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Shows / NFL/ Friday, October 9, 2026

NFL Week 5 – Cash Game Countdown | DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Strategy and Optimal Builds

Aired Fri Oct 9, 2026 Hosts Zach Trivett Runtime 12:59 Chapters 13 Views 187

From the archive. This breakdown is for the Friday, October 9 NFL slate. Salaries, weather and picks were for that day.

The Short Version

Zach Trivett breaks down Week 5 cash builds around the Lions-Cardinals game, whose total stands well above the rest of the slate. Jacoby Brissett is the DraftKings quarterback lock, with the savings over Jared Goff helping fit Jahmyr Gibbs ($9,800). Trey McBride ($6,700) is the DraftKings tight end priority and carries over to FanDuel. DraftKings builds can use three running backs or a second tight end, depending on which receivers fit.

FanDuel starts with the same Arizona-Detroit pieces, with Michael Wilson a plug-and-play receiver at $6,400 and Aaron Jones likely joining Gibbs. Three running backs are preferred there, while Goff gets more consideration than on DraftKings. The remaining receiver spots are the main decisions, with several inexpensive options and injury situations to monitor. Washington is the FanDuel defense lock at $3,300; DraftKings defense can wait until the other positions are filled.

FadesCardinals DSTTitans DSTDolphins DST

Plays Mentioned

PlayCallThe TakeAt
CORE The DraftKings quarterback lock saves $1,100 over Jared Goff, with the cheaper quarterback also preferred on FanDuel. 2:40
CORE Plug him in at $9,800 on DraftKings and build around him on both sites because of his workload and the game environment. 2:59
ONE-OFF A safe DraftKings option at $6,900 against Miami because of his full-PPR floor, with $8,000 on FanDuel also acceptable. 3:23
VALUE An option at $5,300 on DraftKings despite the matchup and a $6,000 FanDuel value to pair with Gibbs and Jones. 3:47
ONE-OFF An optional receiver spend at $7,900 on DraftKings that may require a second tight end and a punt at the third receiver spot. 4:10
VALUE An inexpensive receiver option at $3,700 on DraftKings and $5,600 on FanDuel without Michael Pittman Jr. 4:35
VALUE His role makes $4,600 on DraftKings attractive, with $5,700 on FanDuel also acceptable. 4:35
VALUE In play at $3,500 on DraftKings even if Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase play because the offense uses plenty of three-receiver sets. 4:35
UNDERWEIGHT Avoid on DraftKings if Justin Jefferson returns; FanDuel's $6,700 salary remains cheap, but Jefferson's return reduces the appeal there too. 4:35
VALUE A good $3,800 DraftKings option if Terry McLaurin misses, with Diggs already absent. 5:05
CORE A priority at $6,700 on DraftKings because the matchup makes that salary too cheap, and the tight end choice on FanDuel at $7,200. 5:29
ONE-OFF An acceptable second DraftKings tight end at $4,900 for additional exposure to Lions-Cardinals. 5:29
ONE-OFF An acceptable partner for McBride if using two tight ends on DraftKings. 5:29
ONE-OFF A $3,600 option alongside McBride in a double-tight-end DraftKings build, with Quentin Johnston out. 5:29
VALUE Strongly in play at $4,100 on DraftKings and $5,500 on FanDuel with Quentin Johnston ruled out. 5:52
Jets DST ONE-OFF An acceptable $2,700 DraftKings defense against Cleveland if Washington does not fit. 6:34
Colts DST A case could be made at $2,500 on DraftKings against Pittsburgh, but the FanDuel discussion rejects them in favor of paying slightly more for Washington. 6:34
Cardinals DST FADE Explicitly rejected among the cheap DraftKings defenses and again among the FanDuel alternatives to Washington. 6:34
Chargers DST Denver has not looked good, but the Chargers have not either, leaving little enthusiasm for this cheap defense. 6:34
49ers DST The cheap-defense discussion expresses little interest without making an outright exclusion. 6:34
ONE-OFF One of the two FanDuel quarterback choices and more appealing there than on DraftKings, although Brissett's savings remain preferred. 7:49
CORE Likely to join Gibbs on FanDuel at $6,200, with Jordan Mason absent and the bulk of the work available. 8:16
VALUE A $5,900 FanDuel running back value and a DraftKings option with Breece Hall out. 8:16
ONE-OFF Acceptable at $8,600 on FanDuel if spending more on the third running back. 8:40
ONE-OFF In play at $6,500 on FanDuel and would look strong on both sites if the teammate identified unclearly in the transcript cannot play. 8:40
CORE Likely to make the DraftKings build at $6,200 and a plug-and-play FanDuel receiver at $6,400. 9:25
ONE-OFF Playable at $7,500 on FanDuel against Miami even if Ja'Marr Chase returns. 9:47
Unlikely to fit the FanDuel build, with a preference to save $300 for Amon-Ra St. Brown if spending at receiver. 9:47
VALUE An acceptable $5,700 DraftKings receiver and a particularly appealing value at $6,300 on FanDuel. 10:14
Sits in an awkward salary range despite a strong previous game and would be a close comparison with Tee Higgins. 10:14
Commanders DST CORE A FanDuel lock at $3,300 and the preferred DraftKings option at $2,900, although DraftKings defense is not a spending priority. 11:04
Titans DST FADE Rejected among the cheaper FanDuel defenses in favor of finding the money for Washington. 11:04
Dolphins DST FADE Rejected among the cheaper FanDuel defenses in favor of finding the money for Washington. 11:04

