NFL DraftKings DFS Position Value Picks for Week 5: Best Options at Each Spot

Another week means another set of matchups to examine when putting together a DFS lineup. The Thursday and Monday games in Week 5 take some great options off the table while injuries are starting to play a role in DFS selections. Whether you want a star player, a value option, or someone in the middle, here are players at each position to consider for your DFS lineup in Week 5.

Outside of Josh Allen and C.J. Stroud, who are facing one another this week, Jackson is the best option for an elite quarterback. Granted, his passing numbers have been low the past two weeks because the Ravens have built big leads early. But Jackson has also scored a rushing touchdown in back-to-back games. He’s also averaging 77 rushing yards per game, which is going to help his fantasy value. Just two weeks ago, the Cincinnati defense gave up 254 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown against Jayden Daniels, which is a sign that Jackson can be just as good.

The Patriots have a solid defense, yet Purdy was able to throw for 288 yards against them last week, averaging over 10 yards per pass. Against an Arizona defense that was torched by Jayden Daniels last week, Purdy should be capable of another big game. Keep in mind, he’s averaging over 280 passing yards per game. Equally important, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle played last week despite injury concerns, meaning the San Francisco offense is close to full health and should be rounding into form for Purdy.

The Giants aren’t winning games, but Jones is having a decent fantasy season for a quarterback who doesn’t cost much. He’s gone over 200 passing yards in back-to-back games and has multiple touchdown passes in two of his four games this year. Jones is also a threat to pick up yards with his legs. Keep in mind Jones is facing a Seattle defense that didn’t force any incompletions last week. The caveat is that he needs Malik Nabers to return from a concussion and be active this week. If Nabers is active on Sunday, Jones will be a good budget-friendly fantasy quarterback option.

As long as Christian McCaffrey remains on IR, Mason is going to get a bulk of the carries for the 49ers. He’s not a huge factor in the passing game like McCaffrey, although Mason is averaging over 22 carries and 111 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have allowed 100-yard rushers in back-to-back games, conceding over 400 total rushing yards across those two games. That makes Mason an excellent option to have a big game on the ground, possibly crossing the 100-yard threshold.

With an average of 5.2 yards per carry, the Browns would be wise to keep feeding Ford the ball. His lack of carries is a little bit of a concern, but Ford’s productivity this season is undeniable. There have also been a couple of games in which he’s been a frequent target in the passing game, catching seven passes last week. The Washington defense allowed a 100-yard rusher last week and has allowed 30-plus points twice in four weeks, making this a favorable matchup for Ford.

It was ugly for Williams and the Broncos early in the season. However, Denver’s offense ran the ball effectively in the second half of last week’s win over the Jets, enabling Williams to gain 77 yards on 16 carries. A couple of other backs have taken carries away from him, although Williams is clearly the best running back on Denver’s roster. After last week’s performance, look for the Broncos to show more of a commitment to Williams and the running game, especially against a Las Vegas defense that’s already allowed two 100-yard rushers this year.

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Through four weeks, Collins is leading the NFL in receiving yards - and it isn’t even close. Even with Stefon Diggs joining the Texans, it’s clear that C.J. Stroud is more comfortable throwing the ball to Collins. That sets him up for another big game in what could be a shootout between the Bills and Texans. While the Buffalo defense has limited the damage through the air this season, the Bills don’t have an elite lockdown corner who can keep Collins contained all game. Plus, Houston’s passing attack is by far the best the Bills have seen this year, so there should be no hesitation in spending DFS money on Collins.

Jordan Love’s return is great news for Reed. He caught seven passes for 139 yards and a touchdown last week. Reed also had 138 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 1 when Love played. That’s compared to just 59 total receiving yards in the two games Love missed. Needless to say, as long as Love is playing quarterback, Reed is going to get the ball and have a chance to make plays. The Packers also give him one or two carries per game, so there is potential for Reed to pick up fantasy points on the ground, which adds to his value.

There have been some growing pains for the Denver passing game with Bo Nix as the quarterback. But it must be said that Sutton has more than twice as many targets as any other receiver on the Broncos. Clearly, he’s the guy who Nix is looking at most often. Over Denver’s back-to-back wins, Sutton has had 10 catches on 20 targets for 128 yards and a touchdown. Even with Sauce Gardner covering him last week, Nix was throwing in Sutton’s direction. As Nix grows more comfortable, Sutton’s productivity should increase, giving him plenty of upside for a low-cost wide receiver.

We’ve yet to see the best out of Kincaid this season, in part because most of Buffalo’s games have been one-sided affairs. But with a close, high-scoring game with the Texans expected this week, this could be a breakout game for Kincaid. He ranks second on the team in targets and is usually someone Josh Allen looks favors in the red zone. Without a lot of great tight end performances this year, Kincaid is the best DFS option in Week 5.

His days of being an elite tight end are over, but Ertz has carved out a consistent role in Washington’s offense. He’s averaging four targets per game and has failed to catch a pass when targeted just once in four games this season. While he’s yet to find the end zone and may not rack up a huge amount of yards, Ertz is a safe bet to give you some fantasy points from the tight end position, which can’t be said for everyone.

With Evan Engram missing in action since Week 1, Strange has become Jacksonville’s primary receiving tight end. He’s received 14 targets over the past three games and even scored a touchdown in Week 3. As long as Engram remains out, Strange is a cheap DFS option who has some upside as the Jaguars desperately struggle to get their first win.

Elite Option - Bears ($3,600)

After the first month of the season, Chicago has a top-10 defense that’s held opposing teams under 20 points in three of four games. Remember the Bears won in Week 1 solely on the back of their defense, which has already forced nine turnovers and 10 sacks this year. Even if the Carolina offense has looked better with Andy Dalton at quarterback, this is still a favorable matchup for the Bears, who are playing at home.

Despite being 1-3, the New England defense deserves a little credit for hanging tough while working with an offense that has scored the second-fewest points in the NFL. Of course, the Patriots are a good option in Week 5 because they’re playing the Dolphins. The Miami offense didn’t look that good before Tua Tagovailoa went out, and they are even worse without him, scoring just 25 total points over their last three games. There is no good quarterback option for Miami right now, which puts the New England defense in a favorable position at home this week.

The Indy defense has had its ups and downs this year, which is why they are among the cheapest DFS units for Week 5. If you need a budget-friendly defense this week, the Colts are a good fit by virtue of playing the Jaguars. To Jacksonville’s credit, they aren’t turning the ball over that much. However, Trevor Lawrence has taken 12 sacks and completed just 53% of his passes through four games. The Jags have also been held to 20 points or less in all four games, so even an inconsistent Indy defense is set up to have a solid DFS output in Week 5.

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