In this weekly article, we’ll look at the cheaper options that should return good value to your NFL DFS lineups. The bargain threshold varies by site, and position, but generally we’ll aim for our bargain plays to take up about 8-10 percent of your salary cap, except for quarterbacks, which we’ll allow 11-12 percent. A great tool to find bargains is our DFS projection system, which gives a dollar per fantasy point projection for each player. I refer to it often!
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Quarterback
Daniel Jones, NY Giants at Dallas
Jones is currently fantasy’s QB6 but certainly isn’t priced like it. He has racked up the third-most rushing yards among QBs (and don’t forget he’s had at least one huge rushing play called back on penalty) with two rushing touchdowns. The wide receiving group for the Giants has been hampered by injuries, but the return of John Ross made an immediate impact in Week 4. Evan Engram has also been underperforming but saw six targets in Weeks 3 and 4. Saquon Barkley has picked up the receiving slack as well, all of which is to say that Jones is a viable option if you choose to save at the position this week. The best part may be the matchup and game environment. I do like the Cowboys’ defense at home, but there’s no denying they have let opponents pass on them this season (they give up the fourth-most fantasy points to QBs and third-most to WRs and TEs). With a high over/under (52 points), Vegas expects something of a shootout in Dallas this weekend.
Also consider: Mac Jones, Joe Burrow (FanDuel), Trevor Lawrence
Running Back
Damien Williams, Chicago Bears at Las Vegas
An obvious name, with David Montgomery out, but still cheap enough to call attention to. I’m not worried about the thigh bruise that is creating a questionable tag on Williams to start the week. He was very strong after Montgomery was hurt in Week 4, and although that was against the Lions, Las Vegas is also a very good matchup for running backs. With the passing game still a big question mark in Chicago, Williams has been a decent receiver every week (except the zero-offense game) with eight catches on 10 targets. I expect him to get a very healthy workload for the price this week.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina
The Panthers have been one of the stingiest run defenses of the young season but don’t write off Gainwell on that basis just yet. Miles Sanders has stunk since Week 1, to be blunt, not scoring and has seen his usage drop in the last two weeks. Gainwell, on the other hand, demonstrated his receiving chops in Week 4, catching six of eight targets for 58 yards and averaging over 10 YPC on three rushing attempts. The Eagles are not a run-first team, and whether Gainwell (or Sanders) can reach value will depend a lot on game script. There’s not a ton of secure RB value this week, but I do like Gainwell’s chances to exceed value in GPP lineups.
Also consider: Jeremy McNichols, J.D. McKissic
Wide Receiver
Laviska Shenault, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee
With D.J. Chark out with a broken ankle, the Jaguars will rely on Shenault and Marvin Jones Jr. as the primary receivers for Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence looked a lot better in Week 4’s TNF game vs. Cincinnati, and Shenault could be one reason why. Sure handed and shifty, he’s a versatile receiver with good size and speed. The matchup with Tennessee has been a good one for opposing wide receivers, and Vegas has this as relatively close and high scoring.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots at Houston
Mac Jones seems to really, really like Meyers so far. Way more than DFS sites do, given how they prioritize touchdowns when setting salaries. Meyers is one of only eight WRs averaging over 10 targets per game this year and he’s right up there with Cooper Kupp at a 65 percent catch rate. Two things holding him back from fantasy greatness are his average depth of target (only six yards) and his big goose egg in the TD column. The Patriots are big favorites in Houston this weekend and we should expect another high volume, PPR-valuable effort from Meyers at a reasonable cost.
Also consider: John Ross, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Boyd (Yahoo)
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Tight End
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay
I normally wouldn’t go with an obvious points-chasing TE, but with Joe Mixon doubtful for the upcoming game vs. the Packers, I think Uzomah could be useful once more to Joe Burrow. No cheap TE comes risk-free (heck, even Travis Kelce disappoints). In Uzomah’s favor, he is coming off a confidence and rapport-building game and the bout with Green Bay is expected to be high scoring and competitive. I love Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, Aaron Jones, Davante Adams, etc. from this game but they are (mostly) not in the bargain category. Uzomah gives upside for very little salary cap.
Also consider: Zach Ertz, Evan Engram
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Defense
Yahoo: New England Patriots at Houston
Houston is a mess, need I say more? I mean, the Patriots’ defense is actually good, too, allowing the sixth-fewest points to opponents this season. They should get at least a couple turnovers out of David Mills, who has thrown five interceptions and fumbled twice in his 2.5 games. Unfortunately for DraftKings and FanDuel users, the Patriots are the most expensive unit on those sites.
DraftKings: New Orleans Saints at Washington
The Saints are also a good real football defense, allowing the fifth-fewest points to opponents while coming away with an average of two takeaways per game. The Saints are road favorites in a game I expect them to dominate on both sides (given Washington has been one of the best fantasy matchups, Jameis Winston and Alvin Kamara should hold time of possession). FanDuel and Yahoo both have the Saints in their Top 4 most expensive units.
FanDuel: Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh
With apologies to Big Ben Roethlisberger, I think his struggles are going to compound against this talented defense. Denver allows the second-fewest points per game and this game carries the lowest total of the week (40.5 points). The Steelers are the fifth-lowest scoring team in the league. If Drew Lock were to start the game for Teddy Bridgewater (who is not practicing Wednesday), the Steelers D/ST is also a reasonable play for the money.
