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It’s time for another TGIF addition of Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains. I made good on two of my five picks (Steve Smith Sr. and Zach Miller) last week. Let’s try to improve on that heading into Week 5.
To review… all of these players are owned in less than sixty percent of Yahoo leagues (at time of writing) and/or are a significant value in our daily game. They’re not the obvious picks, and they’re not without their risks, but that’s why they’re so cheap and available! I’d never advocate taking all of these guys, but rather utilizing them if a manager were in a pinch at a position or aiming to build a “stars and scrubs” sort of DFS lineup.
[Play our $175K Baller | Free Yahoo Cup entry | Tips for your Daily lineup]
DeAndre Washington, RB, Oakland Raiders ($10)
Despite scoring TDs in three straight contests, Latavius Murray’s snaps decreased over that same length of time. Washington’s, on the other hand, grew with each passing outing, from a low of 11 percent to a high of 28 percent. Touching the ball eight times in Week 4, Washington’s YPC (6.0) bested Murray’s (2.4). Additionally, he was more involved in the passing game, catching one more ball than Murray.
Amidst news that Murray may not suit up due to a toe injury this Sunday, Washington figures to emerge as the Raiders’ featured back. He’ll share carries with fellow rookie Jalen Richard, but given his superior pedigree, athletic profile, and pass-catching ability, the Texas Tech product is likely to exist as the team’s 1a option. Touching the ball a projected 10-14 times and facing a Chargers defense that’s given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs, Washington is a top-25 play in Week 5.
[Week 5 rankings: Overall |*FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]
Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants ($19)
Despite scoring in Week 1 and racking up over 90 yards in Week 2, Cruz has contributed more to the Giants than he has to fantasy owners. However, that doesn’t mean that savvy managers can’t utilize the veteran WR when the circumstances lean heavily in his favor. In a week in which four teams (Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, and Seattle) are on bye, Cruz’s situation is favorable… and his stock is up.
Coming off his highest target total of the season (9), Cruz proved healthy and reliable in key situation last Monday evening. This Sunday he’ll travel to Green Bay where all eyes, DFS lineups, and defensive attention will be on Odell Beckham. Cruz, on the other hand, figures to fly under the radar and draw the softest coverage. He can be moved all over the field and work as a safety value for Eli Manning, who will be without check down options Shane Vereen and Larry Donnell. If ever there was a time to flex the vet, it is now.
Will Victor Cruz salsa his way into the end zone in Week 5? (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) [Sign up for Yahoo Fantasy Basketball | Mock Draft | The Vertical | Latest news]
Chris Hogan, WR, New England Patriots ($12)
Hogan’s targets have not been plentiful, but both of the Patriots’ substitute QBs have been limited deep passers. Averaging a team high 16.6 yards per aimed throw (aDOT), Hogan is the team’s best prototypical outside receiver. With (an angry) Tom Brady returning in Week 5, Hogan figures to get fed.
With Julian Edelman fighting through a foot issue and likely to draw CB Joe Haden, Hogan’s chances of the finding the end zone are high. Brady’s favorites (in addition to the aforementioned Edelman) are hobbled. Even Gronk’s hammy makes the former lacrosse standout a fantasy find. Hogan’s a bit of a Hail Mary, but the circumstances have never weighed more heavily in his favor. Available in over 75 percent of Yahoo leagues and at only $12 in our daily game, now is the time to take a chance on what could be this year’s Brandon LaFell.
[Sign up to play Yahoo Fantasy Hockey for free | Mock Draft | Latest news]
Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears ($10)
It’s the law of attrition, baby. Having subbed in for Kevin White in Week 3, Meredith proved he could use his 6-foot-3 and 207 pound frame to box out defenders and caught 4 of 5 balls for 28 yards. An UDFA in his second year, Meredith makes sashimi look well done, but his leaping ability and expansive catch radius make him an intriguing talent.
With White shelved for the remainder of the season, Alshon Jeffery nursing constant soft tissue issues, and Eddie Royal missing practice with a calf injury, Meredith is the next man up. His matchup against a Colts defense that’s given up an average of nearly 285 receiving yards per contest (the 10[SUP]th[/SUP] most in the league), is friendlier than Jay Cutler’s PR rep. This former QB turned WR out of Illinois State is about to become a hometown hero (for at least one week).
[Play our $175K Baller | Free Yahoo Cup entry | Tips for your Daily lineup]
Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($14)
Throughout the summer Dirk Koetter praised Brate, hinting that Austin Seferian-Jenkins was dispensable. Many assumed that was coach speak, attempting to motivate ASJ. Regardless, since the cantankerous TE’s departure from the team, Brate has amassed 18 targets.
Catching five balls in back-to-back outings, the Harvard alum has produced TE1 numbers two weeks in a row. Second in looks to Mike Evans, Brate has obvious chemistry with Jameis Winston. Facing a Panthers squad that’s been surprisingly generous to the position – allowing 4 TDs and the fourth most fantasy points to opposing TEs – Brate projects to put up top-ten fantasy stats on Monday night.
