DraftKings NFL picks, Week 5: Best DFS bargains this week

Running Backs

Leonard Fournette JAX ( at CAR, $6,400): Sure, the Carolina Panthers shut down David Johnson on the ground, but who hasn’t this year? Meanwhile, Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson just averaged a combined 6.33 yards per carry last week against the Panthers, a couple of weeks after Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown combined for 6.0 yards per tote in Carolina. Fournette is as much of a lock to be a top-three running back this week as anyone not named Kamara or Elliott.

Joe Mixon CIN (vs. ARI, $6,100): The Cardinals have fielded one of the five worst rushing defenses in the NFL this season. With A.J. Green and John Ross on the shelf, Mixon will play a larger role in the passing game. If there’s a week to start Mixon with confidence this season, this is it.

Damien Williams KC (vs. IND, $5,700):  This may be a head-scratcher for many, but the aging LeSean McCoy should see his workload limited due to a nagging ankle injury as Williams (not Darrel) re-enters the fold this week. In an offense as dynamic as the one run by the Kansas City Chiefs, huge game possibilities are apparent to anyone who sees at least 10-12 targets or touches in the gameplan. That said, there is reason for optimism among the few remaining Williams truthers who still haven’t lost faith:

David Montgomery CHI (at OAK, $5,200): A preseason darling among industry experts, Montgomery hadn’t received the workload to make him anything than a repeat of last year’s Royce Freeman situation so far.  Until he received 21 carries last week.

Mark this down: Montgomery will break out in a big way this week if he receives a similar volume in Oakland. Such a scenario would be much more likely if not for head coach Matt Nagy’s unpredictability. Talent always finds a way, so expect Twitter to erupt with victory laps from analysts everywhere this Sunday.

James White NE (at WAS, $5,000): Many analysts are rolling with Sony Michel instead, but he’s so lumbering and touchdown-dependent and underwhelmed in his opportunity to single-handedly trounce the Miami Dolphins. Roll with the more consistent White, who receives a steady diet of targets and should thrive in the absence of Rex Burkhead:

Nyheim Hines IND (at KC, $4,800): With Mack once again limited due to injury, expect Hines to continue to become a larger part of the game plan.  After catching over 60 passes as an unheralded rookie last season, Hines has quietly seen his target total increase over the past few weeks. A favorable game script should allow Hines to easily outproduce his price.

Ronald Jones TB (at NO, $4,600): Jones is starting to separate himself from Peyton Barber in a Bruce Arians offense that turned David Johnson into a superstar. Arians’ success as an offensive guru alone is worth raising an eyebrow for, but the high level of play by Jones to date is the more surprising development here:

Miles Sanders PHI (vs NYJ, $4,500): All eyes are understandably on Jordan Howard after his huge game last week. However, don’t lose sight of the fact that Sanders demonstrated significant improvement as a runner for the second straight game, and remember that he’ll likely get a lot more run in a game script that favors the Phialdelphia Eagles ground game. A Sanders breakout game is a distinct possibility and the matchup offers a high enough floor to make his price quite nice.