Four weeks have passed in the NFL season, and we're a quarter of the way in. Betting has been a wild and crazy ride, but our best bets have somehow still gone 28-18-2 on the season. Our DFS sleepers and value plays have bene hitting, too, and we're ready to bring you a fresh batch of under-the-radar picks for Week 5.
The No. 1 key to success in daily fantasy is to identify value. You won't win any jackpots if you don't get the most bang for your buck during lineup construction, so you'll want to find a balance between proven weekly studs and high-value sleepers.
For years, this column has shined a light on the under-the-radar gems each week on DraftKings, FanDuel, and now SuperDraft. Anyone can spot the elite DFS stars, but it's the sleepers and value plays that separate lineups from the crowd and start making you some real money.
MORE: Week 5 best bets and top props | Odds, lines for every Week 5 game
By finding solid production at discount DFS prices, we afford ourselves more elite studs at other roster positions. That way, a larger percentage of our lineup is contributing, and we establish lineup variance by separating our entries from the rest of the DFS crowd.
Throughout the season, we will highlight our biggest hits from the previous week to prove the effectiveness of our strategies. Let's take a look at our massive list of successes from last week, with each player's Week 4 salaries as well as their final DraftKings points production.
| POS | PLAYER | GAME | SALARY | POINTS |
| QB | Justin Fields | Steelers @ IND | $5,500 | 36.0 |
| QB | Jordan Love | Packers vs. MIN | $6,000 | 34.2 |
| QB | Sam Darnold | Vikings @ GB | $5,700 | 22.5 |
| RB | Chuba Hubbard | Panthers vs. CIN | $5,700 | 25.1 |
| RB | Brian Robinson Jr. | Commanders @ ARI | $6,100 | 23.3 |
| RB | Zack Moss | Bengals @ Panthers | $5,900 | 17.8 |
| RB | Jerome Ford | Browns @ LV | $5,700 | 15.5 |
| WR | Jayden Reed | Packers vs. MIN | $6,000 | 30.1 |
| WR | George Pickens | Steelers at IND | $5,700 | 20.3 |
| WR | Diontae Johnson | Panthers vs. CIN | $5,600 | 21.3 |
| WR | Terry McLaurin | Commanders at ARI | $5,800 | 18.2 |
| TE | Pat Freiermuth | Steelers at IND | $3,900 | 16.7 |
| DST | Tampa Bay | Buccaneers vs. PHI | $2,700 | 11.0 |
As Ric Flair would say, "Woooo!" That's a dozen affordable players who finished well above their projected points production, with an average of 23.4 DK points and just over $5,600 per player. We had a handful more picks who finished in double-digits, but it was such a strong week we decided to only highlight the big hits.
Let's carry over our momentum and unveil the Week 5 DFS sleepers and value picks on DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft. We'll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, as well as their listed cost or scoring boost on each DFS site. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy the weekend!
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 5: Quarterback
Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Giants (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,400 | SD: 1.25x)
Geno has been low-key very good this season, and he showed the entire nation with 395 passing yards on Monday against the NFC-contending Lions. He's averaging a hair under 20 DK points per game, yet we can still get him in a plus matchup at $5,900. Super discount!
The Giants let Dak Prescott complete 22-of-27 passes for 221 yards and two TDs, and that game was in the Meadowlands. Smith and his receiving corps of DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett should do plenty of damage in Seattle this Sunday.
WEEK 5 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Joe Flacco, Colts at Jaguars (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,800 | SD: 1.3x)
Flacco pulled out some of his 2023 magic for the Colts last Sunday, stepping in to relieve injured QB Anthony Richardson and promptly leading Indy to a tough 27-24 win over the Steelers. Even if Richardson is just a little banged up this weekend, Flacco should be the guy for Shane Steichen in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars have surrendered the most DK fantasy points and the second-most FD points to QBs this season, so it would be insane to put a hurt second-year player under center against them. Flacco has now won five straight regular-season games, and he should bag a sixth if Indy does the right thing and starts the veteran gun-slinger.
Other QBs whose Week 5 values exceed their price tags:
- Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. Cardinals (DK: $6,200 | FD: $7,700 | SD: 1.2x)
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. Colts (DK: $5,700 | FD: $7,000 | SD: 1.3x)
WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE
Sleepers | Busts | Top waiver targets | Stock watch | Trade advice
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 5: Running back
D'Andre Swift, Bears vs. Panthers (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,400 | SD: 1.45x)
After a disappointing first few weeks of his tenure in Chicago, Swift exploded for 165 all-purpose yards and a TD against the Rams on Sunday. He received true bell-cow usage, turning 16 carries into 93 yards and catching all seven of his targets for another 72.
