Every year, millions of adults sit down to draft a team, obsess over statistical spreadsheets, and yell at their computer screens over imaginary battles. We pretend it’s a high-stakes corporate boardroom meeting, but let’s face it: Fantasy football is just Dungeons & Dragons for sports fans.
Think about it. Instead of a Dungeon Master, we have a league commissioner. Instead of a Level 8 Elven Rogue with high agility, you’re starting a slot wide receiver because he has a 28% target share. Your primary enemy isn’t an ancient Red Dragon; it’s a random third-string fullback vulturing touchdowns on the one-yard line. And just like spending hours crafting a character backstory only to watch them walk into a spike trap, we spend months researching draft strategies just to watch our first-round pick pull a hamstring in the first quarter of Week 1.
At the end of the day, we are all just nerds letting random variance completely dictate our weekend happiness. But since we are already locked into this spreadsheet simulation, we might as well try to win it.
Welcome back, nerds, to Money Makers and Heart Breakers. This article is primarily a who-to-play and who-not-to-play guide for the Main Slate of DFS lineups, but many readers have told me they use it as a Start/Sit article for season-long formats as well. However, if you use this article, thank you for reading it.
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Money Makers and Heartbreakers for Week 5 NFL DFS
💰 Money Maker – A player expected to outperform his salary and ownership.
💔 Heart Breaker – A popular or appealing option who may produce below expectations.
💰 Money Makers
Now let’s shake that money maker and break some hearts as Week 5 is about to start.
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff has passed for over 400 yards or multiple touchdowns in every game this season. Yes, you read that right: in the only game he didn’t throw multiple touchdowns, he still eclipsed 400 passing yards. In Week 5, the Lions play the Cardinals, and the Cardinals give up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. The over/under is 54.5, the highest on the slate. Everything is set up here for a shootout, and I am here for it. Go Goff Go!
- FanDuel: $8,100
- DraftKings: $6,600
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
You don’t feel like playing Goff? Well then, hit up the other side of the same game at quarterback. The Lions give up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Quarterbacks average 327 yards and 2.8 touchdowns per week against the Lions. This is a good week to play your Cardinals and run it back with Lions pass catchers.
- FanDuel: $6,800
- DraftKings: $5,500
Jameis Winston, New York Giants
The Giants play the Commanders in Week 5. The Commanders give up the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Winston likes to sling it. That’s been his MO throughout his career. In Week 4, Winston passed for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. Expect that kind of production again in Week 5. Plug in Jameis and eat some wins this week.
- FanDuel: $6,800
- DraftKings: $4,800
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
- FanDuel: $7,000
- DraftKings: $5,300
Geno Smith, New York Jets
- FanDuel: $6,700
- DraftKings: $5,000
Quarterback Notes: Geno is the budget addition against the Browns in Week 5. The Browns give up the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Rodgers has a great Week 5 matchup against a Colts defense that gives up the 6th-most fantasy points to QBs. I will have shares on Winston, Goff, and Brissett going for sure in Week 5.
Running Backs
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
The Browns play the Dolphins in Week 5. The Dolphins have allowed running-back touchdowns in the first four games this year. Miami gives up the third most fantasy points to running backs. Brown will be involved on the ground and through the air in Week 5. Especially with the wide receivers on the Bengals all dinged up. In Week 4, Brown caught 11 passes for 71 yards. Brown knows.
- FanDuel: $8,000
- DraftKings: $6,900
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs so far in the 2026 season. Six different running backs have topped double-digit fantasy points against the Saints this season. Jones has had awesome volume in the past two games, topping 22 total touches in both. A good match and massive volume usually turn into a great fantasy day. This is one Jones I will be keeping up with in my lineups.
- FanDuel: $6,200
- DraftKings: $6,500
Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
The Browns will play the Jets in Week 5. The Jets have given up five touchdowns to running backs over the past two games. Judkins has seen good carry volume and was heavily involved in the passing game in Week 4 as well. This is good, not great, running back against a defense that stinks at stopping the run. I really want to call him Studkins again.
