Hunter Report Week 5 2017

By Dave Hunter

Let’s get right to Week 5, and don’t forget I’m using DraftKings.com salaries. Cheers to you winning the big pool play!

Week 5:

QUARTERBACK

Top Level

Aaron Rodgers, GB @ Dallas Cowboys ($8,100) – Rodgers is averaging 24 FPPG this season in DraftKings games. Not bad, eh? I love this game SO much this week, for lots and lots of scores. I see “cha-ching” for owners that roster players from the Packers and Cowboys this week. Rodgers is the start of your lineup, assuming you’re going all-in at QB this week. I mean, the price really isn’t that bad as the top QB in DraftKings lineups.

Other choices: None – I know I put “None” last week, so I get it if you think I’m being lazy. But I’m really not. Have you seen the QBs available with bye weeks in place? There is a big drop off at QB and Rodger is IT!

Mid-Range

Ben Roethlisberger, PIT vs. Jacksonville Jaguars ($6,400) – Big Ben is a confidence play for me, one that I’d easily roster in cash games this week. I think there’s some opportunity here for Big Ben and the passing game for the Steelers. I sorta dig the price point here and really have no problem rostering Big Ben as my QB if I’m trying to save a few bucks and pass on Aaron Rodgers.

Other choices: Matthew Stafford, DET vs. Carolina Panthers ($6,300); Eli Manning, NYG vs. Los Angeles Chargers ($6,100); Philip Rivers, LAC vs. New York Giants ($5,800)

Value

Tyrod Taylor, BUF @ Cincinnati Bengals ($5,100) – Don’t always believe in the matchups on paper. Taylor is a unique QB, one that has a special way of making things happen through the air and on the ground. The youngster, Taylor, has turned into a leader and one that most can feel confident in rostering. The Bengals are better than what they’ve showed to this point. Yes, really. But Taylor and the Bills are on a run right now that can’t be stopped. If you’re looking for a value-play then here you go. Boom.

Other choices: Blake Bortles, JAC @ Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,800); Joe Flacco, BAL @ Oakland Raiders ($4,700) – You must be brave to roster Flacco.

Over-Value

Carson Wentz, PHI vs. Arizona Cardinals ($6,600) – I know, it’s the second week in a row I have Wentz here. The Cardinals have been very bad as a team overall, but at least they have some saving grace on the defensive side of the ball. I’m just not thrilled that the Eagles will be able to do much facing the Cards defense, especially downfield through the air. Wendell Smallwood? That’s another story.

RUNNING BACK

Top Level

Le’Veon Bell, PIT vs. Jacksonville Jaguars ($9,500) – I see no reason to avoid Bell, especially in cash games, assuming you’ve got the where-about to find values at WR at least. And, with this piece, you should be able to do just that. I love Bell this week, following up his greatest game of 2017. Expect more of the same facing the Jaguars rush defense.

Other choices: Ezekiel Elliott, DAL vs. Green Bay Packers ($8,800)

Mid-Range

Melvin Gordon, LAC @ New York Giants ($6,000) – You have to love this matchup and what Gordon brings to the table talent-wise. Gordon was sort of ignored last week facing the Eagles, but I truly believe the Chargers will get back to their bread-and-butter game which is Gordon. The matchup isn’t the best on paper, but the lowly Giants aren’t able to stop a game-changing back like Gordon. I love Gordon in both cash and tournament play.

Other choices: Bilal Powell, NYJ @ Cleveland Browns ($6,200) – What? Two weeks in a row with the Powell recommendation? Tread lightly here, but in the right lineup Powell can work; Christian McCaffery, CAR @ Detroit Lions ($5,700)

Value

Duke Johnson, Jr., CLE vs. New York Jets ($4,900) – It’s all about the receptions with Johnson. In an offense that hasn’t been productive this season, the Browns have no choice but to throw the ball out to Johnson. For less than $5K this week, you can have a PPR dream, right? Okay, maybe I’m getting overly excited, but still – Johnson is worth a go in tournament play. Expect more of the same for Johnson.

Other choices: Javorius Allen, BAL @ Oakland Raiders ($4,500); Frank Gore, IND vs. San Francisco 49ers ($4,400); Jonathan Stewart, CAR @ Detroit Lions ($3,900)

Over-Value

Todd Gurley, LAR vs. Seattle Seahawks ($8,000) – Wow, $8K for Gurley facing the Seahawks? I mean, I get it. I truly do. I just don’t think Seattle is going to be much of a pushover in this game, and they’re going to fight they’re asses off overall. I’d much rather spend up to get Le’Veon Bell on roster.

WIDE RECEIVER

Top Level

Antonio Brown, PIT vs. Jacksonville Jaguars ($8,400) – This is the perfect opportunity for Ben Roethlisberger to get Brown back into the offensive game plan. After Brown’s tirade on the sidelines, you have to figure that Brown gets more looks. The matchup isn’t a walkover for Brown, mainly since the Jaguars have two of the best cornerbacks in the game. Still, I have a difficult time believing that Brown gets shut down completely. Plus, the $8.4K price tag is worth the shot on Brown in leagues this week.

Other choices: Jordy Nelson, GB @ Dallas Cowboys ($8,100); Keenan Allen, LAC @ New York Giants ($7,200)

Mid-Range

Pierre Garcon, SF @ Indianapolis Colts ($6,100) – I like Garcon to find the end zone this week facing the lowly Colts. He’s targeted frequently in the Niners offense and while the Niners have been inconsistent from game-to-game, I like Garcon to take another step up in production. I like Garcon in tournament play especially, mainly since I think most will be off of him after last week. The intriguing matchup won’t be enough for owners to draft him, meaning that Garcon is an interesting contrarian play.

Other choices: Golden Tate, DET vs. Carolina Panthers ($6,300); T.Y. Hilton, vs. San Francisco 49ers ($6,000); Amari Cooper, OAK vs. Baltimore Ravens ($5,700) – Cooper is for tournament play only, because there is no Derek Carr for the foreseeable future.

Value

Mike Wallace, BAL @ Oakland Raiders ($4,000) – Wallace is coming off his best game of the season, catching six balls for 55 yards and a TD. The price tag is way affordable for your lineup facing a struggling Raiders club. I know most of the struggle is on offense, but I figure that Joe Flacco has the perfect opportunity to win this game after looking quite awful last week. With E.J. Manuel subbing in for an injured Derek Carr, this will at least be a close game. Wallace is a major risk, so he’s only a tournament play for me.

Other choices: Donte Moncrief, IND vs. San Francisco 49ers ($3,900); Seth Roberts, OAK vs. Baltimore Ravens ($3,600); Brice Butler, DAL vs. Green Bay Packers ($3,500); Jeff Janis, GB @ Dallas Cowboys ($3,300) – Janis is a major reach, so roster at your own risk.

Over-Value

Larry Fitzgerald, ARI @ Philadelphia Eagles ($6,800) – There’s something wrong with the Cardinals offense and I’m not taking a risk rostering Fitzgerald even after a potential bounceback week in the works. Fitzy’s price tag is just too much for me to risk things when Carson Palmer and most of his receiving corps are fighting injury. Plus, the Cardinals can’t run the ball without the injured David Johnson. Yikes.

TIGHT END

Top Level

Zach Ertz, PHI vs. Arizona Cardinals ($6,200)

Mid-Range

Delanie Walker, TEN @ Miami Dolphins ($4,700)

Value

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, NYJ @ Cleveland Browns ($3,500)

Over-Value

None

Good luck in Week 5! Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter: @TheRolyPolyBoy