Welcome back to the Week 5 NFL DFS Late Slate!
Calling all DFS degenerates, supportive relatives, and people who somehow enjoy my writing. I checked in with my Mom this weekend, and yes, she says that I’m handsome. She may have some recency bias with her scouting, but I appreciate the confidence.
By Sunday afternoon, your Main Slate lineup might be cruising. Or you might be staring at your phone, wondering how all that research led to so few points. Either way, the Late Slate gets its own game plan. Yes, I play it every week. You probably figured that out when I started writing an entire article about it.
This week, we have six teams to work with and two games with appealing scoring potential. Let’s find the volume, attack the matchups, and leave enough salary to fit the players we actually want. Those lineups aren’t going to build themselves.
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Week 5 Late Slate Games
Late Slate scope: Sunday, October 11 afternoon games only. Denver at Los Angeles Chargers kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET; Detroit at Arizona and San Francisco at Seattle kick off at 4:20.
Quarterbacks
| Player | Opp | FanDuel | DraftKings |
| Jared Goff | at ARI | $8,100 | $6,600 |
| Jacoby Brissett | vs DET | $6,800 | $5,500 |
| Justin Herbert | vs DEN | $7,100 | $5,100 |
Jared Goff
Goff has thrown for multiple touchdowns in every game but one this season. His consolation prize in that one? More than 400 passing yards. Now he gets a Cardinals defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, in a game with a slate-high 54.5-point total. The production is there, the matchup is right, and the scoreboard could get a workout. Go, Goff, go!
Jacoby Brissett
The other side of the Lions–Cardinals matchup offers plenty of quarterback upside, too. Detroit allows the most fantasy points to the position, with opposing quarterbacks averaging 327 passing yards and 2.8 touchdowns per game. That puts Arizona’s passing attack firmly in play. Stack the Cardinals quarterback with one of his top targets, then do a run back with a Lions pass catcher. Give me a piece of that shootout.
Justin Herbert
The Chargers play the Broncos in Week 5. The Broncos give up the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing teams quarterbacks. Surtain is reported out, and Moss missed Wednesday practice, creating an opening for Herbert to have a good day. Treat him as a lower-confidence alternative to the original two quarterbacks.
Running backs
| Player | Opp | FanDuel | DraftKings |
| Emanuel Wilson | vs SF | $6,000 | $5,300 |
| Jeremiyah Love | vs DET | $6,600 | $6,100 |
| Keaton Mitchell | vs DEN | $5,300 | $4,500 |
| Omarion Hampton | vs DEN | $7,100 | $6,000 |
Emanuel Wilson
The Niners are up in Week 5. San Francisco gives up the 10th-most RB fantasy points. Wilson handled 21 carries and three receptions in Week 4, totaling 120 yards and two touchdowns. We are looking at lead back touches in a great matchup in Week 5. Wilson will be a great play in Week 5.
Jeremiyah Love
The Cardinals will play the Lions in Week 5. Detroit gives up the 14th-most fantasy points to opposing teams’ running backs. He appears to be working through his ankle injury and will play. With his 15 or more touches in each of the last two games, the volume should be there. However, he splits time with Tyler Allgeier, who could also play this week.
Keaton Mitchell
Mitchell has had double-digit touches in each of the past two games. In Week 4, Mitchell led the Chargers in running back snaps played. The Broncos are up, and they are the seventh-most generous RB matchup. Although he led the Chargers backs in touches, Hampton and Vidal also got meaningful work. Receiving usage gives him a route to value; the committee keeps him as more of a tournament play.
Omarion Hampton
The Denver matchup makes Hampton look like a great Week 5 play. But Hampton’s Week 4 workload lowers confidence: nine carries, two receptions, and roughly 35% of snaps. He still has a touchdown path, but the new committee makes a workhorse assumption unlikely. I am choosing between him and Mitchell based on price and expected work rather than assigning both a full workload.
Running back notes: Prioritize Wilson, then Love if healthy. Mitchell and Hampton are alternatives within one committee. The favorable Denver points against rank is based on only four games and has been influenced by the backs Denver has faced.
Wide receivers
| Player | Opp | FanDuel | DraftKings |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | at ARI | $9,000 | $7,900 |
| Michael Wilson | vs DET | $6,400 | $6,200 |
| Jameson Williams | at ARI | $6,500 | $5,900 |
| Tre’ Harris | vs DEN | $5,500 | $4,100 |
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Arizona has surrendered eight touchdowns to wide receivers and allows the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. Now the Cardinals get Amon-Ra St. Brown in the game with the slate’s highest projected total. The Sun God commands a 29% target share and already has five touchdowns this season. With plenty of volume, a favorable matchup, and shootout potential, Break out the sunglasses. St. Brown is set to shine in Week 5.
Michael Wilson
Thirty targets in two games? Michael Wilson is getting fed. He owns a 29% target share this season and now faces a Lions defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. If Arizona needs to throw to keep pace, Wilson should be busy again. The workload and matchup make him an appealing stacking partner for Jacoby Brissett in Week 5.
Jameson Williams
Arizona has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to receivers in the supplied matchup data. Williams offers a lower-priced way into that matchup, with downfield plays creating a route to a big return. Amon-Ra has the steadier target volume, so Williams is the more volatile tournament option.
Tre Harris
Harris played 93% of snaps and drew five targets in Week 4, catching three passes for 60 yards. McConkey’s foot injury could keep him in this expanded role. Patrick Surtain’s absence improves the overall outlook. Harris should get the volume back if Ladd McConkey is out.
Tight ends
| Player | Opp | FanDuel | DraftKings |
| Trey McBride | vs DET | $7,200 | $6,700 |
| Sam LaPorta | at ARI | $6,000 | $4,900 |
Trey McBride
Arizona’s passing tree has two main branches: Trey McBride and Michael Wilson. McBride leads the way with a 30% target share, and now he gets a Detroit defense allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends. Six different tight ends have already scored against the Lions this season. One of fantasy’s best tight ends, heavy volume, and the friendliest matchup at the position? I probably could have stopped there. Play McBride.
Sam LaPorta
Arizona gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends. LaPorta gets a great matchup in an established passing offense that will be involved in a shootout at a price well below McBride’s. His routes and receiving involvement provide a way to capitalize without needing a single short touchdown to carry the entire week.
Defense
| Player | Opp | FanDuel | DraftKings |
| Denver Broncos | at LAC | $4,700 | $3,200 |
Denver Broncos
The Chargers have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing offenses in the supplied matchup data. Denver is a good play here because of that opportunity, despite poor defensive performance so far. This is a matchup-driven play. Its salary needs to justify the risk.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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