Know Wentz to Hold ’em, Know Wentz to Fold ’em

NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Top Plays

Quarterback

Tom Brady

Salary $16,450

NE @ CLE

It’s officially week 5, so that means Mr.Brady is back from his suspension. Not sure what to expect? Well, this is what we can expect this week and every week moving forward: Lots and lots of New England touchdowns, Garoppolo and Brissett on the sidelines and a ton of deflated footballs. Oops.. Too soon? Sorry Patriots fans. Just kidding. I’m not sorry.

Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks in [history] and will be playing mad. It might catch you by surprise, but he’s not mad about the suspension. He actually wanted four weeks off so he can have a little [me] time. The real reason why he’s mad is because I mentioned that he will continue to deflate his footballs. And for that reason alone, we should all roster Brady. Not because he’s well rested, playing the [Browns] and has a ton of weapons, but because I made him mad. Just roster him and thank me later.

Carson Wentz

Salary $14,050

PHI @ DET

Was Jared Goff drafted No.1 overall or was it Carson Wentz? I can’t really remember four weeks into the season, but all I know is that Wentz has looked sharp! In three games this season (Eagles are coming off a bye), the guy who the Rams want their future quarterback to look like, has thrown for 5 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and has completed 64.7% of his passes. This kid has looked great and has an appealing matchup against the Lions.

This season, the Lions have given up the second-most passing touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. It hasn’t been pretty for the Lions on defense, so go ahead and prove to everyone why [you] should have been drafted No.1 overall, Mr. Wentz.

Running Back

DeMarco Murray

Salary $16,950

TEN @ MIA

We were all worried about Derrick Henry taking a big chunk of Murray’s carries, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Murray has 53 carries this season and Henry has 23. I’m no math expert, but if you were to ask me — I’d say that’s a pretty big difference. Murray is the workhorse and draws a beautiful matchup against a Dolphins’ defense that has allowed 482 rushing yards (4th in NFL) this season. Murray is in an excellent spot, so look for him to have another great fantasy performance.

Jordan Howard

Salary $10,300

CHI @ IND

Jordan Howard made his debut as the Bears’ featured back, and boy was he good! He had 23 carries for 111 yards and also had 3 receptions for 21 yards. He looked great and he should continue to see this kind of workload with Langford still out. Not only is his price and workload intriguing, but so is his matchup against the Colts. They have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points this year to opposing running backs, so it’s safe to say Howard is my top value play of the week.

Wide Receiver

Steve Smith Sr.

Salary $11,850

BAL VS WAS

Steve Smith Sr. might be old, but he’s still producing at a very high level. Coming off an Achilles injury is never easy at the age of 37, but this guy hasn’t missed a step. Are we sure he’s 37 years old? Can we check his birth certificate please. I really feel like he’s 30. Not 37.

Anyways — Smith has looked great and is heavily involved in this offense. He has 22 targets, 16 receptions and 198 receiving yards in his last two games. Now, that’s just insane. He’s been very impressive and will continue to see a ton of targets, which is why I love the old man this weekend!

Quincy Enunwa

Salary $10,100

NYJ @ PIT

With Decker already listed as doubtful for Week 5, I’ll go ahead and take Enunwa for 10.1 K please. He will see a boost in targets and draws a much easier matchup this week (played Seattle last week). I see the Jets playing from behind this week against a Steelers’ offense that is amazing [at home], so look for Fitzmagic to throw the ball a ton. Enunwa has been excellent to start the year and should continue to see a ton of targets, especially with Decker most likely out for this contest.

Tight End

Rob Gronkowski

Salary $10,400

NE @ CLE

Honestly, I don’t like any of the tight ends on this weeks slate. With that being said, I’ll go ahead and grab Gronk, who can be had at a discount. I know he’s looked like Casper the ghost out there, but I see this being the week he’s back to his old self. Not only will he play more snaps this week, but he also gets his quarterback back! I expect Gronk and Brady to pick things right where they left off. I know there’s some risk putting Gronk on your squads (health concerns), but there’s no one that catches my attention, which is why I’ll put him in a couple of GPP lineups.

Gary Barnidge

Salary $8,650

CLE VS NE

Eh, why not. I mentioned I’d play Gronk in some tournaments and I’d do the same with Gary. He’s got an appealing price tag and is playing on a team that has lost pretty much all their players. Yes, Josh Gordon was supposed to play this week, but that’s not going to happen and Coleman is still out, so Barnidge and Pryor will see a hefty amount of work this week. I know Cody Kessler isn’t a quarterback we trust, but Barnidge should get a ton of targets in this contest and is a nice value play at tight end this week.

D/ST

Vikings (Min)

Salary $12,050

D/ST

MIN VS HOU

Vikings Vikings Vikings! They have one of the top defenses in the league and I see them having another successful week at home. They will be going up against a Texans’ offense that is inconsistent, especially at quarterback, which is why I’ll go ahead and pay up for this scary defense.

Bears (Chi)

Salary $5,000

D/ST

CHI @ IND

I’ll go ahead and take the Bears for the minimum. Not only will they allow you to construct the team of your dreams, but they also draw a solid matchup. Andrew Luck is clearly hurt and this offensive line is just awful. They have allowed 15 sacks this season (Most in NFL) and I see the Bears taking advantage of that. They are in a great spot and have a gorgeous price tag, so there’s really nothing more you can ask for.

About the Author

Nick Rodriguez has been playing daily fantasy sports since 2014. He is a Baseball, Football, Basketball and Hockey analyst. He is active on Twitter, so be sure to give him a follow.