Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 5

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 5 DFS fantasy football

Quarterback concussions were the story of Week 4. We saw two veterans knocked out on Sunday in addition to the gruesome injury sustained by Tua Tagovailoa on Thursday. Scary head trauma aside, make sure to keep your brain in check and limit yourself to a short memory when setting DFS lineups.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

CINCINNATI @ BALTIMORE

Seldom will Joe Burrow (QB3) find himself as the third-worst QB on a slate of four passers. It actually is a pretty strong matchup for him as Baltimore is putrid against the pass. Unfortunately, two of the other three have juicy matchups, too. If you want to avoid the heavy ownership numbers, definitely consider Burrow here.

One of those who will be more heavily owned is Lamar Jackson (QB1). His matchup isn’t as smooth as Burrow’s but Jackson offers the elite rushing production to go along with his passing stats. This alone makes him the safest floor option among the QBs.

Efficiency has never been a calling card for Joe Mixon (RB1). Fortunately, he gets so much volume that it doesn’t really matter. Samaje Perine (RB6) is his backup, but his usage is far too sporadic to rely on outside of Showdown contests.

J.K. Dobbins (RB2) looked comfortable in Week 4. This should strike fear into the hearts of all of Baltimore’s opponents as now they have one more weapon to deal with. Justice Hill (hamstring – RB8) was running strong before getting knocked out of last week’s game. If he can go, consider him as a flex option. If Hill is out, Mike Davis (RB11) will be the backup. He has no value. Patrick Ricard (RB10), on the other hand, is always a fun TD-dependent Showdown flyer.

The only thing that kept Baltimore’s secondary from getting thrashed by Buffalo last week was the remnants of a hurricane. They remain one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Ja’Marr Chase (WR1) and Tee Higgins (WR3) can both be considered as WR1. I also love Tyler Boyd (WR8) as the third leg to a Burrow stack. You can ignore the depth options here barring a practice-week injury.

Rashod Bateman (foot – WR5) was repeatedly in and out of the Week 4 game with an injury. Watch his practice status this week. If he can go, consider him as a WR2. I particularly like him as the run-it-back play in a Bengals’ stack.  Devin Duvernay came close to scoring once again last week. He is a great WR3 option here. Demarcus Robinson (WR12) could be a sneaky WR3/flex option, especially if Bateman is limited.

Hayden Hurst (groin – TE4) would be a strong play against Baltimore with the revenge game narrative. Unfortunately, he is ranked fourth among the active TEs on this loaded slate. Consider him as a cheap flex play in a multiple-TE lineup.

Mark Andrews (TE2) failed in the cake matchup last week. Forget about it and move on. Cincy has been gouged by both Pat Freiermuth and Tyler Conklin already this season. They are chopped beef compared to Andrews. On a loaded slate, Isaiah Likely (TE5) can be left to Showdown contests.

Monday Night

LAS VEGAS @ KANSAS CITY

Kansas City’s pass defense is shaky enough to consider using a punt lineup with Derek Carr (QB4). His value is even higher if Hunter Renfrow can go.

Patrick Mahomes (QB2) is facing the second-worst pass defense on this slate. Yes, Baltimore is even worse than Vegas (30th versus 31st). Last Sunday night, Mahomes showed once again how ridiculously good he can be … expect another huge game here.

Josh Jacobs (RB3) scored twice last week. That was twice more than I predicted going up against Denver. He was also the second-most-targeted option in the Vegas passing attack. KC has struggled with pass-catching backs allowing 40 receptions through the first four games. Even if Hunter Renfrow returns, Jacobs is a safe play at either RB1 or RB2. Brandon Bolden (RB9) and Zamir White (RB12) don’t see enough usage to deploy here.

Coming into Week 4, Kansas City had split the workload between all three of Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB4)Jerick McKinnon (RB7), and Isaiah Pacheco (RB5). CEH lapped McKinnon in season touches in just Week 4 securing his spot as the lead man. While McKinnon seemingly has fallen even behind Pacheco, CEH can be used as an RB2 this week. Pacheco can be considered as a flex play, and McKinnon should probably be limited to Showdown lineups.

