With the first week of NFL bye weeks, starting in Week 5, it is necessary to dive a little deeper to find great value in DFS football. These players are great value options this weekend of football. Some have big upside and could be near the top of the list in fantasy points. Others have low floors and should be able to have a good fantasy day regardless of their team’s overall performance. Overall, all these players are affordable options and will allow you to spend the rest of your budget on the top DFS players, such as Le’Veon Bell or Jordy Nelson. Here are some value players to keep in mind.
QB – Tyrod Taylor $5000
Buffalo Bills
Having led the Buffalo Bills to a 3-1 start and the top spot in the AFC East, Tyrod Taylor is getting credit for being a respectable starting quarterback in 2017. However, he has yet to be a great fantasy quarterback this season. This week, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Taylor has a good chance at breaking out. Going into Week 5 of the NFL season, the Bengals are giving up the most rushing yards to quarterbacks this season, which bodes well for Taylor who does most of his damage with his legs. Even with the loss of wide receiver Jordan Matthews, Taylor is still a good value, and at just $5000 he ranks as just the 27th most expensive quarterback in Week 5.
RB – Duke Johnson Jr. $4900
Cleveland Indians
Playing against the New York Jets this week, Duke Johnson Jr. has one of his best matchups of the season. Johnson is developing into a premier pass-catching running back. Coming off nine receptions in Week 4, Johnson is a safe pick at his value, as he can score double-digit points in a DraftKings league, without getting into the end zone. The Jets give up an average of 6.25 receptions to running backs per game, a number Johnson could easily top. Johnson is also becoming the Browns preferred option in the Red Zone, picking up two rushing touchdowns inside the 20 through the first four games of the season. In DFS contest with PPR scoring, Johnson is a safe start this week. He’s not going to be a popular pick too, so that could help out your DFS cause.
WR – Jeremy Maclin $4200
Baltimore Ravens
A few weeks ago, this matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders could have been the best game of Week 5. However, with the Ravens looking terrible the last two weeks and the Raiders losing Derek Carr to injury, this game is decidedly less exciting. There is still one reason to watch and that is Jeremy Maclin. Maclin is no stranger to the Raiders, having spent 2015 and 2016 in the AFC West. In fact, his best fantasy game as a Kansas City Chief came against Oakland in 2015, when Maclin caught nine passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Oakland’s defense is susceptible to big plays, with over half the touchdowns the unit has given up being longer than 20 yards. At $4200, Maclin is a cheap option with big game potential against a familiar opponent.
TE – Hunter Henry $3800
Los Angeles Chargers
No team ranks worse in DraftKings against the tight end position than the New York Giants, which is why Hunter Henry is an excellent value at just $3800. Henry has started the year a bit slow, failing to catch a pass in two of his four games this season. He did manage to record his first touchdown of the season in Week 4. Last season, Henry was held out of the end zone until Week 4, but after that point, the young tight end went on to score seven more touchdowns in his next 11 games. Unless you want to spend big money on Travis Kelce, starting Hunter Henry is a good option at his price. And remember that Rob Gronkowski missed Thursday’s game against Tampa Bay, so a lot of fantasy players will be looking for alternate options. Henry could be a sneaky value play this week as the Chargers seek out their first win of the year.
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