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Week 5 DraftKings Plays: Trey Lance, Leonard Fournette, and More

Week 5 DraftKings Plays - Trey Lance and Leonard Fournette should have fantastic outings in DFS and should lead to a hefty payout.
Week 5 DraftKings Plays

Week 4 is in the books and we are back in the full swing of the NFL season. One of my favorite parts is fantasy football. One of my favorite aspects of fantasy football has become playing on DraftKings. Every week is like a new puzzle to figure out. Whether you are more of a cash game player or a tournament player, each presents a unique challenge. Here are my favorite Week 5 DraftKings plays.

Week 5 DraftKings Plays

Week 4 Recap

It’s always good to be completely transparent and demonstrate accountability. That’s what I like to do with everything I do and that goes for fantasy football as well. Whether it’s bold takes or DraftKings recommendations, I always like to keep track of wins and losses. It’s not only good for the readers to know, but also helps me learn from mistakes moving forward.

In retrospect, week 4 was slightly worse than Week 3. This week 60% of my recommendations hit the 2.5x value we look for in cash game lineups. This time the quarterback group led the way once again with an 80% success rate. Meanwhile, the tight end group brought up the rear again with a 20% success rate. Week 4 was another week in the profits. The cash build won all seven double-ups and went 34-1 in H2H’s. We’ll look to do even better with the picks and keep profiting in the Week 5 DraftKings plays.

  • Week 4 – $320 → $484 ($164 PROFIT)
  • Year Total – $1,132 → $1,606 ($474 PROFIT)

Week 5 DraftKings Plays

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts (PHI) – $7,000 @ CAR

When are people going to learn to stop fading the running quarterbacks? People cannot seem to separate real life from fantasy, despite how extremely simple doing so is. The inability to make nuanced distinctions clouds their judgment. Jalen Hurts does not need to be a great passer to be a great fantasy quarterback. He has shown that so far over his short career as an NFL starter. Hurts has not finished outside the top 12 in any of his starts in which he completed the entire game. That’s the type of floor he brings because of his rushing ability. Hurts is the QB3, behind only Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray, heading into Week 5.

Hurts is averaging over 25 fantasy points per game. In terms of rushing, Hurts trails only Lamar Jackson in rushing yards among all quarterbacks and has a real chance at joining Jackson in the 1,000-yard rushing quarterback club. This week’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers might seem tough on paper but diving a little deeper it shouldn’t be one to shy away from. The Panthers stymied quarterbacks over the first three weeks, but they also played some of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL. Dak Prescott had no issue having a good game last week. Hurts should be perfectly fine returning a nice value this weekend.

Trey Lance (SF) – $5,700 @ ARI

From one underpriced rushing quarterback to another, Trey Lance is making his starting debut this weekend. The setup is great against the fast-paced, high-scoring Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have not necessarily leaked points to opposing quarterbacks, but playing against them means that Lance will likely need to do more to keep up and should get more offensive plays than in an average game. The biggest intrigue, though, is Lance’s ability on the ground. Hopefully, Kyle Shanahan can build a game plan around Lance and get him out on the edge and in some designed runs and take full advantage of his strengths. Last week Lance was able to put up 20 fantasy points in just one half of the game showcasing a bit of that upside. At this price, in this matchup, and with his ability on the ground, Lance makes for one of the very best Week 5 DraftKings plays.

Others to Consider: Kyler Murray (ARI) – $8,000 v SF, Dak Prescott (DAL) – $6,900 v NYG, Daniel Jones (NYG) – $6,000 @ DAL

Running Backs

Derrick Henry (TEN) – $9,000 @ JAX

Derrick Henry has been on a different level to start 2021. He is currently on pace for 480 carries, 2,167 rushing yards, 59 receptions, 531 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns. He’s also on pace for 440 fantasy points. Henry is truly an outlier. Of course, he likely will not finish the season with that many touches but the Tennessee Titans consistently feeding him the ball is encouraging. The Titans finally involving him in the passing game is even more encouraging. The craziest part about his receptions is that he is only five receptions away from his career-high for an entire season! Henry has now seen at least 30 touches in three straight games heading into this matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are one of the worst teams in the NFL right now. Teams have been running the ball all over them and Henry is no stranger to running over folks. A.J. Brown is back but Julio Jones will still miss this one. The Titans are favored by 4.5 points in this one and it has a combined total of 49 which is one of the better on the slate. Everything seems to be adding up for another monster Derrick Henry performance.

