Daily Fantasy Football 2023 Week 5: Best Plays And Bargains On FanDuel and DraftKings
The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Here, you'll find the best plays and top bargains at each position on FanDuel and DraftKings. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here are Fanduel’s and DraftKings’ scoring systems.
For each position I’ll provide the best big name, the best mid range value, and the best low-price bargain. At the end, I’ll also list a big name to avoid at each position.
Quarterback
Best Big Name
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($8,000/$7,100): Tagovailoa is PFF’s top-rated QB, is averaging 326.5 yards per game, and has gone over 280 yards in three of Miami’s four games. Tua has thrown 3+ touchdown passes twice, and flirted with 470 yards vs. the Chargers in a plus matchup. The Giants haven’t statistically been as pathetic as the Chargers defensively, but they have the fourth-worst Pass DVOA in the NFL and young corners that are not equipped to handle Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle’s warp speed. This could get very ugly for Big Blue, and that secondary makes Tua a smash play.
Mid Range Value
Sam Howell, Commanders ($7,000/$5,200): Others like Howell more than I do, but he has flirted with 300 passing yards twice this season. Howell’s receiving options (Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel) are excellent, and he gets the NFL’s second-worst pass defense per FTN Fantasy on a short week. These receivers should have an easy time tearing up the Bears on Thursday, and can carry Howell to a very useful week on the cheap.
Thrift Store
Zach Wilson, Jets ($6,700/$4,900): Using Wilson is absolutely playing with fire, considering his 245 yards and two touchdowns last week represented a clear best game of his career. Wilson did look different though, in that he was confident and put into positions to succeed more than he had been before. If the Jets’ coaches can build on what worked, he has the NFL’s worst defense to beat up on in the Denver Broncos this week. Of course, the floor for Wilson is the core of the Earth, but his performance vs. a good Chiefs D was encouraging, and it’s worth noting that he’s faced the No. 1 (Cowboys), No. 2 (Bills) No. 8 (Patriots) and No. 14 (Chiefs) pass defenses thus far.
Running Back
Best Big Name
Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($8,200/$7,700): Robinson’s talent has been shining through week after week, and it’s slowly convincing Falcons’ coaches to do away with Tyler Allgeier’s touches. His efficiency is off the charts, and he’s caught at least four passes in every game this season. Atlanta almost has a policy of underutilizing their high draft capital skill players, but Robinson is breaking the pattern, and gets a very juicy matchup vs. the Texans. Falcons players should scare us all, but Robinson is the exception proving the rule. Start with full confidence.
Mid Range Value
Breece Hall, Jets ($6,500/$5,400): Hall’s price is down because of his low usage killing the numbers. You better fire him up now, because after Hall gets a workhorse allotment of carries vs. the Broncos defense he’s going to be expensive again. Hall got stuffed repeatedly vs. Dallas and New England, but those are two Top 10 rushing defenses. Against the Chiefs and Bills, neither of which are slouch units, Hall was still able to put up usable numbers with only 10 and 12 opportunities, respectively. His explosiveness is all the way back, and now he’s going to get sufficient chances to hit his home runs.
Thrift Store
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($5,900/$5,900): Gibbs is frustrating managers, but he’s giving the Lions reason to increase his involvement. Gibbs is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and is producing as a receiver when given the chance. Gibbs is a home run hitter, and once he breaks off a long TD play it’ll likely open the eyes of Detroit’s coaches that as competent as Montgomery’s been, he isn’t unlocking the Lions’ full capability. Carolina currently is the NFL’s worst rushing defense, so if Gibbs is going to maximize limited opportunity, this is the game for him to do it.
Wide Receivers
Best Big Name
Garrett Wilson, Jets ($7,400/$6,000): If we like Zach Wilson this week, by law you must like and stack him with Garrett Wilson. Once again this poor man is forced to destroy defenders all year just to have low quality targets thrown his way, or just not be seen altogether. Hopefully his QB’s “breakout” last week was a turning point, and he can at least develop a competent connection. The Broncos are a perfect team to build on the momentum against, as they’re second to last vs. No. 1 receivers and are currently allowing 102.3 yards against them.
Mid Range Value
Michael Pittman, Colts ($6,600/$6,400): Only two teams allow more yards to opposing WR1s than Denver; the worst are the Chargers, who are on bye this week, and then there’s the Titans, giving up 114.5 yards per game. Pittman is the Colts’ WR1, he’s damn good, and eighth in the NFL in targets. Jonathan Taylor is expected back, so the Colts could run the ball more than they have been, but Tennessee has also been a rock solid run defense. The smart way to beat the Titans is to throw on them and make them play from behind, making Pittman a smash play.
Thrift Store
Zay Flowers, Ravens ($5,900/$5,500): Flowers has become the clear alpha of the wide receiver room for Baltimore, and a very nice complement to the true No.1, Mark Andrews. Andrews is facing a tough matchup this week in Pittsburgh, however, a defense that’s much friendlier to WR1s (87.9 yards per game). Baltimore hasn’t been afraid to place big trust in their first round pick; Flowers has seen 10 targets twice this year, and he’s overdue for a touchdown based on this target share. Lamar Jackson’s been an efficient QB this year and now it’s time for that to manifest into points for Flowers.
Tight End
Best Big Name
Dallas Goedert, Eagles ($5,500/$4,200): Goedert’s season has been absolutely brutal, starting with a zero in Week 1. He’s failed to eclipse 41 yards in any game and he hasn’t scored a touchdown yet. With his campaign veering into drop candidate territory in season-long fantasy, this is somewhat of a final stand for him in 2023. e He;He will face the Rams, who have the 28th-ranked DVOA vs. TEs this season and give up 50.5 yards per game to the position. With his talent level, he should do damage vs. this team, and if he can’t we’ll have to ignore him until he proves he’s back.
Mid Range Value
Zach Ertz, Cardinals ($5,100/$3,500): Ertz is timeless, seeing 8+ targets in three of Arizona’s four games this year. He hasn’t scored, nor has he gone over 56 yards. That’s Ertz for you, but the consistent target share and yardage at the position is big value, especially when it’s coming cheap. There are big name TEs who cost much more, and are delivering very comparable production. Cincinnati has the second-worst DVOA vs. opposing TEs, so maybe Ertz finally scores a tuddy.
Thrift Store
Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($4,900/$3,400): Kincaid hasn’t matched the hype he had coming out of college, which had people saying things like he might actually be the Bills’ WR2. Instead, he hasn’t gotten to 50 yards in a game yet, nor has he surpassed five receptions. Jacksonville isn’t necessarily a cake matchup for TEs, but they do allow the fourth-most yards per game (64.3) to the position, and Kincaid has more athletic ability to capitalize on that than more plodding players. There’s certainly a low floor here, especially because Dawson Knox can take advantage of this matchup just as easily, but I’m a fan of Kincaid’s talent and can see a semi-breakout performance happening in London.
Quarterback to Avoid: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($7,100/$6,600)
Running Back to Avoid: Kyren Williams, Rams ($7,800/$)
Wide Receiver to Avoid: George Pickens, Steelers ($6,500/$)
Tight End to Avoid: Mark Andrews, Ravens ($7,600/$)