DFS: 4 Elite Players to Avoid in Week 5
Even superstars have dud weeks.
Julio Jones showed he was human, after all. Odell Beckham Jr. continued to underachieve. The guys carrying the richest price tags will, more often than not, provide a decent return. That's why it's important to choose wisely; deciding who not to roster is just as integral.
Fade these four studs in Week 5:
QB: Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at Bengals)
Seattle's offensive line is a mess. Wilson's athleticism saved him from some almost certain sacks Monday night against the Lions. This resulted in some big plays, for sure, but does Wilson belong among the top priced quarterbacks? He costs like a top five guy but he's only hovering around the top 10 in fantasy points per game.
The Bengals give up yards through the air, but has found success pressuring opposing QBs to the tune of 11 sacks. Wilson is getting by on name recognition. He remains a good fantasy play, but not a great one.
RB: Matt Forte, Bears (at Chiefs)
What is Forte's role in the Bears' offense? He's averaging 4.4 yards per carry, but his weekly averages have declined with every game. As predicted, he is seeing less use in the passing game. He has recorded only one touchdown, and it came in his explosive Week 1 game against Green Bay.
He's not worth the risk. Forte is not a scrub; he's the workhorse in the running game. He's just not putting up elite numbers to match his projections. Couple that with his matchup being the toughest among the most expensive running backs and he has to be faded this weekend.
WR: Antonio Brown, Steelers (at Chargers)
Normally matchup proof, Brown has Michael Vick throwing him the ball. Maybe they'll have worked out the kinks, but Week 4's showing against Baltimore should be enough to give pause.
There are too many other options at wide receiver to bother with Brown this week. Keenan Allen, Randall Cobb, and Larry Fitzgerald are all cheaper with more favorable matchups. Brown is a special talent but there are far better options in DFS until Ben Roethlisberger returns or Vick figures out how to throw again.
TE: Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (at Bengals)
Graham has a better matchup than some of his peers, but he also carries a much greater cost. Instead, go cheap and grab Antonio Gates in his first week back when he's carrying a big discount.
The Seahawks have made sure to target Graham more in the weeks since his one-catch effort against Green Bay. Eleven receptions in two weeks is solid production. He'll get his targets but going cheap at tight end is the way to go this weekend.