Week four was an oddity. Usually, a player wants to fill their lineup with stud receivers and find value at the running back position. However, that was not the case last Sunday. To fit in monsters like Alvin Kamara and Ezekiel Elliott, you had to play multiple value receivers like Sterling Shepard and Tyler Boyd. With the change in pricing and less obvious value plays, it’s critical we identify wide receivers to avoid in week five.
Davante Adams: $8,000
DET Pass Yards Allowed/Game: 172 Individual Matchup: Nevin Lawson
As the receiver position is arguably the most dependent one in fantasy football, it’s usually not a player’s fault when they appear on this list. When it comes to cash games, I want as little risk as possible at every position. First, his health is in question. Adams was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a calf injury. While that’s not the worst thing in the world, it’s the first strike against him. Second, his quarterback is clearly not right. Aaron Rodgers at 60% health is pretty damn good, but it’s not good enough for his number one option to crack my cash game lineup. Without a mobile Rodgers, Adams doesn’t get the off-script play-making opportunities that increase his value.
Third, high volume passing is not the way to beat the Lions. Detroit is one of the worst defenses against the run. Currently, the Lions are surrendering 157.8 rushing yards per game. That’s dead last in the NFL and the next worst unit 16.5 yards per game better. And fourth, his running mates Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison are nursing significant injuries of their own. That can lead to an increase in targets for Adams, but it can also lead to increased attention given to him by the defense. And as always, there are better options in his price range that don’t have as many questions.
Robert Woods: $7,200
SEA Pass Yards Allowed/Game: 204 Individual Matchup: Shaquill Griffin
Are you kidding me? Robert Woods should not under any circumstances be priced more than $7,000. Sure, the FanDuel price algorithm cost plenty of money and made by smarter people than, but contextually it doesn’t make sense.
Let’s start with the most expensive Rams receiver, Brandin Cooks. Cooks has had zero games in which he’s had less than 87 receiving yards. Woods has two games with less than 87 yards. Cooks has caught seven passes in three of his first for games, while Woods only has one game with seven catches or more. And finally, Cooks doesn’t depend on touchdowns for production. In terms of total FanDuel points, Cooks is outpacing Woods while Woods has three touchdowns to Cooks’ one.
As if that wasn’t enough, now let’s look at the least expensive Rams receiver, Cooper Kupp. For a $500 discount, you get the Rams leading receiver in terms of FanDuel scoring. You also get their number one red zone receiver. Kupp is third in red zone targets with 14 behind JuJu Smith-Schuster and Michael Thomas. And with four touchdowns, he leads the Rams in receiving scores. If you want exposure to the Rams outside of Todd Gurley, avoid Robert Woods and either spend up with Cooks or take a discount with Kupp.
Sterling Shepard
CAR Pass Yards Allowed/Game: 247 Individual Matchup: Captain Munnerlyn
Fading a mid to low-priced receiver the week after he has a great game is a strategy I often deploy with success. But, that blew up in my face last Sunday with Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, and Sterling Shepard all producing at a high level. While Shepard’s matchup isn’t a negative and he’s been getting consistent targets, I’ll be passing again this week. The Carolina front seven is going to dominate the Giants’ offensive line this Sunday. If I’m getting any exposure to this game, it’ll be with Saquon Barkley given his sub $8,000 price and the fact that he’s averaging more targets per game than Shepard. There are also better options in his price range like the aforementioned Tyler Boyd as well as Kenny Golladay who are both $6,300.
Featured Image Courtesy of USA Today
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