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Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 6

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 6 DFS fantasy football

We knew it was coming. I hope you have done your preemptive planning. Week 6 is the onset of the bye weeks. Vegas, Tennessee, Houston, and Detroit all get a week to recover before setting course for the rest of the season. This leaves us with only 20 teams on the main slate. A thinner player pool makes it that much easier to put together the perfect lineup. It also makes it more important to smash on all of the sleepers. Hopefully, we can help you with that.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

DALLAS @ PHILADELPHIA

Many thought Dak Prescott would return in Week 5. We were wrong. Now it appears that he won’t play this week either. Cooper Rush (QB4) is poised to get one more start. Against the Philly pass defense, I wouldn’t recommend either of them.

Jalen Hurts (QB2) continues to do damage through the air and on the ground. That said, this is the toughest test for Hurts this season. Dallas has an elite defense that should hold him in check. Still, I expect he will be over-owned. I’m not saying fade him completely, but I feel better using Justin Herbert. You can bump up Hurts slightly if Micah Parsons is limited by the hamstring injury he suffered last Sunday.

Tony Pollard (RB5) has looked the part of the better back between himself and Ezekiel Elliott (RB4) this season. Still, Dallas continues to give Zeke nearly a 2-to-1 advantage in touches. Either could be used as an RB2 here. Just be wary of the fact that no RB has had any real success against this defense since Week 1.

Philly finally decided to keep it simple using just Miles Sanders (RB2) as the primary RB and not playing musical chairs at the position. Dallas has some fast linebackers, so limit your expectations here. Kenneth Gainwell (RB8) is starting to look more like just a handcuff. You can give him Showdown work but nothing more.

CeeDee Lamb (WR3) struggled for the first few weeks with no assistance in the passing game. Now, he has Michael Gallup (WR8) back and Noah Brown (WR10) has evolved into a worthy third option. Lamb deserves no better than WR2 consideration here against this tough defense. Gallup could also be a WR3 option, but I would only play one of those two. Brown is a sneaky punt play here since third receivers have a much easier track to success against this secondary.

Philly has two viable fantasy WRs each week. This week, A.J. Brown (WR2) will have to battle with Trevon Diggs. He still deserves WR1 consideration, but I’d feel stronger about using DeVonta Smith (WR5) at WR2 and pairing him with Mike Williams at WR1. Quez Watkins (WR13) is a decent Showdown option, but he isn’t used enough to be trusted here.

Dalton Schultz (knee – TE3) left Week 5 due to a flareup of his prior knee injury. It is looking less likely that he plays this week. If he were to suit up, he would be an above-average play as teams operate underneath against this pass defense. You could even consider stacking both TEs in this game. Dallas’ backup TEs are Jake Ferguson (TE7) and Peyton Hendershot (TE9). Ferguson could be a punt play if Schultz is out. All Hendershot has going for himself is the coolest name in the league. Personally, I’d rather take a shot of lukewarm Jagermeister mixed with stale peach schnapps than take a shot on him.

Dallas Goedert (TE1) is the only truly safe TE on this slate. Save yourself a lot of headaches by just putting him in your lineup and building around him.

Monday Night

DENVER @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

This will be a divining test for Russell Wilson (QB3). He has the easiest defensive matchup on the slate. He also has looked absolutely washed for the last few weeks. With most users on Herbert and Hurts, he makes a decent pivot play at a much cheaper cost. I’ll give him another try here.

Despite the absence of his WR1a for most of the year, Justin Herbert (QB1) has been solid but not spectacular all season. Denver has impressive pass-defense stats. They also have faced four crappy QBs and Derek Carr. Herbert will be their first true test. I won’t put him on a huge ceiling game, but he should be safe for 280-2.

Melvin Gordon (RB3) did not lose a fumble last week. This should keep him penciled in as the RB1 for Denver for at least one more game. His numbers weren’t anywhere near as efficient as those of Mike Boone (RB6). Each can be considered as RB2 this week, because Los Angeles is rotten against RBs. The issue here is that Latavius Murray (RB7) may make his debut this week. If he does, downgrade the value of all three to flex level at best.

Austin Ekeler (RB1) is the RB1 this week. He will have 100 percent ownership and deservedly so. Don’t overthink this. Joshua Kelley (RB8) has notched out a niche as a change-of-pace back for the Chargers. He is a must-start in Showdown and a decent flex play if you make a Chargers’ Voltron stack.

Courtland Sutton (WR4) and Jerry Jeudy (WR6) each deserve WR2 consideration. Los Angeles has allowed multiple fantasy-viable WRs each of the last three weeks. Sutton has the safer floor of the two. KJ Hamler (WR12) should have caught a TD pass last week. Maybe Russell Wilson will actually look his way this time. Consider him a punt-WR3.

Keenan Allen (hamstring – WR6) has been M.I.A. since Week 1. If he returns this week, he could finish as one of the top WRs on the slate. I just think he’s going to miss this game, too. Odds are that Mike Williams (WR1) will lock horns with Patrick Surtain, which will limit his value. I still consider him the safest WR on the board, and he will get a bump if Allen is in there to open up some coverage. If Allen doesn’t play, consider Josh Palmer (WR9) as a WR3. DeAndre Carter (WR11) should be left to Showdown contests.

Greg Dulcich (hamstring – TE4) may finally return this week. There was a fair amount of preseason hype around the third-round rookie. Consider playing him as a third-leg in a Russell Wilson stack if he suits up. If Dulcich remains out, Albert Okwuegbunam (TE6) and Eric Saubert (TE7) are punt options, at best, and frankly, I’d ignore them both.

I’m amazed at what Gerald Everett (TE2) has accomplished this season. He had his first true dud last week. That said, on a weak slate, he deserves consideration. You could also take a flyer on Donald Parham (TE5). He has been a red-zone threat in the past and now appears to be fully healthy once again. He is TD-dependent, but his price makes him a decent option.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($8.2k), RB Rhamondre Stevenson ($6k), RB Breece Hall ($5.8k), WR Gabe Davis ($6.5k), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster ($5.2k), WR Alec Pierce ($4.3k), TE Zach Ertz ($4.9k), FLEX Kenneth Walker ($5.4k), DST Minnesota Vikings ($3.4k)

FD Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($9.2k), RB Eno Benjamin ($6.3k), RB Rhamondre Stevenson ($7.5k), WR Gabe Davis ($6.9k), WR Allen Lazard ($6.2k), WR Richie James ($5.3k), TE Travis Kelce ($8.3k), FLEX Kenneth Walker ($6.5k), DST Carolina Panthers ($3.7k)

FB Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($7.6k), RB Breece Hall ($5.5k), RB Rhamondre Stevenson ($5.4k), WR Gabe Davis ($5.9k), WR Adam Thielen ($5.4k), WR Alec Pierce ($3.8k), TE Travis Kelce ($6.7k), FLEX Kenneth Walker ($5.2k), FLEX Eno Benjamin ($4.2k)

Quarterbacks	DraftKings	FanDuel
Josh Allen	$8,200	$9,200
Lamar Jackson	$8,100	$8,800
Patrick Mahomes	$8,000	$8,600
Kyler Murray	$7,300	$8,300
Joe Burrow	$6,700	$8,000
Tom Brady	$6,300	$7,500
Matthew Stafford	$6,200	$7,200
Aaron Rodgers	$6,100	$7,500
Kirk Cousins	$6,000	$7,600
Geno Smith	$5,700	$7,400
Trevor Lawrence	$5,600	$7,100
Jimmy Garoppolo	$5,500	$7,100
Jacoby Brissett	$5,400	$6,600
Jameis Winston	$5,400	$7,000
Marcus Mariota	$5,300	$6,800
Matt Ryan	$5,300	$6,900
Zach Wilson	$5,300	$6,700
Andy Dalton	$5,200	$6,400
Daniel Jones	$5,200	$6,800
Kenny Pickett	$5,200	$6,500
Mac Jones	$5,200	$6,600
Bailey Zappe	$5,100	$6,300
Taysom Hill	$5,100	N/A
Skylar Thompson	$5,000	$6,300
P.J. Walker	$4,900	$6,300

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes should be the top-two QBs in ownership and rightfully so. Their matchup could be record-setting. If you do pivot off of them, consider Tom Brady or Kirk Cousins. The only names that stand out as possible punts are Jimmy Garoppolo, Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, and Matt Ryan.

Fantasy Four-pack

Josh Allen, Bills @ KC
($8,200 DK, $9,200 FD) Allen is the more expensive of the pair in this game. Still, both will account for three-plus touchdowns. I give a slight advantage to Allen, because he is more adept with his legs.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. BUF
($8,000 DK, $8,600 FD) Mahomes gets the home-field advantage in this game, but it won’t matter as both sides will push to rewrite the record books here. Anything less than 350-3 would be disappointing.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ NYG ($8,100 DK, $8,800 FD) The absence of Rashod Bateman (foot) affected Jackson more than we could’ve predicted last week. The best hope here is that Bateman is back and/or Jackson goes crazy on the ground (certainly possible). It’s not as if the Giants are going to scare anyone.

Tom Brady, Buccaneers @ PIT
($6,300 DK, $7,500 FD) Pittsburgh is not the elite defense it used to be. This will be a huge test for them as the Bucs are deep at WR now that everyone is healthy. Stack Brady with two of Mike Evans, Cameron Brate (concussion), and Chris Godwin if you want to avoid the mass ownership of Allen and Mahomes.

DFS Sleepers

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers @ ATL
($5,500 DK, $7,100 FD) Only three teams have allowed more passing yards than Atlanta. Meanwhile, Garoppolo’s stats have been very blase since taking over for Trey Lance, but last week he finally started to target George Kittle again. This will be a stack to attack as Atlanta is inept against opposing TEs.

Daniel Jones, Giants vs. BAL
($5,200 DK, $6,800 FD)
Jones has posted OK stats this year considering that he has ZERO legitimate WRs. The passing TDs have been absent, but Jones is making up for it by rushing for the third-most yards among all QBs. Meanwhile, Baltimore has allowed a QB rushing touchdown in three straight games (on top of their allowing the most passing yards per game).

Running backs	DraftKings	FanDuel
Christian McCaffrey	$8,300	$8,700
Nick Chubb	$8,200	$9,500
Jonathan Taylor	$8,000	$8,000
Saquon Barkley	$7,700	$8,800
Aaron Jones	$7,600	$7,300
Dalvin Cook	$7,500	$8,300
Leonard Fournette	$7,400	$8,500
Joe Mixon	$6,900	$7,800
Alvin Kamara	$6,700	$8,100
Clyde Edwards-Helaire	$6,300	$7,000
Jeff Wilson	$6,200	$7,200
James Conner	$6,100	$6,900
James Robinson	$6,100	$6,700
Najee Harris	$6,000	$6,200
Rhamondre Stevenson	$6,000	$7,500
Alexander Mattison	$5,900	$5,300
Devin Singletary	$5,900	$5,700
Breece Hall	$5,800	$7,100
Kareem Hunt	$5,700	$6,000
Raheem Mostert	$5,700	$6,500
AJ Dillon	$5,600	$5,900
J.K. Dobbins	$5,500	$6,800
Nyheim Hines	$5,500	$5,500
Kenneth Walker	$5,400	$6,500
Cam Akers	$5,300	$6,100
Deon Jackson	$5,200	$5,600
Rachaad White	$5,200	$5,200
Darrell Henderson	$5,100	$5,700
Tyler Allgeier	$5,100	$5,800
Mark Ingram	$5,000	$5,100
Michael Carter	$5,000	$5,900
Travis Etienne	$5,000	$6,400
Caleb Huntley	$4,900	$5,500
Isiah Pacheco	$4,900	$5,700
Chase Edmonds	$4,800	$5,300
Phillip Lindsay	$4,700	$5,400
Eno Benjamin	$4,600	$6,300
Matt Breida	$4,600	$5,600
James Cook	$4,500	$5,000
Tevin Coleman	$4,500	$5,700
Zack Moss	$4,300	$4,900
Justice Hill	$4,100	$5,500
Damien Williams	$4,000	$5,500
Darrel Williams	$4,000	$5,600
Kyle Juszczyk	$4,000	$4,600

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Questions loom over the highest-priced options. Christian McCaffrey is finally getting the expected touches, but now there is a coaching change and a QB change. Will Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Saquon Barkley (shoulder) be 100 percent in decent matchups? Will Alvin Kamara (Taysom Hill-itis) ever score another TD? Any of these four could be your RB1 or a straight-up fade. The only high-priced guy that has zero qualms for me is Dalvin Cook. Jeff Wilson and J.K. Dobbins could have volume-based pivot appeal. I also do not hate Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Devin Singletary as exposure to the huge matchup between them. All that said, I will be loading up on Rhamondre Stevenson, Breece Hall, and Kenneth Walker. This may be my threesome on all sites. Keep an eye on James Conner (ribs). If he is out as expected, then Eno Benjamin and Darrel Williams could be bargain-basement plays in a good matchup.

Fantasy Four-pack

Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. BAL
($7,700 DK, $8,800 FD) Baltimore is allowing the second-most RB receptions and the fourth-most RB receiving yards. Meanwhile, Barkley is sixth and seventh, respectively, in those two categories. Barkley also ranks first overall in total yards by a running back. If his shoulder remains sound, expect 150 total yards and at least one score this week.

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers @ LAR
($8,300 DK, $8,700 FD) McCaffrey will be facing a paper tiger of a run defense this week. Unfortunately, he will be doing so with a new head coach and an unproven QB. Working in his favor is that the Panthers have finally started targeting him in the passing game. If the new coach, Steve Wilks, wants a chance to win his first game, he will continue that strategy.

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots @ CLE ($6,000 DK, $7,500 FD) With Damien Harris (hamstring) out for the foreseeable future, Stevenson will be the lead dog for New England. Last week, Stevenson went off for 175 total yards. Expect more of the same as Cleveland has allowed a total of 503 combo yards and five total RB touchdowns IN JUST THE LAST TWO WEEKS!

Dalvin Cook, Vikings @ MIA
($7,500 DK, $8,300 FD) Miami just allowed the Jets’ RBs to combine for 230 total yards and three touchdowns (in addition, to two other rushing TDs vultured by Zach Wilson and Braxton Berrios). They have also allowed at least one RB score every week except one. 120-1 is Cook’s floor here.

DFS Sleepers

Kenneth Walker, Seahawks vs. ARI
($5,400 DK, $6,500 FD) Rashaad Penny (leg) is done for the year. This will expedite Kenneth Walker’s ascension to RB1 in Seattle. Last week, Walker ripped off a huge TD run against a strong New Orleans run defense. Arizona is middle of the pack against the run (including allowing one total RB score per week). Given a full volume of work, Walker should score and approach 100 total yards.

Breece Hall, Jets @ GB ($5,800 DK, $7,100 FD) OK, FD has finally caught on to Hall. Would someone like to tell DK? Only two RBs have more targets than Hall, and only Austin Ekeler has more receptions. Plus, Hall has now scored in back-to-back games and should’ve scored multiple times last week.

Wide receivers	DraftKings	FanDuel
Cooper Kupp	$9,700	$9,400
Justin Jefferson	$8,900	$9,200
Stefon Diggs	$8,400	$8,900
Ja’Marr Chase	$7,700	$8,100
Deebo Samuel	$7,600	$7,600
Tyreek Hill	$7,500	$8,000
Marquise Brown	$7,200	$8,200
Mike Evans	$7,000	$7,700
Michael Pittman	$6,900	$6,700
DK Metcalf	$6,800	$7,400
Gabe Davis	$6,500	$6,900
Tee Higgins	$6,300	$7,200
Jaylen Waddle	$6,200	$7,300
Chris Godwin	$6,100	$6,800
Allen Lazard	$6,000	$6,200
Adam Thielen	$5,900	$5,900
Amari Cooper	$5,900	$7,100
Christian Kirk	$5,800	$7,000
Diontae Johnson	$5,700	$6,300
Michael Thomas	$5,600	$7,000
Tyler Lockett	$5,600	$7,500
Chris Olave	$5,500	$6,700
Brandon Aiyuk	$5,400	$5,800
Drake London	$5,400	$6,100
Jakobi Meyers	$5,300	$6,600
JuJu Smith-Schuster	$5,200	$6,400
Rashod Bateman	$5,200	$6,500
DJ Moore	$5,100	$5,700
Julio Jones	$5,100	$5,500
Tyler Boyd	$5,100	$6,000
Garrett Wilson	$5,000	$5,700
Isaiah McKenzie	$5,000	$6,000
Allen Robinson	$4,900	$5,400
Elijah Moore	$4,900	$5,200
Corey Davis	$4,800	$5,800
Romeo Doubs	$4,800	$5,500
Devin Duvernay	$4,700	$6,200
George Pickens	$4,600	$5,800
Marvin Jones	$4,600	$5,500
Chase Claypool	$4,500	$5,500
Kadarius Toney	$4,500	$4,800
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	$4,500	$5,800
DeVante Parker	$4,400	$5,500
Randall Cobb	$4,400	$5,700
Russell Gage	$4,400	$5,700
Alec Pierce	$4,300	$5,900
Jarvis Landry	$4,300	$5,500
K.J. Osborn	$4,300	$5,300
Richie James	$4,200	$5,300
Rondale Moore	$4,200	$5,600
Zay Jones	$4,200	$5,600
A.J. Green	$4,100	$5,300
Ben Skowronek	$4,100	$5,500
Robbie Anderson	$4,100	$5,300
Mecole Hardman	$4,000	$5,600
Olamide Zaccheaus	$4,000	$5,300
Donovan Peoples-Jones	$3,900	$5,500
Marquez Callaway	$3,900	$5,600
Darius Slayton	$3,800	$5,600
Nelson Agholor	$3,800	$5,400
Scotty Miller	$3,800	$4,900
Khalil Shakir	$3,700	$5,400
Tre’Quan Smith	$3,700	$5,300
Jauan Jennings	$3,600	$5,100
Wan’Dale Robinson	$3,600	$4,900
Breshad Perriman	$3,500	$4,900
Christian Watson	$3,500	$5,000
Skyy Moore	$3,500	$5,000
Cedrick Wilson	$3,400	$5,000
David Sills	$3,400	$5,100
Parris Campbell	$3,400	$5,100
Demarcus Robinson	$3,200	$5,400
Jamal Agnew	$3,200	$5,100
David Bell	$3,100	$4,900
Kendrick Bourne	$3,100	$5,000
Mike Thomas	$3,000	$4,600
Tutu Atwell	$3,000	$4,900
Tyquan Thornton	$3,000	$4,800

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – I don’t hate any of the top WR options. That said, Cooper Kupp’s price is borderline troubling going up against Jaycee Horn (ribs), assuming he plays. Stefon Diggs and Deebo Samuel are the safest WR1 choices. Cheaper pivots would include Gabe Davis, Marquise Brown, and Chris Godwin. WR2 will be much easier to outfit. Adam Thielen, Tyler Lockett, Chris Olave (concussion), Amari Cooper, Christian Kirk, Allen Lazard, and JuJu Smith-Schuster all deserve consideration. The depth WRs for Buffalo and Kansas City should be considered for WR3. If you want to look outside of that game, consider Randall Cobb, Alec Pierce, Devin Duvernay, and whoever suits up for the Giants.

