With no byes this week, the player pool is jumbo-sized. I would rather see a smaller player pool, but we’ll have to widen our net instead. This means setting more lineup combinations than normal. All of the QB injuries will thin out some targets at WR and TE. That is unless you want to relive the glory days of the 2015 draft and roll out lineups led by Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. In their honor, I may need to roll out a lineup with their draftmates: Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Nelson Agholor, and Tyler Lockett.
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 Jordan Love ($7.1k), RB Kenneth Walker III ($7.8k), RB Javonte Williams ($6.0k), WR Keenan Allen ($5.8k), WR Romeo Doubs ($5.7k), WR Cedric Tillman ($3.3k), TE Evan Engram ($5.0k), FLEX Brock Bowers ($6.1k), DST Green Bay Packers ($3.2k)
FD Lineup: QB Caleb Williams ($7.4k), RB Kenneth Walker III ($7.8k), RB Josh Jacobs ($7.5k), WR Drake London ($7.9k), WR Keenan Allen ($6.4k), WR Cedric Tillman ($5.1k), TE Brock Bowers ($7.4K), FLEX Javonte Williams ($6.0k), DST Detroit Lions ($4.0k)
FB Lineup: QB Jordan Love ($6.7k), RB Kenneth Walker III ($7.3k) RB Kareem Hunt ($5.7k), WR Drake London ($6.8k), WR Keenan Allen ($5.4k), WR/TE Romeo Doubs ($5.3k), TE Brock Bowers ($6.0k), FLEX Javonte Williams ($5.4k), SUPERFLEX Kirk Cousins ($6.0k)
*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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | $8,000 | $8,800 |
| Josh Allen | $7,800 | $9,400 |
| Jalen Hurts | $7,500 | $8,600 |
| Jayden Daniels | $7,300 | $9,000 |
| Jordan Love | $7,100 | $8,900 |
| Joe Burrow | $7,000 | $7,700 |
| C.J. Stroud | $6,900 | $8,500 |
| Patrick Mahomes | $6,800 | $8,000 |
| Baker Mayfield | $6,700 | $8,000 |
| Jared Goff | $6,600 | $7,900 |
| Kyler Murray | $6,400 | $7,800 |
| Brock Purdy | N/A | $7,700 |
| Dak Prescott | N/A | $7,600 |
| Kirk Cousins | $6,200 | $7,100 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | $6,100 | $7,000 |
| Caleb Williams | $6,000 | $7,400 |
| Geno Smith | $5,900 | $7,500 |
| Anthony Richardson | $5,800 | $7,300 |
| Aaron Rodgers | $5,700 | $7,200 |
| Bo Nix | $5,600 | $6,900 |
| Trevor Lawrence | $5,600 | $7,200 |
| Drake Maye | $5,500 | $7,100 |
| Justin Herbert | $5,400 | $7,300 |
| Marcus Mariota | $5,300 | $6,800 |
| Jameis Winston | $5,200 | $6,500 |
| Bryce Young | $4,900 | $6,000 |
| Gardner Minshew II | $4,800 | $6,600 |
| Spencer Rattler | $4,600 | $7,000 |
| Mason Rudolph | $4,400 | $6,000 |
| Will Levis | $4,400 | $6,700 |
Quarterback
Weekly strategy – Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts are the top two options. Lamar Jackson also has a decent matchup, but the other options have better matchups at cheaper prices. The best thing is there are many value play choices here. Kirk Cousins and Caleb Williams provide 20-plus-point potential at significant cap savings from the higher-priced options. Justin Herbert is a great punt play.
Fantasy four-pack
Jordan Love, Packers @ JAX ($7,600 DK, $8,900 FD): Jacksonville ranks in the bottom five in completion percentage against and passing yards per game allowed. They also have allowed the most total passing TDs. Meanwhile, Love has thrown for 13 TDs over the last four games. Stack him with Romeo Doubs or Jayden Reed.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ CIN ($7,500 DK, $8,600 FD) No team has allowed more QB rushing yards than Cincy. Hurts will score on the ground and through the air this week. A.J. Brown will be the popular stack, but consider using DeVonta Smith or Grant Calcaterra instead for variance.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ CLE ($8,000 DK, $8,800 FD) Cleveland has faced four “rushing” QBs. Those four have combined for 180 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Jackson hasn’t posted less than 40 rushing yards in any game this season. Jackson also has 12 passing TDs and 13 total scores over his last four starts. 250-2 and 40-1 seem in play.
Kirk Cousins, Falcons @ TB ($6,200 DK, $7,100 FD) Only two teams have allowed more total QB TDs than Tampa. This included allowing 509-4 to Cousins three weeks ago. He won’t repeat that line, but 300-3 seems reasonable as the opposition passes on the fourth-most 62.2% of all plays against Tampa.
Sleepers
Caleb Williams, Bears @ WAS ($6,000 DK, $7,400 FD) On paper, it appears that Washington’s secondary is playing better of late. It helps one’s numbers when they face Deshaun Watson and Andy Dalton. The schedule-makers aren’t going to be happy that we are not getting the rookie-rookie battle, but this game should still feature healthy scoring. Stack Williams with two of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet.
Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. NO ($5,400 DK, $7,300 FD) It’s taken a while for Herbert to get to know his new-look pass-catching corps. Fortunately, they are starting to develop a rapport with the veteran signal caller. New Orleans is allowing the fifth-most passing yards per game, but they have stalled out the opposition through 10 interceptions. Herbert seldom throws an INT. He has only thrown 43 career interceptions in 2,586 passing attempts for a 1.6%. This ranks third all-time.
| Running back | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | $8,300 | $9,100 |
| Derrick Henry | $8,100 | $9,200 |
| Jordan Mason | N/A | $8,900 |
| Kenneth Walker III | $7,800 | $7,800 |
| Joe Mixon | $7,700 | $9,000 |
| Alvin Kamara | $7,600 | $8,200 |
| Jonathan Taylor | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | $7,400 | $8,400 |
| Breece Hall | $7,300 | $7,900 |
| Bijan Robinson | $7,200 | $8,600 |
| James Cook | $7,000 | $7,700 |
| J.K. Dobbins | $6,900 | $7,400 |
| Chuba Hubbard | $6,700 | $7,300 |
| Josh Jacobs | $6,600 | $7,500 |
| James Conner | $6,500 | $8,300 |
| Tony Pollard | $6,500 | $7,000 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | $6,400 | $7,600 |
| David Montgomery | $6,400 | $8,000 |
| Kareem Hunt | $6,300 | $8,100 |
| Tank Bigsby | $6,300 | $7,100 |
| D’Andre Swift | $6,200 | $6,500 |
| De’Von Achane | $6,200 | $6,800 |
| Nick Chubb | $6,100 | $6,900 |
| Javonte Williams | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | $6,000 | $6,700 |
| Rico Dowdle | N/A | $6,000 |
| Raheem Mostert | $5,900 | $5,900 |
| Travis Etienne Jr. | $5,900 | $7,100 |
| Bucky Irving | $5,800 | $6,200 |
| Chase Brown | $5,800 | $6,600 |
| Rachaad White | $5,700 | $6,400 |
| Zack Moss | $5,700 | $6,300 |
| Alexander Mattison | $5,600 | $6,100 |
| Austin Ekeler | $5,600 | $5,900 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | N/A | $5,800 |
| Antonio Gibson | $5,400 | $5,400 |
| Justice Hill | $5,400 | $6,000 |
| Zach Charbonnet | $5,400 | $5,200 |
| Kyle Juszczyk | N/A | $4,300 |
| Kimani Vidal | $5,300 | $4,000 |
| Braelon Allen | $5,200 | $6,100 |
| Ray Davis | $5,200 | $5,900 |
| Sean Tucker | $5,200 | $5,500 |
| Tyler Allgeier | $5,100 | $5,700 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| Jonathan Brooks | $5,000 | $5,500 |
| Roschon Johnson | $5,000 | $5,700 |
| Dameon Pierce | $4,900 | $5,000 |
| Tyjae Spears | $4,900 | $6,200 |
| D’Ernest Johnson | $4,800 | $5,600 |
| D’Onta Foreman | $4,800 | $5,100 |
| Kendre Miller | $4,700 | $5,200 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | $4,700 | $5,000 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | $4,600 | $4,900 |
| Zamir White | $4,600 | $5,400 |
| JaMycal Hasty | $4,500 | $4,900 |
| Pierre Strong Jr. | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| Emanuel Wilson | $4,400 | $5,600 |
| Miles Sanders | $4,400 | $5,100 |
| Jamaal Williams | $4,200 | $5,800 |
Running back
Weekly strategy – Both Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry have safe floors. Still, Kenneth Walker III has a better matchup and a cheaper price. Considering the lack of punt plays this week, you will likely be spending up for two stars. So, save where you can. For pivots, consider Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, and James Cook. Josh Jacobs is my favorite RB2 option. Kareem Hunt (hip), Chuba Hubbard, and D’Andre Swift are my RB2 pivots. Use either Javonte Williams or Rachaad White at FLEX.