- FanDuel: $6,100
- DraftKings: $5,700
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
- FanDuel: $6,700
- DraftKings: $6,700
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
- FanDuel: $6,400
- DraftKings: $5,200
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
- FanDuel: $6,500
- DraftKings: $6,200
Running Back Notes: Brown offers both rushing and receiving paths against Miami. Judkins and Jones both have paths to massive volume in Week 5. Warren benefits from Indianapolis allowing the eighth-most RB fantasy points to Rbs. Green Bay allows the second-most, putting both Bears backs on the shortlist. Monangai’s recent workload favors him, while Swift retains a receiving path. Both missed Wednesday practice; choose based on health and the expected split rather than assuming they’ll both get a full workload. I do like both.
Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
The Cardinals have allowed 8 touchdown passes to wide receivers. Arizona gives up the fourth most fantasy points to wide receivers. The Game has the highest over/under on the slate (as mentioned earlier). To top it off, we are talking about the Sun God. St. Brown has a 29% target share of Lions passes and 5 touchdowns on the season. The volume will be there. Break out your sunglasses and suntan lotion because the Sun God is going to shine in Week 5.
- FanDuel: $9,000
- DraftKings: $7,900
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Over the past two games, Wilson has seen 30 targets. Over the season, he has a 29% share of the Cardinals’ passes. The Lions are up in Week 5. Detroit has allowed the second-most fantasy points to receivers. Wilson’s recent target share gives him a chance to exploit that weakness, especially if Arizona has to throw to keep pace. Stack him with Brissett and feel really good about it.
- FanDuel: $6,400
- DraftKings: $6,200
Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans
In Week 4, Tate caught 9 of 12 targets for 145 yards. In Week 5, the Titans play the Texans, who give up the most fantasy points to wide receivers. The matchup could not be better. He was unlocked in Week 4. Everything looks like this is a great week to plug him into your DFS lineup. The Price is Right, Bob.
- FanDuel: $5,900
- DraftKings: $5,300
Malik Nabers, New York Giants
- FanDuel: $7,300
- DraftKings: $6,300
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
- FanDuel: $7,400
- DraftKings: $6,600
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
- FanDuel: $6,500
- DraftKings: $5,900
Wide Receiver Notes: Detroit–Arizona supplies Amon-Ra, Michael Wilson, and Jameson Williams. St. Brown and Wilson offer massive volume in great matchups. Jameson offers big-play upside in Week 5. Tate draws Houston, the most generous WR opponent. Washington and Cleveland rank fifth and sixth most generous to receivers, respectively, meaning Nabers and Garrett Wilson also have fantastic matchups.
Tight Ends
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
Detroit has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends. McBride’s is the top option in the Cardinals’ passing game. Trey has a 30% target share. Arizona’s passing tree has two branches taking most of the targets. McBride and then Wilson. The Lions give up the most fantasy points to opposing teams’ tight ends. Six different tight ends have scored touchdowns against the Lions this season. We have one of the best fantasy tight ends in the best possible matchup; that is probably all I had to say.
- FanDuel: $7,200
- DraftKings: $6,700
Isaiah Likely, New York Giants
The Giants play the Commanders in Week 5. Washington has allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends. In Week 4 Likely saw 12 targets, which he turned into 7 receptions and 66 yards. The game looks like a shootout. Isaiah will be involved. His quarterback likes to sling it. This is a great time to play Likely. I used up the pun with his last name in Week 4.
- FanDuel: $5,300
- DraftKings: $4,300
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray likes to pass to his tight ends. He is not tall, and he likes to run. T.J. Hockenson is his tight end. I had T.J. in this article and Late Slate last week. He made me look smart with 13 targets, 13 receptions and 119 yards. I feel pretty smart recommending him again this week
- FanDuel: $5,200
- DraftKings: $4,800
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
- FanDuel: $6,000
- DraftKings: $4,900
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
- FanDuel: $5,100
- DraftKings: $3,700
Tight End Notes: Detroit and Arizona offer a shootout matchup with high-volume targets in McBride and LaPorta. Likely offers a lower-priced Washington matchup. Hockenson faces New Orleans, which ranks eighth most generous to TEs. Henry faces a Las Vegas defense that gives up the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends.
