FanDuel Consensus Rankings Week 5

Photo: Tommy Gilligan, USA Today Sports

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Welcome to Fanduel Value-Play Rankings!

Each week we ask 10 staff members to rank their top players at each Fanduel position. These rankings are based on what our DFS staff believe are the best players at each position with respect to total points they will receive compared to the dollars that they cost. These rankings can be used to help you round out your cash game and GPP lineups, or just provide a guideline for what the Footballguys.com staff believe are the best value-plays to target

If Staffers submitted Comments, they are included below the tables as well. 

Each Staffer was asked to rank 8 QBs, 12 RBs, 12 WRs, 8 TEs, 5 PKs, and 5 Defenses. For the purposes of calculating an average rank, if a player was not ranked by a particular staffer, they received a weight that was 1 point higher than the players they ranked. For example. if only 2 staffers ranked a particular quarterback, the other 8 staffers were weighted as giving that quarterback a '9' for average calculation purposes. 

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: QUARTERBACKS

It’s no surprise that Tom Brady tops the chart of value quarterbacks this week. After serving his four game suspension, Brady should be primed and ready to come out throwing this week, especially since the Patriots managed to finish 3-1 without him. He couldn’t have found a better match-up, facing the winless Cleveland Browns. The Browns have given up 10 passing TDS through the first four games of the season, including six of them in the last two weeks. Brady’s salary is one of the highest this week at 8700, but he’s the highest projected point total for fantasy quarterbacks, and the #NarrativeStreet points to him using the Browns as a punching bag this week.

Carson Wentz is coming off a bye week, and faces a weak Detroit defense that has surrendered 12 passing TDS and almost 1100 passing yards over the last four weeks. Wentz has exceeded everyone’s expectations for a rookie QB, and with two weeks to prepare, he should have a great game against the Lions. At 7500, he’s a much more reasonable price than Brady or some of the other top flight QBS like Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger is also a great value-pick, coming off his 300 yard, 5 TD performance against the Chiefs last week. The Jets are a tougher passing defense than Kansas City, but their secondary is missing some key players and the Steelers are trending upward on offense with guys like Sammie Coates Jr and Jesse James contributing more. Ben is another expensive option at QB, but he is worth it this week.

Finally, the Chicago Bears will turn to Brian Hoyer again to lead their team against the Indianapolis Colts. Hoyer isn’t a sexy pick, but he has had over 300 passing yards and 2 passing TDS in each of his last two games for the Bears. The Colts should be dragging, after coming back from a tough loss in London last week and opting to push their bye week into the middle of the season. The Colts have just one interception in the last four games, and Hoyer stays clean as he manages the offense. This gives him a high floor again this week and the upside of another 300 yard passing game. He’s value priced at just 6000, and he has a great chance to reach cash and GPP value this week. 

Howe

Hoyer - His price point has yet to catch up to his hot start, and it doesn't account for his dream matchup with a jet-lagged Colts defense.

Knotts

Derek Anderson is a very intriguing player with the assumption that Cam Newton is out with a concussion this week against Tampa Bay. While we don’t know his status yet, Anderson is a guy who at minimum salary on most sites allows you to spend up at other positions. Anderson is one of the better backups in the league, as he is the veteran showed what he can do last week throwing for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter last week.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: RUNNING BACKS

The usual suspects find themselves at the top of the value running back chart this week. Melvin Gordon’s price increased by just 100 despite his two rushing TDS last week (six for the season). This week he’ll be the workhorse back for the Chargers as they face an Oakland defense that has been giving up almost 135 rushing yards per game this season. He’s still just 7700 on FanDuel, making him a great option for cash and GPP games this week.

