Four weeks of NFL action have given us a much better idea of which early-season performances are sustainable, but NFL DFS tournaments still require more than simply targeting the players with the best recent box scores.
For my NFL DFS tournament/GPP picks for Week 5, I’m looking for a mix of high-upside game environments, players whose DraftKings salaries haven’t caught up to their roles, and a few lower-owned options capable of separating our lineups from the field.
We’re also entering the first week of byes, which makes finding the right salary-saving plays even more important. Below are my top NFL DFS tournament picks for Week 5, including a contrarian game stack and high-upside DraftKings GPP plays at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and defense/special teams.
NFL DFS Tournament Strategy for Week 5
After four weeks, snap rates, target shares and backfield usage are becoming much more reliable indicators of future production. DraftKings has adjusted salaries for some of the obvious breakouts, but injuries and changing offensive roles are still creating opportunities to find value.
Best Contrarian Stack for NFL DFS Tournaments in Week 5
Game Stack: Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett (5,500) – Michael Wilson (6,200) – Trey McBride (6,700) – Jameson Williams (5,900)
Detroit-Arizona is the obvious game to target for scoring this week, with a massive 54.5-point total and both teams carrying implied totals of at least 24.5 points. However, I prefer building around Arizona’s passing game rather than paying up for Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions have allowed an NFL-high 31.1 DraftKings points per game to opposing quarterbacks while also surrendering 11 passing touchdowns through four games. Brissett is also far cheaper to build around at QB, costing just $5,500, giving us a much cheaper way to attack the best scoring environment on the slate.
Wilson (6,200) has established himself as one of Brissett’s preferred targets, and the matchup is particularly appealing for his downfield role. Detroit has allowed the second-most receiving yards and fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, while Wilson has already shown he can command double-digit targets when Arizona needs to throw. McBride (6,700) is expensive, but the Cardinals’ passing game remains concentrated enough that pairing him with Wilson gives us a realistic shot at capturing most, if not all, of Arizona’s receiving production. Detroit has also allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and McBride functions as a hybrid slot receiver most of the game anyway, leaving Marvin Harrison Jr. to handle the random outside shots which Brissett does not excel at.
On the other side, Williams ($5,900) is my preferred bring-back. St. Brown is the more reliable option, but Williams offers explosive-play and multi-touchdown potential for $2,000 less. Arizona has already allowed 11 passing touchdowns, tied for the most in the NFL, and Williams doesn’t need double-digit targets to produce a huge fantasy score. He is also coming off his best game and is a potential positive TD regression candidate this week against a weaker secondary. The cheaper Brissett-Wilson-Williams construction also makes it easier to fit McBride without sacrificing the rest of our lineup.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Jared Goff (6,600) + Amon-Ra St. Brown (7,900) + Sam LaPorta (4,900) + Michael Wilson (6,200)
- Jayden Daniels (6,000) + Stefon Diggs (5,500) + Isaiah Likely (4,300) + Malik Nabers (6,300)
NFL DFS Tournament Quarterback Pick
Drake Maye ($6,300)
Maye has been one of the more reliable fantasy quarterbacks through four weeks, but his rushing upside and improving passing game still make him interesting in tournaments. New England is favored at home against Las Vegas, with an implied total around 24.5 points, and Maye gives us access to that offense without paying the premium required for Josh Allen or other expensive quarterbacks.
The Raiders have also been more vulnerable through the air, and New England’s passing game is starting to offer more reliable upside options around Maye, including former Packer Romeo Doubs and lightly used Kyle Williams. Regardless, Maye’s ability to create yards outside the pocket is another huge reason to target him in a plus matchup and gives him an advantage over similarly priced pocket passers, particularly when a defense struggles to contain explosive plays. At $6,300, we don’t need a 350-yard passing performance if Maye adds meaningful rushing production and accounts for three touchdowns, which seems like a solid bet given the opponent.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Jayden Daniels ($6,000)
- Jordan Love ($5,700)
NFL DFS Tournament Running Back Picks
Higher End: Chase Brown ($6,900)
Brown offers a much more manageable salary than the elite running backs this week, and his matchup against Miami is one of the best on the slate. The Dolphins have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs through four games and have been particularly vulnerable to receiving production, surrendering an NFL-high four receiving touchdowns to the position. That’s significant for Brown, who caught 11 passes last week and has become an increasingly important part of Cincinnati’s passing game due to injuries.
The potential absence of Ja’Marr Chase and/or Tee Higgins makes Brown even more appealing. Cincinnati may be forced to rely on shorter passes and its running backs to move the ball in what is a must-win game, creating an opportunity for Brown to pile up receptions even if the Bengals don’t dominate on the ground. He’s also already shown he can produce multiple touchdowns against Miami, scoring three times against the Dolphins late last season. At $6,900, Brown offers the receiving volume, matchup, and touchdown upside we normally have to pay significantly more for.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Jonathan Taylor ($7,800)
Lower End: Quinshon Judkins ($5,700)
Judkins hasn’t produced a monster fantasy game yet, but the matchup with the Jets gives him a good opportunity to change that. New York has allowed more than 400 total yards and five touchdowns to opposing running backs over its last two games, and the Browns should have every reason to lean on Judkins rather than asking Deshaun Watson to carry the offense, even despite his improved play of late. At $5,700, we’re getting a lead back with a potentially favorable rushing script at a price that doesn’t require elite production, which is always appealing for DFS tournaments.
