WEEK 5 DRAFT KINGS MAIN SLATE – OPTIMAL LINEUP PLAYS
Before we jump into Week 5, let’s quickly recap Week 4:
On X (Twitter), I mentioned pivoting to Stefon Diggs or Keenan Allen when Jimmy G was ruled out. If you ended up following the Allen/Diggs stack, you would’ve had the top stack of the week. So, be sure to follow me there for any lineup changes based on injuries or any other updates.
D’Andre Swift put up decent numbers for paying down on RB but definitely didn’t make or break the lineup. Javonte Williams and Roschon Johnson both ended up having down games. Another RB from each team ended up having great games, so we had the right matchup, just the wrong guys. Josh Jacobs and Kyren Williams were great RB plays as well.
Once Jimmy G went out, I tweeted that I was pivoting from Adams to Diggs or Keenan. Diggs was one of the top plays, while Keenan was average. Ja’Marr Chase didn’t have the slate-breaking performance we were hoping for. Brandon Aiyuk put up a great performance, with Mooney putting up a serviceable stat line on the cheap.
Logan Thomas did not have the game I was hoping for, so that was definitely a whiff. Lamar also handled the Browns defense pretty handily, making that a miss as well.
This week, I love several RB plays, and we’re going to build around those.
Now, We’re onto Week 5…
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QUARTERBACK
Tua Tagovailoa $7100 (vs. NYG) – Going back to the well on Tua as he was a miss last week. He should find much more success against the Giants at home. I expect the Dolphins to play angry after last week’s performance in Buffalo.
Matthew Stafford $5600 (vs. PHI) – Cooper Kupp is practicing and intends to play. Stafford is now going to have Kupp, Puka, Atwell, Higbee, and Kyren Williams at his disposal. The Rams are going to need to score points to keep pace with the Eagles. I like paying down for Stafford this week. I’m expecting a vintage Stafford performance.
GPP/FOR THE BOLD AND ADVENTUROUS: Zach Wilson $4900 (@DEN) – This pick is not for the faint of heart and more for GPP. Wilson at $4900 will allow you to stack RB/WRs in a week where there are some great options. Denver has the last ranked defense and rejuvenated Justin Fields’ season last week. Zach Wilson is also coming off his best game as a pro and should be feeling confident heading into this game.
RUNNING BACK
Breece Hall $5400 (@ DEN) – This is my favorite RB play of the week, and I anticipate him being highly owned. However, this is the perfect storm brewing for Breece Hall. The workload restrictions have been lifted, and now he gets the Broncos defense that gave up over 130 yards and a TD to the Bears RBs. The Jets have added motivation in this game for their OC, Nathaniel Hackett, vs. his old team.
Bijan Robinson $7700 (vs. HOU) – My second favorite RB play of the week. If Najee Harris was able to average 5.1 YPC vs. Houston, I am excited to see what Bijan will do. The Falcons also may start to lean on their rookie RB more, with Ridder struggling of late. I expect 20 touches from Bijan in this game, which should be more than enough to do damage to this Houston defense.
David Montgomery $6600 (vs. CAR) – Montgomery had a 32/121/3 line against the Packers. Now he gets the Panthers run defense that is ranked 28th. Game script also sets up perfectly for Montgomery.
De’Von Achane $6100 (vs. NYG) – Still priced moderately, Achane should have no problem staying hot. Achane’s role has been growing more each week. Raheem Mostert could be a great GPP contrarian play on the flip side of Achane in this matchup.
Other starts: Jaleel McLaughlin $5000 (vs. NYG) – *If Javonte Williams is out*, Joe Mixon $6400 (@ ARI), Isiah Pacheco $5700 (@MIN)
WIDE RECEIVER
Tyreek Hill $9000 (vs. NYG) – Tyreek Hill had a down week in Buffalo. I’d be willing to bet that doesn’t happen two weeks in a row. Giants CB Deonte Banks gave up a 3/34/1 line to DK Metcalf on MNF while shadowing him on 88% of his routes. Even if Deonte shadows Tyreek, no reason to stay away from this matchup. 100 yards with multiple TDs is very much in play.
