Each week, theScore's DFS experts tackle the biggest questions of the week. Here are three of the most significant issues of Week 5:
Who has been the biggest surprise so far?
Esten McLaren: Devonta Freeman has started just two games, but he leads all players with seven rushing TDs. Only three running backs have more receptions than Freeman, and only three have more receiving yards. It took an injury to rookie Tevin Coleman to open the door for the Falcons' sophomore back, but Freeman has put his stamp on the starter's role moving forward.
Andrew Potter: It has to be Freeman. He struggled rushing the ball for the first two weeks and faced questions on whether Coleman would steal snaps from him - but his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and his scoring opportunities have made him a DFS MVP for Week 3 and 4. Freeman has 342 yards from scrimmage, 10 catches and 6 TDs in his last two starts.
Josh Wegman: This will most likely be a consensus pick, but it HAS to be Freeman. Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has rejuvenated the offense with his zone-run scheme, giving veteran quarterback Matt Ryan the best running game he's had since Michael Turner was still chugging.
James Bisson: Sorry, Josh ... no consensus on this one. I'm going with Bengals QB Andy Dalton, who has racked up the second-most fantasy points at his position four weeks into the season. Dalton has been a model of consistency, racking up nine touchdown passes against just one interception. With apologies to Freeman, Dalton is the biggest shocker.
Who has been the biggest disappointment so far?
Esten McLaren: There were high expectations for WR Andre Johnson coming into the season. Paired with Andrew Luck, Johnson was going to have a legitimate quarterback throwing him the ball for the first time in his 13-year career. Four games into the season, Johnson has just seven receptions on 20 targets for 51 yards and zero touchdowns.
Andrew Potter: Many anointed Luck their MVP favorite for the 2015 season - and DFS players flocked to his stable of WRs. Luck has been swarmed and banged up by opposing defenses and hasn't been able to make a strong connection with Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton. It doesn't help that projected WR2 Johnson appears completely washed up.
Josh Wegman: The curse of the Denver running back has continued. The Broncos have had eight different leading rushers since Clinton Portis donned the Blue and Orange back in '03. Montee Ball was supposed be "the guy" after a strong second half in 2013, but lost the job to C.J. Anderson the following season. Now Anderson has been a major bust with a 2.7 YPA.
James Bisson: Terron Ward. Javorius Allen. Jerick McKinnon. Jonas Gray. Antonio Andrews. These are five guys, among dozens of others, who have more rushing yards than the Eagles' DeMarco Murray. Take away a 30-yard scamper in a Week 4 loss to Washington, and Murray - last year's rushing champion - has gained 17 yards on his other 28 carries. Woof.
Who should be in every cash game lineup this week?
Esten McLaren: Coming off a bye in Week 4, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will reclaim his spot as the best tight end in daily fantasy football. Gronk will face a matchup against a New York Giants team that is allowing the third-most yards per game to tight ends through four weeks, including a whopping 111 to Bills TE Charles Clay in Week 4.
Andrew Potter: Larry Fitzgerald is a significantly cheaper option playing near the same level as the elite tier of Julio Jones, Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Brown, and A.J. Green. Fitzgerald and the Cardinals face a weak Lions' pass defense in Week 5. He has already been targeted 37 times in four games and has averaged 7.5 catches in that span.
Josh Wegman: Le'Veon Bell and the Steelers face a woeful Chargers run defense on Monday Night Football. Without QB Ben Roethlisberger for a second straight week, Pittsburgh will rely on their bell-cow tailback more than ever. What makes the former Spartan the safest cash-game play is his presence in the receiving game. Pay up for the best back in the league.
James Bisson: Jamaal Charles may not have a better matchup all season, as the Chiefs welcome the woeful Bears to Arrowhead Stadium. Charles has five scores through the first four games, and racked up six catches and 145 total yards in the one game in which he didn't record a TD. He's one of the top RB plays of the week, and comes at a discount compared to Bell.