Fantasy Four-pack

Stefon Diggs, Bills @ KC
($8,400 DK, $8,900 FD) With several weapons to target in this high-scoring game, why not just secure the most proven WR among them? Build your lineup around Diggs, Josh Allen, and Travis Kelce, and then fill out from there.

Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ MIA
($8,900 DK, $9,200 FD) Jefferson has had three monster games already this year. Now, he faces a Miami defense that will be without Byron Jones and possibly Xavien Howard, too. The price is a little high but so is his ceiling.

Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. CAR
($9,700 DK, $9,400 FD) Only one WR1 has performed well against Carolina this season. Still, this is Cooper Kupp, and he scores in the mid-20s in his worst games. Just know that this will be one of those 20- to 25-point floors if CB Jaycee Horn (ribs) plays.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers @ ATL
($7,600 DK, $7,600 FD) Pairing Samuel with Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle makes a sneaky value stack. Atlanta was crushed by WR1s the first two weeks and then proceeded to struggle in two of their next three games against the position. Samuel salvaged his poor game last week with a TD, Of course, that was against Carolina, who I mentioned above have limited most WR1s.

DFS Sleepers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs vs. BUF
($5,200 DK, $6,400 FD) Everyone and their mother will be rostering Travis Kelce this week. So, why not pivot to Smith-Schuster and gain cheaper exposure to the game? This also applies to Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Alec Pierce, Colts vs. JAX
($4,300 DK, $5,900 FD) Pierce has watched all of his statistical categories rise each of the last three weeks. Non-WR1s have fared well in three of the five contests against Jacksonville this season. Pierce should approach 7-75-1 here.

Tight ends	DraftKings	FanDuel
Travis Kelce	$7,800	$8,300
Mark Andrews	$7,000	$7,800
Taysom Hill	N/A	$7,500
George Kittle	$5,100	$5,700
Zach Ertz	$4,900	$6,000
Tyler Higbee	$4,600	$6,200
Kyle Pitts	$4,200	$5,500
David Njoku	$4,000	$5,900
Pat Freiermuth	$3,800	$5,300
Robert Tonyan	$3,600	$4,900
Evan Engram	$3,500	$5,200
Dawson Knox	$3,400	$5,100
Tyler Conklin	$3,400	$4,900
Cameron Brate	$3,300	$4,800
Hayden Hurst	$3,300	$4,900
Daniel Bellinger	$3,200	$4,700
Irv Smith	$3,200	$4,900
Hunter Henry	$3,100	$4,700
Mike Gesicki	$3,100	$4,800
Will Dissly	$3,100	$5,000
Adam Trautman	$3,000	$4,700
Mo Alie-Cox	$3,000	$4,800
Noah Fant	$3,000	$4,900
Cade Otten	$2,900	$5,000
Isaiah Likely	$2,800	$4,600
Juwan Johnson	$2,800	$4,600
Quintin Morris	$2,800	$4,500
Harrison Bryant	$2,700	$4,500
Jonnu Smith	$2,600	$4,400
Zach Gentry	$2,600	$4,600
Colby Parkinson	$2,500	$4,400
Parker Hesse	$2,500	$4,400

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Just pay up and play Travis Kelce. It may feel like chasing points, but no other player can break a slate as quickly as he can. Think of him as your WR2 and pay down at that position. George Kittle would be a very sneaky pivot. He is much cheaper and the matchup is juicy. Zach Ertz and David Njoku are the other two higher-priced options with decent matchups. One of them could be used in a double-TE lineup. Hayden Hurst and Daniel Bellinger are cheap punt plays.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. BUF
($7,800 DK, $8,300 FD) Kelce broke the primetime slate last week. Don’t expect four TDs here, but he will score at least once. He should also have more receptions and yardage, think 7-100.

George Kittle, 49ers @ ATL
($5,100 DK, $5,700 FD) Atlanta has allowed an average of 82 combo yards per game to opposing TEs. Now, they have to face Kittle, whom Jimmy Garoppolo finally remembered existed. This will be his best week of the season.

Mark Andrews, Ravens @ NYG
($7,000 DK, $7,800 FD) The Giants have actually posted decent numbers against the TE position. Of course, they have also faced more stiffs than a mortician. With Rashod Bateman likely out again this week, Andrews should post a solid floor game of 7-70-1.

Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ SEA
($4,900 DK, $6,000 FD) Seattle has allowed at least one TE score in three of five games. They have also allowed the most total yards to the position. With DeAndre Hopkins out one more week, Ertz has one more big game in him.

DFS Sleepers

Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ NO
($3,300 DK, $4,900 FD) With Tee Higgins (ankle) on the wrong end of questionable, I expect Hurst to be highly involved in the passing game once again. He has scored in two straight, and this week will be number three.

Daniel Bellinger, Giants vs. BAL
($3,200 DK, $4,700 FD) With so many injuries in their passing game, Bellinger has carved out a small niche for himself. Baltimore has struggled against the pass all year and has allowed three different TEs to score. Try a punt stack with Bellinger, Daniel Jones, and Saquon Barkley.

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 5

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 5 DFS fantasy football

Quarterback concussions were the story of Week 4. We saw two veterans knocked out on Sunday in addition to the gruesome injury sustained by Tua Tagovailoa on Thursday. Scary head trauma aside, make sure to keep your brain in check and limit yourself to a short memory when setting DFS lineups.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

CINCINNATI @ BALTIMORE

Seldom will Joe Burrow (QB3) find himself as the third-worst QB on a slate of four passers. It actually is a pretty strong matchup for him as Baltimore is putrid against the pass. Unfortunately, two of the other three have juicy matchups, too. If you want to avoid the heavy ownership numbers, definitely consider Burrow here.

One of those who will be more heavily owned is Lamar Jackson (QB1). His matchup isn’t as smooth as Burrow’s but Jackson offers the elite rushing production to go along with his passing stats. This alone makes him the safest floor option among the QBs.

Efficiency has never been a calling card for Joe Mixon (RB1). Fortunately, he gets so much volume that it doesn’t really matter. Samaje Perine (RB6) is his backup, but his usage is far too sporadic to rely on outside of Showdown contests.

J.K. Dobbins (RB2) looked comfortable in Week 4. This should strike fear into the hearts of all of Baltimore’s opponents as now they have one more weapon to deal with. Justice Hill (hamstring – RB8) was running strong before getting knocked out of last week’s game. If he can go, consider him as a flex option. If Hill is out, Mike Davis (RB11) will be the backup. He has no value. Patrick Ricard (RB10), on the other hand, is always a fun TD-dependent Showdown flyer.

The only thing that kept Baltimore’s secondary from getting thrashed by Buffalo last week was the remnants of a hurricane. They remain one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Ja’Marr Chase (WR1) and Tee Higgins (WR3) can both be considered as WR1. I also love Tyler Boyd (WR8) as the third leg to a Burrow stack. You can ignore the depth options here barring a practice-week injury.

Rashod Bateman (foot – WR5) was repeatedly in and out of the Week 4 game with an injury. Watch his practice status this week. If he can go, consider him as a WR2. I particularly like him as the run-it-back play in a Bengals’ stack. Devin Duvernay came close to scoring once again last week. He is a great WR3 option here. Demarcus Robinson (WR12) could be a sneaky WR3/flex option, especially if Bateman is limited.

Hayden Hurst (groin – TE4) would be a strong play against Baltimore with the revenge game narrative. Unfortunately, he is ranked fourth among the active TEs on this loaded slate. Consider him as a cheap flex play in a multiple-TE lineup.

Mark Andrews (TE2) failed in the cake matchup last week. Forget about it and move on. Cincy has been gouged by both Pat Freiermuth and Tyler Conklin already this season. They are chopped beef compared to Andrews. On a loaded slate, Isaiah Likely (TE5) can be left to Showdown contests.

Monday Night

LAS VEGAS @ KANSAS CITY

Kansas City’s pass defense is shaky enough to consider using a punt lineup with Derek Carr (QB4). His value is even higher if Hunter Renfrow can go.

Patrick Mahomes (QB2) is facing the second-worst pass defense on this slate. Yes, Baltimore is even worse than Vegas (30th versus 31st). Last Sunday night, Mahomes showed once again how ridiculously good he can be … expect another huge game here.

Josh Jacobs (RB3) scored twice last week. That was twice more than I predicted going up against Denver. He was also the second-most-targeted option in the Vegas passing attack. KC has struggled with pass-catching backs allowing 40 receptions through the first four games. Even if Hunter Renfrow returns, Jacobs is a safe play at either RB1 or RB2. Brandon Bolden (RB9) and Zamir White (RB12) don’t see enough usage to deploy here.

Coming into Week 4, Kansas City had split the workload between all three of Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB4), Jerick McKinnon (RB7), and Isaiah Pacheco (RB5). CEH lapped McKinnon in season touches in just Week 4 securing his spot as the lead man. While McKinnon seemingly has fallen even behind Pacheco, CEH can be used as an RB2 this week. Pacheco can be considered as a flex play, and McKinnon should probably be limited to Showdown lineups.

Davante Adams (WR2) continues to hoard targets for Vegas. I love pairing him with one of the Bengals as WR1 and WR2. Hunter Renfrow (concussion – WR6) has missed a pair of games with a concussion. If he can go, roll him out as a WR3. I prefer him on DK, where he gets the full PPR. If Renfrow misses another game, you can use Mack Hollins (WR7) as a WR3. That said, I wouldn’t trust him as more than a desperation punt play if Renfrow returns.

The Chiefs have spread the ball around through the first four weeks. Still, JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR4) has been consistently the top WR option. You will have the choice to use him as a cheap WR2 or an expensive WR3. Marques Valdes-Scantling (WR10) has been far less consistent and has battled some injuries. He could be used as a WR3, at best. Mecole Hardman (WR11) is cheap, but he has been ignored for the last two weeks. I can’t trust his usage right now. Skyy Moore (WR13) finally made the box score this past week, but I’d like to see more consistency before using him outside of Showdown.

Darren Waller (WR3) is ranked lower here than most weeks. He will be my least-owned option as I’d rather take the savings on Hurst if I choose to fade the top two options.

KC loves to attack their divisional rivals with Travis Kelce (TE1). In his last eight meetings with Vegas, Kelce has posted 56-808-5. His price is high, but I would do everything possible to ensure he is in my lineup.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Carson Wentz ($5.7k), RB Rhamondre Stevenson ($5.5k), RB Dameon Pierce ($6.2k), WR A.J. Brown ($7.5k), WR Robert Woods ($5.2k), WR Curtis Samuel ($5.8k), TE T.J. Hockenson ($4.9k), FLEX James Robinson ($6.3k), DST Detroit Lions ($2.8k)

FD Lineup: QB Carson Wentz ($6.8k), RB James Robinson ($8k), RB Damien Harris ($7.2k), WR A.J. Brown ($8k), WR Curtis Samuel ($5.8k), WR Robert Woods ($5.9k), TE David Njoku ($5.7k), FLEX Jamaal Williams ($8.3k), DST Minnesota Vikings ($4.3k)

FB Lineup: QB Joe Burrow ($6.6k), RB Jamaal Williams ($6k), RB Dameon Pierce ($5.6k), WR A.J. Brown ($6.7k), WR Tee Higgins ($6.2k), WR Elijah Moore ($4.3k), TE Cameron Brate ($3.4k), FLEX James Robinson ($5.7k), FLEX Damien Harris ($5.3k)

Quarterbacks	DraftKings	FanDuel
Josh Allen	$8,200	$9,000
Jalen Hurts	$8,100	$8,600
Kyler Murray	$7,400	$8,100
Justin Herbert	$7,100	$8,200
Matthew Stafford	$6,400	$7,400
Kirk Cousins	$6,300	$7,100
Dak Prescott	$6,200	$7,500
Jared Goff	$6,100	$8,000
Tom Brady	$6,000	$7,800
Ryan Tannehill	$5,800	$6,900
Carson Wentz	$5,700	$6,800
Jacoby Brissett	$5,600	$6,700
Trevor Lawrence	$5,600	$7,600
Geno Smith	$5,500	$6,900
Jameis Winston	$5,500	$7,300
Cooper Rush	$5,400	$6,500
Jimmy Garoppolo	$5,400	$7,000
Marcus Mariota	$5,400	$6,800
Teddy Bridgewater	$5,400	$6,400
Justin Fields	$5,300	$6,600
Zach Wilson	$5,300	$7,200
Andy Dalton	$5,200	$6,500
Mac Jones	$5,200	$6,600
Bailey Zappe	$5,100	$6,300
Baker Mayfield	$5,100	$6,400
Brian Hoyer	$5,100	$6,300
Kenny Pickett	$5,100	$6,500
Mitch Trubisky	$5,100	$6,500
Davis Mills	$5,000	$6,400
Taysom Hill	$4,900	N/A

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert are the best plays on the board this week. If you choose to pivot to under $6k on DK consider Tom Brady, Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, or Trevor Lawrence. Wentz is my favorite from that group as he should have low ownership. His FD price is also palatable. Teddy Bridgewater and Davis Mills could be barrel-scraping bargains.

Fantasy Four-pack

Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ ARI
($8,100 DK, $8,600 FD) Hurts has two games with three total TDs and two games with one total TD. Fortunately, his rushing acumen keeps his value up even when he has a bad passing game. Arizona was decimated by Patrick Mahomes in Week 1 but has held middling QBs in check since then. Hurts is good enough to turn this into a shootout.

Justin Herbert, Chargers @ CLE
($7,100 DK, $8,200 FD) Herbert leads the league in passing yards, but he has only thrown for nine TDs this year. Meanwhile, Cleveland has allowed zero or one passing TD in three of four games. You might think this is a bad sign for Herbert until you realize that the best QB that Cleveland has faced was Joe Flacco. Cleveland is about to be exposed.

Josh Allen, Bills vs. PIT ($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD) Pittsburgh has faced only one above-average QB this season. That was Joe Burrow back in Week 1. He threw for 338-2 in that game and even gained 47 rushing yards. After facing three straight subpar QBs, Pittsburgh may not be ready for Allen. I like him to approach 300-3 with a floor of 275-2 plus another 40 yards on the ground.

Tom Brady, Buccaneers vs. ATL
($6,000 DK, $7,800 FD) Tom Brady has all of his weapons back healthy and will get healthy as well against an Atlanta pass defense that has allowed multiple passing TDs in three of four games.

DFS Sleepers

Carson Wentz, Commanders vs. TEN
($5,700 DK, $6,800 FD) Wentz is coming off a pair of stinkers against top-tier pass defenses. Recency bias will keep most DFS players off of him as they forget about his two early-season blowups against the Jags and Lions. Tennessee has allowed the third-most passing yards and the most passing TDs per game. With two horrible pass defenses facing off here expect big scoring on both sides.

Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins @ NYJ
($5,400 DK, $6,400 FD)
I’ve always bad-mouthed Bridgewater for his standard line of 210-1. That said, this feels like a two-TD game for Teddy-one-TD. I could see stacking him with either Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle, but Waddle would be my choice because he is cheaper.

Running backs	DraftKings	FanDuel
Christian McCaffrey	$8,500	$8,700
Derrick Henry	$8,200	$8,900
Nick Chubb	$8,000	$9,400
Austin Ekeler	$7,800	$9,000
Dalvin Cook	$7,300	$7,300
Leonard Fournette	$6,900	$7,800
Alvin Kamara	$6,600	$7,000
Jamaal Williams	$6,500	$8,300
Miles Sanders	$6,500	$7,600
Najee Harris	$6,500	$6,600
Alexander Mattison	$6,400	$7,300
James Conner	$6,300	$6,700
James Robinson	$6,300	$8,000
Dameon Pierce	$6,200	$7,500
David Montgomery	$6,200	$7,100
Devin Singletary	$6,100	$6,000
Kareem Hunt	$6,000	$5,900
Antonio Gibson	$5,900	$6,300
Khalil Herbert	$5,900	$7,100
Ezekiel Elliott	$5,800	$6,200
Tony Pollard	$5,700	$5,700
Cam Akers	$5,600	$6,100
Damien Harris	$5,600	$7,200
Darrell Henderson	$5,500	$6,100
Jeff Wilson	$5,500	$6,500
Rhamondre Stevenson	$5,500	$6,000
Breece Hall	$5,400	$6,600
Mark Ingram	$5,400	$6,000
Rashaad Penny	$5,300	$6,900
Chase Edmonds	$5,200	$5,700
J.D. McKissic	$5,200	$5,100
Rachaad White	$5,100	$5,800
Travis Etienne	$5,100	$5,600
Kenneth Gainwell	$5,000	$5,200
Raheem Mostert	$5,000	$5,800
Rex Burkhead	$5,000	$5,100
Dontrell Hilliard	$4,900	$5,000
Michael Carter	$4,900	$5,500
Brian Robinson	$4,800	$5,500
Craig Reynolds	$4,800	$5,500
Kenneth Walker	$4,700	$5,300
Tyler Allgeier	$4,700	$5,700
Zack Moss	$4,700	$5,100
Eno Benjamin	$4,600	$5,400
Darrel Williams	$4,400	$5,000
Caleb Huntley	$4,300	$5,600

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey finally saw the targets he deserved last week, but this matchup is ugly. Derrick Henry has a slightly better matchup, so I prefer him here. Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb have much better matchups than both of them. Still, Dalvin Cook has the best matchup of any of them and is cheaper. If I spend up at RB it will be for one of these five. That said, there are just too many bargains to not skip the high-priced guys. James Robinson Jamaal Williams, Dameon Pierce, Kareem Hunt, and the Patriots’ RBs will make up most of my lineups. You can even punt easily with Breece Hall (knee), Mark Ingram (if Alvin Kamara (ribs) is out again), or Tyler Allgeier.

Fantasy Four-pack

Nick Chubb, Browns vs. LAC
($8,000 DK, $9,400 FD) The Chargers have allowed rushing TDs each of the last two weeks. They also were torched by pass-catching backs all season. Chubb is not involved in the passing game at all, but he still is among the top two in both total yards and scores among RBs. Both Chubb and Kareem Hunt will score this week.

Derrick Henry, Titans @ WAS
($8,200 DK, $8,900 FD) Tennessee is using Henry in the passing game. That is a scary thought as he has already scored in three straight games on the ground.

Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. CHI ($7,300 DK, $7,300 FD) Cook is cheaper than all of the other decent plays among the high-priced tier. Plus, only two teams are allowing more RB rushing yards per game than Chicago. At home against this decrepit franchise, Cook will feast in a blowout (at least until Alexander Mattison is asked to finish this one off).

Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ CLE
($7,800 DK, $9,000 FD) Ekeler woke up from his TD slumber to score three times last week. His success will continue this week as Cleveland has already given up five total RB scores this season. Plus, all of those targets add up fast in the full-PPR world of DK.

