Fantasy Football Week 5: Friday's Daily Fantasy Market Report
With Hurricane Matthew expected to hit Florida (specifically Miami, in this case), the Tennessee Titans-Miami Dolphins game is in flux. This, of course, makes for the uncomfortable part where I have to make a statement about a natural disaster that is going to create problems much bigger than fantasy football, but here goes.
Sigh.
Hurricane Matthew will impact DFS lineups this week.
OK, I said it. Now that that's out of the way, let's look on the bright side: We're at Week 5. Can you believe it? It's been over a month since the start of the NFL season.
Crazy.
If you've followed these Market Reports, you'll know this is the last one of the week, so hopefully we get to most of the pressing news items.
Be on the lookout for my game previews this weekend with other updated information if anything is to change.
What's New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker up to these days?
Jets WR Eric Decker Decision to Come Soon
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No, not like the LeBron James "Decision," fellas.
The decision here is whether or not New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker ($6,000 DraftKings; $6,800 FanDuel) will suit up in Week 5.
This has been a strange storyline for those that are not familiar.
Decker missed Week 4 with a partially torn rotator cuff. From there, there was speculation that Decker could be placed on injured reserve. But somehow, some way, Decker has a chance to play in Week 5, according to the team's Twitter account.
Weird, man.
Decker has yet to practice this week, so we'll just have to see.
Going up against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Decker will be facing a secondary that is susceptible to the pass, giving up over 320 yards through the air per game.
Decker is a near-lock for either 80 yards or a touchdown—he's done it in 17 of his last 18 games dating back to last season.
If he suits up, Decker is a player you should always be interested in starting.
Panthers QB Cam Newton Misses Practice; Status in Doubt
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According to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera stated that quarterback Cam Newton's ($7,900 DK; $9,300 FD) status for Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be determined by the end of the week.
Well, Riverboat Ron—it's the end of the week...We're waiting.
If Newton plays, he is a solid option at home against the Bucs. So far this season, the Bucs have surrendered nine touchdowns through the air—that's the fourth-most in the NFL.
In the three games running back Jonathan Stewart has been out, Newton has rushed 18 times for 93 yards and a score.
With J-Stew set to miss another one, Newton offers a ton of upside with his running ability.
Newton is the highest-salaried quarterback across all platforms. Though the matchup is nice, look elsewhere for the value. With that said, Newton could be worth the salary.
Giants RB Rashad Jennings Limited in Practice
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After missing the last couple of games with a thumb injury, there is a "realistic chance" that New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings will play in Week 5, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com.
The good news is Jennings got in some practice on Thursday, albeit limited. Nonetheless, it was practice.
Yeah, we talkin' about practice, man.
Unfortunately for Jennings, if he does return, he'll be going up against a Green Bay Packers team that has allowing 42 rushing yards per game to opposing running backs.
Forty. Two.
Given the Giants' depth at the position—Paul Perkins and Orleans Darkwa—Jennings is just too risky a play given the Packers' defensive prowess against the run.
Raiders RB Latavius Murray Has Turf Toe
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According to Jimmy Durkin of the Mercury News, Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray was held out of practice Thursday with turf toe.
For anyone who has ever had turf toe (myself included), you'll know that it is incredibly painful and uncomfortable.
Of course, this injury will impact Murray's availability in Week 5. While it's not a foregone conclusion Murray will sit, he's doubtful at best at this point.
For a modest salary, fellow Raiders running back DeAndre Washington ($3,400 DK; $4,700 FD) is worth it—especially against a San Diego Chargers defense that has given up the third-most fantasy points to the position this season.
He'll probably he highly owned, but rightfully so. Washington is a nice value play this week.
Broncos QB Trevor Siemian Throwing Thursday
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Well, the arrow appears to be pointing upward for Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian ($5,200 DK; $7,600 FD) in terms of his availability in Week 5.
According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post, Siemian was spotted throwing at Thursday's practice and was listed as a limited participant.
To the surprise of almost everyone, Siemian has been playing excellent football, considering the standards we set for him earlier in the season.
If he suits up, the Broncos and Siemian will be hosting the Atlanta Falcons, who give up over 320 passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.
The price tag on Siemian is always going to be low, and this looks like another value pick if you so choose at the quarterback position.
It's a little risky, but, hey, this is how Millionaire Makers are born.
Dolphins RB Arian Foster Limited in Practice Again
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Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster has finally found the practice field, though on a limited basis.
That was the case Thursday, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
Earlier in the week, it was reported by Armando Salguero—also of the Miami Herald—that Foster was unlikely to play in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Regardless of if he plays or not, there are legitimate concerns about whether this game is going to happen Sunday with Hurricane Matthew en route.
For that reason, I'm out on all Dolphins and Titans players, no questions asked.
Don't mess with Mother Nature, man.
Lions OC Cooter: WR Golden Tate to Have 'Big Week'
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Let me guess, you read the title of the slide and either...
A) Laughed hysterically or...
B) Said, "yeah OK..."
I'm right there with you. After seeing this news I said, "I'm going to have to torture my readers with more takes on Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate, aren't I?"
Well, here we are.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has said that Tate will "have a huge week this week."
Yawn.
I'll save you the hassle: take a wait-and-see approach here. There is no way Tate should be rostered until he does something this year.
Bengals TE Tyler Eifert DNP with Back Injury
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert has to be one of the most unlucky players through the first four weeks of the season.
According to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Eifert missed practice again Thursday with a back injury.
Just when you though Eifert would return from an ankle injury, well, he hurt his back in practice and is now unlikely to play in Week 5.
It will be all fellow tight end C.J. Uzomah in Week 5 once again, and, no, I'm not a fan of him whatsoever this week.
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus and ESPN.com.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
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