With four weeks of football concluded, bye week season is here. Fantasy points teams allowed to skill positions is more than a one-week anomaly at this point. Speaking of anomalies, how about the Denver Broncos winning their second straight road game? I did not think their Week 3 victory at Tampa would start a streak. What a time to be alive. If you played any of the players or stacks I suggested from Week 4, congratulations on finishing your contests in the green. For Week 5’s 10-game slate, let’s continue to ride the momentum from last week’s DFS recommendations. I have done the research to identify my top three cash and GPP plays at the skilled positions, top positional fade, and top stacks to help YOU win big. Without further ado, let’s go over the Week 5 NFL DFS plays for the main slate.
Week 5 DraftKings Main Slate Picks
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love (QB – GB): DK $6,500 at LAR (Cash)
After missing two games due to a sprained MCL, Jordan Love returned back to action. Love looked rusty early on with three turnovers but finished strong as Week 4’s QB2 (32/54 attempts for 389 yards and four passing touchdowns). Green Bay heads to Los Angeles as (-3) point road favorites and has the second-highest implied team total of (25.75). Love has a favorable matchup against a Rams defense, allowing the sixth most DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). Another top-five QB finish is probable.
Deshaun Watson (QB – CLE): DK $5,300 at WAS (Cash)
If it was not for a negated 76-yard touchdown play called back in Las Vegas last week, more people would be talking about Deshaun Watson this week. Furthermore, Watson completed 75% of his passes (24/32), and it’s like no one cares. A trip to the nation’s capital is something I care about. Washington’s defense gives up the fourth most DK points at 21.5 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Watson’s Browns are (+3) point road underdogs. I expect Watson to exploit this matchup, score 20+ DK points, and win the game for Cleveland.
Bo Nix (QB – DEN): DK $5,000 vs. LV (GPP)
One look at the Raiders-Broncos’ (35.5) over/under, and there is nothing to be excited about. Except there’s a gem, many are still wondering if he’s legit. The “he” I am referring to is Bo Nix. Nix has scored double-digit DK points three times this season. I expect Nix to do it a fourth time in five games because of his dual-threat capabilities. Las Vegas allowed four yards per carry to Deshaun Watson off eight rush attempts. Nix will receive plenty of notoriety after marching the Broncos to a third straight win and a top-12 QB finish.
Daniel Jones (QB – NYG): DK $5,200 at SEA (Fade)
The odds are stacked against Daniel Jones this week with no Malik Nabers (concussion), no Devin Singletary, and a pissed-off Seattle Seahawks team. The Seahawks defense had a perfect game administered to them by Jared Goff on Monday night football. Jones is going to have a difficult time moving the football in a hostile environment. In addition, Seattle’s defense is allowing the 11th fewest DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). For $500 more DK, I like Trevor Lawrence’s matchup better.
Running Backs
Jordan Mason (RB – SF): DK $7,400 vs. ARI (Cash)
Ever since Christian McCaffrey was ruled out to start the 2024 NFL season, Jordan Mason has stepped up admirably in McCaffrey’s place. Mason is currently the RB5 in points scored this season. Mason is getting bell cow usage, playing 78% of snaps, three top 12 RB finishes, and two inside the top five. His matchup against Arizona is juicy. They allow the fourth most DK points to RBs with 30.2 per game (per Pro Football Reference). San Francisco are (-7.5) point home favorites with the highest implied team total of (28.5). Expect another big game from Mason this week.
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE): DK $6,000 vs. MIA (GPP)
There was a lot of chatter out of New England this week saying Rhamondre Stevenson could lose his starter role due to his fumbling issues. Even if Antonio Gibson gets the start, Stevenson is a better RB. Stevenson is going to be lower-rostered, and you should take advantage of your DFS contests. Miami on the season allows the fifth most DK points to oppose RBs with 28.6 per game (per Pro Football Reference). New England are (-1.5) point home favorites and should run the ball to dominate time of possession.
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI): DK $5,700 vs. CAR (Cash)
What a turn of events for D’Andre Swift this season. Prior to Swift’s RB3 breakout game last week against the Rams, he was not capitalizing on his opportunities. The Bears’ offensive line definitely was a reason why, but Swift was not seeing the field well either. Fast-forward to the Carolina Panthers matchup and Swift should have no problem running the football. Carolina remains a porous run defense, allowing the second most DK points to RBs (per Pro Football Reference). I expect Swift to see 20+ touches again and contend for a second straight top-five finish.
