Week 6: Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains

Deep Sleepers and DFS Bargains is back just in time for the weekend! Last week I hit on Willie Snead, Kamar Aiken, and Derek Carrier. Neither of my bonus RBs did anything (thanks to Andre Williams getting stuffed at the goal line TWICE and Dallas refusing to feed their only healthy/potential playmaker) so this go around I'm returning to the standard format.

To review … all of the below players are owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues (one of them is only owned in 2 percent of leagues). They’re not the obvious picks, and they’re not without their risks, but that’s why they’re so cheap! I’d never advocate taking all of these guys, but rather utilizing them if a manager were in a pinch at a position or aiming to build a “stars and scrubs” sort of DFS lineup. Have at it!

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Richard Rodgers, TE, Green Bay Packers ($15)
In Week 4 I advocated starting Ty Montgomery, citing Davante Adams’ absence from the lineup. While the rookie wideout was targeted six times, it was the TE Rodgers who came up big with five catches for 45 yards and a score. For two of the four weeks that Adams has been hobbled with an ankle injury, Montgomery and Rodgers have tied for third in team targets. Yet Rodgers has remained the more productive option, catching six more balls for 30 more yards than Montgomery. It’s also worth noting that in Week 5, when Randall Cobb struggled against the Rams, it was the Rodgers-to-Rodgers connection that dominated, as the TE finished the day his QB’s most targeted option in the passing game.

Heading into Week 6, Adams still isn’t healthy and Cobb’s shoulder continues to be an issue. The Packers have a bye in Week 7, so I imagine that the second year receiver will likely be donning sweats this Sunday and returning to action in Week 8. That means Rodgers should continue to be utilized. With touchdowns in two of his past four games and averaging four receptions per outing, Rodgers matches up nicely against the Chargers who have given up TDs to TEs in three of their past five outings (and almost coughed up another to Heath Miller this past Monday night).

While the game script projects to be run heavy (you Eddie Lacy owners should be stoked) I highly doubt Aaron Rodgers won’t have fun throwing the ball around. In turn, Richard Rodgers should do a good job taking advantage of a San Diego secondary that’s coming off of a short week.

Marquess Wilson, WR, Chicago Bears ($11)
Another week and another game of “will he/won’t he” in Chicago. Both Alshon Jefferey and Eddie Royal missed Week 5. Heading into Week 6 it looks as though at least one of them will sit again. That would continue to elevate Wilson’s presence in the passing game, and allow his burgeoning connection with QB Jay Cutler to further flourish.

Over the past two weeks with Cutler back under center, Wilson’s numbers have grown, as has his playmaking ability. In Week 5 he put up a 6-85-1 stat line, finishing the day a borderline WR1/WR2 in fantasy. With 12 catches on 17 targets in his last two contests, the 6-foot-4 and 200 pound wideout should hold sway over a winless Lions squad that’s given up nine TDs through the air so far this season. Owned in just 12 percent of Yahoo leagues, Wilson is a solid flex for managers needing a bye week fill-in.

[Week 6 rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Flex | All Positions]

Denard Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars ($10)
In 2014 Football Outsiders ranked Jacksonville’s run blocking unit the third worst in the league. And yet, Robinson still managed to average 4.3 yards per carry behind it. In fact, when given a minimum of 15 touches “Shoelace” bested that number, churning out 5.3 YPC. He proved loads more explosive than the plodding Toby Gerhart and was shaping up to be a nice compliment to rookie T.J. Yeldon.

Unfortunately, the slightly built former quarterback suffered a sprained MCL in Week 2 and has been out ever since. This past Wednesday, however, Robinson got in a practice and is likely to suit up on Sunday against the Texans’ leaky run defense. Also working in Robinson’s favor is that fact that Yeldon is dealing with a groin injury. The rookie back did not practice on Thursday and seems like a long shot to play in Week 6. If that were to be the case, Robinson would carry the bulk of the load with the aforementioned Gerhart mixing in.

Additionally, with QB Blake Bortles nursing a shoulder injury, it’s likely the team will lean on the run. It’s worth noting that Houston has given up five touchdowns to RBs in their last two games, making Robinson a prime under-the-radar candidate at a profoundly shallow position.

Garrett Celek, TE, San Francisco 49ers ($10)
Don’t look now, but Brent Celek’s little brother has the same number of targets and more catches than WR Torrey Smith. I know a lot of that has to do with QB Colin Kaepernick’s downfield accuracy issues, but it is worth noting that Celek has emerged as Kaep’s second most reliable option in the passing game.

While Vernon Davis has been sidelined with a knee injury for the past two weeks, Celek has caught three balls on five targets for 26 yards in back-to-back outings. Last week at NYG he padded his stats with a touchdown. Yes, his fantasy value is TD dependent, but that’s the fluky nature of the position.

Davis is expected back in Week 6, but I doubt he’ll be 100 percent and I think he may take a back seat to Celek. When both tight ends were on the field and healthy in Week 1, Celek was targeted two fewer times than Davis (third overall in team looks), but caught the same number of balls (three) for just seven fewer yards (40). Facing off against a flailing Ravens secondary that will focus its energies trying to contain Anquan Boldin, and that gave up nearly 140 yards and a score to Gary Barnidge last week, Celek has a better than average shot of hitting pay dirt in Week 6.

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Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens ($10)
Drafted in the fourth round, Allen is a big bodied back with powerful legs and reliable hands. Stronger than he is fast, “Buck” was extremely productive at USC both on the ground and through the air. A potential dual threat in OC Marc Tresman’s RB friendly offense, Allen was a top 25 rookie pick among dynasty enthusiasts this past summer.

Along with Lorenzo Taliaferro, Allen began the season behind Justin Forsett. Initially it seemed Taliaferro was the team’s preferred No. 2, but after suffering a setback to a foot injury the second-year RB has been placed on the IR, ending his season. This, of course, eliminates any handcuff confusion and bodes well for Allen’s volume moving forward.

Additionally working in Allen’s favor is the fact that Forsett has been unable to practice since hurting his ankle in the Ravens Week 5 loss to the Browns. Reports indicate that the team is optimistic Forsett will play on Sunday at San Francisco, but it seems unlikely he’ll be 100 percent. The matchup against the 49ers is a juicy one, as they are giving up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing RBs. Allen is also likely to see the goal line and while that’s never a sure thing (ahem, Andre Williams) he could be a Hail Mary flex for owners hurting at the position.

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