Week 5 is here, and finally, there are four weeks of current-season data to analyze matchups. After dissecting all 12 contests for this Sunday, October 6, we’ve compiled the Week 5 DFS cheat sheet below. The mission: highlight value plays that showcase the site’s player filters and predictive metrics.
So, without further ado, here’s DFS Hub’s VIP (very important player) list for today’s DraftKings main slateA slate is a list of games, typically starting around the same time of day. The most popular NFL slate in DFS is the "Main" slate, which usually has 10 or more games in the regular season. This is an example of DraftKing's main slate for NFL Some slates includes as few as one gam... — along with reasons why these players are top-shelf.
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Quarterback (QB)

On top this week: Caleb Williams: The rookie QB enters Week 5 with a juicy matchup against a Carolina D sporting a DvPL4Defense Versus Position (Last 4 Games) This is the median number of fantasy points the opponent has allowed to players of the same position. The calculation is based on the opponent's last 4 games. of 19.8 fantasy points. While Williams has failed to eclipse at least 12 FPsFantasy points in three of his four games, the Bears quarterback has averaged over 230 yards per game since his Week 1 outing of just 93 passing yards. Against a poor D, Williams will have a chance to provide solid value with his $5,800 DraftKings salary.
Methodology: We seek QBs on teams expected to score more than average, with above-average pass blocking, facing opponents with a below-average pass rush and below-average coverage, according to PFF grades.
DFS Hub QB Criteria: [Depth] = 1 & [TeamPts] > 21 & [PFFPBLKSd] > 0 & [PFFOppPRSHSd] < 0 & [PFFOppCOVSd] < 0 & ranked by overall matchup, player performance (e.g., [ANY/A]) and value (e.g., [Cost/Op]).

To see all QB’s matching this criteria
Go to the NFL DFS Lineup Builder
Running Back (RB)

On top this week: Jordan Mason: Mason continues to dominate with CMC out of the lineup and this week should be no different with a matchup against an Arizona defense ranked 28th in the league in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Mason has also gotten more involved in the passing game, with a season-high 37 receiving yards and three targets in Week 4. With TDs in three of four games, Mason provides a pretty safe floor.
Methodology: We seek RBs on favored teams or slight dogs, with better-than-average TD propA "TD Prop line" (or touchdown proposition line) is the odds of a player scoring at least one rushing or receiving touchdown in a game. The table below shows the approximate implied probability of a player scoring a TD in a game, based on his TD prop line (moneyline). odds and projected fantasy points, above-average run blocking, and facing teams with below-average run defenses. The preference is for RBs with low salaries relative to their odds of scoring.
DFS Hub RB Criteria: [Depth] = 1 & [Spread] < 2.5 & [PrjFP] > 15 & [Prop1TD] < -50 & [TeamPts] > 22 & [PFFRblkSd] > 0 & [PFFOppRDEFSd] < 0 & ranked by overall match-up and player performance (e.g., lowest [TDCost]).

Wide Receiver (WR)

On top this week: Jayden Reed: With Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs out of the lineup, Reed will have plenty of opportunities to be the lead pass catcher for Green Bay. Reed made the most of his eight targets in Week 4, hauling in 139 yards in a touchdown. Against an LA Rams D ranked 27th in the league in FPs allowed to wide receivers, Reed might be in line for one of Week 5’s biggest performances.
Methodology: We seek WRs in the top 4 depth chart positions, on favored teams or slight dogs that’ll score more than average, with better-than-average TD prop odds, above-average quarterbacks, and facing teams with below-average coverage. The preference is for WRs with low salaries relative to their odds of scoring.
DFS Hub WR Criteria: [Depth] < 4 & [Spread] < 2.5 & [Prop1TD] < 300 & [TeamPts] > 22 & [PFFOppCOVSd] < 0 & ranked by overall match-up and player performance (e.g., lowest [TDCost]).

Tight End (TE)

On top this week: Tucker Kraft: Reed wasn’t the only player who saw considerable target share in Week 4, as Kraft’s nine targets were more than he’d seen through his first three games. The Rams are right at the bottom of the league in FPs allowed to tight ends, ranked 29th overall. Kraft should also be a beneficiary of Green Bay’s banged-up pass catchers, and with a DraftKings salary of just $3,500, he’s a great Week 5 value play.
Methodology: The TE position is where we aim to save salary. We look for TEs in the top 2 depth chart positions, with better-than-average TD prop odds and projected opportunities. The preference is for tight ends with low salaries relative to their odds of scoring.
DFS Hub TE Criteria: [Depth] < 3 & [Prop1TD] < 300 & [Sal($k)]A DFS Hub field that equals a player's salary divided by $1,000. $4.8 [Sal($k)] equals $4,800, for example. It's a short form of salary to make comparing salaries easier. <4 & [PrjOps] > 4 & ranked by overall match-up and player performance (e.g., lowest [TDCost]).

Defense and Special Teams (DST)

On top this week: Denver Broncos: The Denver D has put up double-digit points in three of their four games this season while not once allowing more than 185 passing yards. The Raiders offense is in flux, and without Davante Adams there aren’t many threats in their lineup.
Methodology: We want a cost-effective better-than-average defense (according to PFF grades), facing a below-average offense with below-average expected points. We then look for teams with the highest QB hit rate.
DFS Hub DST Criteria: [PFFDEFSd] >0 & [OppPts] < 22 & [Sal($k)] <4 & [SpreadA DFS Hub field that equals the consensus point spread for the game at hand. It's Vegas's prediction of how much the favorite will win by, and how much the underdog will lose by. A Spread of -7, for example, means the favorite is expected to win by 7 points. For more, see:
... < 2.5] & ranked by overall match-up (e.g., [PFFOppPBLKSd]) and team pressuresA “pressure” in NFL parlance is when the quarterback is hurried, hit or sacked. Defenses that pressure the opposing QB more than average allow fewer points and win more games, for obvious reasons. QBs under pressure throw away the ball more and make more mistakes (e.g., throw... (e.g., [QBHits%L4]).
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