FanDuel Four: Week Five

Another wonderful week and we’re back with another FanDuel Four packed full of excellent insight from our four resident daily experts Chris Heil, Nick Whalen, TheFFGhost and George Kritikos. Sometimes the FanDuel Four will agree, other times they will have points they disagree upon. However, all the time it is informative and good-natured. Kicking it off, let’s see who the guys think will be the high scorers for the week.

Highest scorers

Ghost: “So this week I see we have some familiar names returning to the list, namely two Patriots fresh off a bye as well as two Chiefs who make their first appearances. The first of those two New England players is none other than Tom Brady. Nick, to kick it off, is Chris off base going with Brady after a bye week?”

Nick: “No, I think he’s on point. This is the most obvious choice for top scoring QB this week. Coming off a bye week, they will be prepared and I can see the Patriots scoring a lot of points.”

Ghost: “You know, while I think Brady will definitely be near the top I think he will just miss out on the top spot. Call me crazy or a lunatic but I think we could see either Tyrod Taylor really make a statement this week or Philip Rivers come out guns blazing to capture that spot this week.”

George: “I think you’re off base Ghost. Teams have been hesitant to run against Dallas and New England will likely be pass-heavy as well. Tom averages over two pass touchdowns against the Cowboys and had the bye week to prepare. I agree with Chris, he is the flag bearer in week five for quarterbacks.”

Ghost: “So the glory is all mine this week if he misses the mark guys! So moving on to running back, Chris, Jamaal Charles, stud or dud this weekend?”

Chris: “I think this is as safe as it gets, if that’s even possible in fantasy. There is only one running who may outscore Charles and that’s Le’Veon Bell and he just handles that ball a lot more.”

Ghost: “I agree with Chris, I think Charles just gets edged out by Bell who faces a pretty suspect rush defense with the Chargers. Until Big Ben (Roethlisberger) returns I think the offensive load will be squarely on his shoulders and he’s a lock to be a top three back over that span.”

George: “I agree with Nick, Charles is tops on my list as well. The bad Bears defense is a theme I am not enjoying as a fan, but take advantage of in DFS. This game could get out of hand early, leaving Charles with plenty of work.”

Ghost; “So with my pick for top scorer for the week I’m going to throw a little bit of a curveball. I think Jeremy Maclin will be king among wide receivers this week. With names like Julio Jones, Antonio Gates and Demaryius Thomas have I officially lost my mind Nick?”

Nick: “It’s totally possible Ghost. That you’ve lost your mind that is! I would pump the brakes on the Bears pass defense being bad. They’ve picked it up the last few weeks and played well against Amari Cooper, specifically Tracy Porter. Jeremy Maclin should have a solid game, but will not be the highest scorer.”

Chris: “Sorry Nick, I love this match up. Maclin with Alex Smith stacks are going to be a beautiful thing. The catches and yards will be there. The only concern is touchdowns.”

George: “I’m with Ghost and Chris, Maclin is a guy I am in on as well. The Bears secondary cannot cover and Smith has been on a roll the last two games. Forget the narrative around Smith failing to find his wide receivers. He is locked in on Maclin”

Ghost: “So the easiest job in fantasy is still George’s selection in this column. Pretty sure he made his only change last week when Rob Gronkowski was on a bye. Last week Chris you stated you missed Gronk, now that he’s back how do you feel about him potentially leading all tight ends in scoring this week?”

Chris: “Well, there is Gronk and then there are other tight ends. There are some really cheap plays this week. That being said it shouldn’t be hard to fit Gronk into any line ups and you should feel good about doing so.”

Ghost: “I’m going to be contrarian for this whole first section and go out on a limb to state that Gronkowski won’t be the top scorer this week for tight ends. Neither will Jimmy Graham, Travis Kelce or Greg Olsen. No, I think it’s going to be Charles Clay’s turn to shine. I said earlier I think Tyrod could build on his nice game last week, so too could Clay.”

Nick:“I gotta disagree Ghost. Quietly Kelce and Tyler Eifert have had some down weeks, making Gronk an even more obvious top choice.”

Ghost: “Fair enough, I guess I’m having a bit of an outsider approach this week. Let’s see how it works out for me. Let’s jump on over to the value plays”

Value Plays

Ghost: “So, I find this part the most interesting. Sure high scoring is usually where we play it safe and lowest scoring is an excuse to burn a player every week, but value plays just feel like the meat of the discussion. Where can we get more bang for our buck? Kicking us off Chris has Phillip Rivers, a player I mentioned as a possible high scorer this week, as his choice. George, what’s your take on this call?”

[inlinead]George: “Chris knows what is up. A bad Pittsburgh secondary should let him carve them up, especially with a returning Antonio Gates. The only concern is if Pittsburgh can keep up at all. Otherwise, this game becomes conservative and those counting stats look less impressive.”

Ghost: “You can tell I’m obviously a fan of this call but if we are talking strictly value, not potential points, I’m going to go with Blake Bortles against a Tampa Bay defense which just doesn’t scare anyone. Plus, I think he will need to bounce back after his missed opportunity for a big game last week. I really like the possibility here.”

Nick: “As George said, Chris is right on point here. Rivers rebounded well last week to carve up Cleveland’s secondary. The good news is Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield is worse and it could be a high scoring affair with Martavis Bryant back.”

Ghost: “So Nick really liked the look of my team’s new sports car in Todd Gurley last week. So much so he thinks that his value is best of class this week. Chris, your thoughts?”