Jerick McKinnon is more of a value-pick based on sheer volume. He had over 20 touches last week for almost 100 yards from scrimmage and a TD. This week he faces a weakened Houston rushing defense that has given up over 200 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs over the last two weeks. LeVeon Bell is back as the primary workhorse of the Steelers as well, and he cranked out almost 180 yards from scrimmage last week against the Chiefs. Although he didn’t get into the end zone, it was the typical impact we’ve come to expect from Bell when he’s healthy and playing. This week against the Jets, he’ll have a harder time posting those numbers, but he’ll see plenty of touches as well. The Jets gave up 2 receiving TDs to runners last week, and with Bell’s receiving talents, that gives him a great chance to reach the end zone for the first time this season.

Finally, Jordan Howard and Frank Gore face off in a game where both will see the bulk of the rushing carries. Howard had over 130 yards from scrimmage as the primary back for the Bears against the Lions last week, and he could see 25 touches or more again this week. The Colts have given up 6 TDs this season to running backs and although they kept the Jaguars out of the end zone last week in London, they still give up almost 150 yards from scrimmage to the Jacksonville backs. Gore has seen 20 touches or more for the last two weeks and has almost 180 yards from scrimmage and 2 TDs over that period as well. The Bears are allowing over 120 yards on the ground each week, and are still pretty banged up on defense. Both Gore and Howard are reasonably priced at 6500 and 7200 this week, and should have plenty of opportunity to reach value. 

Howe

Murray - Murray has been a volume king, and also remarkably efficient - especially near the goal line. The Dolphins' reeling defense shouldn't put up much fight.

Freeman - Tevin Coleman (sickle cell trait) is likely to be limited in Denver, and while the matchup is harsh, Freeman carries a ton of value as the lead dog. He'll contribute yardage both ways and see red zone volume, too.

Knotts

Jerick McKinnon is starting to show that he is going to be taking over this running back position and Matt Asiata is just going to be a goal line back. McKinnon had 18 carries last week and 16 carries the week before. He is going up against a Houston Texans team that has allowed back to back weeks of multiple touchdowns to running backs.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: WIDE RECEIVERS

Antonio Brown is the most expensive WR this week on FanDuel, but he’s also the highest projected fantasy WR as well. The Jets are banged up in the secondary, and they are allowing 285 yards through the air each week. Brown is the focal point of the Pittsburgh passing game and he’s still posting big numbers even though opponents know he’s getting the ball a ton. Brown had 40 targets through the first three games, and although he only had five more against the Chiefs last week, he caught four of them including 2 TDS. He’ll see plenty of action again this week for the Steelers and should be in your cash game lineup until someone proves they can stop him.

Michael Crabtree exploded last week with 3 TDs and 88 receiving yards against the Ravens. Crabtree has 23 targets over the last two games, and 15 receptions for 200 yards. Yet he’s still a bargain at just 6900 this week against the Chargers, a team giving up almost 290 passing yards a game. The Raiders are expected to score about 27 points this week, and Crabtree should see a good chunk of that offense, especially with Latavius Murray doubtful for this week’s game.

Emanual Sanders and Jordan Matthews also make good value receivers with their 7100 and 7000 pricetags. Sanders has 26 targets, 17 receptions for over 200 yards and 3 receiving TDs over the last two games. This week he faces an Atlanta passing defense that ranks #31 in the league, allowing over 315 yards per game and a league-worst 13 receiving TDs allowed. There is some question behind if Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch will be under center this week, but Sanders looks like a sure thing either way. Jordan Matthews had just two receptions for 19 yards and a TD against the Steelers two weeks ago, but he’s coming off a bye week and he’s facing a Detroit secondary that has surrendered six receiving TDs to wide receivers this season and over 100 yards receiving to Eddie Royal last week and Jordy Nelson the week before. We’ve already talked about Carson Wentz as a value play this week, and it stands to reason that if Wentz does well, so will Matthews. 

Howe

Brown couldn't match up any sexier with a Jets pass defense unable to stop anyone. It hurts to swallow this price tag, but you don't want to be part of the 55-60% caught without him.