DFS Terms Used on This Show

Cash GameA cash game is a contest that pays a large share of the field, usually close to half, the same flat prize. Fifty-fifties, double-ups and head-to-heads are the common cash games.Treat cash games as the steady base of your bankroll. Use one safe core across your cash entries on a slate, and save riskier ideas for tournaments.Full explanation ↗▶ Said at 0:04 Late SwapIn NFL contests with late swap, you can change unlocked afternoon or evening players after earlier games begin. Only games included in that contest's player pool are available.Before the first games lock, identify affordable backup combinations for your later players. Check that each combination fits the open positions, then confirm your saved changes in every affected entry.Full explanation ↗▶ Said at 1:49 OwnershipOwnership is the percentage of lineups in a contest that include a given player. Projected ownership is an estimate made before lock; actual ownership is posted once the contest locks.Ownership isn't something to avoid; it's something to build around. The goal is understanding how the field is likely to build, then finding your edge relative to that.Full explanation ↗▶ Said at 2:14 ExposureExposure is the percentage of your lineups in a contest, or across a slate, that include a particular player, team or stack.Set exposure caps before you build, not after. Decide the most you're willing to have on any one player, then let your lineups fill in around those limits.Full explanation ↗▶ Said at 5:29 Spending UpSpending up means choosing a higher-priced player over a cheaper alternative, using more of your lineup's salary budget at that spot. You may also hear it called paying up.Build a version with your preferred expensive player and another without. Before choosing, check whether either version relies on a cheap player whose expected role still depends on unresolved injury news.Full explanation ↗▶ Said at 6:18 Showdown (Captain and MVP)NFL Showdown lets you select players from one football game, including eligible quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, kickers and team defenses. Your Captain or MVP receives the contest's scoring multiplier.Compare complete lineups with different players in the multiplier slot. Leaving salary unused can reduce duplication, but do not sacrifice meaningful scoring potential just to make your lineup unusual.Full explanation ↗▶ Said at 11:59

Full Transcript

2,276 words 11 min read 12 sections
Spot a mistake? Highlight it to suggest a fix.
0:04

Clear for liftoff. What's going on, everybody? Welcome back to the week five Cash GameA cash game is a contest that pays a large share of the field, usually close to half, the same flat prize. Fifty-fifties, double-ups and head-to-heads are the common cash games.Treat cash games as the steady base of your bankroll. Use one safe core across your cash entries on a slate, and save riskier ideas for tournaments.Full explanation ↗ countdown. I am Titletown. Welcome to the Lions Cardinals slates. Yeah, Levy games on the main slate, but that total is in a tier of its own. We will go position by position through DraftKings, then FanDuel. You'll notice a lot of similarities. I do not think it's the best week for cash. Um, but Hey, I'll still be playing still money to be made.

1:00

I do think it'll be pretty concentrated though. Um, cause yeah, one game stands out very much amongst the rest. This is Ship It Nation.com. Of course, though, you can see How you can get into that is an NFL only deal. You can see three forty nine will get you all the way through the Super Bowl. Discord, Sabre, Sim, everything you need. Also, though, you click bottom left, join the nation.

1:24

Any all access monthly or greater package will also get you qualified for the Ship It Games just posted in Discord every Tuesday in the NFL Discord. It's always pinned. Four hundred ninety nine people can enter top three win and get a Golden ship a ticket for the end. But, yeah, besides just the shipping games, obviously, $50,000 in cash and prizes is awesome. But so many sports going on right now. NFL, college football, NBA soon.

