The start of bye weeks across the NFL means we have a much smaller pool of players at every position to make our DFS picks for Week 5 of NFL action on DraftKings and other DFS platforms.
Even with the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Chargers on a bye, we still have a chance to take advantage of some intriguing price points in our DFS fantasy football lineups. Let’s take a closer look at my DFS picks for NFL Week 5.
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Week 5 DFS Locks
Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings ($6,900)
When the Minnesota Vikings defense faces off against a quality offense, they tend to give up a lot of points. When they give up points or can’t run the football, Kirk Cousins tends to throw the ball a lot.
In the three games the Vikings defense has given up 20 points this season, Cousins has had to throw the ball a minimum of 44 times a game.
Cousins led the NFL with 11 TD passes through the first four games of the season and will likely have to go to the air early and often to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins ($6,100)
De’Von Achane’s efficiency metrics through the first month of the NFL season have been absolutely staggering.
- Rushing Yards Per Attempt: 11.4 (1st)
- Rushing Percentage Over Expected: 62.5% (1st)
- Rushing Yards Over Expected Per Attempt: 6.39 (1st)
DEVON ACHANE 67-YARD TD
THE DOLPHINS HAVE 70 POINTS.
📺: #DENvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/bZOSLxVaoa— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023
Obviously, Achane is highly unlikely to sustain this type of efficiency, but his explosiveness in this zone-based scheme, while constantly running into soft seven-man fronts, has been a recipe for fantasy gold over the last two weeks.
Last week, Raheem Mostert fumbled twice, which led to Achane leading the Dolphins in total touches for a second consecutive week.
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The New York Giants offense has been struggling to get first downs, much less score any points this season.
If the Giants continue to struggle offensively and keep giving this Miami offense extra possessions, Achane could be in for another 10+ touch day if the game script continues to see the Giants fall behind by multiple scores in the first half for a fifth straight game.
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens ($5,600)
It finally took until Week 4 for rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers to post a game with under 10 fantasy points in PPR formats. Sure, his production last week was disappointing, but his worst game came against the league’s best pass defense.
The task gets much easier against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just gave up 168 yards to the aforementioned Collins this past Sunday.
Flowers is one of 10 pass catchers to see at least 29 targets and still hasn’t scored a receiving TD this season.
He also ranks fourth in catch percentage (82.7%) for players who have seen more than 20 targets this season.
Flowers is due for a big game, and this matchup against a susceptible Steelers secondary feels like it could be his breakout game.
Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals ($3,500)
Someone is really going to have to explain to me why Zach Ertz keeps qualifying for the sleepers article you’re reading right now every week.
Ertz is currently the TE10 in PPR formats and has caught six passes in three games so far this season.
In fact, Ertz ranks second amongst tight ends with 30 targets and fourth in receptions (20) at the position.
If he can start finding the end zone at all in 2023, Ertz could easily start producing top-seven finishes at the position with this type of volume.
Detroit Lions D/ST ($3,800)
Quietly, the Detroit Lions defense has been playing pretty good football to start the 2023 NFL season.
The Lions have held three of their four opponents under 21 points scored this season, which includes a five-sack, two-interception performance against the Green Bay Packers last week.
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The Carolina Panthers have failed to score 20 points in any game rookie quarterback Bryce Young has started this season.
The Lions may be an expensive option, but it’s not a bad idea to continue to pick on the rookie quarterback while the Panthers continue to struggle to put up points.