DFS Sleepers

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ TB
($4,700 DK, $5,700 FD) Allgeier has a tough-on-paper matchup with the Buccaneers. Still, with Cordarrelle Patterson out for at least the next month, Allgeier is going to get all the touches he can handle. This volume should make him a favorite sleeper play this week.

Breece Hall, Jets vs. MIA ($5,400 DK, $6,600 FD) Only one RB has more targets through the first four weeks than Hall. Now, he faces a Miami team that is tough against the run but has allowed the fifth-most RB receptions. This game will be a sneaky shootout where Hall hauls in six or seven passes.

Wide receivers	DraftKings	FanDuel
Cooper Kupp	$9,600	$9,500
Justin Jefferson	$8,900	$8,800
Stefon Diggs	$8,400	$8,600
Tyreek Hill	$8,000	$8,400
Deebo Samuel	$7,700	$7,300
Amon-Ra St. Brown	$7,600	$8,200
A.J. Brown	$7,500	$8,000
Marquise Brown	$7,200	$7,800
Mike Williams	$7,100	$7,400
CeeDee Lamb	$7,000	$7,200
Mike Evans	$6,900	$7,500
DK Metcalf	$6,800	$7,100
Jaylen Waddle	$6,700	$7,700
Christian Kirk	$6,600	$7,600
Keenan Allen	$6,600	$7,000
Gabe Davis	$6,400	$6,000
Adam Thielen	$6,300	$6,300
Terry McLaurin	$6,200	$6,500
Brandin Cooks	$6,100	$6,800
Diontae Johnson	$6,100	$6,700
Amari Cooper	$6,000	$7,000
DeVonta Smith	$6,000	$6,600
Chris Godwin	$5,900	$7,000
Drake London	$5,900	$6,200
Curtis Samuel	$5,800	$5,800
Michael Thomas	$5,800	$7,100
Chris Olave	$5,700	$6,900
Tyler Lockett	$5,600	$6,800
Julio Jones	$5,500	$5,700
Brandon Aiyuk	$5,400	$5,900
Allen Robinson	$5,300	$5,700
DJ Moore	$5,200	$5,900
Garrett Wilson	$5,200	$6,000
Robert Woods	$5,200	$5,900
Corey Davis	$5,100	$5,900
Greg Dortch	$5,100	$4,900
Joshua Palmer	$5,100	$5,500
Darnell Mooney	$5,000	$5,800
Elijah Moore	$5,000	$5,300
Isaiah McKenzie	$5,000	$6,100
Michael Gallup	$5,000	$6,000
Josh Reynolds	$4,900	$6,400
Noah Brown	$4,900	$5,400
Russell Gage	$4,900	$6,200
DJ Chark	$4,800	$5,600
Jakobi Meyers	$4,800	$6,000
DeVante Parker	$4,700	$5,700
Jahan Dotson	$4,500	$5,800
Chase Claypool	$4,400	$5,600
A.J. Green	$4,300	$5,100
George Pickens	$4,300	$5,500
Jarvis Landry	$4,300	$5,500
Robbie Anderson	$4,300	$5,500
K.J. Osborn	$4,200	$5,200
Marvin Jones	$4,200	$5,200
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine	$4,200	$5,400
Breshad Perriman	$4,100	$5,200
Donovan Peoples-Jones	$4,100	$5,400
Nico Collins	$4,100	$5,400
Rondale Moore	$4,100	$5,200
Zay Jones	$4,100	$5,700
Ben Skowronek	$4,000	$5,300
Nelson Agholor	$4,000	$5,500
Olamide Zaccheaus	$4,000	$5,300
DeAndre Carter	$3,900	$5,100
Equanimeous St. Brown	$3,900	$5,200
Kyle Phillips	$3,900	$5,200
Kalif Raymond	$3,700	$5,100
Jamal Agnew	$3,600	$5,300
Kendrick Bourne	$3,600	$5,200
Tre’Quan Smith	$3,500	$4,900
Brandon Powell	$3,400	$4,700
Laviska Shenault	$3,400	$4,600
David Bell	$3,300	$4,800
Marquez Callaway	$3,300	$5,100
Van Jefferson	$3,200	$5,000
Cedrick Wilson	$3,100	$4,800

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson have great matchups but high prices. This WR slate is kind of gross, so strongly consider using one of them. You can also save a little money by rolling out Deebo Samuel or A.J. Brown instead. Christian Kirk, Brandin Cooks, and Terry McLaurin are decent WR2 options. At WR3, consider Curtis Samuel, Robert Woods, Elijah Moore, Josh Reynolds, or DeVonta Smith. There are not a lot of good punt plays this week. If you must go there, use one of the Titans, Jaguars, or Texans’ depth WRs.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. CHI
($8,900 DK, $8,800 FD)
Jefferson has scored and/or topped 100 yards in each of his four career matchups against Chicago. This season Chicago hasn’t really been tested. They will be this week.

Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. PIT
($8,400 DK, $8,600 FD) Diggs leads all WR in TDs and is second in both receiving yards and receptions. This is impressive seeing as how last week he was playing in the remnants of a hurricane. Prior to last week’s meeting with the Jets, the Steelers had allowed the WR1 on their first three opponents to post a combined 26-325-2.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers @ CAR
($7,700 DK, $7,300 FD) Marquise Brown and Chris Olave have clobbered Carolina over consecutive weeks. This week, they have to deal with the Swiss Army Knife that is Samuel. We know Samuel can score through the air or on the ground. This week, don’t be surprised when he scores both ways.

A.J. Brown, Eagles @ ARI
($7,500 DK, $8,000 FD) Jalen Hurts is my favorite QB of Week 5, so his top WR needs to be my favorite stack. Through four weeks, Brown has scored only once, but he is averaging over 100 receiving yards per game. He will do both this week in a shootout.

DFS Sleepers

Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. TEN
($5,800 DK, $5,800 FD) I need to dig somewhere to find a third Samuel to stack with Deebo and Curtis this week. He was dealing with an illness early in the week but should be good to go for Sunday. He could be in for a big day against the Titans’ 29th-ranked pass defense with Jahan Dotson (ankle) unlikely to go.

Robert Woods, Titans @ WAS
($5,200 DK, $5,900 FD) Only one team is allowing more yards to opposing WRs than Washington. With Treylon Burks (toe) doubtful to play, Woods should easily have his best game of the season here. He was the only WR other than Burks to catch a pass last week and already has 36% of the WR receptions on the team.

Tight ends	DraftKings	FanDuel
George Kittle	$5,200	$6,500
T.J. Hockenson	$4,900	$7,000
Taysom Hill	N/A	$6,000
Zach Ertz	$4,800	$5,900
Dallas Goedert	$4,700	$6,100
Kyle Pitts	$4,400	$5,600
Tyler Higbee	$4,300	$5,500
Gerald Everett	$4,200	$6,300
Pat Freiermuth	$4,100	$5,800
David Njoku	$3,800	$5,700
Tyler Conklin	$3,700	$5,300
Dawson Knox	$3,600	$5,000
Mike Gesicki	$3,500	$5,000
Cameron Brate	$3,400	$4,900
Dalton Schultz	$3,400	$4,800
Will Dissly	$3,300	$5,100
Irv Smith	$3,200	$4,700
Logan Thomas	$3,200	$5,200
Evan Engram	$3,100	$4,900
Juwan Johnson	$3,000	$4,700
Hunter Henry	$2,900	$4,500
Austin Hooper	$2,800	$4,500
Noah Fant	$2,800	$4,800
Adam Trautman	$2,700	$4,500
Jonnu Smith	$2,700	$4,400
C.J. Uzomah	$2,600	$4,300
O.J. Howard	$2,600	$4,500
Brevin Jordan	$2,500	$4,300
Colby Parkinson	$2,500	$4,500
Jake Ferguson	$2,500	$4,400
Jordan Akins	$2,500	$4,400
Tommy Tremble	$2,500	$4,600

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Most of the top TEs are off of the main slate. Fortunately, the remaining TEs actually have decent matchups. T.J. Hockenson is the best of the best on this board but that FD price is extreme. Zach Ertz, Tyler Higbee, and Kyle Pitts (hamstring) could be in for decent volume production. Dallas Goedert has a great matchup as well. David Njoku (knee) has also emerged as a weekly reliable option. Cameron Brate (concussion), Logan Thomas, Will Dissly, or one of the Saints are the only punt options.

Fantasy Four-pack

T.J. Hockenson, Lions @ NE
($4,900 DK, $7,000 FD) With injuries to Detroit’s top two WRs, Hockenson feasted against Seattle to the tune of 8-179-2. If the Lions remain short-handed, expect them to lean on Hockenson once again. This will be a strong game plan since New England has allowed five TE scores over the last three weeks.

Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. DAL
($4,300 DK, $5,500 FD) So, Higbee is the real WR2 in Los Angeles this season. If Matthew Stafford doesn’t look at Cooper Kupp, he looks immediately to Higbee. Kupp will have to deal with Trevon Diggs, which should open up another healthy dose of targets for the TE who is leading the league in that category.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ ARI
($4,700 DK, $6,100 FD) Arizona has given up a ton of yards and points to opposing TEs. Of course, they have also faced three of the best in the league. Goedert is currently fifth at the position in receiving yards, so there is no rest for the weary this week. He will continue his 5-60 production and may even score this week, too.

Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. PHI
($4,800 DK, $5,900 FD) This game could be gold for TEs. Consider the Jalen Hurts-A.J. Brown-Dallas Goedert stack, and then run it back with Ertz. Philly has a pair of studs at the outside corners to frustrate the Cardinals’ top outside WRs. This should mean that passes will be funneled to Ertz and Rondale Moore in the middle of the field.

DFS Sleepers

David Njoku, Browns vs. LAC
($3,800 DK, $5,700 FD) Njoku has been on fire, posting 14-162-1 over the last two weeks. He always had the pedigree to support this level of production, but he never had the chance until now. Expect consistent 6-60 production all season.

Will Dissly, Seahawks @ NOS
($3,300 DK, $5,100 FD) Don’t look now, but Dissly has scored in three of the first four weeks. The Saints are actually posting solid stats against the position, but the only above-average TE they have faced is Kyle Pitts (and it isn’t as if he is being used as a top TE currently).

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 4

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 4 DFS fantasy football

Running back injuries and vultures marred the early slate last week. Khalil Herbert taking over for David Montgomery cost me a ton of cash. I also would like that second touchdown for Dalvin Cook instead of Alexander Mattison. Don’t even get me started on Jamaal Williams and Chase Edmonds. Will Herbert be a must-start this week? Will we see more vultures? Will Justin Fields ever complete more passes than most nine-man high school football teams? Find out this and more below in this week’s DFS Domination.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

KANSAS CITY @ TAMPA BAY

A lot has changed since Super Bowl LV between these teams. One thing that has not is the QB matchup. Patrick Mahomes (QB1) is seeking revenge for being shut out in that game. Only three of Mahomes’ pass-catchers remain from that game, but Mahomes is still the safest play of the four QBs on this slate.

Tom Brady (QB2) threw for three TDs in that game. Two of those went to Rob Gronkowski and one went to Antonio Brown. My “Magic 8 Ball” says we won’t see either of them this week. We will see a few of Brady’s injured weapons return, though, and that should keep him viable this week after a pair of short-handed games.

It was not a good week on the ground for Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB3). He did catch five passes and scored a TD, but it was easily his worst game of the year. Running against Tampa is virtually impossible, but this tableau is full of sketchy RB matchups. Historically, Tampa has been generous to pass-catching backs. CEH has a 12-7 target advantage over Jerick McKinnon (RB6) on the year, but it has been 9-3 over the last two games. Consider CEH as an RB2 or McKinnon as a punt-flex.

Leonard Fournette (RB1) is the only player remaining for either team that scored a TD in that Super Bowl. He also is the only RB on this whole slate that I feel comfortable starting. KC has been so-so against the run, and the Chiefs allowed a fair amount of RB receptions, too. His receptions will dip this week with the return of the other weapons, but he still has the highest floor of any RB here.

Skyy Moore (WR19) was supposed to be more involved last week. Don’t you just love coach speak? He gets the lowest rating of any WR, and he is unusable until he sees an offensive target. Fortunately, JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR4) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (abdomen – WR10) are performing strongly. Smith-Schuster deserves WR2 consideration and MVS can be considered for WR3. Mecole Hardman (WR13) had a down week, but he has provided punt-WR3-level performance all season. He is also the last remaining KC WR from that Super Bowl appearance.

Mike Evans (WR2) will return from his suspension, and Chris Godwin (hamstring – WR6) might return from his injury. This will boost Tom Brady immensely. Julio Jones (PCL – WR8) is also a possible returnee. Evans is an easy WR1, and Godwin would be a WR2, if he plays. I wouldn’t trust Jones yet, though, unless Godwin remains out. Russell Gage (WR7) came up huge against Green Bay. His numbers will drop with the returns, but he is still a safe WR2 play. Breshad Perriman (knee, hamstring – WR11) and Cole Beasley (WR12) are both usable at WR3, but only if both Godwin and Jones don’t play. Jaelon Darden (WR16) should be left to Showdown contests.

This is the slate to consider double-TE or even triple-TE. Travis Kelce (TE1) is the best option. Just get him into your lineup and smile. I’d only consider Noah Gray (TE6) in Showdown.

Cameron Brate (TE4) will see fewer targets now that Tampa is getting their pass-catchers back. He still is a decent flex play if you go multiple-TE.

Monday Night

LOS ANGELES RAMS @ SAN FRANCISCO

Matthew Stafford (QB3) had a rough day versus Arizona. He won’t have it any easier this week. Plus, his price won’t be enough of a discount to pivot to him.

At least Jimmy Garoppolo (QB4) will be priced cheaply enough to consider for punting the position. Unfortunately, he is far and away the least talented QB on this slate and is facing an elite defense.

The Rams are playing musical chairs with their backfield. Darrell Henderson (RB5) led the way in Week 1, but Cam Akers (RB4) has been the more valuable the last two weeks. San Fran is stifling against the run making neither more than a cheap pivot RB2.

San Francisco is treading thin at the RB position. Jeff Wilson (RB2) has performed adequately enough to be the second-safest play on this weak slate. The team also has undrafted rookie Jordan Mason (RB6), but he can be ignored. As always, consider Kyle Juszczyk (RB7) in Showdown.

I predicted the down Week 3 for Cooper Kupp (WR1). He will return to stud-dom this game and is a must-start WR1 on a small slate. Allen Robinson (WR9) has 10 targets over the last two weeks, but his production continues to lack. He is a slightly overpriced WR2 here. With Van Jefferson (knee) out for the next month, Ben Skowronek (WR14) and Brandon Powell (WR15) have at least a bit of value. You can consider one of them at WR3, but I wouldn’t.

Deebo Samuel (WR3) is one of only three WRs that I would consider for WR1. I’d also consider using him at WR2 if you want to go cheaper at RB. Brandon Aiyuk (WR5) is a decent WR2 option as well (at a much cheaper price). Jauan Jennings (WR17) and Ray-Ray McCloud (WR18) are not used enough to be relied upon here.

Tyler Higbee (TE2) remains tied for third in TE targets. I will definitely use him in multiple-TE lineups. Kendall Blanton (TE5) returned to the Rams last week and caught a long pass. He should still be left to Showdown.

George Kittle (TE3) returned last Sunday night and performed adequately, at best. I was expecting more despite this being his first game. Still, you can use him in multiple-TE lineups or as a pivot. His breakout is coming eventually.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($8.4k), RB Jamaal Williams ($6.1k), RB Dameon Pierce ($5.6k), WR Gabe Davis ($6.6k), WR Devin Duvernay ($4.1k), WR Kendrick Bourne ($3.7k), TE Mark Andrews ($7.1k), FLEX Khalil Herbert ($5.7k), DST Chicago Bears ($2.7k)

FD Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($8.9k), RB Jamaal Williams ($7.4k), RB Dameon Pierce ($6.8k), WR Gabe Davis ($6.5k), WR Amari Cooper ($7.5k), WR Greg Dortch ($5.3k), TE Mark Andrews ($8.4k), FLEX Robert Tonyan ($4.9k), DST Chicago Bears ($4.1k)

FB Lineup: QB Josh Allen ($7.4k), RB Najee Harris ($5.8k), RB Jamaal Williams ($5.3k), WR Stefon Diggs ($7.4k), WR Zay Jones ($4k), WR Kendrick Bourne ($3.5k), TE Mark Andrews ($6.5k), FLEX Dameon Pierce ($5.1k), FLEX Kareem Hunt ($4.8k)

Quarterbacks	DraftKings	FanDuel
Josh Allen	$8,400	$8,900
Lamar Jackson	$8,300	$8,800
Jalen Hurts	$8,200	$8,600
Kyler Murray	$7,600	$7,800
Justin Herbert	$7,100	$8,000
Russell Wilson	$6,700	$7,100
Aaron Rodgers	$6,300	$7,400
Carson Wentz	$6,000	$6,900
Jared Goff	$5,900	$7,600
Derek Carr	$5,800	$7,200
Trevor Lawrence	$5,700	$7,500
Marcus Mariota	$5,600	$7,300
Matt Ryan	$5,600	$6,700
Jacoby Brissett	$5,500	$6,800
Ryan Tannehill	$5,500	$6,800
Daniel Jones	$5,400	$7,000
Geno Smith	$5,400	$6,600
Cooper Rush	$5,300	$6,400
Justin Fields	$5,300	$6,700
Baker Mayfield	$5,200	$6,600
Joe Flacco	$5,200	$6,500
Zach Wilson	$5,200	$6,500
Brian Hoyer	$5,100	$6,300
Mitch Trubisky	$5,100	$6,500
Davis Mills	$5,000	$6,400

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Jalen Hurts is a decent third option, but there is no “non-weather” reason to avoid using one of Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson. Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are decent pivots. Also consider using Jacoby Brissett, Geno Smith, or Davis Mills as a punt play.

Fantasy Four-pack

Josh Allen, Bills @ BAL
($8,400 DK, $8,900 FD) Allen is sitting as the top-ranked QB through three weeks. Now, he gets to face the 30th-ranked pass defense in Baltimore. The only thing that could slow this aerial assault is if there are any remnants of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ian up the coast in Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. BUF ($8,300 DK, $8,800 FD) If the weather does become a factor in this game, I give a slight advantage to Jackson, who runs more than Allen. This game has the makings of a scoring fest, so get as many stack legs into this matchup as you can.

Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. JAX
($8,200 DK, $8,600 FD) Philly is more inland than Baltimore, so if you do decide to pivot due to weather, this game has high point potential, too. That said, I don’t trust Hurts’ arm as much as I trust that of Allen or Jackson. A.J. Brown also missed practice this week due to the birth of his child. They may be off-kilter to start this game. If you stack this one perhaps consider using DeVonta Smith or Dallas Goedert instead.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs. NE
($6,300 DK, $7,400 FD) I don’t love the upper- to midpriced QBs this week. That said, Rodgers seems to be developing a rapport with his receiving corps as Allen Lazard is healthy and Romeo Doubs looks like an impact rookie. The Patriots just was gouged by Lamar Jackson for four TDs last week. At home, Rodgers will throw for at least two.

