Daily Fantasy Football October 10: DFS Stock Up, Stock Down

Anything but an exact science, fantasy football undergoes endless ebbs and flows throughout an NFL season that have players' stocks changing by the week. 2015 is proving no different.

Even in just four opening weeks of the season, once-thought breakout players have seen their production not match the hype, and other unheralded options are turning into household names. Who's trending in which direction entering Week 5? Take a look below in the latest issue of stock up, stock down in DraftKings DFS.

Stock Up

RB Dion Lewis, New England Patriots ($4,800)

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Even breaking through onto the 53-man roster was considered a surprise for Patriots running back Dion Lewis, but now the historically frugal Pats have re-signed him to a two-year deal, per ESPN's Field Yates. They didn't have much of a choice with how he's dominated so far in 2015.

Starting the season with a minimum salary of $3,000, Lewis has exploded and has the fourth-highest average points per game among rushers available this weekend. In a crowded Pats' backfield, Lewis is getting the carries (30 in four games) and yards through the air (nearly 200 so far) to keep him a viable option.

That shouldn't change against a banged-up Cowboys team in Week 5, that ranks 30th against opposing running backs.

WR Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars ($4,500)

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

You won't find more bang for your buck in the DFS slate this weekend than Allen Hurns, who is coming off a breakout rookie season and showing more of the same playmaking ability in 2015.

With more attention on fellow wideout Allen Robinson, Hurns has broken out alongside him, catching two touchdowns and going for 186 yards in his last two games combined. His Jaguars face the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have little formidability on the outside beyond cornerback Alterraun Verner—who will largely be shadowing Robinson.

WR Willie Snead, New Orleans Saints ($3,000)

Bill Haber/Associated Press

The New Orleans Saints offense has desperately needed someone to break out in the passing game, and wide receiver Willie Snead is ever-so-quietly becoming that guy. He has just one touchdown on the season, but he also has at least five catches in each of his last two games and is averaging double-digit points in DFS.

He's drawing comparisons to others who have excelled alongside Drew Brees, as Adam Levitan of DraftKings noted:

The Saints offense is on the upward trajectory after notching its first win of the season against Dallas, and Snead is a big reason why. Expect his big-play potential and dependability to shine through again in Week 5 against Philadelphia's susceptible secondary.

Stock Down

WR Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints ($5,900)

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Part of the reason why Brees and Co. have needed a guy like Snead to produce is because Brandin Cooks isn't living up to the hype. Once lauded as a 2015 breakout player as the Saints' new No. 1 wideout, he's failed to catch a single touchdown and hasn't gone over 80 yards in a game.

It's easy to suggest he'll have his best outing of the season against Philadelphia, and his slipping salary ($7,100 to $5,900 in two weeks) may draw attention his way in DFS circles. But it should be a wait-and-see approach for Cooks, a player who has far from lived up to expectations.

TE Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks ($6,100)

Scott Eklund/Associated Press

The situation surrounding Jimmy Graham in Seattle has gone from promising, to bad, to worse in the matter of just one quarter of the season. 

Instead of offering a new wrinkle to the Seahawks offense, Graham has slipped by the wayside and seen his production tank. He does have a score in two games this season, but in his other two games, he has accrued a combined nine DK points.

Don't expect things to change against the Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 5.

QB Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers ($5,200)

Struggles were expected in San Francisco entering this transitional 2015 season, and they've become apparent in the play of Colin Kaepernick. 

One huge fantasy outing in Week 2 (30.5 points) against Pittsburgh gave folks a reason for optimism, but he's hovered around 10 points in his other three outings. What's more, that 30-point outburst came in the midst of a blowout loss.

The New York Giants are on the slate for Week 5, which means Kaepernick's turnover-prone ways (five interceptions in his last two games) will continue.

Follow Steven Cook on Twitter for more DFS conversation.

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