A month into the 2021 NFL season and there have been some surprising stars, as well as disappointing ‘old reliables’ so far. Through all of these diverse performances, where can value be found amongst some of the lesser, sought-after fantasy football players? Here’s a rundown of the key players in the top four offensive skill positions that will play above their value in fantasy football in Week 5.
Best Fantasy Football Week 5 Value Players
Quarterback: Daniel Jones, New York Giants
If you had Daniel Jones as the QB8 in fantasy football through the first month of the season, raise your hand. *Crickets chirping*. Averaging a staggering 23.5 fantasy points per game so far this season, the New York Giants signal caller is ahead of the likes of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott, to name a few. What’s changed in “Danny Dimes’” game and is it sustainable?
The short answer is: for now, at least. The mostly underproducing Jones of old has really come into his own in his ‘do-or-die’ year with the Giants. Not only has his steady line of 1184 passing yards, four scores and one lone interception been a refreshing look through the air, but his league-leading rushing average of 7 yards per carry (of all players with 25 or more carries on the season) adds that extra element all fantasy managers love.
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In a matchup where the Giants are bound to be playing from behind this week versus the high-flying offense of the Dallas Cowboys, expect Jones to have another top-ten performance at the quarterback position. Even with the risk of another game without some of his top pass-catchers, Jones’ game through the air and with his legs will provide both a high floor and ceiling this week as a locked-in QB1.
Daniel Jones had 9 completions on throws 10+ yards downfield in Week 4
Most among all QBs 🚀 pic.twitter.com/reqDrdoXEc
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 4, 2021
Other Value Quarterbacks for Week 5: Sam Darnold, Trey Lance, Mac Jones
Running Back: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
One of the biggest ‘sell-high’ candidates of the season is also arguably the most ‘feel-good’ story of 2021 so far. The 30-year old journeyman, swiss army knife Cordarrelle Patterson has made his presence felt on a struggling Atlanta Falcons offense, checking in at RB3 on the season through four weeks. Fantasy managers who were lucky enough to pick him up off of waivers earlier in the year have reaped the benefits of Patterson’s value. While some may be looking to trade away Atlanta’s running back/wide receiver hybrid at his highest price, they may be regretting it with the enticing matchup against the New York Jets this week in London.
Make no mistake: Patterson’s production is not likely sustainable at the rate that it has been throughout the first few weeks of the season. With playing just over a third of Atlanta’s snaps, and scoring five touchdowns in four games, there will be some regression in the scoring department for the second-string running back on the team. On the flip side of that though, with those limited snaps, Patterson is producing at an astounding rate. Commanding a team target share of 13.8 percent, leading all running backs in the league with 235 receiving yards, and having at least five catches and 58 yards receiving in his past three games, Patterson can continued to be counted on as a solid RB2 (at worst) in PPR formats. Not to mention, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage have been ruled out already this week. It’s tough to not expect Patterson’s stock to stay sky-high for at least one more week as he looks to be a bright spot – and produce fantasy points in a variety of ways – for a team struggling to find offensive options.
Arthur Smith featuring Cordarrelle Patterson because he's on his fantasy football squad is the sort of 2021 content that I'm absolutely here forpic.twitter.com/6YN2KJjiC5
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 7, 2021
Other Value Running Backs for Week 5: Damien Harris, Damien Williams, James Conner
Wide Receiver: Marvin Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
There’s not a lot to be excited for as a Jacksonville Jaguars fan these days. Sure, the fanbase may have their franchise quarterback of the future, but dating back to Week 2 of last season, the Jaguars have lost 19 straight games. Yikes. But on the fantasy front, there is much life for an offense that is behind in games regularly.
Marvin Jones has consistently been underrated in his career. Many will forget that he finished as WR17 just last year as a Detroit Lion after hauling in nine touchdown grabs and falling just a few receiving yards shy of 1000 on the season. He has seemingly continued his quiet consistent success with Trevor Lawrence and company in Jacksonville as well. Through his first three games of the 2021 season, Jones finished with no less than five receptions, 55 yards receiving, and amassed two touchdowns. His target share of 22.8 percent has been tops on the team, and minus a poor showing last week, he has been Lawrence’s clear favorite pass-catching option. With teammate D.J. Chark being placed on IR earlier this week, and a matchup against a Tennessee Titans defense who is ranked in the bottom third in passing yards allowed per game, Jones is a great value as a WR2/high-end FLEX play this week.
The Titans pass defense vs 20+ Yard throws this year.
20 Targets
12 Receptions
481 Yards (Worst in NFL)No D.J. Chark.
Marvin Jones leading the team on 20-yard Targets, but Viska had an aDOT of 13.4 this past weekend. Both Jaguars WR's are very good options this weekend.
— Jordan Vanek (@JordanVanekDFS) October 6, 2021
Other Value Wide Receivers for Week 5: Darnell Mooney, Kadarius Toney, A.J. Green
Tight End: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Adding a tight end this week, Dawson Knox is one that has been a great sigh of relief for the Buffalo Bills offense this season. In a rematch of the 2020 AFC championship game that Buffalo let slip by them last year, one big difference in this offense is Josh Allen’s new-found love for his big tight end; especially down in the red zone.
Tied with their Week 5 opponents (the Kansas City Chiefs) for the third-most points scored this season, the Bills offense has been clicking on all cylinders to start off 2021. Knox, who already has more touchdowns this season than any other in his career (tied for first among tight ends in the league with four), is tied for a league-high five receptions in the red zone, while also tied for the second-most targets (six) inside the twenty. In an anticipated shootout against a defense that has been soft against the pass, look for Knox – the current TE6 on the season – to continue to see a top-tier tight end share of targets and receptions, and be a key factor down by the end zone. Lock him in as a TE1 this week for what’s sure to be a back-and-forth game on Sunday night.
Dawson Knox has more tds than Travis Kelce and George Kittle COMBINED. (via @Verizon)
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 7, 2021
Other Value Tight Ends for Week 5: Dalton Schultz, Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
