Week 5 Flex Targets DraftKings 2017

By Armando Marsal

Week 5 is upon us and as usual I am digging into the slate to find some players who make for viable options for the flex spot. Due to the bye weeks, we have four less teams on the board to choose from, so it is something to keep in mind when creating lineups this weekend as you focus on roster construction. As I do every week, I will be focusing on players in the main slate. That said, let’s jump right into it and go over some players to target for the flex spot this week.

Running Back

Duke Johnson Jr. $4,900 vs. Jets

Johnson scored a touchdown in back-to-back games and has topped 20 fantasy points in each of those contests. He leads the Browns with 28 targets, accounting for 17 percent of the team’s targets share and also accounts for 28.6 percent of the red zone rushes. The Jets are giving up over 25 fantasy points per game to running backs, yielding 433 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 25 receptions for 223 receiving yards, and a touchdown to the position through the first four games. Johnson comes at a very affordable price despite being in a potential ceiling game situation. He makes for an enticing play in all formats this weekend.

Jay Ajayi $6,600 vs. Tennessee Titans

Ajayi has struggled in back-to-back games despite two favorable matchups, however, this is the Dolphins first home game of the season and the matchup is appealing. The Titans are giving up 144.5 total yards per game to running backs and have allowed four touchdowns, while yielding over 20 fantasy points per game to the position. This is a good bounce back spot for a running back who should see 20+ touches in this matchup. He is also too cheap for the caliber of back he is, making him even more enticing. The last thing that I like is that his ownership may be lower than it should be due to his recent struggles.

Wide Receiver

T.Y. Hilton $6,000 vs. San Francisco 49ers

This is a really favorable situation for Hilton and he comes at a reasonable price tag. In his one good matchup this season, Hilton erupted for 31.3 fantasy points, catching 7-of-9 targets for 153 yards and a touchdown. He has been disappointing this season aside from that game, but this team is hurting at quarterback and the matchups have not been a cake walk. That being said, the opportunity is there for him as he has played in 90 percent of the snaps and accounts for 25 percent of the team’s targets share and 40 percent of the red zone targets. He has been peppered with 28 targets, averaging seven per game. The 49ers are yielding over 35 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers, while allowing 53 receptions for 694 receiving yards and five touchdowns to the position this season. Lastly, he should see a lot of Rashard Robinson this weekend, someone he has a 49 percent advantage rating against (fifth highest this week). Hilton’s price has increased, but he is still a solid point per dollar play considering a ceiling game is certainly possible in this matchup.

Jaron Brown $4,500 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

After filling that stat sheet with zeros to start the season, Brown has turned things around in his last three games. He has played in 85 percent of the snaps this season and has 29 targets, which is good for 15 percent of the Cardinals target share. In addition, he accounts for 18.8 of the red zone targets for Arizona. He is coming off of his best game of the season where he caught 8-of-12 targets for 105 yards and has now scored at least 10 fantasy points in three consecutive games. The Eagles have been very generous to wide receivers, allowing over 200 receiving yards per game and more than 40 fantasy points per game. In the last two games, receivers have combined for 565 receiving yards and have scored four touchdowns. This matchup sets up nicely for Brown and at his low price, he does not need to do a whole lot to pay off his salary.

Tight End

Austin Seferian-Jenkins $3,500 at Cleveland Browns

Since coming back from his two-game suspension, Seferian-Jenkins has been decent, catching 9-of-10 targets for 77 yards, while averaging 8.4 fantasy points. Those are not eye-popping numbers by any means, but it is good to see that he is being targeted and has a nice catch rate. The Browns are abysmal defensively and struggle immensely against tight ends. They are giving up over 18 fantasy points per game to the position and have allowed four touchdowns. Seferian-Jenkins comes with risk, but he also offers big reward in this matchup.

Good luck to all this week. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal