DraftKings Week 5 Cash Game Picks and Strategy

Oct 08, 2020

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Below you'll find my Week 5 DraftKings cash game picks and strategy. By offering a general approach to the week, along with a player pool to consider, you should walk away feeling well-equipped no matter your bankroll strategy or game selection process.

In general, my cash game strategy revolves around the running back position. My main focus is to roster three running backs with workhorse-type roles that simultaneously allow me to build a high-floor lineup at the other positions. Certain weeks, we'll be able to jam in multiple high-priced running backs because of the value that presents itself at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end. Other weeks we may have to dip into the mid-range at running back because value hasn't emerged at the other positions. Because quarterback is a position with a narrower range of outcomes, it often makes sense to pay down for a signal-caller. As always it will depend on the makeup of the entire lineup, but I'll usually favor spending down at quarterback.

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I'm not opposed to paying up at wide receiver or tight end if the constraints of the week dictate that it's the most prudent lineup construction. However, with the propensity to allot the most salary to the running back position, I usually attempt to roster the most targets per dollar at wide receiver. It often results in rostering mid-tier wide receivers and tight ends. Given the volatility and variance week-to-week in pass-catchers, it makes sense to not use a ton of salary there as a general rule of thumb. Defense/special teams usually comes down to the cheapest defense with a respectable matchup and a relatively high sack rate, as pressure is what creates the plays defenses need to score fantasy points.

Update:

Well, there's been a lot of moving and shaking since this article was published so I'm here to shake things up myself. Because of the lack of pay down options I feel comfortable in at quarterback, we are going to need some mid-tier tight ends. Eric Ebron and Evan Engram make solid options. Engram should be in a shootout in Dallas and has been seeing a ton of (albeit low aDOT) targets. He has a very safe floor for his price. Ebron gets to face an Eagles' defense that has been gashed by tight ends and his production has risen with each game. If you need a tight end in that $4,000 range, those are my two favorite. I have even built lineups where Kittle and Kelce wouldn't fit by a few dollars and in that case I'm also okay with Darren Waller in a negative game script. He should see a bunch of targets as the Chiefs try to keep pace.

At wide receiver, Olamide Zaccheus and Jeff Smith replace Damiere Byrd and Khalif Raymond as the punt plays. If Julio Jones sits this game out, Zaccheus will be my preferred play here, but if Julio plays I'd flip to Jeff Smith as Zaccheus may not get on the field as often as we'd like. They are in play for cash, especially Zaccheus if Jones sits, because there isn't a ton of value popping out at wide receiver right now. In place of Tim Patrick, I'll add Darius Slayton who like Engram should be in a shootout with a few deep targets going his way. He has a real ceiling potential this week which could be useful in cash if we are rostering a full punt like Zaccheus

Quarterback

Dak Prescott ($7,400) has thrown for 450 (yes 450) or more yards in three straight games. The Cowboys are playing at a blazing fast pace and their defense is giving up points quicker than the offense can put them on the board. Dak checks in as our second-best play in the DraftKings value model. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Cowboys have a 32-point implied team total. The key to the Cowboys success is the plethora of weapons they have. It's impossible to cover all three receivers, Blake Jarwin and Ezekiel Elliott. Dak also brings the rushing prowess we like in a quarterback. Though he hasn't been as quick to escape the pocket this year, he's still adding on average about 21 yards per game on the ground. He's also scored three rushing touchdowns as well. The Giants have been decent against the pass analytically, but they've faced a stable of below-average quarterbacks.