Follow Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF.
To review… all of these players are owned in less than sixty percent of Yahoo leagues (at time of writing) and/or are a significant value in our daily game. They’re not the obvious picks, and they’re not without their risks, but that’s why they’re so cheap and available! I’d never advocate taking all of these guys, but rather utilizing them if a manager were in a pinch at a position or aiming to build a “stars and scrubs” sort of DFS lineup.
[Play our $175K Baller | Free Yahoo Cup entry | Tips for your Daily lineup]
DeAndre Washington, RB, Oakland Raiders ($10)
Despite scoring TDs in three straight contests, Latavius Murray’s snaps decreased over that same length of time. Washington’s, on the other hand, grew with each passing outing, from a low of 11 percent to a high of 28 percent. Touching the ball eight times in Week 4, Washington’s YPC (6.0) bested Murray’s (2.4). Additionally, he was more involved in the passing game, catching one more ball than Murray.
Amidst news that Murray may not suit up due to a toe injury this Sunday, Washington figures to emerge as the Raiders’ featured back. He’ll share carries with fellow rookie Jalen Richard, but given his superior pedigree, athletic profile, and pass-catching ability, the Texas Tech product is likely to exist as the team’s 1a option. Touching the ball a projected 10-14 times and facing a Chargers defense that’s given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs, Washington is a top-25 play in Week 5.
[Week 5 rankings: Overall |*FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]
Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants ($19)
Despite scoring in Week 1 and racking up over 90 yards in Week 2, Cruz has contributed more to the Giants than he has to fantasy owners. However, that doesn’t mean that savvy managers can’t utilize the veteran WR when the circumstances lean heavily in his favor. In a week in which four teams (Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, and Seattle) are on bye, Cruz’s situation is favorable… and his stock is up.
Coming off his highest target total of the season (9), Cruz proved healthy and reliable in key situation last Monday evening. This Sunday he’ll travel to Green Bay where all eyes, DFS lineups, and defensive attention will be on Odell Beckham. Cruz, on the other hand, figures to fly under the radar and draw the softest coverage. He can be moved all over the field and work as a safety value for Eli Manning, who will be without check down options Shane Vereen and Larry Donnell. If ever there was a time to flex the vet, it is now.
Chris Hogan, WR, New England Patriots ($12)
Hogan’s targets have not been plentiful, but both of the Patriots’ substitute QBs have been limited deep passers. Averaging a team high 16.6 yards per aimed throw (aDOT), Hogan is the team’s best prototypical outside receiver. With (an angry) Tom Brady returning in Week 5, Hogan figures to get fed.
With Julian Edelman fighting through a foot issue and likely to draw CB Joe Haden, Hogan’s chances of the finding the end zone are high. Brady’s favorites (in addition to the aforementioned Edelman) are hobbled. Even Gronk’s hammy makes the former lacrosse standout a fantasy find. Hogan’s a bit of a Hail Mary, but the circumstances have never weighed more heavily in his favor. Available in over 75 percent of Yahoo leagues and at only $12 in our daily game, now is the time to take a chance on what could be this year’s Brandon LaFell.
[Sign up to play Yahoo Fantasy Hockey for free | Mock Draft | Latest news]
Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears ($10)
It’s the law of attrition, baby. Having subbed in for Kevin White in Week 3, Meredith proved he could use his 6-foot-3 and 207 pound frame to box out defenders and caught 4 of 5 balls for 28 yards. An UDFA in his second year, Meredith makes sashimi look well done, but his leaping ability and expansive catch radius make him an intriguing talent.
With White shelved for the remainder of the season, Alshon Jeffery nursing constant soft tissue issues, and Eddie Royal missing practice with a calf injury, Meredith is the next man up. His matchup against a Colts defense that’s given up an average of nearly 285 receiving yards per contest (the 10[SUP]th[/SUP] most in the league), is friendlier than Jay Cutler’s PR rep. This former QB turned WR out of Illinois State is about to become a hometown hero (for at least one week).
[Play our $175K Baller | Free Yahoo Cup entry | Tips for your Daily lineup]
Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($14)
Throughout the summer Dirk Koetter praised Brate, hinting that Austin Seferian-Jenkins was dispensable. Many assumed that was coach speak, attempting to motivate ASJ. Regardless, since the cantankerous TE’s departure from the team, Brate has amassed 18 targets.
Catching five balls in back-to-back outings, the Harvard alum has produced TE1 numbers two weeks in a row. Second in looks to Mike Evans, Brate has obvious chemistry with Jameis Winston. Facing a Panthers squad that’s been surprisingly generous to the position – allowing 4 TDs and the fourth most fantasy points to opposing TEs – Brate projects to put up top-ten fantasy stats on Monday night.
Follow Liz on Twitter @LizLoza_FF.