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RotoBallers, welcome to Week 5 of the daily fantasy football season. In this column, you will find my recommended FanDuel DFS Lineup Picks to target for Week 5 of the NFL season. You can also click here to find more DFS analysis articles and tools.
The goal is to identify players to start on FanDuel this week based on various factors including the opponent, the player's opportunity, analysis of the game's matchups, and the FanDuel price.
Let's find some DFS lineup sleepers, and win on FanDuel. Good luck in Week 5! Find me @DFS_Tom if you have any questions.
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FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 5 DFS Picks
Kirk Cousins - QB, MIN @ PHI (FD - $7,700)
Cousins should be one of your top targets this week, as he has been one of the more consistent quarterbacks on the slate and has a solid matchup. He finds himself up against the Eagles, who are coming off a game where they gave up 344 yards and two touchdowns to Marcus Mariota. The Eagles defense isn't as good as it was last season and comes in with the 12th DVOA vs the pass. This matchup has an over-under set at 46.5, so we should be in for some points, meaning plenty of upside for Cousins. He has put up over 400 yards in two of his last three games, along with two or more touchdowns in three of four games this season. The Vikings running situation is terrible this season, which is why Cousins has 48 or more passing attempts in three straight games.
Russell Wilson - QB, SEA vs LAR (FD - $7,200)
Wilson didn't put a touchdown last week, which was the first time this season he didn't have two touchdowns in a game. This looks to be a tough matchup on the surface, but being up against the Rams isn't that bad since they are very injured in their secondary. Last week we saw Kirk Cousins pass for over 400 yards vs the Rams, so hopefully, we can see a similar level from Wilson. The Seattle offense is somewhat inefficient overall, but if they are going to be playing from behind, the Seahawks will have to pass the ball to generate offense, meaning all the fantasy points for Wilson.
FanDuel Running Backs - Week 5 DFS Picks
T.J. Yeldon - RB, JAC @ KC (FD - $6,500)
Yeldon should be pretty popular this week since he is in a high scoring game and up against a very weak defense. This game has an over-under set at 49, which is one of the higher ones on the slate and finding himself up against the Chiefs, who come in with the 32nd DVOA vs the rush and the 32nd DVOA vs running backs in the passing game. We know that Leonard Fournette will be out for this game, so Yeldon will see the majority of the work in the backfield.
James Conner - RB, PIT vs ATL (FD - $7,800)
Connor has been very popular over the first few weeks since he is the bell cow back for them. Last week wasn't the most productive for him, but that was in a matchup vs the Ravens, which always proves to be tough. This week, he should be in for a much easier game, where we have the total set at 57.5, so we should see plenty of offense. He is up against the Falcons who come in with the 30th DVOA vs the rush and the 27th DVOA vs the pass.
FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 5 DFS Picks
Cooper Kupp - WR, LAR @ SEA (FD - $6,700)
Kupp has played on 97% of the snaps this season and comes in with six or more targets in all four game this season. He is a cash-game play this week, as he has shown to be consistent regardless of the matchup. He has a modest aDOT of only 6.05 through four weeks but has shown to be able to have one big reception per game. The Rams have an implied team total set at 28.8, which is third highest on the slate, so we should be seeing plenty of scoring from them.
Jordy Nelson - WR, OAK @ LAC (FD - $5,600)
Nelson isn't that expensive this week and has a very solid matchup vs the Chargers, who come in with the 18th DVOA vs the pass. Nelson has really started to heat, with eight targets in each of his last two games and a touchdown in each game. Nelson is averaging 55 air yards per game this season and we have seen him be targeted a bit farther downfield, with his aDOT at 10 yards or more in two of four weeks this season. More of GPP play, who could be used in a game stack.
FanDuel Tight End - Week 5 DFS Pick
Jimmy Graham - TE, GB @ DET (FD - $6,100)
When it comes to tight ends, I generally like to spend down, since their range of outcomes is rather large. This is a bit of a different spot since Graham is looking to be the best option on offense for the Packers. Their three top receivers have all been on the injury report this week, so Graham could be in for a big day. He has six or more targets in three straight weeks, only one touchdown in that span, but is up against the Lions, who have the 27th DVOA vs tight ends.
FanDuel Defense - Week 5 DFS Pick
Tennesse Titans @ Buffalo Bills (FD - $3,900)
Defense is also a spot I try to save a bit of money since they have high variance and could easily post a dud game. What I like to look for is pressure aka sacks. How many sacks a team can produce is the most important, since pressure leads to potential fumbles, pressure leads to rushed throws, which can lead to interceptions. It also helps that they are up against rookie QB Josh Allen, who has two interceptions in two of his last three games.
