This article is part of our King for a Day series.
Week 5 will be a big one on DraftKings, with all the action highlighted by Sunday's $2.2M Millionaire Maker. The entry fee is just $27, and one lucky person will take home a cool million.
To help you get that million, here are my favorite players for Week 5 on DraftKings…
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers, SD (vs. NYJ), $7000 –On pace for 4,620 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, Rivers has emerged as one of the early favorites for MVP, despite facing the Arizona, Seattle and Buffalo defenses in the first three weeks of the season. He had a much easier matchup in last week's 33-14 win over Jacksonville, yet still attempted 39 passes because of his team's inability to run the ball. This week's game may play out quite similarly, as the Jets lead the league in rushing defense and have allowed opponents to pile up a 9:0 TD:INT ratio.
Blake Bortles, JAX (vs. PIT), $5200 – Coming off an impressive first start in the NFL, Bortles gets a home matchup with the injury-riddled Pittsburgh defense, which has struggled to keep points off the board through four weeks, despite having a favorable schedule. Now missing three Week 1 defensive starters, Pittsburgh has surrendered 7.1 yard per pass attempt and a 7:1 TD:INT ratio to Brian Hoyer, Joe Flacco, Cam Newton and Mike Glennon. Meanwhile, Bortles has been aggressive since the beginning of the preseason, showing that he's willing to risk some turnovers to give his woeful team a shot to move the ball. For both fantasy purposes and the Jaguars', that's preferable to a more hesitant rookie quarterback.
other options:Drew Brees, NO (vs. TB), $8900; Andrew Luck, IND (vs. BAL), $8700; Cam Newton, CAR (vs. CHI), $7200; Mike Glennon, TB (at NO), $5500
Notes: I prefer not to spend big on a quarterback, but Brees should be worth the price of admission. Luck draws a matchup that's more favorable than you might think, as the Baltimore defense is far better against the run. While quite possibly headed for a disappointing season, Newton is a strong play at this price against the awful Chicago defense. Though I'm no fan of Glennon's, the combination of matchup and price is enticing.
Running Backs
Rashad Jennings, NYG (vs. ATL), $5500 – Jennings will surely be a popular pick, as his price dropped following a fluky Week 4 dud in the Giants' blowout win of a Redskins team that can only stop the run. The 29-year-old rumbled for 176 yards the previous week, and could be primed for a similar game against the soft Atlanta front seven. The Giants have been surprisingly excellent on offense the past two games, thanks in no small part to an improved offensive line. Jennings also doesn't have to worry about his workload, as Andre Williams hasn't seen many touches outside of garbage time.
DeMarco Murray, DAL (vs. HOU), $7500 – Murray, of course, is off to an excellent start, running for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of his first four games, behind arguably the NFL's best offensive line. Look for him to push the streak to five games, as the Texans have been terrible against the run this season, allowing 5.0 yards per carry and 130.3 yards per game. Houston's front seven somehow looks like one of the league's worst, even with J.J. Watt in his usual dominant form. Having already plowed over far superior defenses, Murray should have a huge day at home against the Texans.
other options:Le'Veon Bell, PIT (vs. JAX), $7300; Giovani Bernard, CIN (at NE), $6700; Justin Forsett, BAL (at IND), $5000; Ahmad Bradshaw, IND (vs. BAL), $4000; Khiry Robinson, NO (vs. TB), $3000; Darrin Reaves/Fozzy Whittaker/Jonathan Stewart, CAR (vs. CHI), $3000
Notes: Bell and Murray are really 1A and 1B this week, with both drawing excellent matchups. Bernard is a good buy at this price in nearly any matchup, while the Patriots have struggled against the run since last season. This is an ideal game for Forsett, who is now getting most of the work on early downs, in addition to all of the snaps on passing downs. Bradshaw, like Forsett, should benefit from what figures to be a high-scoring game. Also, the Colts probably won't waste much time pounding Trent Richardson into the sturdy Baltimore front seven. Robinson is an absolute steal at $3000, as he could have a huge day if the Saints jump out to a lead. I don't think Carolina is going to have much luck running the ball this season, but the matchup is favorable this week, and all of the options to start cost just $3000.
Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders, DEN (vs. ARI), $5100 – Sanders, like Rashad Jennings, sticks out as an incredible value. His fast start didn't slow down once Wes Welker returned, as Sanders caught 11-of-15 targets for 149 yards in a Week 3 loss to the Seahawks. Peyton Manning supported three productive wide receivers last season, and while the offense probably won't be quite as good this year, Welker's aging could leave a few more targets for everyone else. Sanders is headed for his first 1,000-yard season and may get there long before Week 17.