DFS Sleepers

Jared Goff, Lions vs. SEA
($5,900 DK, $7,600 FD) This is perhaps the safest pivot game for stacking if the weather is wreaking havoc across the East Coast. Both teams have many passing-game weapons and questionable pass defenses. Goff’s value slips since Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) cannot go, but you can still stack guys like T.J. Hockenson (hip) and D.J. Chark (ankle) with him.

Jacoby Brissett, Browns @ ATL
($5,500 DK, $6,800 FD)
Atlanta just allowed Geno Smith to throw for 325-2. Prior to that, they allowed five passing TDs over the first two games against Matthew Stafford and Jameis Winston. Stafford is the only QB in that group better than Brissett (and you could argue Stafford is not playing up to form yet this year). Brissett isn’t going to light up the box score, but 225-2 with 25-30 rushing yards is certainly in play. Consider stacking him with Amari Cooper or David Njoku to save some money.

Running backs	DraftKings	FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor	$8,800	$8,700
Christian McCaffrey	$8,700	$8,800
Derrick Henry	$8,300	$8,600
Saquon Barkley	$8,000	$8,100
Nick Chubb	$7,900	$9,200
Austin Ekeler	$7,700	$8,400
Aaron Jones	$7,500	$7,300
Najee Harris	$6,700	$7,000
Javonte Williams	$6,600	$6,900
Cordarrelle Patterson	$6,500	$7,600
James Robinson	$6,400	$7,800
James Conner	$6,300	$6,800
David Montgomery	$6,200	$7,200
Ezekiel Elliott	$6,100	$6,400
Jamaal Williams	$6,100	$7,400
AJ Dillon	$6,000	$6,500
Antonio Gibson	$6,000	$6,600
Kareem Hunt	$6,000	$6,100
Miles Sanders	$6,000	$6,600
Tony Pollard	$6,000	$6,000
Devin Singletary	$5,900	$6,200
Melvin Gordon	$5,800	$6,500
Khalil Herbert	$5,700	$7,200
Dameon Pierce	$5,600	$6,800
Josh Jacobs	$5,500	$6,500
Breece Hall	$5,400	$6,300
Travis Etienne	$5,400	$5,700
Damien Harris	$5,300	$6,200
J.K. Dobbins	$5,300	$5,800
Michael Carter	$5,200	$5,700
Rhamondre Stevenson	$5,200	$5,900
J.D. McKissic	$5,100	$5,300
Zack Moss	$5,000	$5,200
Kenneth Gainwell	$4,900	$5,000
Rashaad Penny	$4,900	$6,700
Darrel Williams	$4,800	$5,500
Kenneth Walker	$4,800	$5,200
Nyheim Hines	$4,700	$5,100
Boston Scott	$4,600	$4,800
Brandon Bolden	$4,500	$4,800
Tyler Allgeier	$4,500	$4,800
Eno Benjamin	$4,400	$5,600

Running Back

Weekly strategy – The prices continue to go down for Jonathan Taylor (toe) and Christian McCaffrey (thigh). It is hard to not take advantage of it despite their minor injuries. That said, I am spending big at QB and WR, so I may opt for something cheaper here. Austin Ekeler has an easy matchup, but we have to be concerned about his early-season rushing numbers. Najee Harris, Cordarrelle Patterson, and James Robinson all make volume-based pivots. If David Montgomery (ankle) misses this game, Khalil Herbert is a must-start. The same goes for Jamaal Williams if D’Andre Swift (shoulder) is out. Miles Sanders, Antonio Gibson, Kareem Hunt, and Dameon Pierce are my discount RB alternatives to avoid the high ownership of Williams and Herbert. If you choose to punt here, consider Breece Hall or Rashaad Penny.

Fantasy Four-pack

Nick Chubb, Browns @ ATL
($7,900 DK, $9,200 FD) Chubb leads the league in rushing yards and is tied for the NFL lead in total RB scores. This comes despite him ceding touches to Kareem Hunt. The FD price is too high but under $8k on DK is hard to pass.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs TEN
($8,800 DK, $8,700 FD) Taylor missed some practice this week due to a toe issue, but he is good to go. He has posted a pair of stinkers after decimating Houston in Week 1. He will get his groove back here, at a discounted price.

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. ARI ($8,700 DK, $8,800 FD) McCaffrey also missed practice this week due to a thigh problem. Considering his history of leg injuries, this gives me cause to worry. Thankfully, he is also priced lower than usual. Arizona has allowed four total running back TDs. McCaffrey will get back into the end zone this week … I’d just prefer we saw more passes in his direction.

Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ HOU
($7,700 DK, $8,400 FD) Ekeler’s rushing effectiveness this season has left us scratching our heads as if we had horrible scalp psoriasis. Fortunately, he has feasted in the passing game. Houston has allowed a league-worst 190 combo yards per game to opposing RBs. If Ekeler can’t get it going on the ground this week, he might not all year.

DFS Sleepers

Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. LAC
($5,600 DK, $6,800 FD) The DFS sites have updated everyone’s salary except for Dameon Pierce. Someone needs to tell them that he has the 15th-most rushing yards despite playing sparingly in Week 1. They also can be told that the Chargers are allowing an average of 147 combo yards and a total score per week to opposing backs.

Breece Hall, Jets @ PIT
($5,400 DK, $6,300 FD) Hall has been a PPR beast over the first three weeks. It remains to be seen if the QB change will affect this usage. My money is on Hall remaining an asset. I’d just like to see Michael Carter out of the picture.

Wide receivers	DraftKings	FanDuel
Stefon Diggs	$8,400	$8,700
Davante Adams	$8,300	$7,900
Amon-Ra St. Brown	$7,700	$8,000
A.J. Brown	$7,400	$8,300
Michael Pittman	$7,200	$7,500
Mike Williams	$7,000	$7,200
Marquise Brown	$6,900	$7,700
DK Metcalf	$6,800	$7,100
CeeDee Lamb	$6,700	$6,800
Christian Kirk	$6,600	$7,600
Gabe Davis	$6,600	$6,500
Keenan Allen	$6,500	$7,300
Terry McLaurin	$6,500	$6,700
Courtland Sutton	$6,400	$6,800
Amari Cooper	$6,300	$7,500
Allen Lazard	$6,200	$6,000
Drake London	$6,100	$6,300
Diontae Johnson	$6,000	$7,000
Tyler Lockett	$5,900	$6,900
Brandin Cooks	$5,800	$6,400
DeVonta Smith	$5,800	$6,900
Curtis Samuel	$5,700	$6,200
Rashod Bateman	$5,600	$6,600
Jerry Jeudy	$5,500	$6,500
Garrett Wilson	$5,400	$6,100
DJ Moore	$5,300	$6,100
Hunter Renfrow	$5,300	$5,600
Robert Woods	$5,200	$5,800
Isaiah McKenzie	$5,100	$5,900
Michael Gallup	$5,100	$6,000
Darnell Mooney	$5,000	$5,800
DJ Chark	$5,000	$5,700
Greg Dortch	$5,000	$5,300
Joshua Palmer	$5,000	$5,800
Noah Brown	$4,900	$5,600
Elijah Moore	$4,800	$5,600
Jakobi Meyers	$4,800	$6,000
Chase Claypool	$4,700	$5,700
Robbie Anderson	$4,700	$5,700
Treylon Burks	$4,700	$5,700
DeVante Parker	$4,600	$5,700
Josh Reynolds	$4,600	$5,900
Corey Davis	$4,500	$5,600
Romeo Doubs	$4,500	$5,900
Jahan Dotson	$4,300	$5,700
Marvin Jones	$4,300	$5,400
Equanimeous St. Brown	$4,200	$5,400
Mack Hollins	$4,200	$5,800
Zay Jones	$4,200	$5,900
A.J. Green	$4,100	$5,200
Devin Duvernay	$4,100	$5,700
Kadarius Toney	$4,100	$5,000
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine	$4,100	$5,200
Olamide Zaccheaus	$4,100	$5,300
DeAndre Carter	$4,000	$5,200
Donovan Peoples-Jones	$4,000	$5,400
Nico Collins	$4,000	$5,300
Randall Cobb	$4,000	$5,200
Richie James	$4,000	$5,500
Alec Pierce	$3,900	$5,100
KJ Hamler	$3,900	$5,500
Kyle Phillips	$3,900	$5,000
Nelson Agholor	$3,900	$5,600
George Pickens	$3,800	$5,100
Rondale Moore	$3,800	$5,000
Christian Watson	$3,700	$5,300
Kendrick Bourne	$3,700	$5,200
Ashton Dulin	$3,500	$5,200
Chris Moore	$3,500	$5,400
Laviska Shenault	$3,500	$4,600
Quez Watkins	$3,500	$5,000
Byron Pringle	$3,400	$5,000
Demarcus Robinson	$3,400	$4,800
Parris Campbell	$3,400	$4,800
Wan’Dale Robinson	$3,400	$4,800

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – If there was a way to do it, I would stack Josh Allen with both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Unfortunately, I know that is nearly impossible. I will have one of them in every lineup. The other high-priced WRs have solid but not spectacular matchups or some other concern. At WR2 consider Tyler Lockett, Amari Cooper, DeVonta Smith, or Brandin Cooks. Curtis Samuel can also be considered, although his price is starting to reach that shady territory. Isaiah McKenzie, Greg Dortch (back), Zay Jones (ankle), Devin Duvernay, Laviska Shenault (hamstring), and the Patriots’ WRs (if Brian Hoyer starts) are the best WR3 choices.

Fantasy three-pack

Stefon Diggs, Bills @ BAL
($8,400 DK, $8,700 FD)
Stefon Diggs leads the league in receiving yards and receiving TDs. He also is only one reception behind the league leader. The weather may take away some of the deep passing in this game, but Diggs can run the middle routes with the best of them, so 12-150-2 is certainly a possibility.

A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. JAX
($7,400 DK, $8,300 FD) I am slightly concerned about Brown missing practice this week due to the birth of his child. Still, he is an elite-level talent facing an improving but still young defense in a shootout. If you have concerns about his absences, consider rolling with DeVonta Smith instead.

Davante Adams, Raiders vs. DEN
($8,300 DK, $7,900 FD) Adams cannot possibly continue this lack of production. He is still getting targeted, ranking third in that category. He also has scored in every game. The receptions and yardage will come here even against a tough defense.

DFS Sleepers

Tyler Lockett, Seahawks @ DET
($5,900 DK, $6,900 FD) Jeff Okudah has done a remarkable job of shutting down opposing WR1s this year. The problem is that his DB running mates have more holes in their coverage than a colander. Okudah will shadow DK Metcalf this week, providing Lockett the chance to go off. He netted nine catches on 11 targets each of the last two weeks. Expect a similar line here.

Brandin Cooks, Texans vs. LAC
($5,800 DK, $6,400 FD) Cooks has been Mr. Consistent his entire career. Unfortunately, he is off to a slow start in 2022. The Chargers have allowed the fifth-most WR receptions and TDs to five different WRs already. So, Cooks will finally get in gear this week.

Tight ends	DraftKings	FanDuel
Mark Andrews	$7,100	$8,400
Darren Waller	$5,600	$6,500
Kyle Pitts	$5,000	$6,100
Zach Ertz	$4,700	$5,500
Dallas Goedert	$4,500	$6,200
Pat Freiermuth	$4,200	$5,600
T.J. Hockenson	$4,100	$5,400
Gerald Everett	$4,000	$5,500
Dalton Schultz	$3,900	$5,300
Dawson Knox	$3,800	$5,000
David Njoku	$3,700	$5,700
Tyler Conklin	$3,600	$5,400
Robert Tonyan	$3,500	$4,900
Evan Engram	$3,400	$5,000
Albert Okwuegbunam	$3,300	$4,900
Logan Thomas	$3,300	$5,100
Cole Kmet	$3,200	$4,700
Will Dissly	$3,200	$4,800
Austin Hooper	$3,100	$4,600
Noah Fant	$3,100	$4,800
Foster Moreau	$3,000	$4,600
Geoff Swaim	$3,000	$4,700
Harrison Bryant	$2,900	$4,600
Hunter Henry	$2,900	$4,600
Jonnu Smith	$2,900	$4,600
Daniel Bellinger	$2,800	$4,600
O.J. Howard	$2,700	$4,500
C.J. Uzomah	$2,600	$4,400
Jelani Woods	$2,600	$4,500
Brevin Jordan	$2,500	$4,400
Jake Ferguson	$2,500	$4,600
Jordan Akins	$2,500	$4,500
Kylen Granson	$2,500	$4,500
Peyton Hendershot	$2,500	$4,100

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Mark Andrews is expensive. He is also the undisputed top option of the week. If you don’t use him, consider Pat Freiermuth or T.J. Hockenson. On DK, consider using David Njoku (knee), Robert Tonyan, or Evan Engram as a punt option, but limit your exposure to them on FD due to the price difference. If you use a punt-QB lineup with Geno Smith or Ryan Tannehill, then Austin Hooper (neck) or Will Dissly can both be on the menu, too, in stacks.

Fantasy Four-pack

Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. BUF
($7,100 DK, $8,400 FD) In a game that is expected to be the highest point total, you want all of the top scoring options active. None are safer than Andrews, who will score at least twice against this short-handed secondary.

Darren Waller, Raiders vs. DEN
($5,600 DK, $6,500 FD) Waller didn’t do as much last week as I would’ve liked with Hunter Renfrow out. Renfrow remains in the concussion protocol, so he may miss another contest here. Denver’s defense’s biggest weakness might be against this position, so Vegas should attack them with Waller here.

Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. CLE
($5,000 DK, $6,100 FD) We finally saw the real Pitts last week. Despite the abysmal start, Pitts still finds himself eleventh in TE receiving yards. That ranking will continue to rise here in a sneaky shootout.

T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. SEA
($4,100 DK, $5,400 FD) Only seven teams have allowed more TE receiving yards than Seattle. Meanwhile, Hockenson has started the season slowly, but he did score last week. With Amon-Ra St. Brown missing this game, Hockenson will be the red zone beneficiary and score again.

DFS Sleepers

David Njoku, Browns @ ATL
($3,700 DK, $5,700 FD) We have predicted the Njoku breakout for it seems like a decade. Little did we know it would take Jacoby freaking Brissett to unlock the huge tight end. The Falcons have allowed an average of 6.3-74 to the position. That should be considered Njoku’s floor as long as his knee doesn’t limit him.

Evan Engram, Jaguars @ PHI
($3,400 DK, $5,000 FD) Philly’s exterior secondary may be the best in football. Unfortunately, their underneath coverage has been sloppy, at best. Engram hasn’t done much this year, but Jacksonville will deploy him frequently this week as their outside receivers are swallowed up by James Bradberry and Darius Slay. Engram has familiarity with Philly from his time with New York. In six career games against them, he has topped five receptions and/or scored four times.

Sportsbooks issue refunds to Tua Tagovailoa bettors after scary injury

Tagovailoa was injured in the second quarter of Thursday’s game.

A couple of sportsbooks are giving bettors their money back after a scary injury knocked Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and left him in the concussion protocol.

DraftKings, PointsBet and FanDuel all announced refunds for Tagovailoa prop bettors in the form of free money be re-used with the books. DraftKings and FanDuel each refunded straight bets and same-game parlays where the only losing leg was a Tagovailoa prop. PointsBet refunded all straight bets.

Tagovailoa’s injury came on a sack in the second quarter was a tough scene for all who watched the nationally televised game. He was carted off the field and transported to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with head and neck injuries.

We will be refunding all straight wagers placed on Tua Tagovailoa’s overs as Free Bets tonight 🙏🏽

— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) September 30, 2022

🚨 TNF REFUND INCOMING 🚨

We will be refunding all losing singles on Tua and all SGP/SGPx bets where Tua is the only losing selection

Credited inside 24 hours and refunded in DK$

— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) September 30, 2022

Tua Tagovailoa exited last night's game early due to injury. As a result, we've decided to refund the following online wagers in free bets:

▪️ Straight Tua prop bets
▪️ Parlays & SGP+s where a losing Tua prop was the only losing leg

(Refunds to be issued over the next 24 hours) pic.twitter.com/aUfyNNija3

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) September 30, 2022

We aren’t aware of any other sportsbooks announcing refunds.

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Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 3

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 2 DFS fantasy football

Week 2 witnessed some slate-breaking performances by cheap QBs and some heart-breaking performances by expensive RBs. Will we see more of the same this week or will we finally see the first sense of normalcy in 2022?

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

SAN FRANCISCO @ DENVER

When the NFL made their schedule, I doubt they planned on Jimmy Garoppolo (QB2) being the second-best option on this slate. Even then, it isn’t a great matchup as San Fran is still run-first and Denver has a great pass defense, though injuries could play a role.

Russell Wilson (QB1) is the top option here. Still, this matchup isn’t great either, and Wilson has struggled to start the season as his WR corps is plastered with injuries. I may end up fading him due to his price.

Injuries have promoted Jeff Wilson (RB3) to RB1 in San Fran on the depth chart. Of course, we all know that Deebo Samuel is likely to finish with just as strong of a line, just not qualifying at the position. I don’t mind using Wilson at RB2/flex. I also don’t hate Kyle Juszcyzk (RB7) as a punt play or on Showdown.

Javonte Williams (RB2) once again split touches evenly with Melvin Gordon (RB6) despite the clear difference in talent. San Francisco is elite against the run, so I cannot recommend either of them highly here.

Deebo Samuel (WR1) is the strongest WR play on this slate (and arguably the strongest RB play as well). He needs to be in your lineup. Brandon Aiyuk (WR5) has a rough matchup here, but I’d consider him at WR3 (if you don’t use Samuel). Both Jauan Jennings (WR13) and Ray-Ray McCloud (WR14) have dart-throw WR3/flex values at a minimum cost. I especially like Jennings in Showdown.

The injuries continue to mount for Denver. Jerry Jeudy (ribs, WR6) joins KJ Hamler (knee, WR10) and out-for-the-year Tim Patrick as WRs to spend time on the trainer’s table this season. Either Jeudy or Hamler could be a WR3 option if they play, but I’d be scared to trust either of them. Courtland Sutton (WR2), on the other hand, is a strong play with the Broncos being shorthanded. I’d even consider Montrell Washington (WR11) as a WR3 option if both Hamler and Jeudy are out.

We may finally see George Kittle (groin, TE1) this week. His presence on the field would make Garoppolo’s day easier. If he is out again, do not consider Ross Dwelley (TE5) or Tyler Kroft (TE6). They are not reliable enough.

Albert Okwuegbunam (TE3) could have value if the Denver WRs remain out. He also could be ignored by his QB like in Week 2. If you choose to do a double-TE lineup consider him here.

Monday Night

DALLAS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

Cooper Rush (QB3) actually looked serviceable in Week 2. He has the softest matchup on the board, and, based on his price, I will definitely give him some ownership.

