DraftKings NFL picks, Week 5: Best DFS bargains this week
By Drew DeLuca
Wide Receivers
Michael Thomas NO (vs. TB, $6,600): Teddy Bridgewater is taking a lot of heat right now, but he projects to have a good week against a Buccaneers defense that was just shredded for 517 passing yards. Having Tre’Quan Smith is back in the fold allows the Saints to more effectively stretch the defense and allow Thomas the opportunity to showcase his peerless pass-catching skills. At his price, Thomas might be the biggest no-brainer of the week at any position, a play that’s as smart as it is chalky.
Tyler Boyd CIN (vs. ARI, $6,500) and Auden Tate CIN (vs ARI, $3,500): I’ve made no secret about how much I love Andy Dalton against the Cardinals this week, and Boyd should be the biggest beneficiary of his matchup. Last week, Boyd failed to attract 10 or more passes for the first time all season.
He should resume his role as a target monster in a high-volume pass script. He is an excellent bet to finish as a top-10 wide receiver this week. Meanwhile, Tate should see a large number of targets himself and is a must-start at his ridiculously low price against such a weak opponent.
JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT (vs. BAL, $6,400): Smith-Schuster is dinged up, so keep an eye on his game time status and be ready to sub him out, if necessary. JuJu saw only four targets last week, due in part to a favorable game script: Mason Rudolph attempted 17 passes to his running backs last week while only targeting the wide receiver position 11 times.
Diontae Johnson‘s emergence can only help JuJu, as the loss of Vance McDonald leaves at least five to eight targets on the table. Between proper distribution those and game script expectations, expect JuJu to see at least 8-10 targets for the first time since Week 2. If he’s healthy enough to play, he’s capable of a huge day against a Jekyll & Hyde Baltimore Ravens secondary.
Demarcus Robinson KC (vs. IND, $5,200): Robinson’s floor is higher than most think; he was on the field for 91 percent of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps for the second week in a row. Robinson was on the field for 20 more plays than Mecole Hardman, a rookie whose usage has actually seen a slow decline since Week 1. Robinson may not repeat his Week 2 success, but he is more than capable of a high-ceiling stat line against a Colts defense that will be without both starting safeties.
Calvin Ridley ATL (vs. HOU,$4,900): Ridley has been out-snapped by Mohamed Sanu so far this season, but the usage stats are trending closer together as the weeks progress. Treat Ridley’s one target in Week 3 as an anomaly. He has a favorable draw against the aging Jonathan Joseph, so expect a big day against a Texans secondary that has struggled to defend wideouts.
Honorable Mentions: Wide receiver is the deepest of all positions, so it makes sense to operate with a lower budget at this lineup spot. Instead, spend top dollar on bell-cow running backs with favorable matchups who see plenty of targets in the passing game. Therefore, riskier WR options who offer big game potential at bargain bin prices should be on your radar.
These include: Will Fuller HOU (at ATL, $4,500), Andy Isabella ARI (at CIN, $3,200) and Miles Boykin BAL (at PIT, $3,200). While none are top options, all three of these should be started in one DFS lineup or another this week due to their combination of talent and opportunity this week.