This is a simple, straightforward piece. At the end of the week, I’ll use our DFS Tools and Composite Staff Rankings from our Season Pass section to find the best values at each position. We’ll look a player from each position on FanDuel, DraftKings, and Yahoo.
Jalen Hurts vs. Falcons — DraftKings, $6,400
Our projections have Hurts as the QB6 on the week and it’s not hard to see why. The Falcons allowed the ninth-most rushing yards to opposing passers last year but are favored in this game, meaning the Eagles will still be forced to let Hurts drop back at a high frequency. Because of his rushing ability, Hurts was top-10 in fantasy points per dropback last year. He averaged 79.3 rushing yards per game on 12.7 weekly attempts in thre complete games as a rookie. He’ll be a threat to put up similar numbers in this matchup.
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Russell Wilson vs. Colts — Fanduel, $7,800
Hurts is a bit closer in price to other high-end options on Fanduel so deviating from him makes more sense there. Wilson and the Seahawks have the seventh-highest implied team total of the slate but with Carson Wentz suiting up, the game only features a three-point spread. Close games are when we want to be targeting Wilson. He averaged 63 more passing yards and threw .2 more touchdowns in games lined within four points last year.
Kyler Murray vs. Titans — Yahoo, $34
Murray is projected as our top quarterback on Yahoo yet he’s priced below Aaron Rodgers and two other passers. Pegging him as the best quarterback in fantasy might seem gaudy but Murray started the 2020 season on fire. He wasn’t just on pace to be the QB1 before injuring his shoulder. Murray was on pace to set the record for fantasy points by a quarterback heading into Week 11. Fully healthy, he should have no problem picking up where he left off in the middle of his 2020 campaign.
Joe Mixon vs. Vikings — DraftKings, $6,200
Mixon only appeared in six games last year but in that stretch, he was one of the most used running backs in the league. He averaged 19.8 carries and 4.5 targets per week while fending off Giovani Bernard for looks. That would have been good for the fourth-most touches on the year had he kept that pace up. Our Staff Rankings have him as the eighth-best fantasy runner on the entire week.
Najee Harris vs. Bills — Fanduel, $6,500
Even with our projections giving Benny Snell a healthy share of the Pittsburgh backfield, they still find Harris and his three-down skill-set irresistible. Harris dominated snaps with the starters in the preseason and his primary backup was Anthony McFarland, who is now on injured reserve. With 80 career recpetions and first-round pedigree to his name, there’s no doubt that Harris will have one of the highest touch-floors of all running backs this year.
Mike Davis vs. Falcons — Yahoo, $17
Davis is a value that may be best saved for tournaments but he does project well for his minimal price. The Falcons spent all offseason signaling that Davis would be a bell-cow for them. They spent no draft capital on a backup and then cut both of his projected understudies, Qadree Ollison and Javian Hawkins, before the start of the season. As a home favorite runner who dodged every offseason hurdle for a veteran back, Davis stands out as a tournament pivot from the chalky Atlanta offense.
Marvin Jones vs. Texans — DraftKings, $3,600
The optimal cash game construction on DraftKings is to pay down at receiver in multiple spots and jam in Chrisitan McCaffrey plus Alvin Kamara or Dalvin Cook. Jones is the first of those punt wideouts. Houston was 23rd in passing yards allowed last year and just traded away starting corner Bradley Roby after failing to address their defense all offseason. Jones is expected to start in two-receiver sets and will be catching passes from the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck.
Stefon Diggs vs. Steelers — Fanduel, $7,900
Fanduel’s pricing structure makes paying down for receivers slightly less useful. Cash lineups will still feature at least one punt option but don’t let that distract you from the discount they gave Diggs. After leading the league in targets, receptions, and receiving yards last year, Fanduel priced Diggs as the WR6. Buffalo has the third-highest team total of the slate (26.5) and Diggs will be the biggest recipient of the fantasy explosion if they hit that total.
Marquez Callaway vs. Green Bay — Yahoo, $12
Callaway is the best value at receiver across all sites. With Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan sidlined, he’ll be the top receiver for Jameis Winston without question. Winston consistently led the league in air yards per attempt while with the Bucs and his gunslinging style should mesh perfectly with Callaway’s deep speed. Our Staff Rankings have him as the WR41.
Kyle Pitts vs. Eagles — DraftKings, $4,400
No one knows what Pitts is going to be as a rookie but his middling price on DraftKings is accounting for that many times over. Pitts is considered by many as the greatest tight end prospect in the modern era of football and joins a team that led the league in pass attempts per game last year. They also jettisoned Julio Jones in the offseason. Play Pitts and figure out the rest of your lineup later.
George Kittle vs. Lions — Fanduel, $7,000
A year ago, everyone and their mother would be clambering to play Kittle versus the horrid Lions defense, backed by a 26.5-point implied team total. Kittle’s greatness was obscured by injuries last year but on a per-game basis, he was still a premier fantasy tight end. He finished second in receiving yards per game (79.3) and third in receptions per game (six).
Anthony Firkser vs. Cardinals — Yahoo, $11
At a near-minimum price on Yahoo, there are far worse options than Firkser. The Titans have a 28.5-point implied team total which trails only Kansas City and Firkser is expected to operate as their primary pass-catching tight end. That role netted Jonnu Smith 18 red zone targets and nine receiving touchdowns last year, both of which were top-five among tight ends. He comes in as a top-20 play per our Staff Rankings.
