Based on our expected Week 5 DFS game flow analysis and Week 5 DFS Overview published earlier, we can carry our thoughts into actual lineup positions. The long list of players that fit the requirements set forth by the projected flow of the game was cut dramatically by the requirements set forth by salaries.
Below are Sporfolio’s DFS Week 5 Plays:
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud – We haven’t written about Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud this season and, to this point, it’s been fine to pass on him — the Texans rank just 18th in points-scored-per-game. That changes on Sunday. For starters, Houston will likely need to rely on a big game from Stroud in order to keep pace with the 3-1 Bills — who enter Week 5 with the second-most points scored in the league. But the real reason why Stroud is worth consideration for a fantasy lineup is the positive regression for the Texans’ offense as a whole. As I already noted, it has had a modest output of points on a regular basis, but it actually has tallied the eighth-most yards in the league. If those numbers align properly, we can be looking at a big performance by Stroud and the Texans.
Kyler Murray – Kyler Murray has been all over the place in terms of fantasy production, and that should serve as a reminder of how high risk-reward he is. Murray is now coming off back-to-back games in which his team scored no more than 14 points, and that simply won’t get the job done in a divisional game against the 49ers. The Arizona Cardinals might not be able to keep pace in the end, but Murray should have plenty of volume both on the ground and through the air. It’s also worth noting that Murray has faced San Francisco six other times in his career and is averaging 52.8 rushing-yards-per-game in those matchups, well above his overall career average of 37.9.
Deshaun Watson – Deshaun Watson has not played well in the early portion of the 2024 season, and his team sits at a dismal 1-3 without having scored 20 points in any of its four games. The oddity, however, is that Watson’s fantasy points have been fairly stable, albeit not explosive. That has plummeted his salary to the point that we must consider using him on Sunday, especially in a matchup with Washington’s poor defense. The Commanders have allowed the most passing touchdowns in the league and have yet to intercept a pass. If Watson can meet his floor, he will easily be worth the low investment, but there’s a decent chance he can breakout and carry a fantasy lineup.