AJ Brown $8000 (@LAR) – Coming off his 9/175/2 line against the Commanders, AJB gets another matchup upgrade. AJB should see a good amount of Ahkello Witherspoon, who is giving up 17.3 air yards per target and four receiving TDs on the season. As long as Stafford and the Rams keep pace, the need to use Brown will be there.
Ja’Marr Chase $7900 (@ARI) – I know, I know, Chase again? I was expecting Chase to put up the numbers Diggs and Brown put up last week, but that obviously didn’t happen. But Chase gets another great matchup that saw Brandon Aiyuk post a 6/148/0 line. I also view this as a “squeaky wheel” scenario. Ja’Marr dropped an “F” bomb during his postgame interview when asked if he is getting open. We’ve seen the numbers AJ Brown has put up the last two weeks after his sideline outburst with Jalen Hurts. I believe in the squeaky wheel.
Allen Lazard $3900 (@ DEN) – Another Jets offensive player? Garrett Wilson figures to see a good amount of Surtain, leaving Lazard to match up with Damarri Mathis, who is allowing a 22/288/4 stat line so far this season.
Tyler Boyd $4500 (@ ARI) – This is dependent on Tee Higgins being out. If Higgins is out, Boyd should be a good cheaper option after spending on other studs.
Tank Dell $4800 (@ ATL) – I expect AJ Terrell to shadow Nico Collins. Terrell shadowed Calvin Ridley last week and held him mostly in check. This should free up Tank Dell to make a few big plays, as Christian Kirk had 8/84/0.
Zay Flowers $5500 (@ PIT) – Gets a Week 5 matchup with Patrick Peterson, who has already allowed four touchdowns on the season. Take a look at Bobby LaMarco’s Week 5 WR Starts.
Other bargain bin starts: Rashee Rice $3600 (@ MIN), Josh Downs $3700 (vs. TEN), Josh Reynolds $4200 (vs. CAR)
TIGHT END
TJ Hockenson $6500 (vs. KC) – The Vikings are going to have to score points against the Chiefs. Hockenson is coming off a down 2/24/0 performance, so his ownership should be relatively low. The Chiefs allowed Tyler Conklin to post a 4/58/0, which could have been bigger had it not been for a dropped TD.
Tyler Higbee $5100 (vs. PHI) – I like Higbee’s matchup with the Eagles. Higbee posted a 5/64/0 line last week in an offense getting Cooper Kupp back. It could be a risky play as Kupp and Nacua could command a healthy amount of targets between the two of them, but there is upside there.
Tyler Conklin $3200 (@ DEN) – I mentioned the stat line posted by Conklin before, now he gets the Broncos defense. The Broncos defense just gave up two TDs to Cole Kmet. Conklin is a solid option at only $3200.
DART THROW: Kyle Pitts $3300 (@ ATL) – Kyle Pitts is an offensive explosion waiting to happen. We have seen glimpses. Down at this range, a lot of the TEs don’t offer the ceiling of Kyle Pitts, as few TEs can take any play to the house like him.
Bargain: Jonnu Smith $2900 (vs. HOU) – Jonnu Smith has been seeing a healthy role in the Falcons offense. Jonnu Smith had 6/95/0 in London vs. the Jaguars and has had at least four catches in the past three games.
D/ST
NY Jets $3100 (@ DEN) – The Jets defense forced Patrick Mahomes into two interceptions, with a third being called back due to a penalty. Now, the Jets defense gets Russell Wilson. Wilson played well against Chicago last week, but the Jets’ defense is much better than the Bears.
NO Saints $3000 (@ NE) – I don’t expect the Patriots to score only three points this week, but this game should remain relatively low-scoring. Mac Jones has been prone to mistakes and should give the Saints defense the opportunity to come up with at least one takeaway.
If you can afford it: Dolphins $3600 (vs. NYG), Texans $3500 (@ ATL), Lions $3800 (vs. CAR)
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For more from TJ and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @T_Redding28.