Meanwhile, Daniel Jones (QB4) is not very good, and he is facing a better-than-I-expected Dallas defense. He also has the worst collection of pass-catchers on the board. Ignore him completely.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB4) and Tony Pollard (RB5) split the workload for a second-straight week. Elliott is getting more carries, and Pollard is getting more receptions. This game will be more run-forward for Dallas, so I prefer Elliott. Still, they are both options at RB2 on a small slate.

This is the only spot I will recommend using a Giant. Saquon Barkley (RB1) is the best RB on the slate, and it isn’t particularly close. Much like Samuel above, Barkley should be 100 percent owned.

Considering their synergy, I love Noah Brown (WR4) as a stack with Cooper Rush. CeeDee Lamb (WR3) is a more-talented receiver, but Brown has been more valuable to start the season. Brown’s value will slide some as Michael Gallup (knee, WR8) returns as expected. I’d only consider Gallup at WR3 as he is expected to be on a snap count. Don’t bother with any of the other depth WRs for Dallas.

When you look at the Giants’ WR room, all I can think is “yuck!” Sterling Shepard (WR7) and Richie James (WR9) only rank this high because the whole slate is devoid of talent. One of them could be your WR3, at best. Kadarius Toney (WR12) was active last week, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the box score. Wan’Dale Robinson (WR15) actually looks like an intriguing dynasty piece, but he has been battling injury. Don’t use him or any of the other chaff here this week.

Dalton Schultz (knee, TE2) isn’t a bad third-leg to a stack with Rush and either Brown or Lamb. I could even see doing a double-TE lineup with him and Kittle. Just confirm his status before putting him into your lineup. None of the backup TEs have any value, even if Schultz is out.

Daniel Bellinger (TE4) caught a TD in Week 2. It was also his only catch and only target. This does not bring me joy.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Jalen Hurts ($7.6k), RB Dalvin Cook ($7.9k), RB David Montgomery ($5.9k), WR A.J. Brown ($7.3k), WR Curtis Samuel ($5.1k), WR Mack Hollins ($3.3k), TE Dallas Goedert ($4.7k), FLEX Dameon Pierce ($5k), DST Baltimore Ravens ($3k)

FD Lineup: QB Jared Goff ($7.1k), RB Dalvin Cook ($8.3k), RB David Montgomery ($7.1k), WR Justin Jefferson ($9.5k), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ($7.8k), WR DeVonta Smith ($6k), TE Zach Ertz ($5.2k), FLEX Dameon Pierce ($5.8k), DST Jacksonville Jaguars ($3.2k)

FB Lineup: QB Jared Goff ($5.7k), RB Joe Mixon ($6.7k), RB David Montgomery ($5.4k), WR Justin Jefferson ($7.6k), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ($6.6k), WR Curtis Samuel ($4.8k), TE Logan Thomas ($3.3k), FLEX Dameon Pierce ($4.3k), FLEX DeVonta Smith ($4.9k)

Quarterbacks	DraftKings	FanDuel
Josh Allen	$8,200	$9,000
Lamar Jackson	$8,000	$8,600
Patrick Mahomes	$7,900	$8,700
Jalen Hurts	$7,600	$8,100
Justin Herbert	$7,400	$8,200
Kyler Murray	$7,300	$7,800
Kirk Cousins	$6,700	$7,600
Joe Burrow	$6,600	$7,500
Matthew Stafford	$6,500	$7,700
Aaron Rodgers	$6,400	$7,400
Carson Wentz	$6,300	$7,500
Tua Tagovailoa	$6,100	$7,300
Tom Brady	$6,000	$7,400
Derek Carr	$5,900	$7,100
Jared Goff	$5,800	$7,100
Ryan Tannehill	$5,700	$7,200
Justin Fields	$5,600	$7,000
Marcus Mariota	$5,500	$7,300
Trevor Lawrence	$5,400	$7,000
Joe Flacco	$5,300	$6,800
Baker Mayfield	$5,200	$6,600
Jameis Winston	$5,200	$6,900
Matt Ryan	$5,200	$6,700
Mac Jones	$5,100	$6,400
Chase Daniel	$5,000	$6,500
Davis Mills	$5,000	$6,400
Geno Smith	$5,000	$6,300
Taysom Hill	$4,900	n/a

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts are the two safest high-priced options. Kirk Cousins and Joe Burrow are cheaper pivots that will return better production than they did last week. Of that foursome, Hurts will be my first choice. If I go cheaper, it will be with Jared Goff or Trevor Lawrence. The FD pricing structure does not encourage punting this position, but on DK consider Davis Mills or Matt Ryan if you are feeling a little froggy.

Fantasy Four-pack

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ IND
($7,900 DK, $8,700 FD)
The Colts are starting the season looking like a gimpy animal and Mahomes and the Chiefs are coming to Indy to send them to the 2022 glue factory. A healthy Michael Pittman would help keep the Colts in the race until the homestretch, but ultimately Mahomes and his paddock-mates will pull away. Nevertheless, consider running it back with Pittman here if he plays.

Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ WAS ($7,600 DK, $8,100 FD) I will eat crow on Hurts. The addition of superstar A.J. Brown has made this offense impossible to defend. Washington allowed Jared Goff to throw for four scores, and he presented no rushing threat. Expect Hurts to manufacture a total of three scores here.

Josh Allen, Bills @ MIA
($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD) Allen has 25 total TDs in eight career matchups against Miami. Unfortunately, he has topped 260 passing yards against them only once. Basically, Miami frustrates him through the air, but then he still gets it done on the ground as is witnessed by his 7-1 record against them. What this means is expect a solid floor day of 250-2, 40-1, which is solid but not spectacular by his lofty standards.

Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. DET
($6,700 DK, $7,600 FD) I love how recency bias can sway ownership figures in DFS. Cousins looked lost last week in Philly. Fast-forward to this Sunday, Minnesota will be at home and the game will not be in primetime (where Cousins has historically struggled). I expect that he will have low ownership numbers this week. Meanwhile, I’ll be happy to stack him and Justin Jefferson against a Detroit secondary that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards in an expected shootout.

DFS Sleepers

Jared Goff, Lions @ MIN
($5,800 DK, $7,100 FD) The other side of this shootout is led by Goff. Minnesota has actually allowed more passing yards than Detroit. If you want less expensive access to this game, stack Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown and then run it back with Adam Thielen or Irv Smith.

Derek Carr, Raiders @ TEN
($5,900 DK, $7,100 FD)
Tennessee will still be shellshocked from facing the Bills and Stefon Diggs. Now they have to contend with Carr and Davante Adams. Expect that pair to score twice against this soft secondary, and then hopefully Carr can add another score elsewhere.

Running backs	DraftKings	FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor	$9,000	$9,400
Christian McCaffrey	$8,800	$8,500
Derrick Henry	$8,100	$8,800
Austin Ekeler	$8,000	$8,700
Dalvin Cook	$7,900	$8,300
Saquon Barkley	$7,800	$8,500
Joe Mixon	$7,600	$8,200
Aaron Jones	$7,400	$7,000
D’Andre Swift	$7,200	$8,000
Alvin Kamara	$7,000	$7,000
Leonard Fournette	$6,500	$7,200
Antonio Gibson	$6,400	$6,700
Clyde Edwards-Helaire	$6,300	$7,300
James Conner	$6,200	$7,100
James Robinson	$6,100	$6,600
AJ Dillon	$6,000	$6,900
David Montgomery	$5,900	$7,100
Cordarrelle Patterson	$5,800	$7,600
Darrell Henderson	$5,700	$6,300
Damien Harris	$5,600	$6,400
Devin Singletary	$5,600	$6,100
Cam Akers	$5,500	$5,800
Mark Ingram	$5,500	$5,700
Miles Sanders	$5,500	$6,800
Jamaal Williams	$5,400	$6,500
Josh Jacobs	$5,400	$6,500
Travis Etienne	$5,400	$5,600
Breece Hall	$5,300	$6,200
J.D. McKissic	$5,300	$5,300
J.K. Dobbins	$5,300	$6,000
Khalil Herbert	$5,200	$6,000
Michael Carter	$5,200	$5,900
Chase Edmonds	$5,100	$5,700
Darrel Williams	$5,100	$4,900
Dontrell Hilliard	$5,100	$6,200
Dameon Pierce	$5,000	$5,800
Kenneth Gainwell	$5,000	$5,900
Kenneth Walker	$5,000	$5,200
Nyheim Hines	$5,000	$5,100
Rashaad Penny	$4,900	$6,200
Rex Burkhead	$4,900	$5,200
Kenyan Drake	$4,800	$5,500
Rhamondre Stevenson	$4,800	$5,400
Zack Moss	$4,800	$5,500
Boston Scott	$4,700	$5,800
Eno Benjamin	$4,700	$5,000
Gus Edwards	$4,700	$5,000
Jerick McKinnon	$4,500	$5,000
Raheem Mostert	$4,500	$5,500
Tyler Allgeier	$4,400	$4,800
Zander Horvath	$4,000	$4,600

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook are primed to finally break out this week. Use one of them or Joe Mixon at RB1. If you spend up for RB2, go with David Montgomery. He is my favorite value RB play of the week. Heck, he could also be your RB1 if you want to spend big at WR. Josh Jacobs and Dameon Pierce are volume-based punt options here. Unfortunately, most of the cheaper options need to be avoided this week.

Fantasy Four-pack

Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. DET
($7,900 DK, $8,300 FD) Following an embarrassing defeat Monday night, coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that the team had to get Cook more involved in the offense. That will start here against a Detroit defense that has already allowed four rushing TDs and the sixth-most RB receptions.

Joe Mixon, Bengals @ NYJ
($7,600 DK, $8,200 FD) Mixon underperformed in Week 2, but he is a true bell cow for Cincinnati. He will score this week as the Jets have allowed three TDs to RBs so far. He may even score twice.

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. NO
($8,800 DK, $8,500 FD) McCaffrey has never posted a huge rushing number against New Orleans, but he has always feasted against them through the air. On a week where there are more questions than answers at RB, go with the safe option, especially with his salary this low.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. KC
($9,000 DK, $9,400 FD) I always love deploying Taylor when his price dips below $10k. A returning Michael Pittman would mean that Taylor will have more room to operate. Still, to keep this close, he will need to be targeted like Week 1 and not Week 2 since KC has allowed the most receptions to the position.

DFS Sleepers

David Montgomery, Bears vs. HOU
($5,900 DK, $7,100 FD) Montgomery has been the only sign of life on this Bears offense. In Week 2, he averaged more than 8 YPC while gouging a Green Bay defense. Meanwhile, Houston has allowed a league-worst 367 combo yards to opposing RBs. Consider the game stack of both Montgomery and Dameon Pierce to give you big money to blow at WR.

Dameon Pierce, Texans @ CHI
($5,000 DK, $5,800 FD)
Pierce is cheap for one more week and Week 2 proved that Houston will feed him the rock. In fact, Pierce was the only RB to get a carry. The Bears have allowed 128 RB rushing yards per game. I’ll take that from the rookie.

Wide receivers	DraftKings	FanDuel
Cooper Kupp	$9,900	$9,800
Justin Jefferson	$9,300	$9,500
Davante Adams	$8,400	$8,700
Ja’Marr Chase	$8,100	$8,500
Stefon Diggs	$7,700	$8,300
Tyreek Hill	$7,600	$8,400
A.J. Brown	$7,300	$8,000
Amon-Ra St. Brown	$7,200	$7,800
Michael Pittman	$6,900	$7,400
Jaylen Waddle	$6,800	$7,500
Mike Williams	$6,700	$7,000
Mike Evans	$6,600	$7,700
Keenan Allen	$6,500	$7,500
Terry McLaurin	$6,400	$6,900
Gabe Davis	$6,300	$7,200
Chris Godwin	$6,200	$6,500
Christian Kirk	$6,200	$7,100
DK Metcalf	$6,100	$6,700
Tee Higgins	$6,100	$7,300
Allen Lazard	$6,000	$6,000
Marquise Brown	$6,000	$7,000
Adam Thielen	$5,900	$6,000
Michael Thomas	$5,900	$7,300
Brandin Cooks	$5,800	$6,600
Drake London	$5,800	$6,200
Tyler Lockett	$5,800	$6,600
Allen Robinson	$5,700	$6,000
Rashod Bateman	$5,700	$6,800
DJ Moore	$5,600	$6,400
Julio Jones	$5,600	$5,800
Hunter Renfrow	$5,500	$5,800
JuJu Smith-Schuster	$5,500	$6,100
Garrett Wilson	$5,400	$6,100
Darnell Mooney	$5,300	$6,300
DeVonta Smith	$5,200	$6,000
Tyler Boyd	$5,200	$5,900
Curtis Samuel	$5,100	$6,300
DJ Chark	$5,100	$5,500
Elijah Moore	$5,000	$5,500
Jakobi Meyers	$5,000	$6,200
Robbie Anderson	$5,000	$5,700
Robert Woods	$5,000	$5,700
Corey Davis	$4,900	$5,800
K.J. Osborn	$4,900	$5,500
Treylon Burks	$4,900	$5,900
Jarvis Landry	$4,800	$5,900
Joshua Palmer	$4,800	$5,600
Isaiah McKenzie	$4,700	$5,500
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	$4,700	$5,600
Russell Gage	$4,700	$5,700
Jahan Dotson	$4,600	$6,000
Mecole Hardman	$4,600	$5,800
Chris Olave	$4,500	$5,500
Josh Reynolds	$4,500	$5,300
Jamison Crowder	$4,400	$5,400
Sammy Watkins	$4,400	$5,400
Greg Dortch	$4,300	$5,100
Olamide Zaccheaus	$4,300	$5,100
DeAndre Carter	$4,200	$5,300
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine	$4,200	$5,300
Nelson Agholor	$4,100	$5,900
DeVante Parker	$4,000	$5,200
Kyle Phillips	$4,000	$5,500
Nico Collins	$4,000	$5,400
Zay Jones	$4,000	$5,400
Ashton Dulin	$3,900	$5,600
Breshad Perriman	$3,900	$5,300
Equanimeous St. Brown	$3,900	$5,500
Randall Cobb	$3,900	$5,000
Romeo Doubs	$3,800	$5,300
Scotty Miller	$3,800	$5,000
Christian Watson	$3,600	$5,600
Rondale Moore	$3,600	$5,000
Alec Pierce	$3,500	$4,600
Van Jefferson	$3,500	$5,000
Ben Skowronek	$3,400	$4,900
Demarcus Robinson	$3,400	$5,200
Parris Campbell	$3,400	$4,900
Mack Hollins	$3,300	$5,300

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Davante Adams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Stefon Diggs are my favorite options this week. Stack them with their respective QBs. I would even recommend rostering two of them. Tee Higgins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Brandin Cooks, Christian Kirk, and Drake London are my money-saving WR2 pivots. For WR3, consider Allen Lazard, Garrett Wilson, and Curtis Samuel. If injuries remain for Indy or Vegas, consider punting with Ashton Dulin or Mack Hollins.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. DET
($9,300 DK, $9,500 FD)
Detroit has allowed an average of 7-115 to WR1. Meanwhile, Jefferson has had one monster and one so-so game. Still, he has more targets than the rest of the Vikings’ WRs combined. 10-130-1 is a safe figure here as this will be a shootout.

Davante Adams, Raiders @ TEN
($8,400 DK, $8,700 FD)
Arizona stifled Adams last week, but Tennessee will have no chance here. Stefon Diggs absolutely reamed the Titans, and they even made the Giants’ WR room look fantasy-relevant. If Hunter Renfrow (concussion) misses this game, Adams and Mack Hollins will see even more targets making them a great three-legged stack with Derek Carr.

Stefon Diggs, Bills @ MIA
($7,700 DK, $8,300 FD) Diggs has scored a TD in three of four games against Miami since joining the Bills. Unfortunately, his reception and yardage numbers haven’t been huge. Still, the absence of Gabriel Davis (ankle) last week, forced even more targets than usual towards Diggs. If Davis is out again, expect a huge game; otherwise, just expect a big game.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ MIN
($7,200 DK, $7,800 FD) St. Brown has beasted to start the season. Now, he gets to assault a Minnesota secondary that has already watched multiple WRs scorch their cornerbacks. Plus, Minnesota may be without its top safety. Stack heavily in this game on both sides of the ball.

DFS Sleepers

Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. CIN
($5,400 DK, $6,100 FD) Wilson looks like this season’s Ja’Marr Chase. I am kicking myself that I don’t have more dynasty exposure to him. Fortunately, I can play him all that I want on DFS. Cincy should win this game, but Joe Flacco and Wilson could have value as a punt stack as the Jets are forced to throw to stay in this one.

Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. PHI
($5,100 DK, $6,300 FD) Until the sites put some respect on Samuel with appropriate pricing, I will keep rolling him out. Philly has two top cornerbacks, but I presume they will be guarding Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, leaving Samuel to operate underneath and out of the backfield. Lean heavily on the Jalen Hurts-led Eagles’ stacks, using Samuel as a great run-it-back option.

Tight ends	DraftKings	FanDuel
Travis Kelce	$7,900	$7,800
Mark Andrews	$6,900	$7,700
Darren Waller	$5,800	$6,400
Taysom Hill	n/a	$6,000
Kyle Pitts	$4,800	$5,600
Dallas Goedert	$4,700	$5,500
Zach Ertz	$4,600	$5,200
Tyler Higbee	$4,500	$5,700
Gerald Everett	$4,400	$5,800
Mike Gesicki	$4,300	$5,400
T.J. Hockenson	$4,200	$5,500
Dawson Knox	$4,100	$5,300
Hayden Hurst	$3,900	$5,100
Tyler Conklin	$3,800	$5,200
Evan Engram	$3,700	$5,200
Robert Tonyan	$3,700	$4,800
Cameron Brate	$3,600	$4,600
Noah Fant	$3,600	$4,800
Logan Thomas	$3,500	$5,400
Cole Kmet	$3,400	$5,000
Austin Hooper	$3,300	$4,900
Hunter Henry	$3,200	$4,800
Irv Smith	$3,400	$5,000
Mo Alie-Cox	$3,000	$4,600
Juwan Johnson	$2,900	$4,800
C.J. Uzomah	$2,800	$4,500
Ian Thomas	$2,800	$4,600
Isaiah Likely	$2,800	$4,500
Will Dissly	$2,800	$4,500
Adam Trautman	$2,700	$4,500
Kylen Granson	$2,700	$4,700
O.J. Howard	$2,700	$4,700

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Travis Kelce has a super matchup. He should be the clear TE1 this week. If I pay down at WR2, he will be mine. I don’t mind Darren Waller if Hunter Renfrow is out. The same goes for Gerald Everett if Keenan Allen is out. Also consider Dallas Goedert, Tyler Higbee, or Zach Ertz as they have solid matchups. As usual, FD TE pricing is too high at the punt level. So, if you want to punt, use Juwan Johnson, Logan Thomas, or Hayden Hurst on DK only.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ IND
($7,900 DK, $7,800 FD)
Indy allowed a big production day to Evan Engram and, in Week 1, gave up two TDs to O.J. Howard. If these two ham-and-eggers can get it done against Indy, what are they gonna do to stop Kelce? We might see 10-125-2 here. If I don’t spend up at WR2, he will be my TE.