Davante Adams (WR2) continues to hoard targets for Vegas. I love pairing him with one of the Bengals as WR1 and WR2. Hunter Renfrow (concussion – WR6) has missed a pair of games with a concussion. If he can go, roll him out as a WR3. I prefer him on DK, where he gets the full PPR. If Renfrow misses another game, you can use Mack Hollins (WR7) as a WR3. That said, I wouldn’t trust him as more than a desperation punt play if Renfrow returns.

The Chiefs have spread the ball around through the first four weeks. Still, JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR4) has been consistently the top WR option. You will have the choice to use him as a cheap WR2 or an expensive WR3. Marques Valdes-Scantling (WR10) has been far less consistent and has battled some injuries. He could be used as a WR3, at best. Mecole Hardman (WR11) is cheap, but he has been ignored for the last two weeks. I can’t trust his usage right now. Skyy Moore (WR13) finally made the box score this past week, but I’d like to see more consistency before using him outside of Showdown.

Darren Waller (WR3) is ranked lower here than most weeks. He will be my least-owned option as I’d rather take the savings on Hurst if I choose to fade the top two options.

KC loves to attack their divisional rivals with Travis Kelce (TE1). In his last eight meetings with Vegas, Kelce has posted 56-808-5.  His price is high, but I would do everything possible to ensure he is in my lineup.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Carson Wentz ($5.7k), RB Rhamondre Stevenson ($5.5k), RB Dameon Pierce ($6.2k), WR A.J. Brown ($7.5k), WR Robert Woods ($5.2k), WR Curtis Samuel ($5.8k), TE T.J. Hockenson ($4.9k), FLEX James Robinson ($6.3k), DST Detroit Lions ($2.8k)

FD Lineup: QB Carson Wentz ($6.8k), RB James Robinson ($8k), RB Damien Harris ($7.2k), WR A.J. Brown ($8k), WR Curtis Samuel ($5.8k), WR Robert Woods ($5.9k), TE David Njoku ($5.7k), FLEX Jamaal Williams ($8.3k), DST Minnesota Vikings ($4.3k)

FB Lineup: QB Joe Burrow ($6.6k), RB Jamaal Williams ($6k), RB Dameon Pierce ($5.6k), WR A.J. Brown ($6.7k), WR Tee Higgins ($6.2k), WR Elijah Moore ($4.3k), TE Cameron Brate ($3.4k), FLEX James Robinson ($5.7k), FLEX Damien Harris ($5.3k)

Quarterbacks DraftKings FanDuel
Josh Allen $8,200 $9,000
Jalen Hurts $8,100 $8,600
Kyler Murray $7,400 $8,100
Justin Herbert $7,100 $8,200
Matthew Stafford $6,400 $7,400
Kirk Cousins $6,300 $7,100
Dak Prescott $6,200 $7,500
Jared Goff $6,100 $8,000
Tom Brady $6,000 $7,800
Ryan Tannehill $5,800 $6,900
Carson Wentz $5,700 $6,800
Jacoby Brissett $5,600 $6,700
Trevor Lawrence $5,600 $7,600
Geno Smith $5,500 $6,900
Jameis Winston $5,500 $7,300
Cooper Rush $5,400 $6,500
Jimmy Garoppolo $5,400 $7,000
Marcus Mariota $5,400 $6,800
Teddy Bridgewater $5,400 $6,400
Justin Fields $5,300 $6,600
Zach Wilson $5,300 $7,200
Andy Dalton $5,200 $6,500
Mac Jones $5,200 $6,600
Bailey Zappe $5,100 $6,300
Baker Mayfield $5,100 $6,400
Brian Hoyer $5,100 $6,300
Kenny Pickett $5,100 $6,500
Mitch Trubisky $5,100 $6,500
Davis Mills $5,000 $6,400
Taysom Hill $4,900 N/A

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert are the best plays on the board this week. If you choose to pivot to under $6k on DK consider Tom Brady, Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, or Trevor Lawrence. Wentz is my favorite from that group as he should have low ownership. His FD price is also palatable. Teddy Bridgewater and Davis Mills could be barrel-scraping bargains.