Zack Moss (RB – CIN): DK $6,000 vs. BAL (Fade)
The Ravens-Bengals matchup is tied for the second-highest O/U of the week at (48.5). Cincinnati are (-2.5) point home dogs, which is not ideal for Zack Moss. Moss normally receives more touches in positive game script situations. Baltimore ranks fourth in fewest points allowed to RBs (per Pro Football Reference). I am concerned Chase Brown could see more passing game work if the Bengals fall behind. For $200 less DK, pivot to Jerome Ford in a better matchup.
Wide Receivers
Amari Cooper (WR – CLE): DK $6,200 at WAS (Cash)
Normally, I would suggest playing Amari Cooper at home because his home/road splits are so drastic. However, the Washington Commanders’ defense is the exception. They allow the most DK points to WRs with 47.8 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Cleveland is expected to play from behind which means Cooper should get all the targets he can handle. Cooper finished as a top-five WR two weeks ago and he could possibly do it this week too. Cooper has also been the subject of trade talks so maybe this game could be an audition for potential suitors.
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN): DK $5,500 vs. LV (GPP)
The last two weeks Courtland Sutton has scored double-digit DK points (14.4). On the season Sutton is averaging nine targets per game and is tied for seventh with 36 overall. Sutton’s matchup with Las Vegas is not a smash but it’s decent. The Raiders are in the middle of the pack against WRs (18th) (per Pro Football Reference). With Antonio Pierce “losing the team” according to some inside the Raiders organization, Sutton could have a nice game and divide the team even further.
Dontayvion Wicks (WR – GB): DK $5,000 at LAR (Cash)
Christian Watson unfortunately got injured last week which opened the door for Dontayvion Wicks to see the field. Wicks did not disappoint. He finished as Week 4’s WR3 with 13 targets, five receptions for 78 yards, and two touchdowns (24.8 DK points). Wick has a favorable matchup against the Rams. Los Angeles defense allows the seventh most DK points to WRs (per Pro Football Reference). If Wicks ball out again (I believe he will), he is not giving up the WR2 role back to Watson once he returns from injury.
Diontae Johnson (WR – CAR): DK $6,100 at CHI (Fade)
Ever since Andy Dalton took over for Bryce Young two weeks ago, Diontae Johnson has transformed into a different player. Johnson has averaged 25.3 DK points, 13.5 targets, and 102.5 yards per game. This week the matchup against the Bears is not good. Chicago give up the sixth-fewest points to opposing WRs with one touchdown allowed (per Pro Football Reference). Give me Brian Thomas Jr. for $200 less DK as a better point-per-dollar play.
Check out all of our Week 5 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Tight Ends
Evan Engram (TE – JAC): DK $4,600 vs. IND (Cash)
Evan Engram logged a couple of limited practices this week so there is a chance he will be active Sunday. Evan Engram has had 30 catches for 263 yards in five games against the Colts in his career (per statmuse.com). If Engram plays, his matchup versus Indianapolis is nice. Indy allows the second most DK points to TEs with 14.7 per game (per Pro Football Reference). With the state of the TE position, Engram could finish as Week 5’s TE1.
Cole Kmet (TE – CHI): DK $4,300 vs. CAR (GPP)
With all the Bears playmakers healthy, it’s easy for Cole Kmet to get lost in the shuffle. Kmet is currently the TE4 in points scored this season. The matchup against Carolina is another opportunity to push Kmet further up the tight end landscape. The Panthers allow the fourth most DK points to TEs with 13.4 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Kmet makes for a fine leverage play in contests.
Colby Parkinson (TE – GB): DK $3,700 vs. GB (GPP)
Ever since Colby Parkinson’s Week 1 TE7 finish, he has disappeared. Despite Parkinson’s lack of production, he has been on the field for 89% of snaps. Green Bay has surrendered the eight most DK points to opposing TEs. The Rams are (-3) point dogs in a negative game script. If there was ever a time to come out of a slump, it’s this week.
Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF): DK $5,300 at HOU (Fade)
One would think the news of Khalil Shakir being ruled out is good for Dalton Kincaid. Think again. Kincaid may see a couple of extra targets his way, but this is not a good spot to attack Houston. On the season, the Texans are allowing the fourth fewest DK points to TEs with one touchdown scored (per Pro Football Reference). In a better game environment, for $300 DK more, give me George Kittle.
Top Stacks
1. Packers-Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks
2. 49ers-Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle
3. Jaguars-Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., Evan Engram
4. Browns-Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy
5. Colts-Joe Flacco, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs (if Richardson is out)
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!