Darren Waller, Raiders @ TEN
($5,800 DK, $6,400 FD) If Hunter Renfrow misses this game with his concussion, Waller will see a heavy target volume. Otherwise, I will probably fade him at this price.

Tyler Higbee, Rams @ ARI
($4,500 DK, $5,700 FD) A couple of years back, we regularly attacked a bad Arizona defense against TEs. They improved last season but appear to have fallen apart again. To Arizona’s credit, its opposition has been the best of the best the first two weeks. Still, Higbee may start getting mentioned in that company if he continues to lead the league in TE targets.

Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. LAR
($4,700 DK, $5,700 FD)
Ertz showed last week that he was fully healthy as he led the Cardinals in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. With continued absences among the Cards’ WRs, expect Ertz to post big numbers repeatedly.

DFS Sleepers

Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ NYJ
($3,900 DK, $5,100 FD)
Hurst remains a great punt option, especially stacked with Joe Burrow and one of his WRs. The Jets have allowed the eighth-most yards to the position, so he should have a safe 3x floor on DK.

Juwan Johnson, Saints @ CAR
($2,900 DK, $4,800 FD)
For two straight games, Johnson has finished third on the Saints in targets. It won’t take much to reach 3x on DK.

DraftKings to reportedly ‘halt’ early win NFL promotion after paying out $75 million in two weeks

Some promos are just too good to pass up. Others are too good to keep up.

Updated: September 21, 2022 7:40 pm ET

The start of football season is generally one of the biggest months of the year for sportsbooks—particularly when it comes to marketing those books.

From deposit matches to boosted odds and risk-free bets, all sorts of free money is set aside for potential gamblers so long as they continue logging into apps.

To begin the NFL year, the DraftKings launched an “Early Win Up 10” promotion on select games. The concept was simple: if the team you bet on goes up by 10 points at any moment during the game, your bet automatically cashes.

According to Action Network’s Avery Yang, that led to the company paying out $75 million bets on early wins over the first two weeks of the season. And that may be it for the promo for awhile.

A company spokesman told BetFTW via email after this report was published no decision has been made moving forward either way. DraftKings runs a similar “Up 7 Early Win” promotion for Thursday Night Football that will continue for Week 3 between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Per Yang, a $100 bettor using the promo would be up a profit of as much as $1,150 for $2,900 total risked. That’s an ROI of 39 percent based on the first two weeks of the promotion:

The $75 million figure for how much the sportsbook paid out as a result of the promotions only factors in teams that went up seven or 10 points.

It does not count, for instance, bets on the Dolphins or Cardinals, who overcame 21- and 16-point fourth quarter deficits to win on Sunday.

While neither team led by 10 — meaning the promotion didn’t apply — more bettors put wagers on the two teams because of the early win assurance.

In other words, the true value of the amount paid out by DraftKings on those games may be significantly higher since both sides were declared winners at various points due to the promotion. Similarly, without knowing the full handle, it’s unclear if DraftKings profited overall from the amount wagered on those games.

DraftKings shares fell as low as 3.7% in the first 2 hours of trading this morning, after @avery_yang reported it paid out $75 million in early win promotions in the first 2 weeks of NFL. $DKNG is halting the promo. https://t.co/V43zvq0fC6

— Sam McQuillan (@sam_mcquill) September 21, 2022

Considering DraftKings is one of the major sportsbooks in the United States, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on promotions offered by competitors. PointsBet, for example, has made discretionary decisions to already grade some season-long NFL futures.

In any case, this is just another reminder to shop around for promotions before you place a bet.

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Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 2

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 2 DFS fantasy football

After a crazy Week 1 of the fantasy football season — highlighted by some dominating plays (Jonathan Taylor, Justin Jefferson, Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, and Curtis Samuel) and some milk cartons (Mike Williams, Austin Hooper, DeVonta Smith, Alvin Kamara, and Cole Kmet) — I am pumped to go back for seconds this weekend. So, let’s get down to it, starting with a triple-dose of Primetime DFS.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

CHICAGO @ GREEN BAY

We didn’t get a true read on Justin Fields (QB6) last week thanks to a monsoon. Still, we know his weapons, or lack thereof. The best I can afford him is an outside shot at QB5 if Ryan Tannehill struggles.

Aaron Rodgers (QB4) also struggled last week due to a lack of weapons. If he can get one (or both) of his tackles and top WR, Allen Lazard, back he should make a jump in the right direction. If not, he might spend a lot of time on his back once again.

David Montgomery (RB4) failed to take advantage of the bad weather conditions. He also ceded a score to backup Khalil Herbert (RB10). Fortunately, Montgomery out-touched Herbert 2-1, so there isn’t really a controversy here yet. Green Bay was ground down but that was due to falling behind early. That won’t happen this week. So, don’t assume this is an easy 100-yard day for Montgomery.

A.J. Dillon (RB5) out-touched Aaron Jones (RB3) nearly 2-to-1. He also scored the only TD among the pair. That said, Jones averaged nearly 10 YPC while Dillon finished at 4.5 YPC. The game script should be much different this week for Green Bay. This will put both of these two in play at RB2. I prefer Jones, since we should see more carries than receptions this week.

Chicago’s WR corps was more like a corps(e) Week 1. The weather didn’t help things, but no WR saw more than three targets and none caught more than one pass. Darnell Mooney (WR6) should show out this week as Green Bay’s secondary looks overhyped. Equanimeous St. Brown (WR17) scored last week and gets the revenge game here. Consider him as a WR3/flex play. Byron Pringle (WR20) has more talent than St. Brown, but he and Dante Pettis (WR22) should remain bench-bound.

Allen Lazard (WR8) missed Week 1, but he will be the immediate favorite of Rodgers if he can go. Romeo Doubs (WR14) out-targeted Christian Watson (WR12) last week, but Watson should’ve had a long TD. Watson has more talent, so I like his chance better here. Randall Cobb (WR19) and Sammy Watkins (WR18) did little with their opportunity in Week 1. Neither should be used outside of Showdown at this point.

There was no excuse for Cole Kmet (TE5) posting a goose egg. The weather should’ve helped his cause, but he was targeted only once. Kmet is better than he showed here and Fields targeted him a lot at the end of 2021, so expect a bounce-back game.

Robert Tonyan (TE2) was tied for the second-most targets from Rodgers last week. As one of his few familiars on the field, I was not surprised. I love him this week in an easier matchup.

Monday Night

TENNESSEE @ BUFFALO

Ryan Tannehill (QB5) finished last week with a decent line but now faces an elite defense. The Titans will be playing keep-up, which should provide him many passing opportunities, I just wish he had better weapons.

You could argue that Josh Allen (QB1) is the top QB in all of football. This is why he is my top option here. It also helps that Tennessee has one of the more porous pass defenses among these games.

Derrick Henry (RB2) had a floor game by his standards against New York. He shouldn’t have. Unlike last year, Henry was ignored in the passing game, ceding every target (and two receiving TDs) to Dontrell Hilliard (RB9). This could be a disturbing trend that continues all season. This is a so-so slate for high-end RBs and considering his price, I may ignore Henry.

I have no clue what Buffalo is doing with their backfield, but it worked last week. Devin Singletary (RB7) was effectively carrying the ball while Zack Moss (RB11) was sure-handed through the air. This split may have been even more confusing had James Cook (RB14) not fumbled himself into the doghouse. Consider Singletary as an RB2 candidate, but I don’t trust the other two enough to rely on them.

Speaking of confusing situations, Robert Woods (WR9) was inexplicably ignored in Week 1. At least both rookie WRs, Kyle Phillips (WR13) and Treylon Burks (WR11), were active and efficient. Tennessee will have to throw the ball this week, so all three deserve WR3/flex consideration. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR24) can be ignored, barring an injury.

Start all of your Buffalo WRs. Stefon Diggs (WR3) and Gabriel Davis (WR4) can both be considered at WR1 or WR2. Also, consider both Jamison Crowder (WR15) and Isaiah McKenzie (WR10) at WR3. Tennessee’s pass defense is weak enough that all four could score here.

Austin Hooper (TE4) was also ignored by Tannehill this past week. Geoff Swaim (TE7) actually got more love than Hooper. That had to be an aberration. On a weak TE slate, go back to the well with Hooper. He cannot do any worse.

Buffalo also ignored their TE, Dawson Knox (TE6), last week. This team has just too many weapons, and Knox is truly TD-dependent. So I’d only use him on Showdown.

MINNESOTA @ PHILADELPHIA

Kirk Cousins (QB2) was off to a quick start in Week 1 and gets an equally burnable secondary this week. Unfortunately, Cousins has struggled in primetime over the recent past.

Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts (QB3) looked impressive last week both through the air and on the ground. I’m willing to eat crow about his development as a passer. He has many weapons right now, and Minnesota’s secondary is dealing with some injuries. This will be a big game for the youngster.

Dalvin Cook (RB1) had a floor game last week as Minnesota made a concerted effort to pass the ball. I expect a more even split here, and he should eat against a team that was gashed by both D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Alexander Mattison (RB12) is strictly a handcuff back. He can be ignored outside of Showdown.

Miles Sanders (RB6) looked great last week. He also still was forced to split rushes four ways with Hurts and Kenneth Gainwell (RB8) and Boston Scott (RB13). Unfortunately for Sanders, this is the Philly Way. Running will be harder here against a stout Minnesota run defense. Sanders can be an RB2, but the others can be left to Showdown contests.

Set it and forget it, Justin Jefferson (WR1) will be a lock for 100-1 all season. Adam Thielen (WR5) had a down Week 1, but his historical red-zone usage makes him a great WR2 option if you want access to this offense without paying Jefferson’s price. K.J. Osborn (WR16) also slogged last week. I’d consider him as a punt WR3 for exposure to this game. Jalen Reagor (WR25) gets the revenge game narrative. Unfortunately, that is all he will get this week.

I knew that A.J. Brown (WR2) would command targets but I didn’t imagine DeVonta Smith (WR7) vanishing off of the stat sheet. Minnesota’s secondary is imminently burnable, putting both of them in play here. I just hope that Smith doesn’t turn into Tyler Lockett. Quez Watkins (WR23) and Zach Pascal (WR21) split one target last week. They can be ignored in all formats.

Johnny Mundt (TE8) drew the “start” last week since Irv Smith (TE3) wasn’t ready to go full-go. Smith should be ready for a full workload this week. He makes a nice third leg of a Cousins-Jefferson stack.

Dallas Goedert (TE1) is the strongest play on a very weak primetime TE board. I’m gonna fade him, though, based on price and since Minnesota has been historically strong against the position.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Matt Ryan ($5.9k), RB Joe Mixon ($7.2k), RB Javonte Williams ($6.5k), WR Davante Adams ($8.6k), WR Michael Pittman ($6.7k), WR Curtis Samuel ($4.6k), TE Hayden Hurst ($3.6k), FLEX Jeff Wilson ($5.1k), DST Cincinnati Bengals ($2.2k)

FD Lineup: QB Matt Ryan ($6.8k), RB Darrell Henderson ($6.2k), RB Javonte Williams ($7.3k), WR Davante Adams ($8.8k), WR Michael Pittman ($7.8k), WR Christian Kirk ($6.5k), TE Hayden Hurst ($5.3k), FLEX Jeff Wilson ($6.3k), DST San Francisco 49ers ($4.9k)

FB Lineup: QB Derek Carr ($6.1k), RB Antonio Gibson ($5.4k), RB Javonte Williams ($6.1k), WR Davante Adams ($8.2k), WR Julio Jones ($4.3k), WR Curtis Samuel ($4.3k), TE Hayden Hurst ($3.4k), FLEX Jeff Wilson ($5.1k), FLEX Joe Mixon ($6.9k)

Quarterbacks	DraftKings	FanDuel
Kyler Murray	$7,500	$8,500
Lamar Jackson	$7,400	$8,200
Russell Wilson	$7,200	$7,500
Joe Burrow	$6,600	$7,900
Tom Brady	$6,400	$8,000
Matthew Stafford	$6,300	$7,600
Derek Carr	$6,200	$7,300
Carson Wentz	$5,800	$7,400
Trey Lance	$5,700	$7,500
Marcus Mariota	$5,900	$7,300
Tua Tagovailoa	$5,600	$6,800
Jameis Winston	$5,600	$7,200
Matt Ryan	$5,500	$6,800
Jacoby Brissett	$5,400	$6,600
Jared Goff	$5,400	$6,700
Baker Mayfield	$5,300	$7,000
Trevor Lawrence	$5,300	$6,900
Davis Mills	$5,200	$6,400
Mac Jones	$5,200	$6,400
Daniel Jones	$5,100	$7,100
Geno Smith	$5,100	$6,300
Joe Flacco	$5,100	$6,400
Cooper Rush	$5,000	$6,100
Mitch Trubisky	$5,000	$6,500
Brian Hoyer	$4,800	$6,400
Taysom Hill	$4,400	$X,XXX

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Russell Wilson had a mediocre Week 1, but this matchup is just too juicy. Kyler Murray and Derek Carr also are great options up top. Carson Wentz has a nice DK price, but he is a bit pricey on FD. Matt Ryan is my favorite play of the week (as long as Michael Pittman plays). Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield could be punt options.

Fantasy Four-pack

Russell Wilson, Broncos vs. HOU
($7,200 DK, $7,500 FD)
Wilson has no inner storyline to deal with this week. At home, versus a bottom-feeding defense, he should cook. After the end-of-game controversy last week, Wilson will have a mile(high)-length leash this week and 350-3 is easily in sight.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals @ LV ($7,500 DK, $8,500 FD) We expected a high-scoring affair last week. We were half-right. Murray salvaged his day with some garbage time numbers. We could see something similar this week in another potential shootout. Still, expect improvement here as Zach Ertz should be closer to 100%, and Rondale Moore may be back.

Derek Carr, Raiders vs. ARI
($6,200 DK, $7,300 FD) Patrick Mahomes picked this defense to shreds last week including attacking its’ supposed strength in the middle. Davante Adams is better than any WR on the Chiefs roster, making this the premiere stack of the week. Even consider going three-legged with Darren Waller, too.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. MIA
($7,400 DK, $8,200 FD) Highlighting how poor this week’s QB class is, Jackson facing a stingy defense is the projected fourth-highest scorer. The establishment of Devin Duvernay as a legit Option C for this offense should open up more opportunities for Mark Andrews. I don’t love that stack, but it could pay dividends.

DFS Sleepers

Matt Ryan, Colts @ JAX
($5,500 DK, $6,800 FD) Ryan ended up posting a fantasy-friendly line in Week 1, despite his failure to win the game. That sounds very Carson Wentz-esque of him. Speaking of Wentz, he torched this secondary for four scores. Ryan has, at worst, even weapons to that of the Commanders, so expect a floor of 300-3 as long as Michael Pittman (quad) plays.

Carson Wentz, Commanders @ DET
($5,800 DK, $7,400 FD)
For the second week in a row, Wentz gets a cream-puff defense to pick on. I loved the hookup with Curtis Samuel last week and will definitely roll out this pair once again. Just be cautious of using Terry McLaurin against his former college teammate Jeff Okudah, who shut down DeVonta Smith last week.

Running backs	DraftKings	FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor	$9,900	$10,000
Christian McCaffrey	$8,900	$9,000
Alvin Kamara	$7,400	$7,200
Saquon Barkley	$7,300	$8,800
Joe Mixon	$7,200	$8,300
Nick Chubb	$7,100	$8,500
D’Andre Swift	$7,000	$8,200
James Conner	$6,900	$7,600
Leonard Fournette	$6,700	$7,800
Kareem Hunt	$6,600	$7,000
Javonte Williams	$6,500	$7,300
Antonio Gibson	$6,200	$7,400
Najee Harris	$6,200	$7,200
Melvin Gordon	$6,100	$6,000
Cordarrelle Patterson	$6,000	$7,500
Ezekiel Elliott	$5,900	$7,100
Josh Jacobs	$5,800	$6,600
Tony Pollard	$5,800	$5,700
Darrell Henderson	$5,700	$6,200
Mark Ingram	$5,700	$5,300
Cam Akers	$5,600	$5,500
James Robinson	$5,600	$6,800
Travis Etienne	$5,600	$5,800
Damien Harris	$5,500	$6,000
Jamaal Williams	$5,400	$6,400
Jaylen Warren	$5,400	$5,500
Rashaad Penny	$5,400	$6,500
J.K. Dobbins	$5,300	$6,000
Nyheim Hines	$5,300	$5,500
Breece Hall	$5,200	$5,900
Chase Edmonds	$5,200	$6,000
J.D. McKissic	$5,200	$5,200
Michael Carter	$5,200	$5,900
Rhamondre Stevens	$5,200	$5,600
Jeff Wilson	$5,100	$6,300
Kenneth Walker	$5,000	$5,500
Samaje Perine	$5,000	$6,000
Tyrion Davis-Price	$5,000	$5,000
Rex Burkhead	$4,900	$5,800
Dameon Pierce	$4,800	$5,600
Tyler Allgeier	$4,600	$4,600
Rachaad White	$4,500	$5,700
Raheem Mostert	$4,400	$5,300
Zamir White	$4,400	$4,600
Damien Williams	$4,200	$4,800
Emo Benjamin	$4,200	$4,900
Jordan Mason	$4,200	$4,500

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey was not featured in the Carolina gameplan Week 1. They lost. He will be force-fed this week. Do what you can to get two of CMC, Saquon Barkley, Joe Mixon (my personal favorite), Nick Chubb, and, if he plays, D’Andre Swift (ankle) into your lineup. Jonathan Taylor’s matchup is nice, but that price is steep. Javonte Williams and Antonio Gibson are cheaper pivots. The punt options are few and far between. Consider Nyheim Hines, Darrell Henderson, or Jamaal Williams (if Swift cannot go).

Fantasy Four-pack

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers @ NYG
($8,900 DK, $9,000 FD)
The Giants actually held Derrick Henry somewhat in check last week (nearly 4.0 YPC), but they were eviscerated by Dontrell Hilliard through the air. McCaffrey offers the best of both of them and Carolina needs to feature him this week after a sloppy start to their season.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ JAX
($9,900 DK, $10,000 FD) It is always hard to spend this much at RB. He needs to hit 30 points to return 3x value. The matchup suggests it is possible, but I’d rather take my chances with Nyheim Hines here at half the price.

Joe Mixon, Bengals @ DAL
($7,200 DK, $8,300 FD) Cincinnati won’t have to pass the ball to win this week. That is good, because Tee Higgins may not be available for this one. Even if they choose to throw, Higgins’ absence could lead to another nine-target game for Mixon.

D’Andre Swift, Lions vs. WAS
($7,000 DK, $8,200 FD) Swift pummeled Philadelphia to the tune of 175-1. His line might go underappreciated since Jamaal Williams vultured a pair of scores. Washington gave up a total of 134-2 to the pair of Jacksonville RBs, so another 100-1 would be safe for Swift, if he is cleared to go. If Swift misses the game, Williams is a must-start.

