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Digging In The Crates - Daily 2016 week 5

By Justin Lonero

Quarterback's

Brian Hoyer @ Colts ($5,500)
It would appear Jay Cutler is going to miss week 5 with a sprained thumb. The seasoned veteran Brian Hoyer will make the start against a Colts team that is a mess. The colts are allowing 277 yards a game through the air per game. The Bears just lost Kevin White for the season, and Zach Miller and Alshon Jeffery are a little banged up. Las Vegas has the point total set at 48, which is one of the highest week five. Hoyer has averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game over his only two starts of the season, with a quarterback rating of 103.3, four touchdowns, and 697 yards. His price is beautiful, and he may remain the starter even when Jay Cutler returns.

Tyrod Taylor @ Rams ($5,200)
Outside of LeSean McCoy the Buffalo Bills could have the most vanilla offense in the NFL. In the offseason many Tyrod Taylor advocates pounded the drum with hopes that he would win the MVP this season. While Taylor was very efficient against the Patriots week four, the lack of offensive talent might make it impossible to have a season many hoped for. I suppose this is the beauty of DFS! We can pick our spots and Taylor should be good enough against a Rams team that is allowing 275 passing yards per game. Personally I would play Taylor naked (all alone) at his near minimum salary.

Running backs

DeAndre Washington vs. Chargers ($3,400)
DeAndre Washington optimists unite! The Latavius Murray cynics were out all off season, ragging on Murray's low YPC, and inability to create big plays. I gravitated to the volume he received in 2015. This week Murray will likely be out and the rookie DeAndre Washington has an audition against the Chargers. A defensive unit that has allowed seven rushing touchdowns in four games. Jalen Richard ($3,300) will split carries with Washington making him a terrific pivot, at an even cheaper price than Washington.

Jerick McKinnon vs. Texans ($4,000)
The Vikings are getting a good glimpse of 24 year old Jerick McKinnon in the absence of Adrian Peterson. He was drafted as a long term investment to follow in Adrian Peterson's foot step's. Week four McKinnon had 18 carries, for 85 yards, and a touchdown. He was also involved in the passing game which Adrian Peterson has never been involved in. The Texans have been brutal against the run, allowing 125.2 yards per game and they have given up six touchdowns on the ground in jus four games. Mckinnon may be the top value-running back play on the whole sunday slate.

Wide Receivers

Sammie Coates vs. Jets ($3,600)
What is there not to like about Sammy Coates? He's tall, he's fast and he plays on one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL. Eli Rogers is out with a toe injury and Markus Wheaton has been ailing as well. Coates has caught 13 passes for 282 yards, averaging 21.7 yards per reception. Martavis Bryant is long gone and Coates is filling in nicely. Mike Tomlin loves Coates, so if he continues to impress he will have a consistent role. Coates may get a chance to burn Darrelle Revis all day long Sunday which is really hard to write considering how illustrious of a career Revis has had. I feel safe using Coates in cash games and tournaments.

Robert Woods @ Rams ($3,900)
I mentioned earlier how Tyrod Taylor and the Bills were about the most generic offense in the league, and I meant it. The truth is someone has to catch the ball, and that someone has been Robert Woods. Woods has 18 targets in the last two games. His numbers aren't knocking anyones socks off, but by default he is now the number one wideout in Buffalo for the duration of the season. Woods and Taylor's rapport will grow week to week. Cheap target hogs that have engraved roles in their respective offenses keep us coming back every week.

Tight Ends

Zach Ertz @ Lions ($3,500)
Zach Ertz is one of the best young tight ends in the NFL and that's all there is to it. He's back this week and he'll be a big addition to rookie Carson Wentz's arsenal. We are getting Ertz this week, who on paper is a top-5 play and he's priced 11th. The Lions are a mess and they allow tight ends to feast on them. Ertz will be a staple in most of my week five lineups. He is a matchup nightmare and his presence will open up the run game and the Eagles wide receiver corps.

Gary Barnidge vs. Patriots ($3,200)
Similar to the Bills the Cleveland Browns are another team that will take any kind of offensive production they can get. The Browns will most likely be trailing to the Patriots in Tom Brady's first game back, thrusting Barnidge into a busier than usual role. Barnidge has 18 targets over his last three games, but has yet to get in the endzone. A Pro Bowler in 2015 with 79 receptions, 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns Barnidge he has shown us his top-5 week to week upside. Cody Kessler will use his veteran tight end as a safety blanket. I'll say he gets his first touchdown of the season this week.

Defense/Special Teams

There are only five NFL defenses that are averaging double-digit fantasy points per game so far this season so being super frugal can end up back firing on us.

Eagles @ Lions ($2,900)

Through four games the Eagles have three interceptions, three defensive fumble recoveries, and ten sacks. They are a top five unit Sunday and priced tenth. We'll take the discount and look forward double digit fantasy points against a banged up Lions offense.