Cincinnati Bengals
Miami has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing teams’ defenses. That makes Cincinnati a matchup-driven streamer with opportunities for sacks and mistakes. The Bengals are a good Week 5 matchup play. The Dolphins have scored no fewer than 8 fantasy points against the Dolphins this season.
- FanDuel: salary verification pending
- DraftKings: salary verification pending
Las Vegas Raiders
New England has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Raiders have a top-eight pass defense and 21 points allowed per game. They will pressure Drake Maye. I will be out here rooting for my Patriots and watching this defense make some plays I hate. I am very unhappy writing that I think this is a great defensive play in Week 5, but they are.
- FanDuel: salary verification pending
- DraftKings: salary verification pending
Denver Broncos
We thought the Broncos would be a good fantasy defense this offseason, but we were wrong. But the Chargers are up in Week 5. The Chargers have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Chargers have allowed 12 sacks and 6 interceptions in 4 games this season. Expect Denver’s defense to look pretty good in Week 5.
- FanDuel: $4,700
- DraftKings: $3,200
Check out all of our Week 5 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings | MOP Rankings
💔 Heart Breakers
Quarterbacks
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
I like Shough a lot and think the volume should be there in Week 5. But the Vikings have been the stingiest defense to quarterbacks so far this season. It will be Shough’s toughest test so far. Avoid in DFS; I will only play him if I have no better season-long options.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks face the Niners in Week 5. Seattle has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Purdy can still produce through an efficient offense, but this is a difficult spot to buy a ceiling game. This one does not look very Purdy.
Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
The Steelers have a good real-life defense. Danny Dimes hasn’t scored more than 12 fantasy points in a game yet this season. We are combining a bad matchup with not-so-good quarterback play. Look, he hasn’t got it done in easy matchups; it is unlikely he will in a tough one.
Running Backs
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Don’t let Week 4’s touchdowns make you want to play him in Week 5. Kamara is averaging 3.28 yards per carry, yuck. If he doesn’t score a touchdown, he isn’t even playable.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
The Cardinals have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. They have a pass-funnel defense. Gibbs is involved in the passing game and could do well there. This is a temper-expectations game, and I would avoid him in DFS. In season-long, you are clearly playing him.
Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Skattebo hasn’t been making us drool over his production this season. IN Week 5 he draws a Commanders defense that actually defends the run well. That might be because you can pass all over them. To top it off he dinged up his shoulder in Week 4. Ho hum, even a Skattebo backflip isn’t getting me excited about this one.
Wide Receivers
Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks give up the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. No one has topped 80 receiving yards against the Seahawks yet. Evans also has rib concern. Look, if you have him in season-long, you are probably playing him. In DFS, he is a no-go.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins left the Week 4 game injured but is currently day-to-day and will most likely play in Week 5. The Dolphins’ defense is good against wide receivers. The Dolphins give up the third most fantasy points to wide receivers. Even if we expect a bump in targets, it’s a good week to avoid Higgins.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
The Packers are throwing plenty because their running game isn’t getting the job done. That could keep Watson involved, but volume only gets you so far against a tough defense. Chicago allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. The targets may be there in Week 5; turning them into fantasy production is the concern.
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
You can’t put Bowers here! Well, since I write the article, yes, I can. Hear me out. You’re starting him, but this is a week to temper expectations. New England allows the fewest fantasy points to tight ends and completely shut down Dalton Kincaid in Week 4. No tight end has topped 32 receiving yards or scored against the Patriots this season. Bowers has the talent to challenge that streak, but don’t pencil in a monster game.
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Kraft has a role in Green Bay’s passing game, but Chicago makes it tough to cash in on those targets. The Bears allow the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Opportunity should keep Kraft in the conversation, but the matchup makes him a less appealing option in Week 5.
A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks play the Niners in Week 5. Only Trey McBride has more than 20 receiving yards against the Niners. The Niners give up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing teams’ tight ends. Barner is a matchup-dependent play at tight end on a good day. This is not a good day.
The Reedy Rule for Week 5
Let the matchup open the door, the workload earns the recommendation, and the salary determines the investment.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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