DFS Sleepers

Darrell Henderson, Rams vs. ATL
($5,700 DK, $6,200 FD) It was impossible to predict Henderson out-touching Cam Akers 6-to-1. It was also impossible to predict Atlanta limiting Alvin Kamara. Of course, hindsight has proven that injuries were responsible for both situations. Atlanta’s run defense is not this good, and Akers is clearly not 100%. Henderson’s line will surprise no one this week.

Nyheim Hines, Colts @ JAX
($5,300 DK, $5,500 FD)
Despite rumors that Indianapolis would pivot more of Jonathan Taylor’s looks to Hines this season, Taylor still dominated the carries and they split the receiving work. Hines did see six targets, catching them all for 50 yards. Meanwhile, Jacksonville allowed 10-92 to Washington’s RBs through the air. At half of Taylor’s salary, Hines provides you access to this offense and opens up the ability to spend up at both RB1 and WR1.

Wide receivers	DraftKings	FanDuel
Cooper Kupp	$9,900	$9,700
Davante Adams	$8,600	$8,800
Ja’Marr Chase	$8,000	$8,700
Deebo Samuel	$7,100	$8,000
Tyreek Hill	$7,100	$8,000
CeeDee Lamb	$6,900	$7,700
Mike Evans	$6,800	$8,300
Michael Pittman	$6,700	$7,800
Terry McLaurin	$6,600	$7,300
Amon-Ra St. Brown	$6,500	$6,900
Jaylen Waddle	$6,400	$7,200
DK Metcalf	$6,300	$6,800
Marquise Brown	$6,200	$7,400
Courtland Sutton	$6,100	$6,800
Brandin Cooks	$6,000	$6,700
Tee Higgins	$5,900	$7,000
Diontae Johnson	$5,800	$7,100
Michael Thomas	$5,800	$7,000
Christian Kirk	$5,700	$6,500
DJ Moore	$5,700	$6,200
Jerry Jeudy	$5,600	$6,300
Tyler Lockett	$5,600	$6,200
Allen Robinson	$5,500	$5,700
Hunter Renfrow	$5,500	$5,600
Julio Jones	$5,500	$5,700
Rashod Bateman	$5,500	$6,400
Amari Cooper	$5,400	$6,300
Tyler Boyd	$5,400	$6,600
Robbie Anderson	$5,300	$5,900
Drake London	$5,200	$5,600
Michael Gallup	$5,200	$6,000
Brandon Aiyuk	$5,100	$5,700
DJ Chark	$5,100	$5,700
Elijah Moore	$5,000	$5,800
Jarvis Landry	$5,000	$6,100
Sterling Shepard	$4,900	$5,800
Russell Gage	$4,800	$6,100
Chase Claypool	$4,700	$6,000
Corey Davis	$4,600	$5,900
Curtis Samuel	$4,600	$5,700
Chris Olave	$4,500	$5,300
DeVante Parker	$4,500	$5,500
Jalen Tolbert	$4,500	$5,000
Donovan Peoples-Jones	$4,400	$5,800
Garrett Wilson	$4,400	$5,400
Jakobi Meyers	$4,400	$5,500
Marvin Jones	$4,400	$5,400
A.J. Green	$4,300	$5,400
Devin Duvernay	$4,300	$5,900
Zay Jones	$4,300	$5,500
Jahan Dotson	$4,200	$5,500
Kadarius Toney	$4,200	$5,100
Kenny Golladay	$4,200	$5,400
Olamide Zaccheaus	$4,200	$5,400
Nico Collins	$4,100	$5,100
Rondale Moore	$4,100	$5,300
Kendrick Bourne	$4,000	$5,000
Bryan Edwards	$3,900	$4,800
KJ Hamler	$3,900	$5,100
Darius Slayton	$3,800	$5,000
D’Wayne Eskridge	$3,800	$5,000
Noah Brown	$3,800	$5,200
Cedrick Wilson	$3,700	$5,100
Parris Campbell	$3,700	$5,100
George Pickens	$3,600	$5,000
Marquise Goodwin	$3,600	$4,700
Nelson Agholor	$3,600	$5,100
David Bell	$3,500	$4,800
Greg Dortch	$3,500	$5,500
Van Jefferson	$3,500	$5,000
Jauan Jennings	$3,400	$5,300
Alec Pierce	$3,300	$4,800
Ben Skowronek	$3,300	$5,100
Demarcus Robinson	$3,300	$5,100
Laviska Shenault	$3,300	$4,700
Mike Thomas	$3,300	$5,300
Ashton Dulin	$3,200	$5,200
Breshad Perriman	$3,200	$4,700
Richie James	$3,200	$5,500

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Davante Adams is the top pick this week. I love him stacked with Derek Carr. Cooper Kupp is pricier, but he could approach similar output. One of the two should be your WR1. Michael Pittman (quad), Marquise Brown, Deebo Samuel, and Courtland Sutton are my pivots. At WR2, consider Hunter Renfrow, Julio Jones (knee), DJ Moore, and Christian Kirk. Curtis Samuel remains my favorite WR3 option. If you don’t use him, consider Jarvis Landry, Zay Jones, Donovan Peoples-Jones, DJ Chark, or Greg Dortch. I’d also consider using one of them at flex.

Fantasy Four-pack

Davante Adams, Raiders vs. ARI
($8,600 DK, $8,800 FD)
Adams and Derek Carr are my favorite stack this week. Arizona had no answer for Kansas City last week, and Adams has more talent than anyone who lined up at WR for the Chiefs … 10-125-1 is the floor here.

Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. ATL
($9,900 DK, $9,700 FD)
If you can figure out how to fit both Kupp and Adams under the cap, do it. Atlanta has a decent defensive backfield, but they gave up two scores to New Orleans’ alpha WR Michael Thomas last week. I am a tad concerned about his price, but he has topped 30 points many times before.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers vs. SEA
($7,100 DK, $8,000 FD) The loss of Eli Mitchell forced Samuel to garner more RB snaps last week. Last year, in a similar spot, Samuel feasted out of the backfield. Seattle is just okay against the pass, but they are rotten at stopping receiving backs. I’m stoked for Samuel’s stats if he gets an equal share of backfield snaps and receptions.

Michael Pittman, Colts @ JAX
($6,700 DK, $7,800 FD) Pittman (quad) was limited in practice midweek, but he should be good to go for Sunday. Pittman’s activity will affect my decision whether to start Matt Ryan or not. They make a perfect reduced-cost stack against a subpar secondary.

DFS Sleepers

Curtis Samuel, Commanders @ DET
($4,600 DK, $5,700 FD) People forgot about Samuel due to his injuries last season. He was brought in by Ron Rivera to revive his jack-of-all-trades role from their days together in Carolina. He showed out in Week 1 and with both Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson to keep defenses honest; Samuel should find lots of room to operate inside.

DJ Chark, Lions vs. WAS
($5,100 DK, $5,700 FD) I love run-it-back stacks. You can go either way in this game. Jared Goff or Carson Wentz paired with Chark and Samuel at WR2 & WR3 allows you the savings to use big bucks RBs or Kupp and Adams at WR1 and flex.

Tight ends	DraftKings	FanDuel
Mark Andrews	$6,400	$7,400
George Kittle	$5,900	$6,100
Darren Waller	$5,600	$6,800
Taysom Hill	$X,XXX	$6,200
Kyle Pitts	$5,400	$5,900
Dalton Schultz	$5,200	$5,600
T.J. Hockenson	$4,700	$5,700
Zach Ertz	$4,500	$5,200
Pat Freiermuth	$4,400	$5,400
Mike Gesicki	$4,300	$5,200
Tyler Higbee	$4,200	$5,300
Noah Fant	$4,000	$5,000
Cameron Brate	$3,900	$4,900
Albert Okwuegbunam	$3,700	$5,100
David Njoku	$3,700	$4,900
Evan Engram	$3,600	$4,900
Hayden Hurst	$3,600	$5,300
Hunter Henry	$3,600	$5,100
Logan Thomas	$3,400	$5,200
Tyler Conklin	$3,400	$5,100
C.J. Uzomah	$3,200	$4,600
Jonnu Smith	$3,200	$4,700
Mo Alie-Cox	$3,200	$4,800
Harrison Bryant	$3,100	$4,700
Ian Thomas	$3,100	$4,600
Adam Trautman	$3,000	$4,600
O.J. Howard	$3,000	$5,000
Tyler Kroft	$2,800	$4,300
Will Dissly	$2,800	$4,200
Brevin Jordan	$2,600	$4,700
Andrew Beck	$2,500	$4,000
Colby Parkinson	$2,500	$4,100
Juwan Johnson	$2,500	$4,500

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Mark Andrews has a decent matchup and his DK price is workable. Darren Waller is a little cheaper and his game projects as more of a shootout. If you are feeling a little froggy, consider Kyle Pitts or Dalton Schultz. Neither should have high ownership rates and each could outproduce their salaries. T.J Hockenson, Tyler Higbee, and Zach Ertz make even cheaper pivots. Hayden Hurst is my favorite play (especially if Tee Higgins is out). The other punt options are Logan Thomas and O.J. Howard (who will be too heavily owned).

Fantasy Four-pack

Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. MIA
($6,400 DK, $7,400 FD)
Xavien Howard will likely be asked to cover Rashod Bateman. That will leave Andrews and Devin Duvernay as the best stack options with Lamar Jackson. A vanilla Week 1 by Andrews keeps his salary low for one more week take advantage of it.

Darren Waller, Raiders vs. ARI
($5,600 DK, $6,800 FD)
This is a weak week for main slate TEs. Still, elite TE, Travis Kelce, took Arizona to the woodshed last week, and Waller is one of the few who are close to the same stratosphere as Kelce.

Kyle Pitts, Falcons @ LAR
($5,400 DK, $5,900 FD) This is another ranking based more on the player’s talent than the matchup. Pitts had an awful final line, but he was targeted seven times. Expect a better output as Pitts gets more comfortable with Marcus Mariota.

T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. WAS
($4,700 DK, $5,700 FD)
Finally, a good matchup to go along with a talented athlete. Hockenson makes a nice third leg to a Jared Goff-DJ Chark stack in what could be a sneaky shootout.

DFS Sleepers

Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ DAL
($3,600 DK, $5,300 FD)
The eight targets recorded by Hurst last week were fifth among all TEs. If Tee Higgins misses another game, expect a similar workload here.

Logan Thomas, Commanders @ DET
($3,400 DK, $5,200 FD)
Thomas finished Week 1 tied for 11th in TE targets with six. Not bad for a guy coming off an ACL tear. As mentioned above, this game could be a shootout, and Thomas adds another potential third leg to a stack.

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 1

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 1 DFS fantasy football

Welcome back to another season of DFS Domination. For the new readers, we rank all of the realistic plays for the Main Slate Millionaire contests on DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD). We also offer a breakdown of suggested plays for the Primetime Slate. Our charts are color-ranked. Players in RED will struggle to reach 2.5x value. Players in BLACK will likely achieve 2.5x value but are not guaranteed additional success. Players in GREEN are likely to exceed 3x value.

I also provide the top four scorers at each position regardless of salary and a pair of discount sleepers at each position. Plus, you can find my favorite lineups for DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanball (FB).

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

Tom Brady (QB2) looked gaunt at a recent press conference. Perhaps age is finally turning the page on his career. I’m more concerned about his season-long well-being playing behind an offensive line filled out with third-stringers.

Dak Prescott (QB3) is probably the best option here as his ownership will be the lowest among the three playable options. Tampa Bay’s defense is no joke, but I prefer Dallas’ ability to throw against them much more than to run against the Bucs.

Despite their offensive line woes, Leonard Fournette (RB2) is a solid play this week. Lenny’s top backup is now an unproven rookie whose best attribute (receiving) is one that Fournette is also very good at. I will not be using Rachaad White (RB7) outside of Showdown contests until we see his actual usage.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB4) is not recommended this week. He will have a resurgence this year, just not this week. Tampa is elite up the middle against the run. This means ignoring Tony Pollard (RB6) as well. Of course, if I need to roster a third RB this week, Pollard’s price might put him in play.

Mike Evans (WR1) is the strongest play this week. Dallas has ballhawks in their secondary, but they also often overplay the ball. Chris Godwin (WR6) will be an OK play in a pass-heavy offense if he is cleared to go (still a big if). Julio Jones (WR7) will finish as high as WR4 if Godwin doesn’t play. Either way, he makes a nice WR3/flex play this week. Provided his hamstring allows him to play, Russell Gage (WR8) will also see a boost if Godwin misses the game. I like him as the third leg in a Brady-Evans triple stack.

CeeDee Lamb (WR2) was underwhelming last season when left to fend for himself. His supporting cast is even more suspect this year. So, unless you are playing Dak, fade him here. Jalen Tolbert (WR10) looked mediocre this preseason, but he will need to provide an immediate impact with Michael Gallup (knee) out. With no other options, Tolbert could be a sneaky play these first few weeks. Noah Brown (WR12) has experience with Dak, but don’t play him outside of Showdown contests.

Cameron Brate (TE3) and Kyle Rudolph (TE5) are looking to replace Rob Gronkowski’s production. Both are red-zone threats. If Godwin is out, Brate will definitely score.

Dalton Schultz (TE1) is the best option on this slate. Dak will need to establish an Option B in the passing game and Schultz will be it.

Monday Night

It will be an immediate revenge game for Russell Wilson (QB1). Against the weakest defense on the slate (including multiple injuries in their secondary), Wilson should lead the slate. Of course, the game script could minimize Wilson’s pass attempts in the second half.

With a strong defense facing Geno Smith (QB4), this will get ugly. The only reason to consider him here is as a pure punt play or as part of a run-it-back stack in superflex contests.

The two-headed Broncos’ backfield is back. Fortunately, Melvin Gordon (RB5) admits that he is the backup now. Javonte Williams (RB1) will move the ball at will against this defense. An early lead should provide both backs enough touches to be fantasy-relevant. The only way Williams fails to be the top back this week is if Denver decides to use them in a true 50-50 split. Neither back was a huge pass-catcher last year, but Seattle was abysmal against that role. Don’t be surprised if Williams hauls in five+ passes.

With Kenneth Walker III (groin) doubtful to play, Rashaad Penny (RB3) will need to pick up where he left off last season as the primary ball carrier for this run-first offense. Based on volume alone, you should consider him for RB2/flex. Travis Homer (RB8) could be considered in Showdown contests only.

We still do not know if Jerry Jeudy (WR4) or Courtland Sutton (WR3) will be Russell Wilson’s favorite receiver this season. I’m starting the year with my money on Sutton (the bigger body) being Option A, but they should both be viable as WR2 this week. KJ Hamler (WR11) could be a sneaky WR3/flex option here as his speed could translate into the Tyler Lockett role if he is fully recovered from his 2021 ACL injury.

If DK Metcalf (WR5) wasn’t DK Metcalf, he would barely have a pulse this week. Denver has a strong defensive backfield, which will frustrate Metcalf nearly as much as Geno’s lame duck throws will. Still, DK is a physical freak and by sheer volume, I expect he will sneak in a score. Tyler Lockett (WR9) is even less likely to make an impact this week. I want no part of him until Drew Lock takes over at QB. Dee Eskridge (WR13) can be used in Showdown contests only.

Injuries to rookie Greg Dulcich secure that Albert Okwuegbunam (TE2) will be the primary pass-catching TE to start the year. Seattle is solid at safety, but I still like Big Albert here on the small slate, especially if you use a double-TE lineup.

Noah Fant (TE4) also gets a revenge game right away. Unfortunately, he has not been in rhythm with Smith this preseason. It has been so bad that he is listed as the TE 1b behind Will Dissly (TE6) as 1a on the official depth chart. The Seahawks will use a lot of two-TE sets this season, and Smith will be forced to check down often making one playable. My money is on Fant since he has more natural talent.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

At DK: $5.5k for Matt Ryan. $5.2k for Chase Edmonds. $7.6k for Alvin Kamara. $5.9k for Amari Cooper. $5.5k for Michael Pittman.$5.2k for JuJu Smith-Schuster. $4.9k for T.J. Hockenson. $6.8k for D’Andre Swift at flex. $3.4k for the Carolina Panthers defense.

At FD: $6.9k for Ryan. $8.5k for Kamara. $7.6k for D’Andre Swift. $6.8k for Antonio Gibson at flex. $7.2k for Pittman. $6.6k for Mike Williams. $6.4k for Smith-Schuster. $5.3k for Pat Freiermuth. $4.7k for the Carolina Panthers defense.

At Fanball (double-flex – includes Sunday night): Jared Goff, Kamara, and Edmonds, Gibson at flex, Christian McCaffrey at second flex. Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn, DJ Chark, and Hayden Hurst.

Quarterbacks	DraftKings	FanDuel
Patrick Mahomes	$7,700	$8,700
Justin Herbert	$7,600	$8,400
Lamar Jackson	$7,300	$8,500
Kyler Murray	$7,200	$8,200
Aaron Rodgers	$7,000	$7,800
Jalen Hurts	$6,800	$8,000
Joe Burrow	$6,400	$7,700
Kirk Cousins	$6,100	$7,300
Trey Lance	$6,000	$7,500
Derek Carr	$5,900	$7,400
Ryan Tannehill	$5,700	$7,100
Tua Tagovailoa	$5,700	$7,000
Justin Fields	$5,600	$6,900
Trevor Lawrence	$5,600	$7,000
Carson Wentz	$5,500	$6,800
Matt Ryan	$5,500	$6,900
Jared Goff	$5,400	$6,800
Mac Jones	$5,400	$6,600
Baker Mayfield	$5,300	$6,600
Davis Mills	$5,300	$6,500
Jameis Winston	$5,300	$6,700
Jacoby Brissett	$5,200	$6,300
Marcus Mariota	$5,200	$6,500
Daniel Jones	$5,000	$7,100
Mitch Trubisky	$5,000	$6,400
Joe Flacco	$4,800	$6,200

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – There are two high-scoring matchups right away as Justin Herbert faces Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes faces Kyler Murray. Also consider Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts as run-based alternatives. Still, I suggest going cheap this week with Matt Ryan, Jared Goff, Jameis Winston, or Davis Mills.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. LVR
($7,600 DK, $8,400 FD)
This contest features a revenge game narrative for Herbert and the Chargers coming off being knocked out of the playoffs last year by Vegas. Plus, this game has the second-highest combined points so expect a shootout. Herbert has faced Vegas four times in his career averaging 311 yards and 2.75 TD per game. 300-3 sounds right here. Roll out the Herbert-Mike Williams stack this week.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ NYJ ($7,300 DK, $8,500 FD) Jackson will likely be without his top RB this week. This means he will do even more running than usual. From a DFS standpoint, that is like manna from heaven. Feel free to stack Jackson with both Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ ARI
($7,700 DK, $8,700 FD) OK, we finally get to see a KC offense without Tyreek Hill. Mahomes still has myriad weapons to throw to, and I love both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster this week as Arizona can be beaten on the outside. This game has the highest projected points and will be a shootout. This sets up for a nice roll-it-back lineup with Marquise Brown included, too.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. KC
($7,200 DK, $8,200 FD) Murray also will be without his top weapon from last season. Fortunately, the Cardinals acquired Marquise Brown to fill in for him. KC has completely retooled its secondary this offseason. The newcomers are young and talented, but they may not be ready to face an Arizona Air Raid offense. Bump up Murray’s projections if Zach Ertz is cleared to play; otherwise, expect 280-3.

