Running Backs for Week 5
The Eagles offensive system is absolutely perfect for LeSean McCoy’s/$15946/PHI skills. Coming off a sub-par game in Denver, I am expecting a return to form against the Giants. The Eagles are not likely to be playing catchup against the Giants as they did against the Broncos, which will allow them to use McCoy in a more varied fashion. No running back has as much big-game potential this week, which is why I recommend sprinkling “Shady” McCoy in your rosters and looking for cap savings elsewhere. Look for two or three big plays with at least one touchdown.
Jamaal Charles/$15217/KCC is a safe but expensive play. I recommend caution here, as the Chiefs are due for a less than stellar performance, which could result in fewer opportunities for Charles than usual. Among other expensive backs, Matt Forte/$14472/CHI and Darren Sproles/$10390/NOS have the pass receiving skills that will be crucial in the expected high scoring Bears-Saints game. Ray Rice/$9264/BAL has been tabbed to get more touches for the Baltimore Ravens this week and is a solid start.
Trent Richardson/$8712/IND is an intriguing mid-price option. With Ahmad Bradshaw/$3818/IND not healthy, Richardson will be asked to carry the load for the Colts. True, he faces a top defensive team, but the strength of the Seattle Seahawks in the secondary and they are somewhat vulnerable to a power running game. The number crunching I’ve done suggests that the freshly minted Colt running back is the top value play at the position..
Among cheaper backs, David Wilson/$7673/NYG will get another chance to be the workhorse back for the Giants, but is no more than fair value. Chris Johnson/$6362/TEN has to rate strong consideration at this discounted price, no matter what defense he is up against. Jacquizz Rodgers/$6004/ATL remains a decent bargain option with breakout potential against the Jets, but he will have to split red-zone snaps with Jason Snelling/$6046/ATL. Finally, the Rams have a trio of unsung backs, Isaiah Pead/$3014/STL, Zac Stacy/(no price)/STL and Benny Cunningham/$3498/STL, any one of whom could be declared the lead man. I aim to follow that developing situation closely in hopes of scooping up a last-minute bargain.
Wide Receivers for Week 5
This week we will see a bumper crop of relatively cheap wide receivers performing at a high level. Injuries always create opportunities, and one such receiver with a chance to cash in is Cowboys rookie Terrance Williams/$5073/DAL. QB Tony Romo/DAL will air out the ball, with 50+ passes being a possibility. In the expected absence of Miles Austin/$4981/DAL (listed as questionable, but not practicing this week), Dez Bryant/$13404/DAL and TE Jason Witten/DAL will get many targets, but so will the new number three receiver, Williams.
A healthy Roddy White/$5137/ATL is a superstar and a price this low would be an absurdity. White has been slowed by a high ankle sprain and is only now recovering some cutting ability. He has yet to catch a touchdown pass this year, but that will change soon. White is simply too good not to have a breakout game it might be this Sunday. At minimum he is a low-risk cap-saving option. Ryan Broyles/$4079/DET and Andre Roberts/$3549/ARZ are two other cheap receivers with significant upside.
Among the elites, Calvin Johnson/$14618/DET has the best combination of value and big game potential. Dez Bryant is a cheaper version of the same, though the Cowboys have better secondary targets and that changes the offensive dynamic in unclear ways. As Brandon Marshall/$13190/CHI draws heavy defensive attention, number two wide out Alshon Jeffery/$6723/CHI will be allowed space to show what he can do. I prefer the cheaper Jordy Nelson/$12558/GBP to Randall Cobb/$13284/GBP and Eric Decker/$10420/DEN to Wes Welker/$13009/DEN and Demaryius Thomas/$13634/DEN.
