NFL Week 5 marks the start of the bye weeks, trimming our Draftstars slate down to 10 games (six in the early window, four in the late). That makes slate strategy even more important, as ownership condenses around the obvious game environments.
The early window is headlined by two high-total shootouts: the Jets hosting the Cowboys, and the Raiders visiting the Colts. Both matchups sit in the high-40s and feature exploitable defences, making them prime DFS targets. In the late games, the Lions travel to Cincinnati to face the reeling Bengals, while the Commanders take on the Chargers in LA. Both spots offer stackable offenses, with the Lions in particular looking poised to carve up one of the league’s weakest defensive units.
Draftstars is running a $30,000 guaranteed contest with $3,000 up top, alongside qualifiers, high-rollers, and casual contests. With condensed ownership this week, nailing your pivots will be key.
NFL 2025-26 Daily Fantasy Tips: Week 5 Monday
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields — $15,820
Fields brings slate-breaking upside in a home matchup against Dallas. The Cowboys are surrendering over 420 yards and 33 points per game, and Fields has already posted two top-8 QB finishes this season (29.5 and 27.1 fantasy points). His rushing floor combined with Dallas’ inability to defend the pass makes him a ceiling play worth targeting. Of course, the volatility is real — it’s still Fields — but 30+ points are firmly in range.
Daniel Jones — $13,350
After back-to-back down weeks, Jones comes at a discount in a perfect bounce-back spot. Back in the comfort of Lucas Oil Stadium, where he opened the season with games of 29.5 and 25.8 points, Jones now faces a Raiders defence allowing above-average production to QBs. With a 48-point total and the Colts’ offense capable of pushing pace, Jones offers both a safe floor and solid ceiling at mid-range pricing.
Slate Strategy (QBs):
Ownership should cluster on Fields and Jones, making them chalky stacking options. For leverage, you can pivot to late-game QBs like Jared Goff (with ARSB) or Justin Herbert (with Quentin Johnston). Don’t be afraid to leave salary on the table at this position — ceiling trumps savings.
Running Backs
De’Von Achane — $18,440
The premium RB on the slate. Carolina’s run defence has improved but still allows the sixth-most rushing yards per game. With Tyreek Hill sidelined, Achane’s workload only grows, and he’s shown he can do it both on the ground and through the air. Expensive, but with slate-winning upside.
Rachaad White — $9,450
A “buy low” candidate with Bucky Irving almost certain to miss. White has flashed RB1 ability when given a full workload, and he should step back into a bell-cow role. Expect passing game usage to increase as Sean Tucker handles early-down relief. White’s ceiling depends on touchdowns, but the price is hard to ignore.
Rico Dowdle ($8,350) / Michael Carter ($8,400)
Two value dart throws based on injuries. Carter is the listed RB1 for Arizona but will split with Demercardo, making him more volume-limited. Dowdle becomes much more appealing if Chuba Hubbard sits, as he’d face a leaky Miami run defence. Monitor injury news — Dowdle is the stronger play if he starts.
Slate Strategy (RBs):
Stars-and-scrubs builds make sense this week: pairing Achane with a value RB like Dowdle or Carter frees up salary for premium WRs. White is the clear mid-range stabiliser. Ownership will condense, so look for leverage spots like Jonathan Taylor or Jahmyr Gibbs in tournaments.
Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown — $17,070
An elite spot. The Bengals’ defence ranks bottom-seven against every skill position, and ARSB has been remarkably consistent with six TDs in four games. He’s the anchor of any Lions stack, with double-digit targets likely. Blowout risk exists, but Dan Campbell rarely takes his foot off the gas.
Garrett Wilson — $14,180
A strong stacking partner with Fields against a non-existent Cowboys secondary. Wilson sits third in the league in targets (9.5 per game), and while his spike usage came without Fields in Week 3, he’s proven efficient when given opportunities. He carries bust risk but has slate-breaking potential at this mid-tier price.
Quentin Johnston — $12,380
Johnston has stepped into a true WR1 role with nine targets and 84 yards per game, plus four TDs in four weeks. The matchup against Washington is ideal, though the Chargers’ O-line concerns are real. If Herbert has time, Johnston could easily outperform his price tag.
Slate Strategy (WRs):
Lions stacks will dominate ownership, but WR is deep. Pairing Garrett Wilson with Fields or targeting Johnston in late swaps offers leverage. Don’t ignore mid-tier pivots like Michael Pittman Jr. or Chris Olave for differentiation.
Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson — $10,490
With CeeDee Lamb sidelined, Ferguson has become Dak’s go-to option, averaging nearly 10 targets per game. He ranks top-5 in TE yardage and is a reliable volume play against a Jets defence that will likely funnel targets inside with Sauce Gardner locking down the perimeter.
Mason Taylor — $6,380
A punt option who has carved out a steady role behind Wilson and Breece Hall. Taylor’s six to seven targets per week put him firmly in play at near-minimum salary. A touchdown would make him one of the best point-per-dollar options on the slate.
Slate Strategy (TEs):
Ownership will gravitate to Ferguson. Taylor provides cheap exposure in Fields/Wilson stacks and helps jam in studs elsewhere. Consider pivoting to mid-range TEs like Dalton Kincaid for uniqueness in large-field GPPs.
D/ST
Seattle Seahawks — $5,780
Seattle ranks top-10 in sacks, interceptions, and passer rating allowed, and now faces a banged-up Buccaneers offense at home. They’re the safest and most reliable defence on the slate.
Houston Texans — $5,650
Undervalued against a Ravens team missing Lamar Jackson. The Texans are already a top defensive unit, and Cooper Rush behind a weakened offensive line could spell turnovers. A strong alternative to Seattle, especially if ownership skews heavily toward the Seahawks.
Slate Strategy & Construction
This 10-game slate is all about picking your spots. With fewer games, ownership will condense on Fields/Wilson, Lions stacks, and Achane. Building leverage around those cores — either with contrarian secondary stacks or pivoting to less popular but high-ceiling pieces — will be the key to separating in tournaments. Stars-and-scrubs roster builds look most viable, with several cheap RBs and TEs opening salary to jam in ARSB, Achane, and elite stacks.
Final Thoughts
Week 5 is a condensed slate with very obvious chalk, meaning strategy will be just as important as player selection. Fields, Wilson, and Lions stacks will drive ownership, but don’t underestimate the value pivots in Rachaad White, Quentin Johnston, or the Texans’ defence. With bye weeks kicking in, contests will tighten — so this is the perfect week to lean into leverage plays and late-swap flexibility. Build smart, embrace variance, and don’t be afraid to leave salary on the table if it helps you land on unique builds.
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