DFS Sleepers

Matt Ryan, Colts @ HOU
($5,500 DK, $6,900 FD) Houston is young and improving, but they aren’t there yet. After last season’s shorthanded WR room in Atlanta, Ryan should be licking his chops to have Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Parris Campbell to throw at. Ryan’s price makes him a great value option, especially paired with the equally discounted Pittman.

Jared Goff, Lions vs. PHI
($5,400 DK, $6,800 FD)
Motownphilly is back again this week. Last year, Goff’s final line against Philly was more boy than man. In his defense, his WR room had three total catches. His top three receiving options were a TE, his starting RB, and another RB who is out of the league. This year, he has Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds, and Quintez Cephus to choose from — plus all of his auxiliary tools. Give him the manly 250-2 here on the discount.

Running backs	DraftKings	FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor	$9,100	$10,200
Derrick Henry	$8,600	$9,700
Christian McCaffrey	$8,500	$9,500
Austin Ekeler	$8,200	$9,400
Dalvin Cook	$7,900	$8,400
Alvin Kamara	$7,600	$8,500
Joe Mixon	$7,100	$8,300
James Conner	$7,000	$7,700
D’Andre Swift	$6,800	$7,600
Aaron Jones	$6,700	$7,400
Nick Chubb	$6,500	$7,800
Najee Harris	$6,400	$8,200
Josh Jacobs	$6,300	$7,000
Saquon Barkley	$6,100	$6,800
David Montgomery	$6,000	$6,600
Antonio Gibson	$5,800	$6,800
Cordarrelle Patterson	$5,800	$6,600
Damien Harris	$5,700	$6,300
Kareem Hunt	$5,700	$6,300
J.K. Dobbins	$5,600	$6,900
James Robinson	$5,600	$6,200
Travis Etienne	$5,600	$6,200
Breece Hall	$5,500	$6,400
Rhamondre Stevenson	$5,500	$5,600
Clyde Edwards-Helaire	$5,400	$5,800
Eli Mitchell	$5,400	$6,700
Miles Sanders	$5,400	$6,500
AJ Dillon	$5,300	$6,100
Chase Edmonds	$5,200	$5,800
Jamaal Williams	$5,200	$5,700
Ronald Jones	$5,200	$5,500
J.D. McKissic	$5,100	$5,200
Jeff Wilson	$5,100	$5,500
Michael Carter	$5,100	$5,200
Nyheim Hines	$5,100	$5,400
Kenyan Drake	$5,000	$5,700
Rex Burkhead	$4,900	$5,100
Dameon Pierce	$4,800	$5,400
Zamir White	$4,700	$4,900
Kenneth Gainwell	$4,600	$5,300
Boston Scott	$4,500	$4,900
Myles Gaskin	$4,500	$4,900
Tyler Allgeier	$4,500	$4,800
Mike Davis	$4,400	$5,600
Eno Benjamin	$4,200	$4,900
Jerick McKinnon	$4,200	$5,200

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Each of the top-six priced options on both sites would make a great RB1 this week. The issue is fitting two of them under the cap. If I had to choose from among them, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara would be my first two picks. D’Andre Swift and Antonio Gibson would be my less expensive pivots. You could even pair two of that foursome. Even cheaper yet are likely lead options Chase Edmonds and Dameon Pierce. Just know that Pierce is going to have ridiculous ownership numbers, so you may want to fade him. If you want to punt RB2 without using Pierce, consider using Nyheim Hines or Kenyan Drake.

Fantasy Four-pack

Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ HOU
($9,100 DK, $10,200 FD)
Houston allowed the second-most rushing yards last year, including 288 to Taylor. Jonathan also added four rushing TDs in those two games. In those games, Taylor did nothing through the air. If he even catches a pittance of passes here, he is a lock for 3x (even with that high FD price).

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. CLE
($8,500 DK, $9,500 FD) Both DFS sites have McCaffrey priced below $10k. You will not get this discount all season. You may not even get this discount next week. Use it while you can. Cleveland is decent against the run, but CMC will do enough across the board to be a top-five overall scorer this week.

Alvin Kamara, Saints @ ATL
($7,600 DK, $8,500 FD) Atlanta’s defense is better against the pass than the run. It won’t matter here because Kamara will beat them both ways. Anything short of 150 combo yards and a score would be disappointing. In fact, the only way he doesn’t reach that figure is if he is suspended over the weekend.

Derrick Henry, Titans vs. NYG
($8,600 DK, $9,700 FD) The Giants improved their defense this offseason. Unfortunately, they still will have no answer for King Henry. Tennessee is devoid of receiving talent coming into this season, so they will have to lean even more than ever on their hoss RB. We may even see Henry pick up where he left off last season by developing into a semi-functioning pass-catcher, too.

DFS Sleepers

Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. JAX
($5,800 DK, $6,800 FD) You need to feel bad for Brian Robinson. Now, Washington will be forced to feed Gibson the ball. Despite being dissed by his coaching staff this preseason, he actually proved over the last couple of seasons that he is an incredibly talented RB. Jacksonville broke the bank to shore up their offense this offseason, but that defensive front is very young and unproven at this level. If J.D. McKissic (groin) is limited this week, bump Gibson’s value up even more.

Chase Edmonds, Dolphins vs. NE
($5,200 DK, $5,800 FD)
The release of Sony Michel left Edmonds as the early-down favorite in Miami. There are many weapons in this offense this year, but you know that Bill Belichick will be plotting to shut down both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. This should leave Edmonds free to overachieve this week. This time next week, his salary will be much higher.

Wide receivers	DraftKings	FanDuel
Davante Adams	$8,100	$8,500
Justin Jefferson	$7,800	$8,100
Deebo Samuel	$7,400	$8,400
Ja’Marr Chase	$7,100	$8,200
Keenan Allen	$7,000	$7,400
Tyreek Hill	$6,800	$7,700
Mike Williams	$6,600	$6,600
Terry McLaurin	$6,500	$7,000
A.J. Brown	$6,400	$7,100
Jaylen Waddle	$6,400	$6,800
Brandin Cooks	$6,300	$6,600
Marquise Brown	$6,200	$6,900
Amon-Ra St. Brown	$6,100	$6,500
Tee Higgins	$6,100	$7,000
Diontae Johnson	$6,000	$6,700
DJ Moore	$6,000	$6,400
Amari Cooper	$5,900	$6,300
Hunter Renfrow	$5,800	$5,900
Darnell Mooney	$5,700	$6,200
Michael Thomas	$5,700	$6,200
Allen Lazard	$5,600	$6,500
Robert Woods	$5,600	$5,600
DeVonta Smith	$5,500	$6,100
Michael Pittman	$5,500	$7,200
Adam Thielen	$5,400	$6,100
Rashod Bateman	$5,300	$6,100
Brandon Aiyuk	$5,200	$5,600
JuJu Smith-Schuster	$5,100	$6,400
Christian Kirk	$5,100	$5,800
Christian Watson	$5,100	$5,200
Elijah Moore	$5,100	$6,000
Chase Claypool	$5,000	$5,800
Drake London	$5,000	$5,500
Jarvis Landry	$5,000	$5,700
Treylon Burks	$5,000	$5,900
Corey Davis	$4,900	$5,400
K.J. Osborn	$4,900	$5,200
Sterling Shepard	$4,900	$5,500
DeVante Parker	$4,800	$5,700
DJ Chark	$4,800	$5,300
Kenny Golladay	$4,800	$5,600
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine	$4,800	$5,100
Robbie Anderson	$4,800	$5,300
Tyler Boyd	$4,800	$5,700
Garrett Wilson	$4,700	$5,300
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	$4,700	$5,500
Sammy Watkins	$4,700	$5,500
A.J. Green	$4,600	$5,700
Mecole Hardman	$4,600	$5,400
Chris Olave	$4,500	$5,000
Byron Pringle	$4,400	$5,300
Donovan Peoples-Jones	$4,400	$5,400
Marvin Jones	$4,400	$5,000
Jakobi Meyers	$4,300	$5,500
Bryan Edwards	$4,200	$5,100
Curtis Samuel	$4,200	$5,100
Darius Slayton	$4,200	$5,100
Kendrick Bourne	$4,200	$5,100
Nico Collins	$4,200	$5,200
George Pickens	$4,100	$5,200
Kadarius Toney	$4,100	$5,300
Zay Jones	$4,100	$5,100
Olamide Zaccheaus	$4,000	$5,000
Rondale Moore	$4,000	$5,500
Alec Pierce	$3,900	$4,900
Cedrick Wilson	$3,900	$5,100
Devin Duvernay	$3,800	$5,000
Joshua Palmer	$3,800	$4,900
Skyy Moore	$3,800	$4,600
David Bell	$3,600	$5,000
Jahan Dotson	$3,400	$4,900
Nelson Agholor	$3,400	$4,900
Quez Watkins	$3,400	$5,200
Randall Cobb	$3,400	$5,100
Parris Campbell	$3,300	$5,200
Quintez Cephus	$3,000	$4,800
Romeo Doubs	$3,000	$5,000

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Davante Adams gets to show off his connection with Derek Carr immediately. He and Justin Jefferson are the two best options up top. Either Chargers wide receiver would be a slightly cheaper pivot (I prefer Mike Williams). Also, consider going cheaper this week with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquise Brown, or volume options like Amari Cooper, Darnell Mooney, Michael Pittman, and Rashod Bateman at WR1 and WR2. I also like Allen Lazard (ankle) in this range, if he gets a clean bill of health. The WR corps of Jacksonville, Detroit, and whoever suits up for the New York Giants each make WR3 sense based on their opponents. Still, my top punt options this week are K.J. Osborn, Sammy Watkins, Nico Collins, and the depth WRs for Arizona.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. GB
($7,800 DK, $8,100 FD)
The word on the street is that Minnesota is going to throw the ball considerably more this season. Green Bay has a pair of studly cornerbacks, but Jefferson is in a class of his own. I’m not expecting a ceiling game here, but 8-110-1 is in play.

Davante Adams, Raiders @ LAC
($8,100 DK, $8,500 FD)
The Chargers are also set at cornerback, but this will be a huge test in Week 1. Adams and Derek Carr make a great stack, and I love to run it back with Mike Williams here. Just know that will leave you penny-pinching elsewhere.

Mike Williams, Chargers vs. LVR
($6,600 DK, $6,600 FD)
Anytime the FD price is the same or lower than the DK price, you have to use the player there. The Raiders lack anyone at cornerback to body up with the tall and physical Williams. This feels like a 6-100 game with a long TD.

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. PIT
($7,100 DK, $8,200 FD) Mark me concerned about rust from Joe Burrow after missing the preseason with appendix surgery. I’m also concerned about the number of weapons that Cincy has. Still, Pittsburgh cannot double-team all of them. Expect a floor of 6-70-1 with considerably higher upside if Burrow isn’t limited.

DFS Sleepers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs @ ARI
($5,200 DK, $6,400 FD)
Patrick Mahomes’ top (and most-proven) WR in a shootout matchup with Arizona, Sign me up! Throw in the reduced price and it is a mortal lock at WR1 or WR2. Consider using Kyler Murray at QB and then stacking Marquise Brown and running it back with Smith-Schuster.

Rashod Bateman, Ravens @ NYJ
($5,300 DK, $6,100 FD)
Bateman is now the true WR1 in Baltimore. Unfortunately, the team is still run-first and Mark Andrews is the real No. 1 target. The Jets have improved at every level on defense, but volume alone puts Bateman in play for 7-70-1.

Tight ends	DraftKings	FanDuel
Mark Andrews	$6,800	$7,900
Travis Kelce	$6,600	$8,000
George Kittle	$5,900	$6,100
Kyle Pitts	$5,700	$6,000
Darren Waller	$5,400	$7,000
T.J. Hockenson	$4,900	$5,700
Mike Gesicki	$4,800	$5,500
Dallas Goedert	$4,500	$5,700
Zach Ertz	$4,400	$5,600
Pat Freiermuth	$4,200	$5,300
David Njoku	$3,900	$5,000
Robert Tonyan	$3,900	$5,100
Gerald Everett	$3,800	$5,200
Hunter Henry	$3,800	$5,400
Austin Hooper	$3,700	$4,800
Cole Kmet	$3,700	$5,000
C.J. Uzomah	$3,600	$4,800
Evan Engram	$3,500	$4,900
Tyler Conklin	$3,500	$5,000
Irv Smith	$3,400	$5,100
Mo Alie-Cox	$3,400	$4,800
Hayden Hurst	$3,300	$4,900
Logan Thomas	$3,200	$5,500
Adam Trautman	$3,100	$4,700
Brevin Jordan	$3,100	$4,800
John Bates	$3,100	$4,700
Harrison Bryant	$2,900	$4,600
Dan Arnold	$2,800	$4,400
Donald Parham	$2,800	$4,500
Jonnu Smith	$2,800	$4,700
Ryan Griffin	$2,700	$4,100
Daniel Bellinger	$2,500	$4,100
Isaiah Likely	$2,500	$4,100

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Feel free to pay up for Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, or Kyle Pitts. Pitts on FD is almost free money compared to those other two. For lesser ownership, consider T.J. Hockenson and Pat Freiermuth. If you decide to punt the position (I wouldn’t this week), Austin Hooper, Cole Kmet, and Hayden Hurst are decent dice rolls.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ ARI
($6,600 DK, $8,000 FD)
Patrick Mahomes went on record saying it would be a different target each week for fantasy purposes. I’ll believe that when I see it. Kelce was option 1a last year, and he will repeat that role here. That said, I don’t love the FD price considering how cheap some others are and since Arizona’s best DBs are in the middle.

Mark Andrews, Ravens @ NYJ
($6,800 DK, $7,900 FD)
There wasn’t a more reliable TE than Andrews last season. With Marquise Brown out of town, Andrews and Rashod Bateman will need to step up even further. Stack both of them with Lamar Jackson against a still learning-on-the-job Jets defense. The threesome should combine for four total scores.

Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. NO
($5,700 DK, $6,000 FD)
The only thing missing from Pitts’ rookie season was TDs. Reverse TD-regression is assured this season, starting this week. I mean someone has to catch the ball in Atlanta. Lock him in for 8-90-1 here as Atlanta is forced to throw the ball to stay in this one.

T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. PHI
($4,900 DK, $5,700 FD)
This may be my favorite TE play of the week. Detroit has more weapons to choose from, but Hockenson has the familiarity with Jared Goff from last season. This is the cheap stack to use so that you can go massive at RB.

DFS Sleepers

Cole Kmet, Bears vs. SF
($3,700 DK, $5,000 FD)
Kmet is the unquestioned number two option for Chicago. This means he will see close to 10 targets per week. If he can reel in 5-50 that puts him at 3x on DK already.

Austin Hooper, Titans vs. NYG
($3,700 DK, $4,900 FD)
The Titans are seriously lacking in reliable passing-game options. That is why Hooper should be in for a big start to the year until Treylon Burks gets more NFL-ready. Tennessee has effectively used their TEs in the red zone before. A short score seems imminent to go along with 5-50.

The incredible story of how DraftKings CEO’s mistaken burner led to the building of a school in Pakistan

Jason Robins’ supposed Twitter burner led to a $100,000 donation.

Those deeply embedded in the sports betting community remember the story of DraftKings CEO Jason Robins’ burner Twitter account that wasn’t. But wait until you hear the heartwarming conclusion of that story.

Last November, the Twitter account of DraftKings retail investor Mohsin Gazipura was mistaken for a Robins burner account due to his tweets in staunch defense of the DK boss, among other evidence. One pusher of that narrative was former PointsBet oddsmaker AFrantzie.

SportsHandle reporter Jeff Edelstein uncovered the truth, that Gazipura’s Twitter wasn’t a Robins burner, but the open-ended headline — “Does DraftKings CEO Jason Robins Have A Twitter Burner Account?” — caused Robins to confront him. Once Robins was made aware that the story was less salacious than the headline, he donated $100,000 to Gazipura’s organization, Charity Grocer, which helps deliver groceries to people in far-reaching areas of Pakistan.

Probably because this is Robins burner account. Why else would Jason robins follow @GazipuraMo and respond to almost every one of his posts?

— Marcus (@Marcus61764622) November 30, 2021

“It’s insane,” Gazipura told Edelstein. “The truth is I just started this charity with me, and I have some family back in Pakistan, so I have three or four people there, and I think we’ve gotten about $30,000 in donations over the past two or three years. We’re a fairly small charity, but just thinking about what this is going to do for a country that’s struggling, for a country that doesn’t have access to vaccines, doesn’t have access to clean water.”

Because the money was much more than Gazipura could use for groceries, he used it to team up with Paani Project to build a school. The Aisha Academy officially opened Monday, in less than 10 months.

"I’m in shock. This is insane."@JasonDRobins has donated $100K to Charity Grocer, an org. run by @GazipuraMo (who is not Jason) helping get food and water to poverty-stricken Pakistanis. @jeffedelstein on the happy ending to the situation.https://t.co/8vGP9bkTX5

— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) December 1, 2021

“We’re in northern Pakistan, very close to the border, and women’s education is not something readily available under the Taliban,” Gazipura said. “We didn’t even break ground until we got approval from the government of Pakistan.”

The school also plans to open in the evenings for older, uneducated women to take classes. For his part, Frantz added another $1,000 donation.

[listicle id=1943712]

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Orioles’ pre-All-Star surge made them one of the biggest sportsbook liabilities in baseball

The O’s had the longest World Series odds at the start of June. Not anymore.

The more teams keep losing to the Baltimore Orioles, the more likely it is sportsbooks end up as massive losers too.

Once thought to be among the worst teams in baseball, Baltimore has surged up the standings in recent weeks. And they caught the attention of bettors on the way—becoming the most profitable team to wager on.

At the start of June, the Orioles had 500-1 odds to win the World Series at Tipico Sportsbook, tied for the longest in all of baseball. On Wednesday, those odds were down to 200-1 — still long, but now tied with two teams ahead of 10 others. That movement coincides with a push from nine games under .500 on July 2 to a 46-46 record entering the All-Star break, including a 10-game winning streak. It’s made them a seven-figure liability for sportsbooks, according to a report from ESPN’s David Purdham.

After already taking bets on the Orioles at odds as long as 2,000-1, Caesars Sportsbook took a $1,000 bet in July on the Orioles at 500-1 to win the World Series and a separate $1,000 bet on them to win the AL at 250-1. The public is backing the Orioles on a game-by-game basis too after previously betting their opponents about 90% of the time in April and May, the report cited from DraftKings.

“In April and May, along with the A’s and Reds, [the Orioles] were one of the teams that we were just rooting for on a daily basis,” Caesars lead baseball trader Eric Biggio said in the report. “We knew we were going to need that team to win in order to have a decent day. Now, it’s flipped.”

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