Chris: “The hype train is here! You can enjoy Gurley in your cash line ups. He will be very highly owned in GPP. I would rather roll out Boobie Dixon or Dion Lewis though.”

Ghost: “As much as I hope Chris is right I’m going to continue my rebellious streak with Alfred Morris. I think he could see a healthy amount of work in an effort to slow the game down for Washington. There is no way Washington wants, or is prepared for, a shootout so in an effort to control the tempo expect a healthy dose of rushing the ball. As such Morris could easily top three times value and approach a great game at four times value.”

George: “The price is great and the matchup is solid. Chris has a good point that he will be highly owned. That may not matter as he could be an RB1 level scorer this week at RB2 pricing.”

Ghost: “So Travis Benjamin has really emerged as an incredible value this season. Nick, I’m I going to get the kind of value I’m hoping for this week out of Benjamin?”

Nick: “Yeah I think you still can get a lot of value out of him. People keep doubting him, but he’s their #1 guy and gets a lot of targets. He’s worth the investment and makes plays, no matter who’s at QB.”

George: “Benjamin has begun to trade deep balls for targets. I like that and McCown could be the more consistent option for him. Interested to see how he fares against Jimmy Smith, though A.J. Green did just fine.”

Chris: “I’m going to disagree here. Sure, there is a value here, but I’m not sure I really want that type of risk. The quarterback play has been questionable and can you really rely on long plays where he out runs defenses. I like Willie Snead as value this week.”

Ghost: “Let’s come back to Chris again, if you don’t like my Benjamin pick, how about George’s pick of Tim Wright as the best tight end value?”

Chris: “Well, I understand the play and the value is there. This is strictly a GPP play and I’m not flooding it in line ups. This is a lot of risk and hopefully a nice reward.”

Ghost: “What’s sad is Vernon Davis would have been my value play here but he is going to miss his best matchup in recent memory. Instead I’ll roll with Jared Cook as a player with a lot of upside due to the likelihood the Rams fall behind coupled with the fact that Green Bay just isn’t all that great at defending against tight ends. As for Wright, that risk is way too rich for my blood.”

Nick: “Honestly, I like this angle with Eric Ebron out. He’s a cheap option if you really need to go with value at tight end. I wouldn’t use Wright unless you’re expensive everywhere else though.”

Must avoid

Ghost: “So no one was able to convince the entire panel about their value plays. Maybe we can agree to trash a few guys across the board though. Chris kicks us off with Andy Dalton as a player to avoid this week. George, how do you feel about this call?”

George: “The Red Rifle faces a Seattle secondary who has looked fearsome since the return of Kam Chancellor. This seems like a very risky matchup and could easily devolve into a game of ball control and limiting mistakes. Not ideal.”

Ghost: “I’m going to disagree. I think Dalton could actually be a decent value this week. The Seattle factor is already priced in, his upside isn’t. He suddenly has a ton of weapons since his all offense is healthy. In terms of an avoid play, call me crazy but I’m going to avoid Aaron Rodgers against a Rams defense who is surprising a lot of folks.”

Nick: “Dalton has been red hot to start the season and he’s bound to have an off game. They also just happen to play one of the best secondaries and defenses in the NFL. I would avoid Dalton as well.”

Ghost: “OK, moving on, Nick has Carlos Hyde pegged as a player to avoid this week. How about you, Chris?”

Chris: “Do you really want to play anyone in this offense? I’d rather not, especially a running back. The 49ers should continue being down often and early. Hyde won’t be the focus for any comeback.”

Ghost: “I’ve dissented throughout the piece thus far, why stop now. Do I think Hyde is a great value? Not by any means, but he isn’t the worst value either. I’d avoid some top names like Eddie Lacy, Jeremy Hill and Joseph Randle even more vigorously.”

George: “I don’t like Hyde. I don’t like this matchup. I don’t like the idea that this game will be televised.”

Ghost: “So here’s your chance to disagree with me. I chose Mike Evans as a player to avoid. Want to give me some of my own medicine Nick?”

Nick: “Sure! I like Evans a lot and wouldn’t avoid him. Two weeks ago he had over 100 yards, he faced Josh Norman last week. Now he goes against Jacksonville and they rank 24th in passing yards allowed.”

George: “Nick, Evans is talented, that isn’t in question. What is in question is a turnover prone, inaccurate quarterback who is difficult to predict. I’m with Ghost, I am avoiding Evans for the time being.”

Chris: “George hit the nail on the head. This is a great choice for a player to avoid. I can see Winston having some flashes this game. This doesn’t mean I would play him, I can see him leaning on Vincent Jackson for production.”

Ghost: “Closing us out for the week George thinks Jimmy Graham may have a bigger name than his production against the Bengals. Do you agree Nick?”

Nick: “Yeah I think he’s right. Graham has played better than Kelce and Eifert the last two weeks. However, his price is just too high to gamble with his inconsistency.”

Chris: “Serious question, will he be priced as the number two tight end all year? I will continue to fade until his price is lowered.”

Ghost: “Good question Chris. I’m a bit surprised his price has stayed as high as it has this season. I’m going to finally agree with a call and back George’s call to avoid Graham this week. As Nick said, the gamble just isn’t worth it honestly.”

Thanks to the FanDuel Four for another well rounded conversation filled with excellent information and opinions. To our readers if you haven’t been playing in the FanDuel sponsored, DLF Football Championship you’re missing out. Remedy that by clicking here.

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