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Welcome to the NFL GPP Pivots article, where we’ll be looking to uncover some sneaky-good DFS plays away from the popular lifts. These recommendations are usually risk/reward commodities meant to be used in large-field tournaments. Typically, blending these low-owned hidden gems with well-aligned staples contributes to a viable GPP strategy.
Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the week, and sometimes injury situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NFL News & Headlines Feed up until game time will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We will be looking at Sunday’s main slate, so Sunday and Monday Night Football are not included in the following analysis.
QUARTERBACK
Joe Burrow - Cincinnati (at Las Vegas) - DK: $6,000 FD: $7,300 Yahoo: $25
Burrow was on fire with five straight games of 20+ fantasy points. Then he was held out of the end-zone against Cleveland, finishing with only nine fantasy points. The Bengals were on a bye last week, so that combination has Burrow out of the DFS limelight. This is an excellent bounce-back opportunity in a potentially high-scoring game against the Raiders. Las Vegas got absolutely torched by Patrick Mahomes last week, and Burrow is capable of burning them as well.
Also Consider: Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill
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RUNNING BACK
Antonio Gibson - Washington (at Carolina) - DK: $5,200 FD: $5,400 Yahoo: $15
Gibson had a surprising 21 fantasy point effort despite a tough matchup with Tampa Bay last week. There’s a decent chance he’ll keep that momentum at Carolina on Sunday. Of course, it’s imperative that Washington builds a lead, which would help Gibson see 20+ carries due to game flow. The WFT running back still has solid upside in his back pocket, and his salary has fallen due to inconsistencies this season.
Michael Carter - NY Jets (vs. Miami) - DK: $4,500 FD: $5,300 Yahoo: $10
Carter is the opposite of Gibson, wherein he doesn’t rely on game flow to score fantasy points. The rookie running back has made a living in the receiving department with 22 catches on 31 targets over the last four games. Carter has a cool 15.8 FPPG average over his last four (half PPR) because of that. He cleared 82 yards and a touchdown on 20 touches despite an impossible matchup with the Bills last week. There’s a good chance Carter will clear the 20 FP threshold in a better matchup vs. Miami this time around.
Also Consider: Javonte Williams, Dalvin Cook
WIDE RECEIVER
Ja’Marr Chase - Cincinnati (at Las Vegas) - DK: $6,100 FD: $6,800 Yahoo: $18
You can look towards Chase, Tee Higgins, and/or C.J. Uzomah when looking for stacking extensions of Burrow. As mentioned earlier, the Bengals’ passing attack should get back on track in a high-scoring battle at Las Vegas. Chase has been Burrow’s favorite target this season, coming up with three 20+ FP outings in his last six games. While Chase isn’t necessarily the sneakiest Cincinnati wide receiver, his upside is so much better than his teammates.
Adam Thielen - Minnesota (vs. Green Bay) - DK: $6,000 FD: $7,700 Yahoo: $23
The Vikings are working on force-feeding Justin Jefferson, and it’s only a matter of time until opposing defenses fully adjust. It could come as soon as this weekend in a rivalry game with the Packers. Game flow could have Minnesota throwing the ball heavily in US Bank Stadium, and Thielen is a sneaky-good player to take advantage. We all know he has a nose for the end-zone, and I like this leverage spot away from the popularity of Jefferson. The Cousins-Thielen combination is one that I will subscribe to in my tournament lineups.
Also Consider: Marquise Brown, Tee Higgins, Tyler Lockett
TIGHT END
Cole Kmet - Chicago (vs. Baltimore) - DK: $4,300 FD: $5,700 Yahoo: $16
Kmet hasn’t scored a touchdown all season, but it’s nice to see that his targets might be trending up. The Chicago tight end saw eight looks last week at Pittsburgh, hauling in six of them for 87 yards. That’s a promising uptrend, and Kmet’s fantasy viability should ascend as QB Justin Fields becomes more comfortable running an NFL offense. This week presents a nice matchup against Baltimore, who has allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this year.
Also Consider: C.J. Uzomah, Zach Ertz
