FanDuel NFL picks, Week 5: Best DFS fantasy football lineup

FanDuel NFL Week 5 picks and lineup advice: Tight End

Tight end is also a challenging position this week with the likes of Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Kyle Pitts, and Tyler Higbee unavailable. Darren Waller ($7,400) is way too cheap for the potential he offers, though he has come down to earth a little after his monster Week 1, seeing seven targets in each of the past three weeks.

George Kittle ($6,500) has looked very solid but is dealing with a calf injury that could potentially hold him out. The air yards and targets are there and he could be due for a monster game this week against Arizona. I do not mind throwing Kittle in a few tournament lineups and hoping for the best, but I prefer Waller in cash formats.

When Dalton Schultz ($6,200) is the fourth-most expensive tight end on the slate, that is a sign to pay up for the top guys. If you must punt the position, Jared Cook ($5,200) is a solid value and someone who sees targets all over the field in one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL.

FanDuel Week 5 picks and lineup advice: D/ST

Defense on FanDuel is incredibly easy for me this week. Short answer: play the Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,000) in a game with a 39.5 point over-under against Drew Lock. Not to mention, the Steelers defense is still one of the best in the league.

However, if you have spent up at every other position and still have funds remaining, the Patriots ($5,000) are the best play on the slate against a pitiful Houston offense. I also do not mind the look of the Vikings ($3,900) against a turnover-prone Jared Goff, but the Lions have been able to put up points in their games and the Vikings defense is not nearly as strong as the Steelers.

FanDuel Week 5 DFS Lineup

• QB Kirk Cousins – $7,500
• RB Dalvin Cook – $9,000
• RB Damien Harris – $6,500
• WR Adam Thielen – $7,500
• WR A.J. Brown – $6,900
• WR Laviska Shenault Jr. – $5,800
• TE Darren Waller – $7,400
• FLEX Jaylen Waddle  – $5,400
• DEF Pittsburgh Steelers – $4,000

This is certainly a lineup geared more towards a tournament, as it stacks the Vikings offense at all positions. While it is usually advisable to bring it back with a player on the other side of the ball, there was not a player on the Lions offense that I felt comfortable putting in the lineup, especially with T.J Hockenson highly questionable for Sunday.

While there are some safe plays like Harris and Waller, there are also some sneakier plays like Shenault Jr. and Waddle that could propel us into a high finish if they can produce at their lower salaries. However, these plays are certainly a little riskier for a cash lineup, so adjust your lineup accordingly based on your format. Regardless of your eventual lineup, best of luck on your Week 5 DFS endeavors, and be sure to follow up next week for more picks and insights on Week 6!