DraftKings

DraftKings Cash Game Lineup: Week 5

By Jacob White

Posted on October 6, 2023

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DraftKings Cash Game Lineup

Welcome to a weekly series where I provide you with what I think is the optimal cash game lineup. All prices, fantasy points, and analyses are based on DraftKings’ DFS platform. If you are unfamiliar with what cash games are, or if you are interested in my basic strategy, click here.

Week 4 Recap

I finally came down to earth in a big way last week. I definitely made a few mistakes, and none more critical than playing Zack Moss ($6,000). He already didn’t have much of a receiving role, but with Anthony Richardson back under center, it was quite likely he’d lose his goal-line role. This gives him a low floor and an even lower ceiling, especially at a pretty chunky $6,000. Tyreek Hill ($9,000) also burned me, but that was a great play process-wise and one I’d do again. Aidan O’Connell was fine, and while I did pass on Justin Fields for him, it allowed me to get onto Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua, who both put up great scores. Another small mistake was recognizing that the Chargers could be in the driver’s seat against the Raiders and not need to throw much, but that’s a marginal critique at best. Both Allen and Palmer were great plays at their salaries. The last mistake was not moving off of Cleveland’s defense when Deshaun Watson was ruled out. The good news is that I’m still doing well this season. 

Here are my results to date. 

• Week 1: Won 44.4% of head-to-heads 
• Week 2: Won 92.3% of head-to-heads 🔥
• Week 3: Won 92.3 % of head-to-heads 🔥
• Week 4: Won 7.1% of head-to-heads 

Total ROI: 6.53%

 

Now, here’s what I’m paying in Week 4.

Quarterback

I think there are a lot of solid options at QB, but nothing that truly stands out. Still, I think Anthony Richardson ($7,000) is likely underpriced. He’s the QB4 in DK PPG and probably would be QB1 if he didn’t miss so much of the Texans game. He is the QB1 in points per dropback, proving my point. When he’s under center, he scores fantasy points and a lot of them. Until DraftKings gets way more aggressive with his salary, Richardson is a cash consideration every week.

Running Back

We don’t have some of the truly elite RBs on this slate, so I think’s it’s reason to avoid the priciest options and get down to David Montgomery ($6,600). His role is rock solid, and he particularly appeals in game scripts where the Lions are well ahead. This week, Detroit is a 10-point favorite against the Panthers, who own the NFL’s worst run defense. He’s clearly the best cash RB in my opinion this week.

One of the most underrated parts of cash is understanding when you just need to capitulate to the points-per-dollar ratings, and where you need to “IKB” (I know better). This week, I’m “IKBing” on Breece Hall ($5,400). He’s been efficient this year, averaging 6.6 yards per carry and now is reportable and expected to see a role increase against Denver, who ranks 31st against the run. He should provide a solid floor with a ceiling as high as any RB in the league. I think it’s possible this is the cheapest we’ll ever see him for a long time.

Wide Receiver

He may have burned me last week, but Tyreek Hill ($9,000) is an excellent play this week. Because of his disappointment, we’re getting a $200 discount on a player we have no reason to believe took a step back. I’m happily taking another shot at a superstar WR playing on the Dolphins, who have the highest team total on the slate.

It seems as though, somehow, A.J. Brown ($8,000) is not getting the recognition he deserves. A.J. Brown ranks second in target share, trailing only Davante Adams, who is off this slate. Perhaps even more impressive is his insane 43% first-read target rate. The Eagles want to get him the ball and are designing plays such that that occurs. I love his floor/ceiling combo at just $8k.

It really is something special when we get a stone minimum punt option at WR and we have that this week in Wan’Dale Robinson ($3,000). Robinson took a step up from usage, playing 63% of snaps last week and only Darius Slayton ran more. Even if he doesn’t see another jump in snaps, he’ll still be a great play at $3k. He’s the easiest play in cash this week.

Tight End

Tight end continues to be my least favorite part of building a cash team. There haven’t been a ton of great options this year, but Zach Ertz ($3,500) continues to receive a lot of opportunities. He leads all TEs in target share, a stat I did not have on my 2023 NFL bingo card. I don’t think his ceiling is particularly high, but if he finally finds the end zone, he could pay off nicely.

FLEX

Yet again, Adam Thielen ($5,100) projects well for his salary. As I noted above, Carolina also figures to be playing behind which should put them in a more pass-happy gameplan, leading to more Thielen targets. There’s nothing flashy about Thielen, but he gets the job done. Similar to Richardson, he’ll be a cash consideration going forward until he gets above $6k.

DST

The Tennesse Titans ($2,400) project well at their salary and I don’t think there are any screaming value options, so I’ll slot them in.

Summary

Pricing was pretty tight this week and outside of Wan’Dale Robinson, there weren’t many obvious plays. My lineup is fairly contrarian to a lot of optimals, meaning there will be more variance in my head-to-head results. Still, I’m feeling good about the squad.

Here is the final lineup: