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Welcome to week 5 of our FanDuel cash game advice. This is a week where we take advantage of starting Running Backs being hurt, giving his backup a full opportunity for touches. In addition to that, we know what matchups are ones we can take advantage of. A four week sample size, while still not as big as I would like, is a decent enough size to make decisions based off of them.
I will give you a few options at positions, and then at the end say who I am going with for my main cash game lineup. Now let us jump into the picks. Players are listed by position, and then ordered by the ones I like most.
Quarterbacks:
Brian Hoyer ($6,000) - Does FanDuel have a personal vendetta against Brian Hoyer? That seems to be the only reason I can think of based on his last two games. Hoyer has gone out and put up 300+ yards and 2 TD’s in each of his two starts this year. To make it even better, he is facing a terrible Colts defense to try and make this three straight games of 300+ yards and 2 TD’s. Plug him in and enjoy the savings to use at the other positions.
Philip Rivers ($8,300) - I don’t see any reason as to why you wouldn’t want to use Hoyer, but just encase you don’t, Rivers is a decent alternative. Even with a depleted receiving corps, Rivers has gone out and done nothing but produce. The Chargers offense doesn’t seem to stop moving, and since the defense has the same philosophy, they are in high scoring games. Between Hoyer and Rivers it isn’t even close for me, but hey sometimes you need an alternative option.
Running Backs:
Melvin Gordon ($7,700) - A top back who has been consistent this year is Melvin Gordon. Week 3 was his worst week, and he still put up 15.8 points, which is good enough to provide value. Gordon has scored a TD in each game, and now he is going up against the Oakland Raiders, a team that has allowed everyone but the pitiful Jaguars RB’s to score on them.
Jordan Howard ($7,200) - Another guy who was great last week, and has a great matchup this week. As I said with Hoyer, the Colts defense is awful. Putting both the QB and RB of a team in cash games is not something I prefer to do, but when both guys are in great matchups and severely underpriced, you just have to take advantage.
Terrance West ($6,400) - The Washington defense hasn’t stopped any Running Back this year. They have allowed a total of 7 TD’s, with at least one in each game. While I don’t like West from a skills standpoint, this price point and matchup is almost too good to pass on if you need a little bit of salary relief from either of the top two guys.
DeAndre Washington ($4,700) - This has the potential to be the chalk pick of the weekend. I am slightly hesitant at the moment though, as we don’t have word yet as to how the touches out of the backfield will play out. If word comes out of Oakland that Washington will be the lead back on Sunday, you need to get this guy in all of your cash game lineups.
Wide Receivers:
Antonio Brown ($9,600) - He is always the top option in cash games at receiver, it just comes down to a question of whether you can fit his salary in or not. Even at this increased price he is still a great play.
Julian Edelman ($7,000) - Welcome back Tom Brady! The suspension is finally over, and now we will be seeing the Patriots of old again. In the 11 games (this includes the playoffs) that Edelman played with Brady last season he averaged 7.1 receptions, 77 yards, and had 7 TD’s over that span. That is good enough for averaging just over 15 FanDuel points per game. He is the guy with the highest floor after Brown each and every week, and at this price point he is just too undervalued.
Brandon Marshall ($7,600) - I think it is safe to say that Brandon Marshall is fully healthy again. Each week Marshall has increased his targets, with 12 coming last week. While he only converted 4 of those into receptions, he did score a TD. This week against a Steelers defense that is weak in the secondary, expect to see a lot more of those targets turn into receptions, with a score coming as well.
Robert Woods ($5,300) - With Sammy Watkins out, Woods has been getting the most looks out of the Bills receievers. Over the last two weeks Woods has 18 targets, and he has converted 13 of those into receptions. While Woods lacks the speed and threat of catching the ball deep, he is a nice intermediate option for Tyrod Taylor. At this price point all Woods needs to do is get 7 receptions for 75 yards to provide value.
Tight Ends:
Kyle Rudolph ($5,500) - Since Sam Bradford took over as the starting QB, Rudolph has scored a TD in each game. With that TD Rudolph has averaged 5 receptions in each game. Rudolph has never been a high yardage TE, but then again who is at this price point? When you can put someone down for 5 receptions, 50 yards and a TD, you take those numbers and use it.
Hunter Henry ($5,400) - If it sounds like Antonio Gates is going to sit, or be very limited on Sunday, Henry enters cash game territory. Rivers has been looking for Henry in more than just the redzone. As he keeps getting familiar with Rivers and the Chargers offense, his production will continue to rise. In a great matchup against the Raiders, you can’t go wrong.
Kicker:
Mason Crosby ($4,500) - He is minimum priced and on a good offense. Oh and the Giants have allowed the second most field goal attempts so far this year.
Defense:
Minnesota Vikings ($4,800) - The Texans offense has not been as good as advertised so far this season. Brock Osweiler has been turning the ball over every game, and against a team that capitalizes on turnovers like the Vikings, this is easily the top play.
My Cash Game Lineup:
QB: Brian Hoyer
RB: Melvin Gordon
RB: Jordan Howard
WR: Antonio Brown
WR: Brandon Marshall
WR: Julian Edelman
TE: Kyle Rudolph
Kicker: Mason Crosby
D/ST: Minnesota Vikings