Now the veteran back gets to roast a Carolina defense that has allowed the second-most DK points to the running back position this season. Did you see what Cincinnati RBs Zack Moss and Chase Brown did to the Panthers last week? They combined for 170 yards and three scores. Don't be surprised to see D'Andre post another 160 Swiftly.
MORE: How to play DFS, and which sites/apps to use | Week 5 survivor pool advice
Justice Hill, Ravens at Bengals (DK: $5,300 | FD: $5,900 | SD: 1.55x)
For DFS contestants searching for a true sleeper with a massive ceiling, Hill fits the bill. Sure, he's no Derrick Henry, but the King's backup has been plenty useful for the Ravens as well as his fantasy investors.
Last week, Hill racked up 18 yards on four carries — modest but efficient. But it's the work he did in the passing game that exploded his fantasy numbers. All said, he caught 6-of-6 targets for a staggering 78 yards and a TD. His final DK score on the day: 21.6. The Bengals rank among the top-10 most generous defenses to opposing RBs in fantasy. Seek Justice!
Other strong Week 5 RB values:
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers at Bears (DK: $6,100 | FD: $6,800 | SD: 1.35x)
- Cam Akers (if Joe Mixon is out), Texans vs. Bills (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,200 | SD: 1.5x)
- Jerome Ford, Browns at Commanders (DK: $5,800 | FD: $6,300 | SD: )
- Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Raiders (DK: $5,200 | FD: $5,900 | SD: )
MORE: Learn about the SuperDraft Jackpot
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 5: Wide receiver
Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Browns (DK: $6,100 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.2x)
We can no longer draft rookie phenom Jayden Daniels at sleeper prices, but his top receiver — at least for now — still feels like a bargain. Scary Terry has put up 41.2 DK points over the past two weeks, and Cleveland has surrendered the 12th-most PPR points to wideouts this season. He's a full go at $6,100.
WEEK 5 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Top waiver targets | Stock watch | Trade advice
Michael Pittman, Colts at Jaguars (DK: $6,000 | FD: $6,100 | SD: 1.2x)
Flacco entering the game for the Colts last week was the best possible thing for Pittman owners and investors. The stud young wideout had been wilting away the first three weeks, failing to exceed 7.6 DK points despite some decent matchups with Houston, Green Bay, and Chicago.
He exploded for 20.3 on Sunday against a strong Pittsburgh defense, and now he gets to run it back against a Jaguars D that has surrendered the fifth-most DK points to wide receivers this season. Pitts up, America...Pitts up.
Other strong Week 5 DFS values:
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars vs. Colts (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.2x)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks vs. Giants (DK: $5,800 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.25x)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Raiders (DK: $5,500 | FD: $5,700 | SD: 1.25x)
- Jerry Jeudy, Browns at Commanders (DK: $5,200 | FD: $5,900 | SD: 1.3x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 5: Tight end
Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Panthers (DK: $4,300 | FD: $5,200 | SD: 1.4x)
At the barren position of tight end, Kmet has been one of the better floor plays over the past few weeks. He hasn't posted below 6.4 DK points since Week 1, and he exploded for 25.7 in Week 3 against Indianapolis. Carolina has given up the 7th-most points to the position, so give Kmet the green light this weekend.
More Week 5 TEs worth a look:
- Evan Engram (if he plays), Jaguars vs. Colts (DK: $4,600 | FD: $5,800 | SD: 1.35x)
- Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Bills (DK: $4,100 | FD: $5,400 | SD: 1.45x)
- Mike Gesicki, Bengals vs. Ravens (DK: $3,400 | FD: $5,300 | SD: 1.55x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 5: D/ST
Denver Broncos vs. Raiders (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,000)
The Broncos defense has been so good thus far that I picked them up for my season-long fantasy teams a week ahead of this juicy matchup. A home game at Mile High vs. Gardner Minshew with no Davante Adams?!?! Yes, please! Denver has allowed 9.6 total points per game over the past three weeks, and it's DK average on the season is 10.5 PPG. Broncos country, let's ride.
Other solid D/ST plays for Week 5:
- New England Patriots vs. Dolphins (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,100)
- Indianapolis Colts at Jaguars (DK: $2,600 | FD: $3,700)
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