Week 5 brings the first bye week of the season, and that trims the player pool a bit. Even so, there’s still enough value on the board to build a DraftKings lineup with real upside, especially when a few players are set up to beat their salaries.
Jameis Winston is the quarterback centerpiece here, and the matchup is the main reason why. He gets the Washington Commanders, who allow 23.3 FPPG to opposing QBs. That’s the kind of spot DFS players circle quickly with Winston, because the ceiling is obvious: he can clear 300 passing yards, but the turnovers can come with it too.
Winston’s passing-game stack starts with Malik Nabers, who broke out last week with 23.2 PPR points. Nabers will be part of the stack against the Commanders, giving this lineup a clear connection point if Winston turns the game into a shootout.
The other receiver in the mix is Michael Wilson, and the numbers support the play. The Lions have had trouble handling WR 1s this season, and in three of four games they’ve allowed opposing top wideouts to top 100 receiving yards.
Wilson has also seen his volume spike in negative game scripts, posting 17 targets and then 13 targets over his last two games in those situations. At this salary, that kind of workload is hard to ignore.
Nico Collins is another core piece. He’s the engine of the Texans passing attack, and when he’s been on the field this season, he’s produced 21.2 and 30.8 PPR points in two games. Both outings came with at least eight targets, and that role should remain intact in a must-win matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
At running back, Chase Brown stands out as one of the chalkier names on the slate, but he’s worth paying for. The Bengals face the Miami Dolphins, who allow the fourth-most Fantasy points to running backs. Miami has already given up multiple touchdowns to opposing backs three times this season, and Brown’s place in an explosive offense gives him red-zone chances that can turn into a big fantasy day.
Kyle Monangai is another back who looks ready to outperform his price. He’s coming off a career-best 28.0 PPR points, piling up 31 total touches and out-snapping D’Andre Swift 50 to 33 after Swift’s third-quarter fumble.
Monangai should keep a steady workload against the Green Bay Packers, who allow the third-most Fantasy points to opposing running backs. He is dealing with a toe injury, though, so there’s contingency value built in here.
If Monangai can’t go, Allen steps in. He’s the workhorse in the Jets backfield with Breece Hall out, and he handled 94% of the snap share last week. That kind of role makes him a volume play at his salary.
The tight end spots bring more value. Likely has become a major part of the Giants passing game and leads all Giants pass catchers with 35 targets. He’s averaging nearly nine targets per game, which gives him a strong path to return value at his price.
LaPorta rounds out the second tight end slot. He brings touchdown upside in what should be a high-scoring game environment, and at his salary, he doesn’t need much to beat it.
The Bengals are the defense in this lineup, even though they’re the most expensive option. The matchup makes the case: the Dolphins are last in points per game and won’t have much threat level with De’Von Achane out. Cincinnati brings both safety and turnover upside.
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