The biggest attraction to Judkins is that Cleveland doesn’t need to be particularly efficient through the air for Judkins to have a big game. The Browns have shown a willingness to feed him carries, even if he’s not producing right away, and if they can keep this matchup competitive, there’s a realistic path to 18-plus touches with goal-line opportunities. The Jets have also struggled to limit explosive runs recently, giving Judkins a chance to produce a much bigger rushing total than we’ve seen from him so far this season.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Aaron Jones ($6,500)
- Emanuel Wilson ($5,300)
NFL DFS Tournament Wide Receiver Picks
Higher End: Christian Watson ($6,400)
Watson is one of my favorite ways to get exposure to a higher-end receiver without paying the $8,000-plus salaries attached to the elite options. He’s developed into Green Bay’s primary downfield threat, and the Packers may need to lean heavily on their passing game against a Chicago defense that has played much better over the last three weeks. The Bears have generated pressure consistently, but Watson’s ability to win downfield gives Jordan Love a chance to create explosive plays even if the offense struggles to sustain long drives, as it has all year.
The bigger attraction is Watson’s salary relative to his role. At $6,400, we’re paying far less than we would for the elite target hogs, but Watson can produce a 100-yard game and multiple touchdowns without needing 12 or 13 receptions. Green Bay’s receiving corps also remains relatively unsettled behind him, making Watson one of the more appealing options if Love is forced into a higher-volume passing game.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Garrett Wilson ($6,600)
- DK Metcalf ($5,400)
Lower End: Rome Odunze ($4,700)
Odunze is starting to see his role expand in Chicago’s offense, and his salary hasn’t fully caught up to that increased involvement. His targets have climbed in every game this season, going from three in Week 1 to seven against the Jets last week. He also played a season-high 89% of Chicago’s offensive snaps in Week 4, with his target share increasing to 23%. That kind of progression is encouraging for a talented third-year receiver who has the size and downfield ability to produce a much bigger fantasy performance than we’ve seen so far.
The matchup with Green Bay isn’t necessarily easy, but the Packers have allowed 31.9 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, leaving room for Odunze to produce if his recent usage continues. Chicago also enters as a slight favorite in a game with a total around 45.5 points. At just $4,700, we’re getting a receiver whose playing time and target share are trending in the right direction, and one explosive play or touchdown could make him a strong tournament value.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Malik Washington ($4,600)
- Luther Burden III ($4,900)
NFL DFS Tournament Tight End Pick
Greg Dulcich ($3,100)
Dulcich is coming off a game where he saw zero targets and hasn’t delivered consistent fantasy production yet, but he’s still an interesting option in Miami’s passing game this week. The Dolphins have struggled offensively, but that could work in Dulcich’s favor if they continue looking for shorter, higher-percentage throws against a tougher Bengals pass rush. At just $3,100, we’re also getting an athletic receiving tight end at a salary that doesn’t require a huge performance to provide value.
I’m burying the lead, though, as the matchup is undoubtedly the biggest reason to target him this week. Cincinnati has been one of the NFL’s most vulnerable defenses against tight ends, ranking among the four most favorable matchups for the position through four games. Miami also enters as a seven-point underdog, creating a good possibility that the Dolphins will be forced to throw throughout the second half. Dulcich’s target volume remains a concern, but his receiving ability and favorable matchup give him a path to a strong return at nearly minimum salary while allowing us to spend more on our expensive game stack.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Dalton Schultz ($4,000)
NFL DFS Tournament Defense Pick
Chicago Bears ($2,900)
Chicago has quietly developed into one of the more interesting fantasy defenses over the last three weeks, and the matchup with Green Bay makes the Bears worth targeting at $2,900. They’ve averaged 10 fantasy points per game over their last three outings and currently rank third in the NFL with an 8.62% sack rate. The Bears have also held Minnesota, Philadelphia and the Jets to 12 points or fewer in consecutive games, suggesting their defensive improvement isn’t simply the result of one favorable matchup.
Green Bay has scored just eight offensive touchdowns through four games and is still without its bell cow at running back in Josh Jacobs, which means Chicago’s pressure rate gives the Bears a realistic opportunity to create sacks and turnovers even if Jordan Love moves the ball. The Packers have enough offensive talent to make this a volatile play, but that’s fine for tournaments. At $2,900, Chicago offers a strong combination of recent defensive form, pressure production, and a matchup against an offense that hasn’t consistently finished drives.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Cleveland Browns ($2,800)
- Los Angeles Chargers ($2,300)
NFL DFS Tournament Picks FAQ
What is a GPP in NFL DFS?
A GPP, or guaranteed prize pool tournament, is a DFS contest that generally rewards high-ceiling lineups capable of finishing near the top of a large field. Unlike safer lineup constructions, tournament lineups often place more emphasis on ceiling, correlation, ownership and leverage.
What should I look for in NFL DFS tournament picks?
Strong NFL DFS tournament plays should offer a combination of upside, salary value and a realistic path to outperforming their expected ownership. Correlated game stacks and lower-owned pivots from popular players can also help differentiate lineups in larger contests.
How are NFL DFS tournament picks different from cash-game picks?
Cash-game lineups generally prioritize projection, workload and consistency, while tournament lineups can take on more volatility in exchange for a higher ceiling. GPP players may also consider ownership and leverage more heavily when deciding between similarly projected options.
What is the best DraftKings NFL DFS tournament stack for Week 5?
My favorite NFL DFS tournament plays for Week 5 include Drake Maye (6,300) at quarterback, Chase Brown (6,900) and Quinshon Judkins (5,700) at running back, Christian Watson (6,400) and Rome Odunze ($4,700) at wide receiver, and Greg Dulcich at tight end. For a contrarian game stack, I’m targeting Detroit-Arizona for a passing game stack without RBs, a game that enters Week 5 with the highest total on Sunday’s DraftKings main slate.