Royal, who's already seeing impressive usage, should get an even further boost with Kevin White out. He's capable of a solid line in addition to a strong touchdown outlook - Royal's red zone game is quietly great.

Knotts

Dontrell Inman had a career game last week with 11 targets and is starting to show that he may be the number one option in San Diego with Travis Benjamin best suited as a complimentary receiver. Inman lead the team in snaps last week as he was on the field for 68/70 snaps

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: TIGHT ENDS

Zach Ertz returns to the lineup this week after sitting out a couple games and then the bye week. He had six receptions for 58 yards in week one, and he’s facing a Detroit team that has given up six TDs to tight ends over the first four games of the season. At just 5600 this week, Ertz should easily reach 3x or 4x value, especially if he scores.

Kyle Rudolph continues to be a big part of the revamped Minnesota passing attack, and he has 15 receptions for over 150 yards and 3 TDs over the last three weeks. The Texans are one of the toughest passing defenses in the league, but Rudolph is too big of a focal point in the Minnesota offense to be ignored. At 5500 dollars, he represents a reasonable price with potential to reach value.

Zach Miller continues to be an important part of the Chicago offense, and with Kevin White now on IR, Miller’s role should be even more important. Over the last two weeks, Miller has 11 receptions for over 100 receiving yards and 3 receiving TDS. The Colts are giving up over 277 yards receiving each week, and that should give Miller plenty of opportunity to contribute.

Dennis Pitta and Hunter Henry round out the top of the value tight ends this week, with reasonable price tags at 5500 and 5400 respectively. Pitta has cooled off from his 9 reception, 102 yard performance against the Browns two weeks ago, but still a focal point in the Baltimore passing offense, facing a Washington secondary that is banged up. Henry has 11 receptions for over 130 yards and a TD over the last two games for the Chargers. He’s filling in nicely for the injured Antonio Gates and we’ve already pointed out that he’s facing the worst passing defense in the league: Oakland. 

Howe

Ertz will be a very chalky play coming back from injury. He's cheap, and the Lions have been utterly gashed by tight ends thus far. He's an ideal cash play.

Knotts

Martellus Bennett is intriguing as he has gone over 100 yards in two of his last three games. With Tom Brady coming back we all know that there is a narrative that Brady is going to be looking to beat up on the Browns this week, and should have no problem doing just that. With Rob Gronkowski dealing with a hamstring injury that just does not seem to be improving, Bennett should see a lot of time here as there is no reason for the Patriots to need Gronkowski in this one and if so he will remain on a snap count.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: KICKERS

Value kickers this week are really based on price. Mason Crosby is coming off a bye week, facing the Giants at home where the Packers are projected to win by 7, scoring over 27 points in the game. Brandon McManus is also at home, and the Broncos are a 5.5 point favorite to beat the Falcons, and are projected to score more than 26 points. Chris Boswell is at home, is a 7 point favorite and the Steelers are projected to score almost 28 points in this game. See a pattern here? Don’t overthink it. All three of these guys can be had for 4700 or less. 

Howe

Crosby hasn't had much fantasy opportunity thus far, but the Packers project to score wildly against the short-week Giants, so I want in. Especially at the minimum salary.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: DEFENSES

Minnesota has a great matchup with the Vegas line and over/under projecting the Texans to score just 17 points in this game (lowest projected total for the week). The Vikings are winning games on the strength of their defense, and they are allowing just 306 total yards a game and have allowed just 50 points against this season.

The Patriots are not nearly as stout on defense as the Vikings this season, but they are facing the Browns in a game where they are heavily favored to win (10.5 points). The Browns are projected to score just 18 points this week, the second lowest to Houston.

Both New England and Minnesota are just 4800, making them solid value. The Steelers are just 100 more, but they are facing the turnover prone Jets, where Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown 9 interceptions over the last two weeks. All three of these defenses can be had for less than 5000, and all should perform well enough to be value picks. 

Good luck this weekend!

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