DFS NFL WR Coach: Week 5

Once again, some great plays scattered among the different pricing tiers. Over the last two weeks, the running back position has grabbed much of the focus and attention. This week, the receivers break out once gain. Here’s a look at the data and DFS recommendations for NFL Week 5:

High-Priced Talent

Antonio Brown, PIT – Hmmm. Let’s see. The Jets pass defense ranks 31^st in the league. They give up over 300 receiving yards per game, an average of 13.5 yards per catch and have allowed eight touchdowns through the air this year. Now add that to Brown’s talent level and do the math.

A.J. Green, CIN – Dallas ranks 24^th against the pass and Orlando Scandrick is still banged-up. Green is coming off a fantastic week and should find his way into the end zone against a team that has given up seven passing touchdowns on the year and allows roughly 270 receiving yards per game.

Odell Beckham, NYG – Ownership percentages are going to be down because, well, everyone seems to hate this guy. Neither his hair-cut nor his attitude help, but the Packers present a good match-up as the rank 31^st in the league against opposing No. 1 WR and are allowing an average of 155.6 yards per game to the position.

Jordy Nelson, GB – The Giants rebuilt defense has played relatively well, but they get almost no pass rush going and still rank just 23^rd against the pass. That’s going to make things very easy for Aaron Rodgers and Nelson to hook up in what could end up a shootout.

Mike Evans, TB – Not only does he kill it just on volume alone, but we could be looking at late-game garbage-time points against a team that ranks 25^th against WR1 and allows an average of 106.2 yards per game to that position.

Pricey but Affordable

Kelvin Benjamin, CAR – The Bucs pass defense ranks 27^th in the league and they’ve allowed nine touchdowns to wide receivers this year. That plus they give up almost 270 yards per game through the air.

Larry Fitzgerald, ARI – New QB Drew Stanton should lean heavily on the veteran Thursday against the 49ers who rank 32^nd in the league against WR1 and have coughed up almost 100 yards per game to them this year.

Amari Cooper, OAK – Should be a shootout with the Chargers here and while Michael Crabtree is getting the attention because of last week’s three-touchdown game, Cooper should be the one to shine here. San Diego ranks 28^th in the league against opposing top wideouts and have allowed a total of 307.5 receiving yards per game this season.

Jordan Matthews, PHI – I’m having trouble believing all the Carson Wentz hype and this match-up with Detroit should only enhance the hyperbole. But Matthews deserves a look here as the Lions rank dead last against the pass, have allowed 12 touchdowns through the air this year and rank 22^nd in the league against opposing top wideouts.

Julian Edelman, NE – I mean…Brady’s back. Do I need to add anything else? OK, fine. They face Cleveland. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Solid Value

Sterling Shepard, NYG – Should continue to see decent volume and the Packers should turn much of their focus towards OBJ. The Packers rank 31^st against both outside receivers, so as long as they don’t leave him in the slot all day, he should find his way into the end zone.

DeSean Jackson, WAS – The Ravens may rank ninth against the pass, but they rank 27^th in the league against WR1. Jimmy Smith won’t be shadowing him and the Ravens will also be focusing heavily on Jordan Reed.

Travis Benjamin, SD – The Raiders rank 28^th in the league against the pass and 26^th against opposing top wideouts. They’re allowing an average of almost 92 yards per game to the position and are allowing an average of 328.9 receiving yards per game.

Steve Smith, BAL – Save for Josh Norman, the Redskins secondary is atrocious and Norman is going to have his hands full watching Mike Wallace as well. The Skins rank 23^rd against opposing WR1 and are allowing an average of 104 yards per game to the position.

Quincy Enunwa, NYJ – The Steelers pass defense ranks 17^th in the league, but they rank 25^th against opposing WR2. While they stress about where Brandon Marshall is, Enunwa should find himself in a lot of one-on-one coverage. And if he doesn’t find the end zone, his target volume should help make up for it.

Bargain Basement

Eddie Royal, CHI – They’re looking to increase Alshon Jeffery’s workload, but lost Kevin White. That should add some targets to Royal’s total even though Cameron Meredith (a deep GPP sleeper himself) should see some looks. The Colts’ 29^th ranked pass defense is also very vulnerable to slot receivers.

Davante Adams, GB – The Giants rank 29^th against opposing WR2 and so long as Adams doesn’t drop the ball a dozen times, Rodgers should keep feeding him the ball downfield.

Tajae Sharpe, TEN – Going back to this well one last time. In truth, the problem is on Marcus Mariota’s end, but that doesn’t matter in a DFS game. You don’t get a mulligan because the QB blows. Miami’s pass defense ranks 20^th in the league and they rank 29^th against opposing WR1, allowing an average of 117.1 yards to the position. If it doesn’t happen this week, then never again.

Sammie Coates, PIT – After Antonio Brown twerks himself out of the game, Coates will be the guy to help pick apart the Jets’ secondary. And if Brown doesn’t get tossed for taunting, well, he’s going to draw the coverage his way. Coates will expose the fact that the Jets rank 30^th in the league against WR2s.

Robert Woods, BUF – A volume play here as Tyrod Taylor literally has no one else to throw to. The Rams pass defense is solid but they’re allowing almost 100 yards per game to receivers coming out of the slot which is really Woods’ specialty.