NFL DFS Picks for Week 5

Week 5 FanDuel NFL DFS Picks in Summary

• Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions ($9,000)
• Michael Wilson, WR, Cardinals ($6,400)
• Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings ($6,200)

The Week 5 NFL DFS slate offers plenty of intriguing options for daily fantasy football, with some high-powered offenses positioned to deliver big performances.

One matchup that stands out is the Detroit Lions' visit to the Arizona Cardinals. With a listed total of 54.5 points, this game offers significant fantasy upside on both sides of the ball. That makes it an appealing spot to target in DFS.

Let's break down five of the best NFL DFS plays for Sunday's Week 5 main slate, highlighting players across different salary ranges.

Note: All stats come from NextGenStats or Pro Football Focus unless stated otherwise.

NFL DFS Week 5: Best Picks, Plays for FanDuel

Jared Goff, QB, Lions ($8,100)

Jared Goff is one of my favorite quarterbacks to target in Week 6, largely because of the outstanding game environment in the Detroit Lions‘ matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Lions enter the weekend with a slate-leading implied total of 30.0 points, and the Cardinals are implied to score 24.5 themselves. That creates an opportunity for Goff to remain aggressive throughout the game rather than relying heavily on Detroit's rushing attack.

Goff also benefits from having an outstanding collection of offensive weapons, headlined by Amon-Ra St. Brown ($9,000) and Jahmyr Gibbs ($10,000).

At $8,100, he's particularly appealing when paired with St. Brown in tournament lineups.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions ($9,000)

Speaking of ARSB, he is another excellent way to get exposure to Detroit's offense in Week 6.

St. Brown's appeal starts with his ability to command consistent receiving opportunities. He's a reliable target for Goff, and his involvement in Detroit's passing attack gives him an attractive combination of floor and ceiling.

The matchup is particularly intriguing because of the expected scoring environment. With Detroit implied for 30.0 points, St. Brown should have opportunities to deliver a productive outing, especially if Arizona's offense can keep the game competitive.

ARSB has the upside to be the slate’s WR1 and is a good stacking partner for Goff.

Michael Wilson, WR, Cardinals ($6,400)

Michael Wilson might be one of the most popular wide receivers on the slate, which isn’t ideal, but he’s pretty easy to love this week.

Wilson has enjoyed an impressive stretch of production, recording 18 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown on 30 targets over his last two games. That includes an 11-catch, 89-yard performance against the San Francisco 49ers and a seven-catch, 95-yard outing against the New York Giants.

His recent target volume has been excellent and reliable as Wilson has emerged as a prominent part of Arizona's passing attack.

The matchup couldn't be much better, either. Detroit has struggled mightily on D, surrendering the second-most fantasy points per game and second-most receiving yards to opposing wide receivers.

With Arizona entering the weekend as a 5.5-point underdog, the Cardinals could be forced into a pass-heavy game script. That would be excellent news for Wilson's fantasy outlook, and the salary is handy.

Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings ($6,200)

Aaron Jones stands out as one of the best value plays on the slate thanks to his salary, substantial workload, and favorable matchup.

Jones has operated as the Minnesota Vikings‘ workhorse running back since Week 2, averaging 23 touches and 108.4 scrimmage yards per game over that span. He's also played at least 73.1% of the Vikings' offensive snaps in each of those contests, giving him a dependable workload that is especially attractive at his salary.

Last week against the Miami Dolphins, Jones turned 20 carries into 94 rushing yards while adding four receptions for 34 yards. That marked his second consecutive game with at least four receptions, further enhancing his appeal in FanDuel's half-PPR format. The only thing missing was a TD.

This week’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints is another reason to like Jones this weekend. The Saints have surrendered the second-highest rushing success rate, third-highest explosive run rate, and sixth-highest missed tackle rate in the NFL.

With Jones positioned to handle another 20-plus touches against a vulnerable run defense, his $6,200 salary looks enticing. He's one of my favorite value running backs for Week 6 and an excellent option for DFS managers looking to save salary without sacrificing upside.

Malik Willis, QB, Dolphins ($6,600)

For DFS managers looking to save salary at quarterback this weekend, Malik Willis is an intriguing value option.

Willis hasn't exactly lit it up through the air this season, completing 56.3% of his passes for 712 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions across four games. However, his rushing ability gives him a path to an attractive fantasy ceiling.

Through four games, Willis has amassed 112 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He showed off that dual-threat ability against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, running for 56 yards on nine attempts.

The matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals also offers some appeal. The Bengals have allowed 25.7 points per game, and the Miami Dolphins could find themselves in a competitive, relatively high-scoring contest.

Willis’ modest salary opens up significant flexibility elsewhere in a DFS lineup, and I think he is an interesting tournament play for those looking to differentiate their lineups at quarterback.

NFL DFS FAQ

What are the best NFL DFS plays each week?

The best NFL DFS plays can change from week to week based on salary, matchup, expected workload, injuries, projected popularity and game environment. Players with strong opportunities and favorable salaries can offer the best combination of floor and upside.

How do you choose NFL DFS plays?

NFL DFS plays are evaluated using factors such as projected volume, recent production, matchup, touchdown potential, expected popularity, game script and salary. Injuries and changes in player roles can also create new opportunities each week.

What is an NFL DFS value play?

An NFL DFS value play is a player who has the potential to produce strong fantasy numbers relative to his salary. Lower-salaried players can become particularly appealing when injuries or other circumstances lead to increased playing time or usage.

What makes a good NFL DFS lineup?

Matchups, expected volume, salary, lineup correlation, projected draft percentage and game environment are all important factors when building a lineup. You’ll need upside to take down a contest.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.