Fantasy Four-pack

Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ ARI
($8,100 DK, $8,600 FD)
Hurts has two games with three total TDs and two games with one total TD. Fortunately, his rushing acumen keeps his value up even when he has a bad passing game. Arizona was decimated by Patrick Mahomes in Week 1 but has held middling QBs in check since then. Hurts is good enough to turn this into a shootout.

Justin Herbert, Chargers @ CLE
($7,100 DK, $8,200 FD)
Herbert leads the league in passing yards, but he has only thrown for nine TDs this year. Meanwhile, Cleveland has allowed zero or one passing TD in three of four games. You might think this is a bad sign for Herbert until you realize that the best QB that Cleveland has faced was Joe Flacco. Cleveland is about to be exposed.

Josh Allen, Bills vs. PIT ($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD) Pittsburgh has faced only one above-average QB this season. That was Joe Burrow back in Week 1. He threw for 338-2 in that game and even gained 47 rushing yards. After facing three straight subpar QBs, Pittsburgh may not be ready for Allen. I like him to approach 300-3 with a floor of 275-2 plus another 40 yards on the ground.

Tom Brady, Buccaneers vs. ATL
($6,000 DK, $7,800 FD)
Tom Brady has all of his weapons back healthy and will get healthy as well against an Atlanta pass defense that has allowed multiple passing TDs in three of four games.

DFS Sleepers

Carson Wentz, Commanders vs. TEN
($5,700 DK, $6,800 FD)
  Wentz is coming off a pair of stinkers against top-tier pass defenses. Recency bias will keep most DFS players off of him as they forget about his two early-season blowups against the Jags and Lions. Tennessee has allowed the third-most passing yards and the most passing TDs per game. With two horrible pass defenses facing off here expect big scoring on both sides.

Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins @ NYJ
($5,400 DK, $6,400 FD)
I’ve always bad-mouthed Bridgewater for his standard line of 210-1. That said, this feels like a two-TD game for Teddy-one-TD. I could see stacking him with either Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle, but Waddle would be my choice because he is cheaper.

Running backs DraftKings FanDuel
Christian McCaffrey $8,500 $8,700
Derrick Henry $8,200 $8,900
Nick Chubb $8,000 $9,400
Austin Ekeler $7,800 $9,000
Dalvin Cook
$7,300 $7,300
Leonard Fournette $6,900 $7,800
Alvin Kamara $6,600 $7,000
Jamaal Williams $6,500 $8,300
Miles Sanders $6,500 $7,600
Najee Harris $6,500 $6,600
Alexander Mattison $6,400 $7,300
James Conner $6,300 $6,700
James Robinson $6,300 $8,000
Dameon Pierce $6,200 $7,500
David Montgomery $6,200 $7,100
Devin Singletary $6,100 $6,000
Kareem Hunt $6,000 $5,900
Antonio Gibson $5,900 $6,300
Khalil Herbert $5,900 $7,100
Ezekiel Elliott $5,800 $6,200
Tony Pollard $5,700 $5,700
Cam Akers $5,600 $6,100
Damien Harris $5,600 $7,200
Darrell Henderson $5,500 $6,100
Jeff Wilson $5,500 $6,500
Rhamondre Stevenson $5,500 $6,000
Breece Hall $5,400 $6,600
Mark Ingram $5,400 $6,000
Rashaad Penny $5,300 $6,900
Chase Edmonds $5,200 $5,700
J.D. McKissic $5,200 $5,100
Rachaad White $5,100 $5,800
Travis Etienne $5,100 $5,600
Kenneth Gainwell $5,000 $5,200
Raheem Mostert $5,000 $5,800
Rex Burkhead $5,000 $5,100
Dontrell Hilliard $4,900 $5,000
Michael Carter $4,900 $5,500
Brian Robinson $4,800 $5,500
Craig Reynolds $4,800 $5,500
Kenneth Walker $4,700 $5,300
Tyler Allgeier $4,700 $5,700
Zack Moss $4,700 $5,100
Eno Benjamin $4,600 $5,400
Darrel Williams $4,400 $5,000
Caleb Huntley $4,300 $5,600