1:49

PGA still going MLB playoffs, MMA, NASCAR and NHL. Best time of the year for sure as a DFS fan. So, yeah, if you if you're not in with us five days for nineteen dollars, you cannot beat that. You get SaberSim, you get the Discord. Core one hundred. I think the starter is the best deal, though, with us. If you are there, if you want to be with us for a month or greater, you can build four hundred more lineups. You can Late SwapIn NFL contests with late swap, you can change unlocked afternoon or evening players after earlier games begin. Only games included in that contest's player pool are available.Before the first games lock, identify affordable backup combinations for your later players. Check that each combination fits the open positions, then confirm your saved changes in every affected entry.Full explanation ↗.

2:14

You get portfolio diversification contest flashback to see what the pros are doing and projections and OwnershipOwnership is the percentage of lineups in a contest that include a given player. Projected ownership is an estimate made before lock; actual ownership is posted once the contest locks.Ownership isn't something to avoid; it's something to build around. The goal is understanding how the field is likely to build, then finding your edge relative to that.Full explanation ↗ from SaberSim. You cannot beat that deal. And obviously, annual, the longer you're with us. The cheaper it gets, if you're playing thousands of dollars, I do think the contest sims is definitely something to look at. You do get DFS Mastermind for free with the starter and ultimate package as well. We do have single sport options for NFL, as you can see here, and content only.

2:40

Again, we'd love to have you. So many different options. It's been a great start to the year thus far in the NFL streets. Let me head on over to Saverson, like I usually share, position by position, sorting by value. We will start off with what I believe to be a lock on DraftKings, and that is Jacobs Burnett at .five hundred.

2:59

Eleven more hundred is Jared Goff, who is the highest projected quarterback on the slate, but not far behind is Jacobs Burnett, and that eleven hundred goes a long way. So it's a don't overthink it spot. You plug in Jacobs Burnett and move on is how I see it right now. Running back, I think you are plugging in Jameer Gibbs at $9,800. Part of the reason you are spending down at quarterback. Yeah, the best game environment.

3:23

Again, the story of the Scates is going to be jamming a lot of that game. After Gibbs, though, you do have definitely some decisions. I do not think three running back is a must on DraftKings. Definitely is viable, though. Braylon Allen, assuming DraftKings. Brees Hall is out, which we see right there. Chase Brown, $6,900 against a terrible Miami defense. We saw his point our full point PPR floor last week. Very safe play there.

3:47

Aaron Jones again without Jordan Mason handling the bulk of the work. And then Emmanuel Wilson at $5,300. Not the best matchup, but coming off a good game. Got in the box. I think it is Jameer Gibbs and then at least one of Allen, Chase Brown, Aaron Jones and Emmanuel Wilson. Two of them is in play as well. Receiver position, Michael Wilson definitely stands out at $6,200.

4:10

I'm not going to say a must must, but more than Likely you will find myself with Michael Wilson. On my team. After that, I do think it's pretty tough. Like Aminra, I would love to fit at seven, nine. It's possible. More than Likely you'd have to play a tight end in your flex and punt it off there and then punt off wide receiver three. Definitely is viable this week though. Again, the best game, but I don't think it's a must. There is plenty of value options though.

4:35

Again, Addison is fine, but Justin Jefferson will be back this week more than Likely, which we are not projecting right now. So is Addison. If Jefferson in, I don't think you can play him really at KC Concepcion, Rowan Wilson, $3,700. No, Michael Pittman, Malik Washington, $4,600. A great role for this team. Dante Myers, $3,500. Even if Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase does play, they run a lot of three receiver sets. I think he's in play. Antonio Williams, there's no digs.

5:05

Terry McLaurin is questionable. So if McLaurin misses $3,800 for the rookie is also a good price there. It's kind of what I'm looking at. I think Golden fine at $5,700. But right now I'm probably playing Michael Wilson. And then from there, value is good at wide receiver. And that is where I'll be looking at to save some money more than Likely. Tight end position. Why we keep talking about saving money at receiver, maybe running back, saving that quarterback.

5:29

I definitely want to play Trey McBride. $6,700 is way too cheap in this matchup. And I did mention double tight end is viable this week if you are trying to jam Amin Raq. And some other studs. Who would that tight end to be? I'm fine with Sam LaPorte at $4,900 getting ExposureExposure is the percentage of your lineups in a contest, or across a slate, that include a particular player, team or stack.Set exposure caps before you build, not after. Decide the most you're willing to have on any one player, then let your lineups fill in around those limits.Full explanation ↗ to that game again. Otherwise, Hunter Henry's fine. And then I do think Gadsden at $3,600 as well. No Quentin Johnson. He got ruled out.