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) – $7,000 v NYG

The demise of Ezekiel Elliott has been greatly exaggerated despite what you may have heard on the Twitter streets. Sure, Tony Pollard is a great player too, but Elliott is still the workhorse in this offense having played at least 70% of the snaps in all four games this season. Elliott is currently the RB6 on the season in terms of total fantasy points scored. He has scored at least 17 fantasy points in three straight games after a rough first week. Over that same span, he has seen at least 18 touches in every game. Elliott has also produced at least 97 total yards and a touchdown in all three games as well. This Dallas Cowboys offensive line is playing incredibly well right now and allowing them to run much more than they did last year. They should not have any troubles this week against the New York Giants. The Giants are allowing the fifth-most DraftKings points to running backs this year. This game also has the highest combined total on the slate at 52.5 with Dallas being seven-point home favorites. There is plenty to like about Elliott this week at his price.

Leonard Fournette (TB) – $5,200 v MIA

Who would have thought that it would be this early in the season and Leonard Fournette would be such a good value play? Fournette has carried over his great play from the playoffs last year and has relegated Ronald Jones to be an afterthought. He has scored double-digit DraftKings points in all but one game so far this year. He is coming off his best game of the season in which he turned 20 carries and three receptions into 139 total yards. Fournette is up to 19 targets on the season. That’s seventh-most among all running backs. That type of usage in the passing game gives Fournette a safe floor, especially with Giovani Bernard likely to miss another week. This week’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins is a great one as well. The Dolphins have allowed the seventh-most DraftKings points to running backs so far this year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also 10-point favorites in a game with one of the higher combined totals on the slate at 48. All of these things combined with his low salary make Fournette one of the best Week 5 DraftKings plays, especially when looking to save a little money.

Others to Consider: Saquon Barkley (NYG) – $7,300 @ DAL, Najee Harris (PIT) – 6,900 v DEN, Damien Williams (CHI) – $5,600 @ LV, James Robinson (JAX) – $6,000 v TEN

Wide Receivers

Davante Adams (GB) – $8,200 @ CIN

Davante Adams did not come through last week in what looked like a smash spot but let’s go right back to the well this week. Adams is currently second in the NFL with a 35.7% target share and 45 total targets. He is also averaging over 20 DraftKings points per game this year. The matchup with The Cincinnati Bengals is not one to shy away from. The Bengals have been decent this year but are just mid-pack on defense. The nice part is they have the offensive firepower to possibly keep up with the Green Bay Packers and turn this one into a shootout. This game has the second-highest combined total on the main slate at 50.5 points. The Packers are currently only three-point favorites as well. The Bengals do not have the secondary to slow down Adams. Adams should be able to get his regardless but if the Bengals are able to keep up, it could turn into a ceiling game for Adams.

Keenan Allen (LAC) – $6,500 v CLE

From one target monster to another, Keenan Allen only trails Adams by one measly target on the season. He is a little further behind in target share as he has a 28.2% target share. Allen has not had any ceiling games so far but he has scored between 10.6 and 22 DraftKings points in all four games this season. He is currently averaging 17.4 per game. That target volume is what gives Allen such a safe floor on a weekly basis and makes him such a safe play for cash game builds. This week should be no different against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have a good defense overall but are just middle-of-the-road in terms of DraftKings points allowed to wide receivers. Teams have had much more success passing against Cleveland than trying to run on them. This game has a solid combined total of 47 points. The Los Angeles Chargers are also 2.5-point favorites and playing at home, in a dome which is a boost for the passing game for both teams.

Laviska Shenault Jr. (JAX) – $4,800 @ TEN

It only took injuries to both Travis Etienne and D.J. Chark but Laviska Shenault SZN is officially underway. After not really doing much the first three weeks, Shenault turned seven targets into six receptions for 99 yards last week. He also chipped in 11 rushing yards as well. He finished with 17 DraftKings points which was his best output so far this season. With those injuries, the staff came out and said that Shenault will take on a larger role moving forward. He saw a small price bump this week but is still far too cheap. This week’s matchup against the Titans is as good as it gets. The Titans are currently allowing the most DraftKings points to wide receivers this season. The Titans are also a very competent offense in their own right and are getting A.J.Brown back this week. The Jaguars also cannot stop anyone from scoring either. For that reason, this game has one of the higher combined totals at 48.5 points. The Jaguars are also 4.5-point underdogs despite being at home. This should allow Shenault to likely stay involved the entire game and he should be able to return a nice value at this price.

Others to Consider: Justin Jefferson (MIN) – $7,700 v DET, CeeDee Lamb (DAL) –  $6,200 v NYJ, Tyler Boyd (CIN) – $5,300 v GB, Jaylen Waddle (MIA) – $4,800 @ TB, Curtis Samuel (WFT) – $3,000 v NO

Tight Ends

Darren Waller (LV) – $7,300 v CHI

This is a very interesting slate at the tight end position. Travis Kelce is in a primetime game so he is off the slate. That leaves Darren Waller as the lone spend-up option this week. Of course, he is the safest option at the position but also it might be tough to fit his salary this week. Waller has seven targets in three straight games now after a 19 target game in Week 1. While he has not smashed, he also has not really busted either. Waller currently leads all tight ends with a 25.8% target share and 40 total targets. This week’s matchup against the Chicago Bears is not one to target but also not one to fear either. The Bears are not an elite defense overall or at stopping the tight end. The game environment is not ideal with a 44.5-point combined total and the Las Vegas Raiders are favored by 5.5 points. Ultimately, though, playing Waller is playing for the target share and the advantage he gives at a position that is devoid of playmakers.

Mike Gesicki (MIA) – $4,200 @ TB

Mike Gesicki has definitely been more “Ge-sickomode” than he has been “Ge-sucky” lately. That seems likely to continue this week against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay is a pass-funnel defense. That means they allow almost all offensive production via the pass and completely shut down the run. The Dolphins are also 9.5-point underdogs as well so they will almost assuredly see a ton of pass volume in this one. The Dolphins recently placed Will Fuller on IR and traded Jakeem Grant so their target tree has been narrowed. This has helped Gesicki, who is basically a wide receiver at this point, catch 15 passes over the last two weeks. He has played less snaps at tight end than Taysom Hill has this season. Gesicki is also an elite athlete for the position as well. This week, the Dolphins will likely see a big boost in pass attempts which should benefit all the pass catchers, Gesicki included.

Others to Consider: T.J. Hockenson (DET) – $5,500 @ MIN, Evan Engram (NYG) – $3,000 @ DAL, Ricky Seals-Jones (WFT) – $2,500 v NO

Defense/Special Teams

In terms of choosing a defense/special teams, it’s the last spot I fill in every week. It’s pretty random but there are a few areas to gain an advantage. I look to target the heavily favored teams as they usually are playing with a lead. This forces their opponent to throw it more often which can help lead to extra sacks and turnovers and hopefully a touchdown. Another aspect to target is turnover and sack-prone quarterbacks. My advice is to fill out the rest of your lineup first and then pick your favorite D/ST out of the remaining money.

My Tentative Cash Game Lineup

  • QB – Daniel Jones
  • RB – Derrick Henry
  • RB – Leonard Fournette
  • WR – Davante Adams
  • WR – CeeDee Lamb
  • WR – Curtis Samuel
  • TE – Evan Engram
  • Flex – Najee Harris
  • DST – Washington Football Team

Make sure to tune in next week to see the results from my Week 5 DraftKings plays and to see the best picks for Week 6. Best of luck to everyone and let’s all enjoy some football and win some money!

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