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Week 5 is a week I’m going to have to really reach to find some value. A lot of the players that have been values of late have since been priced up, but I did some deep digging and found a few guys that could end up being great plays for salary relief.
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Quarterback
C.J. Beathard (SF) $6,000 vs. MIA
I’m going to assume that Jimmy Garoppolo misses this game — though there is an outside chance he plays. After Nick Mullens terrible outing in Week 4, Beathard should draw the start with Garoppolo out, and Beathard has some upside in this offense. First off, he has the ability to run, something that gives him a decent floor if he decides to take off a few times in this game. The other thing he has going for him is how this offense is run. There are a lot of short passes to put the ball in hands of their playmakers — George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel — and if one or two of those short passes turn into a big play, it’ll be some cheap yards for Beathard.
Running Back
Damien Harris (NE) $4,500 vs. DEN
Harris’ first game of the season was a good one. He had 17 carries and 100 yards and he was clearly the featured runner in the offense. The Denver defense is tough against the run, ranking ninth in DOVA (Footballoutsiders.com), but volume alone could make Harris a viable cheap option this week. He would also be the preferred red zone option with Cam Newton still out with Covid-19.
Phillip Lindsay (DEN) $4,700 @ NE
On the other side of this Patriots/Broncos matchup is Phillip Lindsay making his return from injury. Lindsay has two back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to his credit and is sure to get plenty of work alongside Melvin Gordon, especially as a pass-catcher. With Brett Rypien expected to start again this week, Lindsay should see a bunch of check-downs as well as some designed plays to get him out in space where he excels.
Wide Receiver
Jeff Smith (NYJ) $4,900 vs. ARI
Breshad Perriman is currently questionable to play and did not practice on Thursday. If Perriman misses this game, Jeff Smith will once again step in to fill his role — something he did quite admirably last week with 7 catches on 9 targets for 81 yards. The Cardinals are ranked 23rd in pass DVOA, and Smith is a 4.4 speed player with big-armed Joe Flacco getting the start. Expect Flacco to take a few shots in this game, and if he can just hit one of them with Smith you’ll be happy you rostered him.
Tight End
Chris Herndon (NYJ) $4,800 vs. ARI
Another Jets player makes the value column this week, and man does it feel dirty, but with Flacco getting the start it puts Herndon back on the value map. It’s well documented how much Flacco likes to throw to his tight ends, so maybe this is finally the Herndon coming out party that we have been expecting for seemingly years.
Defense
New York Giants $3,200 @ DAL
I know, I know, this looks like a terrible pick for a value defense, but hear me out. Outside of the 49ers game in which they had (-2) fantasy points, they actually have not been bad for fantasy. They had four points against the Steelers, nine points against the Bears, and five points against the Rams. Now, I know what you’re thinking, this is the Cowboys and they have a high-powered offense. Yes, they do, but they are also known for giving the ball away. Dak Prescott has three interceptions and three lost fumbles in four games already, and Ezekiel Elliot has lost three fumbles himself.
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