Fantasy four-pack
Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. BUF ($7,800 DK, $7,800 FD) Despite playing only five games, Walker ranks third among RBs in total TDs. Meanwhile, Buffalo is allowing 160 combo yards per game to opposing RBs and the second-most receptions and receiving yards to the position.
Derrick Henry, Ravens @ CLE ($8,100 DK, $9,200 FD) Over his last five games, Henry is averaging 159 scrimmage yards and 1.6 total TDs per game. Cleveland is above average against the run, but Henry is so good that it just doesn’t matter.
Saquon Barkley, Eagles @ CIN ($8,300 DK, $9,100 FD) Barkley‘s non-usage in the passing game is befuddling, but he still has reached triple-digit total yards in every game but one. Only four teams have given up more RB rushing TDs than Cincy. The price is slightly inflated, but in a presumed shootout, you could do way worse.
Josh Jacobs, Packers @ JAX ($6,600 DK, $7,500 FD) Jacobs finally scored his first career receiving TD last week. That’s crazy seeing as how he has seen 45 or more targets each of the last four seasons. Jacksonville has allowed the most RB receptions and receiving yards. Plus, they have allowed the second-most RB receiving scores. Can Jacobs make it two games in a row with a TD reception?
Sleepers
Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. CAR ($6,000 DK, $6,000 FD) Carolina is giving up nearly 32 PPR points per game to opposing RBs. This includes an average of two RB touchdowns per game. Williams finally secured the lion’s share of the touches last week and scored twice. A repeat seems likely.
Kareem Hunt, Chiefs @ LV ($6,300 DK, $8,100 FD) Vegas has allowed three RB rushing scores over the last two weeks. Meanwhile, Hunt (hip) has seen 52 touches and three TDs over his last two games. With a weakened WR corps, expect KC to lean on Hunt once again.
| Wide Receiver | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Ja’Marr Chase | $8,500 | $9,200 |
| CeeDee Lamb | N/A | $9,100 |
| Amon-Ra Brown | $8,400 | $8,900 |
| A.J. Brown | $8,200 | $9,000 |
| Deebo Samuel Sr. | N/A | $8,000 |
| Stefon Diggs | $7,500 | $8,500 |
| Drake London | $7,200 | $7,900 |
| Davante Adams | $7,100 | $7,800 |
| Tyreek Hill | $7,000 | $7,600 |
| Terry McLaurin | $6,900 | $7,000 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | $6,800 | $7,200 |
| Zay Flowers | $6,800 | $7,100 |
| Garrett Wilson | $6,700 | $7,400 |
| Jayden Reed | $6,700 | $8,100 |
| DeVonta Smith | $6,600 | $7,300 |
| DJ Moore | $6,600 | $6,600 |
| DK Metcalf | $6,500 | $8,300 |
| Tee Higgins | $6,500 | $7,500 |
| Brian Thomas Jr. | $6,400 | $6,500 |
| Chris Olave | $6,400 | $6,700 |
| Diontae Johnson | $6,300 | $6,800 |
| Tank Dell | $6,300 | $6,900 |
| Xavier Worthy | $6,200 | $7,200 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | $6,100 | $6,400 |
| Amari Cooper | $6,000 | $7,100 |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | $6,000 | $6,100 |
| Jauan Jennings | N/A | $6,100 |
| Jalen Tolbert | N/A | $6,000 |
| Khalil Shakir | $5,900 | $5,800 |
| Darnell Mooney | $5,800 | $6,300 |
| Keenan Allen | $5,800 | $6,400 |
| Romeo Doubs | $5,700 | $6,100 |
| Keon Coleman | $5,600 | $5,600 |
| Tyler Lockett | $5,600 | $6,100 |
| Christian Kirk | $5,500 | $5,900 |
| Josh Downs | $5,500 | $6,200 |
| Jakobi Meyers | $5,400 | $5,800 |
| Jaylen Waddle | $5,400 | $5,900 |
| Courtland Sutton | $5,300 | $5,600 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | $5,300 | $5,900 |
| Calvin Ridley | $5,200 | $5,600 |
| Christian Watson | $5,200 | $5,800 |
| Ladd McConkey | $5,100 | $6,000 |
| Rome Odunze | $5,100 | $5,500 |
| Alec Pierce | $5,000 | $5,800 |
| Xavier Legette | $5,000 | $5,800 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | $4,900 | $5,400 |
| Michael Wilson | $4,900 | $5,600 |
| KaVontae Turpin | N/A | $5,200 |
| Ricky Pearsall | N/A | $5,200 |
| Allen Lazard | $4,800 | $5,100 |
| Jerry Jeudy | $4,800 | $6,000 |
| DeMario Douglas | $4,700 | $5,100 |
| Cedrick Wilson Jr. | $4,600 | $4,900 |
| Ronnie Bell | N/A | $4,000 |
| Zay Jones | $4,600 | $4,000 |
| Gabe Davis | $4,500 | $5,800 |
| Quentin Johnston | $4,500 | $5,700 |
| Joshua Palmer | $4,400 | $5,800 |
| Tre Tucker | $4,400 | $5,600 |
| Greg Dortch | $4,300 | $5,300 |
| Rashod Bateman | $4,300 | $5,700 |
| Ray-Ray McCloud III | $4,300 | $5,400 |
| Jahan Dotson | $4,200 | $4,700 |
| Mike Williams | $4,200 | $4,800 |
| Mason Tipton | $4,100 | $5,600 |
| Troy Franklin | $4,100 | $5,300 |
| Bub Means | $4,000 | $5,800 |
| Curtis Samuel | $4,000 | $4,800 |
| DJ Chark | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Mecole Hardman | $4,000 | $5,200 |
| Nelson Agholor | $3,900 | $5,300 |
| Noah Brown | $3,900 | $4,800 |
| Tyler Boyd | $3,900 | $4,900 |
| Dyami Brown | $3,800 | $4,700 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | $3,800 | $4,600 |
| Sterling Shepard | $3,800 | $5,100 |
| Adonai Mitchell | $3,700 | $5,000 |
| Elijah Moore | $3,700 | $5,100 |
| Jalen McMillan | $3,700 | $4,900 |
| Justin Watson | $3,700 | $5,500 |
| Andrei Iosivas | $3,600 | $5,200 |
| Kayshon Boutte | $3,600 | $4,700 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | $3,600 | $4,800 |
| Kendrick Bourne | $3,500 | $4,800 |
| Simi Fehoko | $3,500 | $4,800 |
| Tim Patrick | $3,500 | $4,700 |
| Devaughn Vele | $3,400 | $4,000 |
| DJ Turner | $3,400 | $5,100 |
| Ja’Lynn Polk | $3,400 | $4,600 |
| Jonathan Mingo | $3,400 | $5,000 |
| Kalif Raymond | $3,400 | $4,700 |
| Luke McCaffrey | $3,400 | $4,200 |
| Cedric Tillman | $3,300 | $5,100 |
| Lil’Jordan Humphrey | $3,300 | $4,900 |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | $3,200 | $4,300 |
| Jalen Coker | $3,100 | $4,700 |
| Skyy Moore | $3,100 | $4,200 |
Wide receiver
Weekly strategy – I expect to save money at this position this week. If I do spend up, it will be for Ja’Marr Chase or A.J. Brown. That said, Drake London, Jayden Reed, DJ Moore, Tank Dell, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be more in my WR1 target range. Keenan Allen and Romeo Doubs also are in a juicy position at WR2. Ladd McConkey (hip) will round out my WR2 wishlist. For WR3, use one of the Niners, Buccaneers, Rashod Bateman, or Cedric Tillman.
Fantasy four-pack
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. PHI ($8,500 DK, $9,200 FD) Chase’s reception count is down this season, but he still ranks first in WR receiving yards and TDs. Before holding the offenses led by Daniel Jones and Deshaun Watson in check, opposing WR1s had averaged 6-92 against this defense, and each of them had scored at least once.
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ SF (N/A, $9,100 FD) Lamb is only available on FD, and his price is borderline astronomical, but he is averaging 10.5 touches and 84 yards per game. If you do a late-game FD stack, use Dak Prescott, Lamb, Jordan Mason, and one of the 49ers fill-in WRs.
A.J. Brown, Eagles @ CIN ($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD) Three games played, each with a TD and two 100-yard performances have Brown averaging 22 PPR points per game played. Cincy has faced only four legit WR1s, three of them have scored, and the other posted 7-111.
Drake London, Falcons @ TB ($7,200 DK, $7,900 FD) In five career games against the Bucs, London has averaged 7.6-107. This includes an impressive 22-326-1 over their last two meetings.
Sleepers
Keenan Allen, Bears @ WAS ($5,800 DK, $6,400 FD) Allen has underperformed this season, but he remains one of Caleb Williams‘ favorite targets, especially in the red zone. Multiple similar possession receivers have had success against this defense. Allen is the best stack with Williams here.
Romeo Doubs, Packers @ JAX ($5,700 DK, $6,100 FD) Doubs did the squeaky-wheel thing and immediately was fed. Over the last two games, he has hauled in 11-143-2. Consider stacking both Doubs and Jayden Reed with Jordan Love here.
| Tight End | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| George Kittle | N/A | $7,800 |
| Brock Bowers | $6,100 | $7,400 |
| Travis Kelce | $6,000 | $6,900 |
| Trey McBride | $5,500 | $6,700 |
| Jake Ferguson | N/A | $6,100 |
| David Njoku | $5,100 | $5,500 |
| Evan Engram | $5,000 | $6,200 |
| Dalton Kincaid | $4,900 | $4,000 |
| Sam LaPorta | $4,800 | $6,000 |
| Cole Kmet | $4,700 | $5,400 |
| Tucker Kraft | $4,600 | $5,900 |
| Dallas Goedert | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| Kyle Pitts | $4,400 | $5,700 |
| Isaiah Likely | $4,300 | $5,800 |
| Zach Ertz | $4,200 | $5,200 |
| Dalton Schultz | $4,100 | $5,100 |
| Mark Andrews | $4,000 | $5,600 |
| Taysom Hill | $3,900 | $6,300 |
| Hunter Henry | $3,800 | $5,300 |
| Noah Fant | $3,700 | $5,000 |
| Jonnu Smith | $3,600 | $5,200 |
| Cade Otton | $3,500 | $5,200 |
| Tyler Conklin | $3,400 | $5,100 |
| Juwan Johnson | $3,300 | $5,300 |
| Grant Calcaterra | $3,200 | $4,900 |
| Chig Okonkwo | $3,100 | $4,900 |
| Ja’Tayvion Sanders | $3,100 | $5,000 |
| Elijah Higgins | $3,000 | $5,100 |
| Noah Gray | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Will Dissly | $3,000 | $4,900 |
| Dawson Knox | $2,900 | $4,000 |
| Foster Moreau | $2,900 | $4,600 |
| Hayden Hurst | $2,900 | $4,700 |
| Mike Gesicki | $2,900 | $5,000 |
| Austin Hooper | $2,800 | $4,700 |
| Lucas Krull | $2,700 | $4,600 |
| Mo Alie-Cox | $2,700 | $4,700 |
Tight end
Weekly strategy – Brock Bowers and Travis Kelce face off in a great TE battle. If you don’t use one of them, use Evan Engram, David Njoku, Hunter Henry, or Kyle Pitts. Cade Otton is a great value play. Will Dissly and Ja’Tavion Sanders (groin/wrist) are the punt choices.
Fantasy four-pack
Brock Bowers, Raiders @ KC ($6,100 DK, $7,400 FD) Bowers leads all TEs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. That will happen when there are no other pass-catching threats on your offense. This is the perfect matchup for him since KC ranks in the bottom three in each of those categories.
Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. LVR SF ($6,000 DK, $6,900 FD) The addition of DeAndre Hopkins will help some, but with a shortened list of pass-catchers, Kelce will continue to be peppered in targets.
David Njoku, Browns vs. BAL ($5,100 DK, $5,500 FD) Speaking of a shortened list of pass-catchers, Njoku should also continue to feast. Over the last two games, Njoku has led Cleveland in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Plus, he finally has a competent QB.
George Kittle, 49ers vs. DAL (N/A, $7,800 FD) Kittle (foot) finds himself in a spot where this offense may be without Deebo Samuel Sr. (pneumonia) and Jauan Jennings (hip), not to mention Brandon Aiyuk (IR – knee). Dallas has allowed the fifth-most TE scores this season.
Sleepers
Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. ATL ($3,500 DK, $5,200 FD) You may be noticing a trend at the TE position this week. The Bucs lost their top two WRs for the foreseeable future. Otton immediately stepped up hauling in eight of 10 passes for 100 yards.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Panthers @ DEN ($3,100 DK, $5,000 FD) The change back to Bryce Young limits Sanders’ (groin/wrist) upside, but he is top 10 among TEs in targets and receptions over the last three weeks.
