Five of the eight teams playing outside the main slate have anemic offenses. This means the main slate will have a much larger pool of quality players. Enjoy it while you can. Bye-pocalypse is on the horizon in a few short weeks. Unfortunately, with a larger pool to choose from, hitting those sleepers is mandatory. So prepare yourself to enter multiple lineup combinations this week.
Recommended DFS lineups
*Note: Both FanDuel and Fanball include the Sunday night game on their Main Slate. DraftKings doesn’t include them, so the pricing is listed as N/A.
DK Lineup: QB Andy Dalton ($5.2k), RB Kareem Hunt ($6.0k), RB Austin Ekeler ($5.9k), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ($8.3k), WR Terry McLaurin ($6.8k), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster ($4.0k), TE George Kittle ($6.0k), FLEX Alexander Mattison ($5.5k), DST Tennessee Titans ($2.3k)
FD Lineup: QB Andy Dalton ($7.3k), RB Kyren Williams ($8.6k), RB Tony Pollard ($7.1k), WR Jayden Reed ($7.6k), WR Terry McLaurin ($7.2k), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster ($6.1k), TE Dalton Schultz ($5.2K), FLEX Austin Ekeler ($6.6k), DST Indianapolis Colts ($4.3k)
FB Lineup: QB Jayden Daniels ($7.3k), RB Kyren Williams ($7.5k) RB Kareem Hunt ($5.2k), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ($7.5k), WR Terry McLaurin ($6.0k), WR/TE Tank Dell ($5.4k), TE George Kittle ($5.8k), FLEX Austin Ekeler ($4.7k), SUPERFLEX Andy Dalton ($5.4k)
*Note: Player salaries are color-coded based on expected output. Red = Less than 2.5x value, Black = 2.5x value, Green = Greater than 3x value.
| Quarterback | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Jayden Daniels | $7,600 | $9,100 |
| Josh Allen | $7,500 | $9,200 |
| Jalen Hurts | $7,300 | $8,500 |
| C.J. Stroud | $7,100 | $8,400 |
| Patrick Mahomes | $7,000 | $8,000 |
| Jordan Love | $6,900 | $8,700 |
| Joe Burrow | $6,800 | $8,200 |
| Jared Goff | $6,500 | $8,500 |
| Baker Mayfield | $6,500 | $7,900 |
| Jared Goff | $6,500 | $7,800 |
| Brock Purdy | $6,400 | $7,700 |
| Kirk Cousins | $6,300 | $7,200 |
| Sam Darnold | $6,200 | $7,500 |
| Anthony Richardson | $6,000 | $7,400 |
| Joe Flacco | $6,000 | $7,400 |
| Geno Smith | $5,800 | $7,600 |
| Justin Fields | N/A | $7,300 |
| Matthew Stafford | $5,600 | $7,100 |
| Daniel Jones | $5,400 | $7,000 |
| Andy Dalton | $5,200 | $7,300 |
| Aaron Rodgers | N/A | $6,900 |
| Tyler Huntley | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Deshaun Watson | $4,900 | $6,800 |
| Aidan O’Connell | $4,800 | $6,500 |
| Will Levis | $4,700 | $6,600 |
Quarterback
Weekly strategy – Jayden Daniels is the only sure-thing high-priced QB this week. Jared Goff would be my pivot. Jalen Hurts, C.J. Stroud, and Jordan Love could also be in play. Sam Darnold and Geno Smith provide some cost savings, but Andy Dalton is the ultimate punt option here.
Fantasy four-pack
Jayden Daniels, Commanders vs. CAR ($7,600 DK, $9,100 FD) Carolina is allowing a league-worst 33.8 points per game. This includes allowing the second-most passing TDs and the most rushing TDs. Daniels will score both ways. Just know his ownership % will be high.
C.J. Stroud, Texans @ GB ($7,100 DK, $8,400 FD) A nice pivot from Daniels in what should be a shootout. The loss of Nico Collins (IR – hamstring) didn’t slow Stroud last week as he threw for three TDs against a much stingier defense than this one.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ NYG ($7,300 DK, $8,500 FD) Hurts regained his weapons last week and immediately returned to fantasy relevance. The Giants have been mid against the pass, but they rank third-worst in rushing yards allowed to QBs.
Jared Goff, Lions @ MIN ($6,500 DK, $7,800 FD) Minnesota is allowing the league’s third-worst passing yards per game. They also have allowed six passing TDs over their last two outings. Meanwhile, Goff has seven passing TDs over his last three games.
Sleepers
Andy Dalton, Panthers @ WAS ($5,200 DK, $7,300 FD) Everyone will be on Jayden Daniels in this game, so opt for the opposition at a lower cost and with lower ownership. Washington has allowed the second-most passing scores and the second-highest opponent passer rating. Pair Dalton with Diontae Johnson (ankle) and/or Xavier Legette and run it back with Terry McLaurin.