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey finally saw the targets he deserved last week, but this matchup is ugly. Derrick Henry has a slightly better matchup, so I prefer him here. Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb have much better matchups than both of them. Still, Dalvin Cook has the best matchup of any of them and is cheaper. If I spend up at RB it will be for one of these five. That said, there are just too many bargains to not skip the high-priced guys. James Robinson Jamaal Williams, Dameon PierceKareem Hunt, and the Patriots’ RBs will make up most of my lineups. You can even punt easily with Breece Hall (knee)Mark Ingram (if Alvin Kamara (ribs) is out again), or Tyler Allgeier.

Fantasy Four-pack

Nick Chubb, Browns vs. LAC
($8,000 DK, $9,400 FD)
The Chargers have allowed rushing TDs each of the last two weeks. They also were torched by pass-catching backs all season. Chubb is not involved in the passing game at all, but he still is among the top two in both total yards and scores among RBs. Both Chubb and Kareem Hunt will score this week.

Derrick Henry, Titans @ WAS
($8,200 DK, $8,900 FD
Tennessee is using Henry in the passing game. That is a scary thought as he has already scored in three straight games on the ground. 

Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. CHI ($7,300 DK, $7,300 FDCook is cheaper than all of the other decent plays among the high-priced tier. Plus, only two teams are allowing more RB rushing yards per game than Chicago. At home against this decrepit franchise, Cook will feast in a blowout (at least until Alexander Mattison is asked to finish this one off).

Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ CLE
($7,800 DK, $9,000 FD)
Ekeler woke up from his TD slumber to score three times last week. His success will continue this week as Cleveland has already given up five total RB scores this season. Plus, all of those targets add up fast in the full-PPR world of DK.

DFS Sleepers

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ TB
($4,700 DK, $5,700 FD)
Allgeier has a tough-on-paper matchup with the Buccaneers. Still, with Cordarrelle Patterson out for at least the next month, Allgeier is going to get all the touches he can handle. This volume should make him a favorite sleeper play this week.

Breece Hall, Jets vs. MIA ($5,400 DK, $6,600 FD) Only one RB has more targets through the first four weeks than Hall. Now, he faces a Miami team that is tough against the run but has allowed the fifth-most RB receptions. This game will be a sneaky shootout where Hall hauls in six or seven passes. 

