Week 5 DFS Flex Plays DraftKings 2016

By Armando Marsal

On DraftKings, there is a flex spot which allows you to take different approaches in your lineup construction. Our goal every week is to find you some solid options that fit in the flex position and provide some nice upside. Let’s dive right into some flex targets for this week.

Running Back

Terrance West $4,800 vs. Washington Redskins
West got the start last week for the Ravens and rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. The Ravens elected to release Justin Forsett this week as they want to go younger at running back. Kenneth Dixon is expected to make his debut in Week 5, but initial reports are that they believe that the Ravens will ease him in. West should see the majority of the work in this contest against the Redskins. Opposing running backs are averaging 133 rushing yards and 45.8 receiving yards per game against the Redskins. They have also found the end zone seven times. This is a prime matchup for a running back who should get a lot of carries and is reasonably priced.

Jerick McKinnon $4,000 vs. Houston Texans
McKinnon was able to find success against a stingy run defense last week. He ran for 85 yards and a touchdown against the Giants on Monday night. This week, he faces the Texans defense who will be without their best defensive player J.J. Watt. You would think that the Texans are not a team to target regardless, but they have allowed over 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games and four rushing touchdowns in that span. McKinnon should once again see the bulk of the work and will also be involved in the passing game (he was targeted five times last game). He remains affordable and the lead back for the Vikings.

Wide Receiver

Sammie Coates $3,600 vs. New York Jets
Coates has surprisingly shown that he is capable of being somewhat consistent. He is averaging 3.3 receptions and 70.5 receiving yards per game. He has exceeded value 80 percent of the time by an average of 2.28 points, per Fantasy Labs. He accounts for 13.8 percent of the Steelers target share and is averaging five targets per game. He is also able to stretch the field and make big plays. We saw a glimpse of that in Week 2 where he caught two passes for 97 yards, one for 53 yards and the other for 44 yards. What we have yet to see from him is breaking one of those big catches for a long touchdown, but that will come eventually. The Jets are yielding 199.25 receiving yards per game and have given up four receiving touchdowns. This is a good spot for Coates and he comes at a low price.

Quincy Enunwa $4,600 at Pittsburgh Steelers
With Eric Decker unlikely to play this week, Enunwa could be in for a heavier workload. As it is, Enunwa is averaging eight targets per game and accounts for 20.5 percent of the Jets target shares. He has also accounted for 16.7 percent of the red zone targets. He has scored 12 or more DraftKings points in three of his four games. The Steelers are allowing an average of +3.7 points above expectations to opposing receivers, per Fantasy Labs. Enunwa has exceeded value 60 percent of the time by an average of 3.58 points. Keep an eye on Decker’s status, but if he sits this game out, Enunwa could be used in the flex. The Jets are expected to be chasing points in this contest, so they could be passing often.

Tight End

Zach Ertz $3,500 at Detroit Lions
Ertz is expected to return from a rib injury that has forced him to miss a couple of games. His first game back is against a defense that has been unable to stop opposing tight ends. The Lions have given up the most touchdowns to tight ends this season (6). They are also yielding 64.25 receiving yards and eight receptions per game to the position. They are allowing an average of +5.1 points above expectations to opposing tight ends, per Fantasy Labs. In Week 1, Ertz was targeted seven times and caught six passes for 58 yards. His price is also down $800 from what it was at the start of the, so he comes at a bargain. Assuming he has no limitations, he is my top tight end option this week.

Good luck to all this week. For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal