Bye weeks are officially underway in the NFL and come with injuries piling up across the league. Malik Nabers (knee) and Tyreek Hill (knee) have been lost for the season, while Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is also expected to miss at least one game. A limited player pool makes for some tricky decisions in the Week 5 NFL DFS Yahoo main slate that begins Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT. Let's examine the matchups and highlight some of the top players to consider at each position.
Keep in mind, playing in guaranteed prize pool (GPP) Yahoo DFS football contests is about chasing upside, while lineups geared toward head-to-head, 50/50 or double-up formats should prioritize high floors. The players you want to target for these different contest types aren't mutually exclusive, but winning a GPP tournament usually requires finding a hidden gem or going against the grain in a spot or two, while building a solid base of the same chalk plays you would use anywhere. Against-the-grain plays typically consist of big-name players in tough matchups or boom-or-bust types with uncertain roles.
Remember that Yahoo DFS football contests use 0.5 PPR scoring rather than full PPR, which lowers the comparative value of wide receivers and running backs (in that order) while especially affecting high-volume pass-catchers. Lineups consist of one QB, two RBs, three WRs, one TE, one FLEX (RB/WR/TE) and one D/ST unit.
Quarterback
Justin Fields, NYJ vs. DAL ($28): After sitting out Week 3 while recovering from a concussion, Fields returned to face the Dolphins in Week 4. The Jets lost, but Fields produced another fantasy-friendly stat line with 226 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 81 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He has rushed for at least 48 yards in all three of his games this season and has recorded three rushing touchdowns. Expect him to have plenty of upside versus a Cowboys team that has allowed the most Yahoo points per game to quarterbacks.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Herbert, LAC vs. WAS ($38); Jared Goff, DET at CIN ($37); Daniel Jones, IND vs. LV ($36)
Against the Grainers: Bo Nix, DEN at PHI ($31); Sam Darnold, SEA vs. TB ($31); Bryce Young, CAR vs. MIA ($30)
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor, IND vs. LV ($44): Taylor has been busy in both facets of the Colts' offense, recording at least 17 carries and at least three targets in three of four games. The result has been at least 96 total yards in all three games, while also scoring four touchdowns. Expect him to remain busy against a Raiders team that has allowed an average of 24.8 points per game.
Cam Skattebo, NYG at NO ($29): The Giants lost their best offensive weapon last week with Malik Nabers tearing his ACL. Skattebo was busy with Nabers going down early in the game, rushing 25 times for 79 yards and catching both of his targets for 11 yards. In the last two games without Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder), Skattebo has 139 rushing yards, eight receptions for 72 receiving yards and one touchdown. The Saints have allowed the seventh-most Yahoo points per game to running backs, so Skattebo comes into the matchup with significant upside.
Honorable Mentions: De'Von Achane, MIA at CAR ($39); Omarion Hampton, LAC vs. WAS ($33); Breece Hall, NYJ vs. DAL ($28)
Against the Grainers: Woody Marks, HOU at BAL ($17); J.K. Dobbins, DEN at PHI ($24); Kendre Miller, NO vs. NYG ($11)
Wide Receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA vs. TB ($33): After failing to catch a pass in the first half of last week's game against the Cardinals, Smith-Njigba still finished with four receptions for 79 yards. He has accounted for 35.1 percent of the Seahawks' targets and 50.4 percent of their air yards this season, and his average depth of target has increased from 8.4 yards last season to 12.5. As the centerpiece of the Seahawks' passing attack, Smith-Njigba has a high floor.
Michael Pittman Jr., IND vs. LV ($24): With Daniel Jones now under center, Pittman has regained significant fantasy value, already matching his touchdown total from all of last season (three). His target share has also increased from 22.3 percent last year to 24.4 percent this season. This is a great matchup against the Raiders, who are tied for the fourth-most receptions allowed to wide receivers.
Darius Slayton, NYG at NO ($14): Slayton now takes over as the Giants' top deep threat. He has averaged at least 13.0 yards per reception in each season of his career, and when Nabers missed Weeks 5 and 6 last year, Slayton combined for 14 receptions, 179 yards and one touchdown on 22 targets.
Honorable Mentions: Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET at CIN ($39); Nico Collins, HOU at BAL ($29); Garrett Wilson, NYJ vs. DAL ($28)
Against the Grainers: Tetairoa McMillan, CAR vs. MIA ($26); Ladd McConkey, LAC vs. WAS ($24); Rashid Shaheed, NO vs. NYG ($23)
Tight End
Jake Ferguson, DAL at NYJ ($18): Ferguson caught all seven of his targets last week, finishing with 40 receiving yards and one touchdown. He has been targeted 21 times over the last two weeks with CeeDee Lamb (ankle) sidelined and has now accounted for 23.4 percent of the Cowboys' targets this season. After allowing two touchdowns to Darren Waller last week, the Jets might have their hands full with Ferguson.
Honorable Mentions: Trey McBride, ARI vs. TEN ($25); Tyler Warren, IND vs. LV ($21); Dallas Goedert, PHI vs. DEN ($17)
Against the Grainers: Zach Ertz, WAS at LAC ($16); Darren Waller, MIA at CAR ($12); Dalton Schultz, HOU at BAL ($11)
Defense
Arizona Cardinals vs. TEN ($16): The Cardinals defense has already played well, allowing 18.0 points per game for the season. It doesn't get much better than a matchup against the Titans, who are averaging just 12.8 points per game. The Titans have also averaged the fewest passing yards per game in the league.
Honorable Mentions: Detroit Lions at CIN ($17); Houston Texans at BAL ($14); New York Giants at NO ($10)
Against the Grainers: Philadelphia Eagles vs. DEN ($15); Carolina Panthers vs. MIA ($12); Los Angeles Chargers vs. WAS ($12)
