which reflects mostly his popularity and status rather than how he has played this year. Although he may have less touchdowns on the season than J.J. Watt, he is bound to have a big game this season because he is capable of it. Against the Rams would be as good a time as any especially since it is a matchup in McCoy's favor.
Matt Forte ($7,800) Chicago@Carolina
Although the Bears lost to the Packers, Forte had a huge game racking up 171 total yards. Would you bet on him putting up good numbers against a Carolina defense that is ranked as one of the worst 5 teams in rushing yards allowed?
The Cowboys look to lean heavily on Murray at home in week 5
DeMarco Murray ($7,500) Houston@Dallas
Murray has been a beacon of hope for the Cowboys who, with an emphasis on running, are starting to look like a team that can take the NFC East. He is also on pace to have an amazing year and his name is likely to be seen on many daily fantasy football lineups for awhile. DeMarco Murray should be at the top of the list as far as the Draftkings salary is concerned but take advantage of him not for the time being as well as the favorable matchup against the Texans. Houston has a solid pass defense but their rushing defense is ranked 24th in yards allowed.
Le'Veon Bell ($7,300) Pittsburgh@Jacksonville
If you have trouble finding players for your daily fantasy football lineup, it's always smart to just pick up players who will be facing the Jaguars that week. Jacksonville's defense is worst against the pass, ppg allowed and 7th worst against the run. It's just a mismatch for a rising star like Bell who, despite having an average game against Tampa Bay, is averaging 94 yards rushing and 48 yards receiving per game.
Zac Stacy ($5,900) St. Louis@Philadelphia
Stacy hasn't been having a huge season as far as fantasy points but this week he will be a value player for your lineup because of the favorable matchup. The Eagles may have a high powered offense but their defense is just the opposite. They are among the top 4 worst teams in yards allowed per game. San Fransisco's Frank Gore rushed for 119 yards, caught 1 TD and 55 yards receiving last week against Philadelphia. A duel rushing/receiving threat like Stacy is set to have one of his better games of the year.
Rashad Rennings and the Giants look to continue their success against an unimposing Falcon's defense
Rashad Jennings ($5,500) Atlanta@New York Giants
Atlanta started hot and seem to be cooling off just as Eli Manning and the Giants are warming up. The Falcons are another team of similar makeup as the Eagles with a potent offense and impotent defense. Atlanta's defense is allowing 276.3 receiving yards, 153.5 rushing yards and 26.8 points scored. Expect more than normal in production from Jennings and the Giants who are coming fresh off an exciting win.
Darren Sproles ($5,100) St. Louis@Philadelphia
Sproles is here for the exact same reason as LeSean McCoy only at a discounted price. He actually has more yards on the season than McCoy as well as having more yards receiving than rushing which is big in a ppr league.
Matt Asiata ($4,700) Minnesota@Green Bay
This is my personal start of week 5. For some reason Asiata is still undervalued especially considering his numbers since coming in full time for Adrian Petterson. He's coming fresh off a game with 78 yards rushing, 22 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. Week 5 pits him against the worst rushing defense in the NFL, the same defense that let Matt Forte have 171 yards.
Terrance West ($4,100) Cleveland@Tennessee
West is an idea value pick. He's an up and coming young player who will be getting plenty of touches in a run heavy Brown's offense. He will be facing a favorable opponent in week 5 with the Titans who are among the 10 worst teams in rushing yards allowed and top 3 worst in points per game allowed.
Results from week 4 projections:
- Matt Forte 25.1
- Le'Veon Bell 16.9
- Lamar Miller 19.7
- Ahmad Bradshaw 13.2
- Bobby Rainey 2.8
- Donald Brown 9.4
- Lorenzo Taliaferro 11.8
- Matt Asiata 31
- Darren McFadden 11.2
- Bishop Sankey 13.7