5:52

So I should go back and mention Trey Harris as well. $4,100 is also a good price for Trey Harris. Let me just see quick. All right. We do have Quentin Johnson already out. So Yeah, I think Trey Harris is most definitely in play as well at wide receiver. Should have mentioned that. But more than Likely, it is McBride. And then one of LaPorta, Henry, or Gadsden if you are going the double tight end route, which is a decision this week.

6:18

By no means a must, though. Heading over to the defense, I think it's more than Likely Commanders, but not a lot. $2,900, you don't always need to Spending UpSpending up means choosing a higher-priced player over a cheaper alternative, using more of your lineup's salary budget at that spot. You may also hear it called paying up.Build a version with your preferred expensive player and another without. Before choosing, check whether either version relies on a cheap player whose expected role still depends on unresolved injury news.Full explanation ↗ at defense. But, yeah, they look good against the Giants. Only implied for nineteen points. They're at home.

6:34

James can definitely turn the ball over Jets against Cleveland fine with that at $2,700 after that though like if you really want to dumpster dive it is it's tough like Dolphins doesn't feel comfortable Titans doesn't feel comfortable definitely not the Cardinals Chargers against Denver I mean Denver hasn't looked great but definitely the Chargers haven't either don't love the Niners I guess Colts against pit I could make a case for a $2,500 Yeah, defense I will not be filling out first on DraftKings.

7:01

It'll be one of the last spots I go to. Ideally, I think Commanders would be nice. Jets would be fine as well, but I'm not going to prioritize defense on DraftKings. Let's head on over to FanDuel. Again, appreciate everyone hanging out. Just a quick, uh, fifteen minute, get this player pool established on Friday and see what injury news breaks. And we'll be back on Sunday, Tambo, Hoop, and myself breaking down the main slate at nine a.m. Eastern.

7:27

Like button does, uh, like button helps us out a ton. Subscribe button as well. You get notified every time we go live, which is pretty much every single day, especially with NBA coming back up. So. Appreciate it. Like button again. Thank you very much. Quarterback on FanDuel. I do think it's a little closer. I do think you're playing one of Burnett or Goff. More than Likely, I'm probably just going to go Burnett and save the thirteen hundred.

7:49

But I do think Jared Goff is in play more on FanDuel than I do in DraftKings. But you're just playing one of those two, getting exposure to by far the highest total on the slate. You can see Detroit implied for thirty points. Cardinals implied for twenty four and a half. Running backs, sorting by value. Again, I'm playing Jameer Gibbs. I mean, he's by far, he's one of the best running backs. I think it's him or Bijan right now in the league, but his role is insane.

8:16

Game environment's insane. I mean, you could argue he should be in this matchup. After that, though, again, I do think it is relatively tough because you more than Likely are playing three running backs on Fandu like we usually do. There's value. I mean, Aaron Jones looks great at six, too. Probably going to be playing him as of now with the slate locked. Braylon Allen, $5,900. Emanuel Wilson, $6,000. We do have value on the slate at running back.

8:40

So we're not mind playing Gibbs, Aaron Jones and one of these two. Chase Brown, $8,000, Jonathan Taylor, $8,600. I'm fine with it. I do think DeAndre Swift is also in play at $6,500. Minungi News is definitely big on the slate. If Minungi can't go, Swift looks great on DraftKings and on FanDuel at $6,500. So you're playing Gibbs more than Likely playing Aaron Jones.

9:02

And after that, do you want to spend down at running back three or do you want to go more in the mid tier, a little Spending UpSpending up means choosing a higher-priced player over a cheaper alternative, using more of your lineup's salary budget at that spot. You may also hear it called paying up.Build a version with your preferred expensive player and another without. Before choosing, check whether either version relies on a cheap player whose expected role still depends on unresolved injury news.Full explanation ↗? Is the decision. I can just jump to tight end quick because you're playing Trey McBride. $7,200. So, yeah, Burnett more than Likely on both sites. McBride on both sites. Gibbs on both sites. You can kind of see the trend at wide receiver. Michael Wilson, $6,400. Just a joke of a price tag.

