This article first appeared on RotoBaller.com
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Welcome to RotoBaller’s daily fantasy football FanDuel lineup picks for Week 5 of the NFL season. In this article I will be taking you through the best FanDuel DFS plays of the week for this upcoming Sunday.
These FanDuel lineup recommendations are based on matchups, recent performances, overall upside/talent levels, and other factors such as Vegas odds, home field advantage, and more.
Good luck with your FanDuel DFS lineups!
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FanDuel Quarterback – Week 5 DFS Picks
Aaron Rodgers (@ DAL, $9,300)
Rodgers is heading into a great situation in Week 5 against the Cowboys. For one, the Packers haven’t played since Thursday of Week 4, apparently allowing both David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga enough time to be ready to play Sunday. This will give Rodgers more time to pick apart a Cowboys defense that has allowed multiple touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks for three consecutive weeks. If Davante Adams returns to the field, that will only help Rodgers, but Geronimo Allison has shown capable of stepping into a bigger role on the offense. You’ll get what you pay for with Rodgers in Week 5.
Note: The Packers-Cowboys is being touted everywhere this week (rightfully so), so there won’t be any more mention of that game in this article in an effort to provide provide differing plays
Eli Manning (vs. LAC, $7,000)
The Giants are a mess as a team but Eli Manning has produced for fantasy purposes, posting 24.64 and 27.72 FanDuel points over the past two weeks respectively. The Chargers pass defense hasn’t been abysmal, they rank just below average as a pass defense as measured by DVOA, but the real draw to Manning is his price tag. At $7,000, the only starting quarterbacks priced cheaper are DeShone Kizer, Josh McCown, Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, E.J. Manuel, and Matt Cassel.
FanDuel Running Backs – Week 5 DFS Picks
Isaiah Crowell (vs. NYJ, $6,100)
Things have hit rock-bottom for Crowell this season as he was on the field for just 33% of the Browns’ team snaps last week. However, Hue Jackson continues to stand by the back and denies that Duke Johnson will receive more carries moving forward this season. If he remains true to his word, now is the time to play Crowell. His price has fallen with his performance, and the Browns draw a matchup against the Jets this week who have allowed running backs to rush for 4.7 yards per carry this season.
Melvin Gordon (@ NYG, $7,100)
Gordon hasn’t had a splash game yet this season, but has been steady and continues to show a nose for the end zone. The Giants have allowed 4.6 yards per rush this season, so it will be a matter of Gordon getting the volume he needs to make value for his salary. In that regard, the Giants have lost the time of possession battle and run less plays than their opponents in three of their first four games.
FanDuel Wide Receivers – Week 5 DFS Picks
DeVante Parker (vs. TEN, $6,100)
Despite the Dolphins inability to put together any kind of offense, Parker has remained relatively consistent in his his role, receiving no fewer than eight targets in a game. Meanwhile, the Titans secondary has not fixed its issues from last season, allowing 285 passing yards per game to start the season to go along with nearly three touchdowns per game. If the Dolphins are able resemble a competent offense, Parker should be in for a big game Sunday.
Donte Moncrief (vs. SF, $5,100)
Moncrief has been much maligned this season, and rightfully so. He continues to have absolutely no yardage upside, never recording more than 50 yards in a game this season. That said, he remains a constant threat to find the end zone, which may not be a difficult task given this week’s matchup. The 49ers have allowed six wide receiver scores this season, including a two touchdown game to Sammy Watkins. If Moncrief caught two touchdown passes this weekend, he would need to amass only twenty receiving yards to reach 3X value. This isn’t a cash game play, but his price-tag has to make Moncrief a consideration in a positive matchup.
FanDuel Tight End – Week 5 DFS Pick
Evan Engram (vs. LAC, $5,400)
Generally, it’s a safe bet to play the tight end facing the Giants in DFS but it’s time to switch it up this week. Engram has remained a big part of the Giants’ passing attack even with the return of Odell Beckham, receiving seven and 11 targets respectively over the past two games. That should give him the opportunity to return value this week in a neutral matchup.
FanDuel Defense – Week 5 DFS Pick
Philadelphia D/ST (vs. ARI, $4,600)
The Eagles have been able to get to the quarterback this season, forcing 10 sacks on opposing quarterbacks through four games. More importantly, the Cardinals have allowed Carson Palmer to be sacked a whopping 17 times in just four games. Much has also been made of Carson Palmer‘s struggles when traveling to the east coast, and in four games in such a spot last season, Palmer threw eight interceptions. The Eagles should be able to force pressure and interceptions against the Cardinals, giving their defense plenty of chance to rack up points even if they allow a big play or two.