Kelvin Benjamin, CAR (vs. CHI), $4800 – Seemingly every year there are one or two offenses like Carolina's this season, with solid quarterback play and a nice weapon or two, but otherwise lacking in talent. The quarterback's numbers are held back by the shaky offensive line and lack of receiving options, while the running back can't get much going behind that line. If the quarterback still plays well, his top target (or perhaps two) can put up huge numbers as the offense becomes heavily reliant on him. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown were last season's best example, with nods to Joe Flacco/Torrey Smith, Robert Griffin/Pierre Garcon and Mike Glennon/Vincent Jackson. I think Cam Newton, Benjamin and Greg Olsen will meet a similar fate this year, as the Panthers can't run the ball, and aren't the same defensive juggernaut that we saw last season. Newton will likely set a career-high mark for pass attempts per game, and he really only has two guys to throw to. Benjamin has already reaped the benefits, with 21 receptions, 36 targets and three touchdowns through four games.
Andrew Hawkins, CLE (at TEN), $3500 – Odd as it may seem, the 5-7 Hawkins has emerged the clear No. 1 receiver in what has thus far been a surprisingly productive offense. His 21 receptions and 33 targets through three games are no fluke, as he's easily the team's most talented receiver until Josh Gordon returns. Hawkins should see around 10 targets per game until that time, making him an excellent option in PPR leagues. I'd happily pay $4000 for him on DraftKings this week.
Allen Robinson, JAX (vs. PIT), $3000 – With Cecil Shorts (hamstring) and Marqise Lee (hamstring) presumably both sidelined, either Robinson or Allen Hurns figures to have a big day against the porous Steelers defense. I'm not sure which it will be, but I'd much rather pay $3000 for Robinson than $4500 for Hurns.
other options:Antonio Brown, PIT (at JAX), $8100; Alshon Jeffery, CHI (at CAR), $6700; Steve Smith, BAL (at IND), $6000; Keenan Allen, SD (vs. NYJ), $5800; Jeremy Maclin, PHI (vs. STL), $5600; Anquan Boldin, SF (vs. KC), $4400; Markus Wheaton, PIT (at JAX), $3300
Notes: Brown is the surest of sure things, and the Jacksonville defense has little chance to stop him. Jeffery remains a bit underpriced while off to a mediocre start this season. Smith has clearly established himself as Joe Flacco's go-to guy heading into a favorable matchup against the injury-marred Indianapolis defense. Allen draws the awful New York secondary after catching 10 passes against the Jags last week. Maclin has 46 targets through four games, and should bounce back from a lousy Week 3. Boldin is probably headed for a modest season, but he's still tempting at this price. Wheaton is a key part of a strong Pittsburgh offense that should put up plenty of points against the Jags.
Tight End
Owen Daniels, BAL (at IND), $3300 – I'm not discouraged by Daniels' modest output in his first week replacing Dennis Pitta (hip), as 4-of-6 targets for 43 yards is a decent showing for a game that saw Joe Flacco attempt just 31 passes. Daniels should still enjoy playing for Gary Kubiak in the surprisingly productive Baltimore offense, and with Torrey Smith mostly being used as a deep threat, the veteran tight end could finish second on the team in targets and receptions. I also like the specific matchup, as Indianapolis has unimpressive safeties and inside linebackers, even if ILB Jerrell Freeman (hamstring) returns.
other options:Jimmy Graham, NO (vs. TB), $7600; Julius Thomas, DEN (vs. AZ), $6900; Antonio Gates, SD (vs. NYJ), $3500
Notes: Graham had 15 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns in two games against Tampa Bay last season. Thomas draws a sneakily favorable matchup against an Arizona defense that's greatest strength is cornerback. Gates' price has dropped back down to earth following two duds, just in time for a home matchup against a team that can't defend the pass.
Team D/ST
Denver Broncos, vs. ARI, $2600 – Arizona-Denver is the late-afternoon headliner this week, but I don't think the game will live up to expectations. The Broncos quietly have as much defensive talent as any team in the AFC, while the Drew Stanton-led Arizona offense is nothing to fear. Don't be fooled by the 3-0 record – this is the same Cardinals team you're used to seeing. Skill-position talent may be enough to overcome a lousy offensive line and mediocre quarterback play against lesser opponents, but it won't get the job done against a loaded team like the Broncos. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware should be in for a fun day.
other options:San Diego Chargers (vs. NYJ), $3100; Cleveland Browns (at TEN), $2700; Green Bay Packers (vs. MIN), $2100
Notes: The New York offense will be in for a long afternoon if Philip Rivers stakes the Chargers to an early lead. The Browns have struggled on defense, but the schedule is largely to blame, and it softens up quite a bit this week. I love the Green Bay defense at this price, especially if Teddy Bridgewater (ankle) doesn't play.