Sam Darnold, Vikings vs. DET ($6,200 DK, $7,500 FD) Darnold may have higher ownership than Jared Goff in this contest, but Detroit has a pass-funnel defense as teams throw the ball the second-most 68.5% of the time against them. With multiple weapons for both teams, this could get high-scoring.
| Running back | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | $8,200 | $9,000 |
| Kyren Williams | $8,100 | $8,600 |
| Jordan Mason | $7,600 | $8,800 |
| Jonathan Taylor | $7,500 | $8,300 |
| Breece Hall | N/A | $7,600 |
| Kenneth Walker III | $7,300 | $7,500 |
| Joe Mixon | $7,200 | $8,400 |
| Bijan Robinson | $7,100 | $8,200 |
| James Cook | $7,000 | $7,900 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | $6,900 | $7,800 |
| Najee Harris | N/A | $7,000 |
| De’Von Achane | $6,700 | $6,900 |
| David Montgomery | $6,600 | $8,100 |
| Braelon Allen | N/A | $6,000 |
| Isaac Guerendo | $6,600 | $6,000 |
| Aaron Jones | $6,500 | $7,200 |
| Chuba Hubbard | $6,500 | $7,400 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | $6,400 | $8,000 |
| Josh Jacobs | $6,400 | $7,300 |
| Tony Pollard | $6,300 | $7,100 |
| Devin Singletary | $6,200 | $6,200 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | $6,200 | $6,200 |
| Raheem Mostert | $6,100 | $6,300 |
| Kareem Hunt | $6,000 | $7,700 |
| Nick Chubb | $6,000 | $6,800 |
| Austin Ekeler | $5,900 | $6,600 |
| Chase Brown | $5,900 | $6,500 |
| Zack Moss | $5,800 | $6,700 |
| Ty Johnson | $5,700 | $5,700 |
| Ty Chandler | $5,600 | $6,400 |
| Alexander Mattison | $5,500 | $6,100 |
| Trey Sermon | $5,500 | $5,900 |
| Jaylen Warren | N/A | $5,500 |
| Dameon Pierce | $5,400 | $5,100 |
| D’Onta Foreman | $5,300 | $5,400 |
| Zach Charbonnet | $5,300 | $5,300 |
| Jaylen Wright | $5,200 | $5,200 |
| Ray Davis | $5,200 | $5,400 |
| Tyler Allgeier | $5,100 | $5,800 |
| Jonathon Brooks | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Samaje Perine | $4,900 | $5,200 |
| Zamir White | $4,900 | $5,600 |
| Pierre Strong Jr. | $4,800 | $4,800 |
| Emanuel Wilson | $4,500 | $5,400 |
| Miles Sanders | $4,500 | $5,300 |
| Jeremy McNichols | $4,400 | $5,500 |
Running back
Weekly strategy – Kyren Williams has the easiest matchup while Saquon Barkley gets the revenge game. One of them needs to be in your lineup. The only pivots with positive outlooks are Joe Mixon and David Montgomery. Chuba Hubbard and Tony Pollard are the best RB2 choices. The other playable option is whoever starts at RB for Washington. Alexander Mattison and Trey Sermon will have volume punt value as long as Zamir White (groin) and Jonathan Taylor (ankle) remain out.
Fantasy four-pack
Kyren Williams, Rams vs. LVR ($8,100 DK, $8,600 FD) Vegas allows an atrocious 5.2 YPC to opposing rushers. They also are allowing 26.6 PPR points per game to the position. Despite playing only five games, Williams amazingly is second in total TDs scored.
Saquon Barkley, Eagles @ NYG ($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD) Barkley gets the revenge game against an Giants defense that has struggled with pass-catching RBs. His price is high, but Philly will get him at least one score against his former team.
Joe Mixon, Texans @ GB ($7,200 DK, $8,400 FD) Despite playing only two-and-a-half games, Mixon has three total TDs and two 130-plus-yard games. The DK savings from the top two makes him a great pivot if you want to go big at WR.
David Montgomery, Lions @ MIN ($6,600 DK, $8,100 FD) The Vikings’ run defense is elite, but they also have jumped out to leads in most games, effectively forcing an opponent to throw the ball a league-high 72.9% of the time. This game will be much closer, and a shootout. Plus, Montgomery has scored in three of his last four meetings with Minnesota, and the Vikes will be without starting linebacker Blake Cashman.
Sleepers
Austin Ekeler, Commanders vs. CAR ($5,900 DK, $6,600 FD) Carolina is allowing the most total TDs to opposing RBs. This includes allowing nine scores over their last three games. Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) may return this week, but both would still make great plays here. If Robinson remains out, Ekeler could finish top-five in scoring.
