4 NFL FanDuel Stacks for Week 5
Stacks are usually the backbone of the best FanDuel lineups, especially in tournaments. Brandon Gdula's piece examining hit rates and correlation for stacks is a must-read article whether you're already familiar with stacking or new to the concept.
This piece will lay out my favorite weekly stacks. So, read on to see the stacks I'm firing up this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence ($7,600), Travis Etienne ($5,600), and Christian Kirk ($7,600)
Bring-back Option: Nico Collins ($5,400)
I highlighted the case for a bounce-back game from Lawrence after a hiccup last week in 5 NFL FanDuel Value Plays to Target in Week 5 earlier this week. I won't rehash all of the points here, but I love Lawrence's matchup and performance through the first three weeks in Doug Pederson's uptempo and pass-leaning offense. And if Lawrence tears it up, some of his pass-catchers should thrive.
Kirk is the clear-cut top option in the Jacksonville Jaguars' passing attack. As a result, he's shined in his first year with the Jags. According to Sports Info Solutions (SIS), he has the 10th-highest target share (27.9 percent). In addition, Kirk is 22nd out of 95 receivers with at least 10 targets this year in Reception Net Expected Points (NEP) per Target (0.87). Kirk is also 11th in receiving yards per game (81.8) and tied for third in touchdown receptions (three).
The matchup is dreamy. So, Kirk should keep balling this week. According to Football Outsiders, the Houston Texans have allowed the third-most receiving yards per game (105.7) to No. 1 wide receivers. The pace should be great, too. Per Football Outsiders, the Jaguars are playing at the fifth-fastest situation-neutral pace, and the Texans are playing sixth-fastest.
While Kirk is the obvious stacking option with Lawrence, Etienne might slip under the radar. However, he shouldn't be overlooked. Etienne has underwhelmed so far in his first healthy professional season. Still, he's had at least 12 touches in two games. In addition, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), he's been targeted on an adequate 15.6 percent of his (64 routes). Thus, there's potential for passing-game correlation with Lawrence.
The matchup is also good for him through the air and on the ground. The Texans have allowed the eight-most receiving yards per game (43.5) to running backs. Moreover, according to our team power rankings, the Texans are the second-worst rush defense. So, Etienne can excel as a runner and receiver, enhancing his ceiling. As a result, he's a nifty tournament stacking option with Lawrence and Kirk.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts ($8,600) and Dallas Goedert ($6,100)
Hurts has been blossoming into a well-rounded stud this year. First, he's averaging the second-most rushing yards per game (51.3) among quarterbacks and is first in attempts (53) and touchdown rushes (four). However, his rushing ability isn't a new development. Instead, Hurts's improvement as a passer is the headline-grabber.
So, second, according to Pro Football Reference, Hurts is seventh in passing yards per game (280.0) and second in adjusted net yards per pass attempt (8.11 ANY/A). The third-year quarterback's ability to gash teams through the air elevates his ceiling through the roof.
It can also be on full display in a tasty matchup. According to our metrics, the Arizona Cardinals are the fourth-worst pass defense. And the Philadelphia Eagles are projected to light up the scoreboard. Specifically, Philadelphia has the third-highest implied total (27.00 points) on FanDuel's main slate in Week 5. Thus, Hurts should score a ton of points, and the numberFire projection algorithm agrees, projecting him as the QB2 on the main slate.
Since Hurts can pile up points with his legs, doubling up on pass-catchers in the stack with him isn't necessary. So instead, I suggest using only his stud tight end with him. Goedert hasn't been a target hog in 2022, but he's made the most of 20 targets, averaging 4.0 receptions and 60.0 receiving yards per game and scoring a touchdown. Further, per PFF, Goedert's 1.90 yards per route run (Y/RR) are the fifth-most out of 28 tight ends targeted at least 10 times this season.
Finally, Goedert's matchup is mouthwatering. The Cardinals have been flamed by tight ends this year, allowing the second-most receiving yards per game (84.8) to them, and tying for the third-most touchdowns (three) allowed. Therefore, Goedert could erupt this week. He's projected as the TE4, but I'm more bullish on his outlook, expecting him to lead the position in scoring on Sunday's main slate.
San Francisco 49ers
Jeff Wilson ($6,500) and San Francisco D/ST ($4,400)
Wilson is another carryover from 5 NFL FanDuel Value Plays to Target in Week 5. As I noted in that piece, Wilson has a stellar 58.82 percent snap share this season, and he's been the team's lead back in the absence of Elijah Mitchell.
Wilson has been rock-solid as the top running back for the San Francisco 49ers, exceeding 100 scrimmage yards two times in the past three weeks and rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown in the outlier contest.
The game script will probably be good for Wilson and San Francisco's defense this week. The 49ers are 6.5-point favorites, and the Baker Mayfield-led Carolina Panthers are a raging tire fire offensively. Conversely, the 49ers are an elite defense.
We rank them as the fourth-best overall defense by our metrics. In addition, according to Pro Football Reference, the 49ers have allowed the fewest yards per play (3.8), tied for the 12th-most turnovers forced (six), and tied for the second-most sacks (15). They should destroy Mayfield if he's forced into obvious passing situations in a negative game script, as the game's spread suggests he will be.
Finally, San Francisco's defense is popping in the optimizer. They're projected as the second-highest-scoring defense with the second-best value score -- the measure of points per $1,000 of salary.
New Orleans Saint-Seattle Seahawks
Chris Olave ($6,900) and Tyler Lockett ($6,800)
I waxed poetic about Olave in 5 NFL FanDuel Value Plays to Target in Week 5. The most eye-catching statistic I referenced was his commanding lead in intended air yards. Per SIS, Olave's 699 intended air yards have been 188 more than the second-highest mark this year.
Fortunately, even with multiple ugly misfires contributing to his sky-high total for intended air yards, he's averaged 5.3 receptions and 83.8 receiving yards per game. The rookie wideout also reached paydirt for the first time in his professional career last week, reeling in a touchdown reception from Andy Dalton. Thankfully, the two had instant chemistry. Jameis Winston hasn't practiced this week. So, Dalton will probably get the nod again this week. Regardless, Olave is quarterback-proof.
Olave should add to his impressive rookie season this week against the giving pass defense of the Seattle Seahawks. We've ranked them as the worst pass defense this year. They've also been destroyed by No. 1 wideouts this year, allowing the 11th-most receiving yards per game (73.0) to them, according to Football Outsiders. So, again, I love Olave this week.
I also adore Lockett in Week 5, making this a superb game stack. According to SIS, Lockett has the 16th-highest target share (26.4 percent) this year. Additionally, he's had an 11.2-yard average depth of target (aDOT), which is deep enough to do damage but not so deep that he's a highly volatile wideout.
Instead, Lockett has been consistent this season. He's had six receptions, nine, and nine in the previous three weeks, tallying 107 receiving yards, 76, and 91 in those contests. Sadly, Lockett has scored a touchdown this year. Regardless, Lockett has a track record of finding paydirt, scoring at least eight touchdowns in each of the last four seasons.
The matchup is also decent. The New Orleans Saints have allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game (72.7) to No. 1 wide receivers and ceded the 12th-most receiving yards to No. 2 wideouts (56.1).
Finally, Lockett is an excellent value. He has the fifth-highest value score among wideouts. So, Lockett offers FanDuel gamers a ton of bang for their buck.
Joshua Shepardson is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Joshua Shepardson also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username bchad50. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