Wide receivers DraftKings FanDuel
Cooper Kupp $9,600 $9,500
Justin Jefferson $8,900 $8,800
Stefon Diggs $8,400 $8,600
Tyreek Hill $8,000 $8,400
Deebo Samuel $7,700 $7,300
Amon-Ra St. Brown $7,600 $8,200
A.J. Brown $7,500 $8,000
Marquise Brown $7,200 $7,800
Mike Williams $7,100 $7,400
CeeDee Lamb $7,000 $7,200
Mike Evans $6,900 $7,500
DK Metcalf $6,800 $7,100
Jaylen Waddle $6,700 $7,700
Christian Kirk $6,600 $7,600
Keenan Allen $6,600 $7,000
Gabe Davis $6,400 $6,000
Adam Thielen $6,300 $6,300
Terry McLaurin $6,200 $6,500
Brandin Cooks $6,100 $6,800
Diontae Johnson $6,100 $6,700
Amari Cooper $6,000 $7,000
DeVonta Smith $6,000 $6,600
Chris Godwin $5,900 $7,000
Drake London $5,900 $6,200
Curtis Samuel $5,800 $5,800
Michael Thomas $5,800 $7,100
Chris Olave $5,700 $6,900
Tyler Lockett $5,600 $6,800
Julio Jones $5,500 $5,700
Brandon Aiyuk $5,400 $5,900
Allen Robinson $5,300 $5,700
DJ Moore $5,200 $5,900
Garrett Wilson $5,200 $6,000
Robert Woods $5,200 $5,900
Corey Davis $5,100 $5,900
Greg Dortch $5,100 $4,900
Joshua Palmer $5,100 $5,500
Darnell Mooney $5,000 $5,800
Elijah Moore $5,000 $5,300
Isaiah McKenzie $5,000 $6,100
Michael Gallup $5,000 $6,000
Josh Reynolds $4,900 $6,400
Noah Brown $4,900 $5,400
Russell Gage $4,900 $6,200
DJ Chark $4,800 $5,600
Jakobi Meyers $4,800 $6,000
DeVante Parker $4,700 $5,700
Jahan Dotson $4,500 $5,800
Chase Claypool $4,400 $5,600
A.J. Green $4,300 $5,100
George Pickens $4,300 $5,500
Jarvis Landry $4,300 $5,500
Robbie Anderson $4,300 $5,500
K.J. Osborn $4,200 $5,200
Marvin Jones $4,200 $5,200
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,200 $5,400
Breshad Perriman $4,100 $5,200
Donovan Peoples-Jones $4,100 $5,400
Nico Collins $4,100 $5,400
Rondale Moore $4,100 $5,200
Zay Jones $4,100 $5,700
Ben Skowronek $4,000 $5,300
Nelson Agholor $4,000 $5,500
Olamide Zaccheaus $4,000 $5,300
DeAndre Carter $3,900 $5,100
Equanimeous St. Brown $3,900 $5,200
Kyle Phillips $3,900 $5,200
Kalif Raymond $3,700 $5,100
Jamal Agnew $3,600 $5,300
Kendrick Bourne $3,600 $5,200
Tre’Quan Smith $3,500 $4,900
Brandon Powell $3,400 $4,700
Laviska Shenault $3,400 $4,600
David Bell $3,300 $4,800
Marquez Callaway $3,300 $5,100
Van Jefferson $3,200 $5,000
Cedrick Wilson $3,100 $4,800

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson have great matchups but high prices. This WR slate is kind of gross, so strongly consider using one of them. You can also save a little money by rolling out Deebo Samuel or A.J. Brown instead. Christian Kirk, Brandin Cooks, and Terry McLaurin are decent WR2 options. At WR3, consider Curtis SamuelRobert WoodsElijah Moore, Josh Reynolds, or DeVonta Smith. There are not a lot of good punt plays this week. If you must go there, use one of the Titans, Jaguars, or Texans’ depth WRs.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. CHI
($8,900 DK, $8,800 FD)
Jefferson has scored and/or topped 100 yards in each of his four career matchups against Chicago. This season Chicago hasn’t really been tested. They will be this week.

Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. PIT
($8,400 DK, $8,600 FD)
Diggs leads all WR in TDs and is second in both receiving yards and receptions. This is impressive seeing as how last week he was playing in the remnants of a hurricane. Prior to last week’s meeting with the Jets, the Steelers had allowed the WR1 on their first three opponents to post a combined 26-325-2.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers @ CAR
($7,700 DK, $7,300 FD)
Marquise Brown and Chris Olave have clobbered Carolina over consecutive weeks. This week, they have to deal with the Swiss Army Knife that is Samuel. We know Samuel can score through the air or on the ground. This week, don’t be surprised when he scores both ways. 

A.J. Brown, Eagles @ ARI
($7,500 DK, $8,000 FD) Jalen Hurts
is my favorite QB of Week 5, so his top WR needs to be my favorite stack. Through four weeks, Brown has scored only once, but he is averaging over 100 receiving yards per game. He will do both this week in a shootout.

DFS Sleepers

Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. TEN
($5,800 DK, $5,800 FD) 
I need to dig somewhere to find a third Samuel to stack with Deebo and Curtis this week. He was dealing with an illness early in the week but should be good to go for Sunday. He could be in for a big day against the Titans’ 29th-ranked pass defense with Jahan Dotson (ankle) unlikely to go.

Robert Woods, Titans @ WAS
($5,200 DK, $5,900 FD
Only one team is allowing more yards to opposing WRs than Washington. With Treylon Burks (toe) doubtful to play, Woods should easily have his best game of the season here. He was the only WR other than Burks to catch a pass last week and already has 36% of the WR receptions on the team.

Tight ends DraftKings FanDuel
George Kittle $5,200 $6,500
T.J. Hockenson $4,900 $7,000
Taysom Hill N/A $6,000
Zach Ertz $4,800 $5,900
Dallas Goedert $4,700 $6,100
Kyle Pitts $4,400 $5,600
Tyler Higbee $4,300 $5,500
Gerald Everett $4,200 $6,300
Pat Freiermuth $4,100 $5,800
David Njoku $3,800 $5,700
Tyler Conklin $3,700 $5,300
Dawson Knox $3,600 $5,000
Mike Gesicki $3,500 $5,000
Cameron Brate $3,400 $4,900
Dalton Schultz  $3,400 $4,800
Will Dissly $3,300 $5,100
Irv Smith $3,200 $4,700
Logan Thomas $3,200 $5,200
Evan Engram $3,100 $4,900
Juwan Johnson $3,000 $4,700
Hunter Henry $2,900 $4,500
Austin Hooper $2,800 $4,500
Noah Fant $2,800 $4,800
Adam Trautman $2,700 $4,500
Jonnu Smith $2,700 $4,400
C.J. Uzomah $2,600 $4,300
O.J. Howard $2,600 $4,500
Brevin Jordan $2,500 $4,300
Colby Parkinson $2,500 $4,500
Jake Ferguson $2,500 $4,400
Jordan Akins $2,500 $4,400
Tommy Tremble $2,500 $4,600

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Most of the top TEs are off of the main slate. Fortunately, the remaining TEs actually have decent matchups. T.J. Hockenson is the best of the best on this board but that FD price is extreme. Zach ErtzTyler Higbee, and Kyle Pitts (hamstring) could be in for decent volume production. Dallas Goedert has a great matchup as well. David Njoku (knee) has also emerged as a weekly reliable option. Cameron Brate (concussion), Logan Thomas, Will Dissly, or one of the Saints are the only punt options.

Fantasy Four-pack

T.J. Hockenson, Lions @ NE
($4,900 DK, $7,000 FD)
With injuries to Detroit’s top two WRs, Hockenson feasted against Seattle to the tune of 8-179-2. If the Lions remain short-handed, expect them to lean on Hockenson once again. This will be a strong game plan since New England has allowed five TE scores over the last three weeks.

Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. DAL
($4,300 DK, $5,500 FD) 
So, Higbee is the real WR2 in Los Angeles this season. If Matthew Stafford doesn’t look at Cooper Kupp, he looks immediately to Higbee. Kupp will have to deal with Trevon Diggs, which should open up another healthy dose of targets for the TE who is leading the league in that category.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ ARI
($4,700 DK, $6,100 FD) 
Arizona has given up a ton of yards and points to opposing TEs. Of course, they have also faced three of the best in the league. Goedert is currently fifth at the position in receiving yards, so there is no rest for the weary this week. He will continue his 5-60 production and may even score this week, too.

Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. PHI
($4,800 DK, $5,900 FD)
This game could be gold for TEs. Consider the Jalen Hurts-A.J. Brown-Dallas Goedert stack, and then run it back with Ertz. Philly has a pair of studs at the outside corners to frustrate the Cardinals’ top outside WRs. This should mean that passes will be funneled to Ertz and Rondale Moore in the middle of the field.

DFS Sleepers

David Njoku, Browns vs. LAC
($3,800 DK, $5,700 FD)
Njoku has been on fire, posting 14-162-1 over the last two weeks. He always had the pedigree to support this level of production, but he never had the chance until now. Expect consistent 6-60 production all season.

Will Dissly, Seahawks @ NOS
($3,300 DK, $5,100 FD
Don’t look now, but Dissly has scored in three of the first four weeks. The Saints are actually posting solid stats against the position, but the only above-average TE they have faced is Kyle Pitts (and it isn’t as if he is being used as a top TE currently).