Alexander Mattison, Raiders @ LAR ($5,500 DK, $6,100 FD) Mattison had already established a role as a goal-line vulture before Zamir White (groin) went down with an injury. Now, as the lead back, he gets to face a Rams defense that has allowed the fifth-most RB rushing TDs.
| Wide Receiver | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson | $8,500 | $9,400 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | $8,400 | $9,300 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | $8,300 | $8,800 |
| A.J. Brown | $8,000 | $8,900 |
| Cooper Kupp | $7,900 | $8,000 |
| Stefon Diggs | $7,700 | $8,600 |
| Malik Nabers | $7,500 | $8,300 |
| Tyreek Hill | $7,300 | $7,900 |
| Jayden Reed | $7,200 | $7,600 |
| Garrett Wilson | N/A | $7,400 |
| Davante Adams | N/A | $6,900 |
| Deebo Samuel Sr. | $7,000 | $8,200 |
| DeVonta Smith | $6,900 | $7,700 |
| Drake London | $6,900 | $7,500 |
| DK Metcalf | $6,800 | $8,100 |
| Terry McLaurin | $6,800 | $7,200 |
| Diontae Johnson | $6,600 | $7,100 |
| Tank Dell | $6,500 | $7,000 |
| Tee Higgins | $6,400 | $7,800 |
| Xavier Worthy | $6,400 | $7,300 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | $6,300 | $6,800 |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | $6,200 | $6,700 |
| Wan’Dale Robinson | $6,100 | $6,600 |
| Jameson Williams | $6,000 | $6,500 |
| Khalil Shakir | $6,000 | $6,200 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | $5,900 | $6,100 |
| Amari Cooper | $5,800 | $6,100 |
| Josh Downs | $5,700 | $6,400 |
| Darnell Mooney | $5,600 | $6,300 |
| Jordan Addison | $5,600 | $6,300 |
| George Pickens | N/A | $6,000 |
| Calvin Ridley | $5,500 | $5,700 |
| Romeo Doubs | $5,500 | $6,000 |
| Jakobi Meyers | $5,400 | $5,800 |
| Keon Coleman | $5,400 | $5,900 |
| Jaylen Waddle | $5,300 | $6,200 |
| Tyler Lockett | $5,300 | $5,800 |
| Alec Pierce | $5,200 | $5,700 |
| Allen Lazard | N/A | $5,700 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | $5,200 | $5,600 |
| Darius Slayton | $5,100 | $6,000 |
| Xavier Legette | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | $5,000 | $5,600 |
| Tutu Atwell | $5,000 | $5,800 |
| Christian Watson | $4,900 | $5,900 |
| Jerry Jeudy | $4,800 | $5,600 |
| Mike Williams | N/A | $5,400 |
| Jordan Whittington | $4,800 | $5,300 |
| Demarcus Robinson | $4,700 | $5,500 |
| Jauan Jennings | $4,600 | $5,300 |
| Jahan Dotson | $4,500 | $5,100 |
| Jalen Nailor | $4,500 | $5,200 |
| Ray-Ray McCloud III | $4,400 | $5,500 |
| Curtis Samuel | $4,300 | $5,100 |
| Tre Tucker | $4,200 | $5,500 |
| Van Jefferson | N/A | $4,800 |
| Tyler Johnson | $4,100 | $4,500 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | $4,000 | $6,100 |
| Noah Brown | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Dyami Brown | $3,900 | $4,800 |
| Tyler Boyd | $3,900 | $4,900 |
| Andrei Iosivas | $3,800 | $5,500 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | $3,800 | $4,700 |
| Adonai Mitchell | $3,700 | $4,900 |
| Justin Watson | $3,700 | $5,400 |
| Jonathan Mingo | $3,600 | $5,200 |
| Luke McCaffrey | $3,500 | $4,300 |
| Tim Patrick | $3,500 | $4,800 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | $3,400 | $5,300 |
| Mack Hollins | $3,300 | $5,200 |
| Mecole Hardman | $3,300 | $4,700 |
| Robert Woods | $3,300 | $5,100 |
Wide receiver
Weekly strategy – Fill up your platter with Lions, Vikings, Commanders, Panthers, and Packers. Amon-Ra St. Brown is the top player. Justin Jefferson would be the pivot. At WR2, use one of Terry McLaurin, Jayden Reed (ankle), or Diontae Johnson (ankle). Also, consider the secondary pieces on each of these rosters at WR3. This is the week to do a QB+2 or QB+3 lineup. WR3 punts to consider are Jordan Whittington (shoulder), Noah Brown, Tre Tucker, and JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring).
Fantasy four-pack
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ MIN ($8,300 DK, $8,800 FD) Opposing WR1s are averaging 7.4-100 against Minnesota. This includes allowing their last two opposing WR1s to average 10-120-1. Plus, St. Brown posted 19-252-2 against the Vikings last season. If you don’t use St. Brown, fit Jameson Williams into your lineup as a WR2.
Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. DET ($8,500 DK, $9,400 FD) Jefferson is pricier than Amon-Ra St. Brown, but both are in play in this shootout. Mike Evans is the only WR1 not to top 15 PPR points against this defense.
Jayden Reed, Packers vs. HOU ($7,200 DK, $7,600 FD) Reed (ankle) was limited last week by injury, but he still scored. Houston has allowed the third-most WR scores, including a pair to the laughable New England WR room last week. Watch the injury report here, but if Reed plays, he will score at least once.
A.J. Brown, Eagles @ NYG ($8,000 DK, $8,900 FD) Brown averages 23.3 PPR points per game. Meanwhile, the Giants remain middle of the pack against WRs, and half of the WR1s facing them have scored at least once this season.
Sleepers
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs @ SF ($4,000 DK, $6,100 FD) At this price, it won’t take much for JuJu to reach 3x value. With all the WR injuries to KC, Smith-Schuster went bonkers in Week 5. He could easily top 4x value here as long as the hamstring injury that popped up Thursday doesn’t limit him. If he remains limited on Sunday, consider Noah Brown as a replacement for DK and Romeo Doubs on FD.
Jordan Whittington, Rams vs. LVR ($4,800 DK, $5,300 FD) Whittington (shoulder) came out of nowhere to draw 18 targets in the last two games. If Cooper Kupp (ankle) remains out, Whittington should continue to see a healthy target share. Vegas’ pass defense numbers look solid, but they have faced a cream-puff schedule.
| Tight End | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | $6,300 | $7,100 |
| George Kittle | $6,000 | $7,500 |
| Brock Bowers | $5,800 | $7,000 |
| Sam LaPorta | $5,300 | $6,500 |
| T.J. Hockenson | $5,200 | $6,000 |
| Dalton Kincaid | $5,000 | $6,300 |
| Dallas Goedert | $4,700 | $6,100 |
| Tucker Kraft | $4,600 | $5,800 |
| Kyle Pitts | $4,500 | $5,900 |
| Pat Freiermuth | N/A | $5,600 |
| Dalton Schultz | $4,200 | $5,200 |
| David Njoku | $4,100 | $5,300 |
| Zach Ertz | $3,900 | $5,100 |
| Colby Parkinson | $3,800 | $5,200 |
| Noah Fant | $3,500 | $5,100 |
| Jonnu Smith | $3,400 | $5,000 |
| Grant Calcaterra | $3,200 | $5,100 |
| Tyler Conklin | N/A | $5,000 |
| Chig Okonkwo | $3,100 | $4,800 |
| Mike Gesicki | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Ja’Tavion Sanders | $2,900 | $4,900 |
| Josh Oliver | $2,900 | $4,800 |
| Johnny Mundt | $2,800 | $4,700 |
| Mo Alie-Cox | $2,800 | $4,700 |
| Theo Johnson | $2,800 | $4,900 |
Tight end
Weekly strategy – Spend up for one of the top four options. Dalton Schultz and David Njoku are the top pivots. You also can take a chance on Kyle Pitts. Ja’Tavion Sanders and Theo Johnson are bottom-of-the-barrel punts.
Fantasy four-pack
George Kittle, 49ers vs. KC ($6,000 DK, $7,500 FD) Despite playing only five games, no team has allowed more receptions to the position. KC also has given up the second-most total yards to the position. Meanwhile, despite missing a game, Kittle ranks top-four in TE receptions, receiving yards, and targets. Plus, he leads the league in TE touchdowns.
Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ SF ($6,300 DK, $7,100 FD) This is a great opportunity to go double-TE in the same game. Over his last two starts, Kelce has hauled in 16 of his 19 targets for 159 yards.
Brock Bowers, Raiders @ LAR ($5,800 DK, $7,000 FD) Bowers leads all TEs in every category except TDs. Now, he faces a team that has allowed the second-most TE scores. Something has to give here. As the only reliable target for Aidan O’Connell, the targets will continue to be astronomical.
Sam LaPorta, Lions @ MIN ($5,300 DK, $6,500 FD) In three of their last four contests, Minnesota has allowed double-digit PPR points to the position. While his usage has been sporadic, LaPorta has topped 50 receiving yards in back-to-back games.
Sleepers
Dalton Schultz, Texans @ GB ($4,200 DK, $5,200 FD) In the first game without Nico Collins (IR – hamstring), Schultz finished second on the team with eight targets. Now, he gets to face a Green Bay defense that has allowed an average of 16.6 PPR points to the position over their last four games.
David Njoku, Browns vs. CIN ($4,100 DK, $5,300 FD) Someone has to catch the ball for Cleveland. Finally healthy, Njoku saw seven targets last week. That number could double here, especially after the trade of Amari Cooper this week.
