This is a very easy week is terms of bye weeks for daily fantasy football plays. Players have a almost complete pool of players to pull from.
Here’s some of the best options this week, based on price, matchup and performance.
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Quarterback: Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (OAK) - $7,300
In his first game back after missing four weeks (including a bye), Palmer threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns. It was also Larry Fitzgerald’s best performance of the season by far. Jay Cutler is going for $1,400 more than Palmer, and the point difference will probably not be great enough to be scared away from using Palmer this week. It’s better to spend the money at other positions where there’ll be a greater gap.
Running Back: DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (NYG) - $9,400
Murray is my most expensive player this week, but it’s completely worth it. Dallas is the best rushing team in the league right now with a stellar offensive line, and the Cowboys certainly seem content to consistently feed Murray 25 touches. Murray’s worst fantasy game this season was 16 points, and he is the leading running back in fantasy this season. The next closest guy is Matt Forte, but Murray has still outscored him by 27 total points. He’s certainly worth the money going against a team that has allowed the third most points to running backs this season, per our fantasy against rankings (paid subscription required).
Running Back: Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals (OAK) - $7,100
Ellington has quietly ranked 13th so far this season among running backs in fantasy, while he’s just the 16th most expensive back on FanDuel this week. As a rusher, Ellington hasn’t been great, but he carries a ton of value as a receiver out of the backfield, especially in FanDuel leagues that award one point per reception. Ellington has caught 11 total passes in the games that Palmer has started this season, and he had 112 receiving yards in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos. Guys like Lamar Miller and Zac Stacy are more expensive than Ellington this week, but Ellington will certainly outscore them given his receiving ability.
Wide Receiver: Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers (CAR) - $8,200
Cobb leads all receivers with seven touchdowns this season, and is facing a team that is currently tied for second in receiving touchdowns allowed to receivers (9). The Panthers secondary has struggled this season, and Aaron Rodgers and Cobb will take advantage of that on Sunday. Jordy Nelson is certainly Rodgers’ go-to guy, but Cobb is the bigger threat for a touchdown or two. Nelson is $700 more than Cobb, but I doubt the scoring will be all that different between the two this week.
Wide Receiver: Odell Beckham, New York Giants (DAL) - $6,200
Down at this price range, owners are looking at guys like Michael Floyd, Eddie Royal and Anquan Boldin. Guys who are all No. 2 options on their teams. With Victor Cruz out for the remainder of the season, Beckham is the clear-cut No. 1 option in New York. I believe he’s a more talented receiver than Rueben Randle, and he has six catches in his first two starts in the league. Randle might be more familiar with Eli Manning and might receive more targets for the remainder of the season, but Beckham has the much higher upside to break off a deep play or have a huge game, as opposed to Randle, who has just posted average numbers this season.
Wide Receiver: Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers (KC) - $5,800
I believe that Floyd is the best value at any position this week. For less than $6,000, owners can get a player who is coming off a 100-yard game, who has scored three touchdowns in five games (he missed one game due to injury) and who has scored more points than Keenan Allen on the season, who costs $6,500 this week. Kansas City is allowing 27 points per game to opposing receivers, and Philip Rivers has yet to score under 20 fantasy points in his past three games. Floyd is a great value.
Tight End: Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears (MIA) - $6,000
Despite a one-point game in Week 5, Bennett is still the fourth highest scoring fantasy tight end and has three games of 13 points or more. He’s also had games of eight, nine and seven receptions (again, this is a PPR game). He also has three more points on the year than Rob Gronkowski, who costs $1,500 more than Bennett this week.
Kicker: Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears (MIA) - $4,800
Defense: Cleveland Browns (JAX) - $5,200
Has Cleveland’s defense been bad this year? Yes. But they’re playing the Jaguars this week, which is great news for any defense. Defenses facing Jacksonville have yet to score under 10 points in a game, and even Pittsburgh’s defense, which was cut up by Cleveland’s offense on Sunday, scored 16 points against the Jaguars. Jacksonville’s offensive line is awful, so Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard and Karlos Dansby should all be in for big days, and Blake Bortles is bound to throw an interception or two.