9:25

Kind of what I was saying in the beginning, why it's not my favorite Cash GameA cash game is a contest that pays a large share of the field, usually close to half, the same flat prize. Fifty-fifties, double-ups and head-to-heads are the common cash games.Treat cash games as the steady base of your bankroll. Use one safe core across your cash entries on a slate, and save riskier ideas for tournaments.Full explanation ↗ slate by any means. Tournaments, it's pretty tough, too, because you have to make a decision with that game. But yeah, plug and play Michael Wilson. After that, though, I mean, it's the story of what cash games have been this year. The wide receiver position usually is going to win you or lose you the week. Yeah, I mean, if Ja'Marr Chase is in, I still think you can play T.

9:47

Higgins actually at $7,500. The Dolphins are terrible. But yeah, I do expect I'm thinking Higgins and Higgins. Ja'Marr Chase will both play. Again, Addison, not as interesting if Jefferson back, but $6,700 is a cheap, cheap price tag against the Saints. I don't think I'll be able to get JSN this week. I'd probably just save the three hundred and get to Aminra if I had the money. Not sure I'll be able to, though, play McBride and Jameer Gibbs.

10:14

But if you go Gibbs, Aaron Jones, Emmanuel Wilson, you play Burnett. It is possible that you're able to get Aminra and Michael Wilson. After that, I don't know. Nico's kind of in a dead range. What a great game from him last week. Him and Higgins would be pretty close. As far as some value, Josh Downs, six hundred. Good with that. Matthew Golden, $6,300. Definitely good with that. Good price take on Waddle at $6,600.

10:39

We also have to look at, let's see, Rowan Wilson, $5,600 without Pittman. I'm fine with it. Trey Harris, $5,500 without Quentin Johnson. I like that quite a bit. See what Malik Washington is. $5,700. Also fine with him. So there definitely is value there. Down below, KC Concepcion, I'm fine with as well. Again, you're probably playing Michael Wilson, or I am playing Michael Wilson.

11:04

And then after that, you have to decide on two other receivers, and I will probably be filling out most of my other roster spots before that. Already talked about Trey McBride. That is easy. And then I think Commanders is a lock on FanDuel as well. Only $3,300. They're not a lock on DraftKings because they're a little more expensive, but you can see only four teams cheaper. Colts, Titans, Cardinals, Dolphins. I do not want to play any of these defenses.

11:28

I'll prioritize finding a couple hundred from the min price and playing the Commanders. Yeah, Vandal looks even worse than DraftKings this week. Goff or Burnett, Gibbs, probably Aaron Jones, Michael Wilson, Trey McBride, Commanders defense. There's only so many spots after that to fill out, but. That's a quick breakdown. You will hear a lot of Cardinals and Lions talk on Sunday. Definitely should be a focal point in your Cash GameA cash game is a contest that pays a large share of the field, usually close to half, the same flat prize. Fifty-fifties, double-ups and head-to-heads are the common cash games.Treat cash games as the steady base of your bankroll. Use one safe core across your cash entries on a slate, and save riskier ideas for tournaments.Full explanation ↗. A total of about ten points higher than we see for the rest of the games.

11:59

Again, Chippenation.com. We would love to have you. Multiple different options for you to join. Five days for nineteen dollars if you haven't checked us out. I think is the best way to get your feet wet. We'll get you Sunday. We'll get you Monday night football. We'll get you college football tomorrow. PGA Showdown (Captain and MVP)NFL Showdown lets you select players from one football game, including eligible quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, kickers and team defenses. Your Captain or MVP receives the contest's scoring multiplier.Compare complete lineups with different players in the multiplier slot. Leaving salary unused can reduce duplication, but do not sacrifice meaningful scoring potential just to make your lineup unusual.Full explanation ↗. MMA. NASCAR.

12:16

All of that good stuff that's going to do it for me I will be back next Friday for the Cash GameA cash game is a contest that pays a large share of the field, usually close to half, the same flat prize. Fifty-fifties, double-ups and head-to-heads are the common cash games.Treat cash games as the steady base of your bankroll. Use one safe core across your cash entries on a slate, and save riskier ideas for tournaments.Full explanation ↗ countdown for week six good luck in your contest this week have a great weekend be safe peace

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  1. 0:00Intro
  2. 1:07Ship It Nation Membership Options
  3. 2:53DraftKings Quarterbacks
  4. 3:15DraftKings Running Backs
  5. 4:06DraftKings Wide Receivers
  6. 5:24DraftKings Tight Ends and Double Tight End Builds
  7. 6:21DraftKings Defenses
  8. 7:40FanDuel Quarterbacks
  9. 8:06FanDuel Running Backs
  10. 9:09FanDuel Tight End: Trey McBride
  11. 9:21FanDuel Wide Receivers
  12. 11:14FanDuel Defenses
  13. 11:46Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

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