FanDuel NFL Lineups: Week 6
By Matt Rogers
Welcome back to FanDuel NFL Lineups for the sixth week of the NFL Season. We’re a Daily Fantasy Football column focused on top picks and best value for your weekly FanDuel NFL lineups. We arm you with information for a big FanDuel NFL payday each week.
In a deja vu moment, Deshaun Watson ($7,500) was not only the top FanDuel NFL point leader last week, but also easily the best value to own. Watson piled up 35.54 FanDuel NFL points leaning on over 260 passing yards and five touchdowns. The Texans playing from behind, at home, against the Chiefs helped drive the result. While I’m skeptical about consistently using rookie quarterbacks each week (see last season), it’s worth taking another shot with Watson this week.
On the ground, we were high on Melvin Gordon ($7,100) last week, expecting Gordon to bounce back against a struggling Giants run defense, and Gordon rewarded our play with over 31 FanDuel NFL points. This was also a great value play compared to other top running back options.
Also related to our running back advice, we made the bold recommendation to fade Kareem Hunt ($9,300) last week, and man did that pay off. Hunt only had 13.1 FanDuel NFL points last week, making him only the 63rd best pick, and an incredible waste of a very pricey salary. In terms of points per $1,000 salary, Kareem was 110th in the NFL. However, our Cam Newton ($7,800) fade sure did backfire!
Among receiving options, Dez Bryant ($7,800) had over 13 FanDuel NFL points. But considering the expectations we had for Bryant, it was a disappointment. Zach Ertz, who’s salary climbed to $7K, was able to remain the consistently dominate tight end, landing over 15 FanDuel NFL points last week. At some point, Zach will get too pricey. Is it this week?
Once again, FanDuel is offering several slate options, including a Thursday through Monday slate covering all 16 games. We’re going to focus our lineup options on all 16 games, and you can pick as you like, to build your top lineups for each slate. Hopefully this helps you cover the slates you’re targeting this weekend.
Now, let’s get starting with the Quarterbacks…
FanDuel NFL Lineups: Week 6 – Quarterbacks
Top Picks
I don’t care what Tom Brady ($9,500) or Aaron Rodgers ($9,000) did last week, or how banged up them may be. Brady and Rodgers consistently average over 22 FanDuel NFL points-per-game, and if they’re on the field, they always have a very good chance of piling up over 20 points. The elite quarterbacks are the best options in cash games.
The only problem with Brady and Rodgers, is their FanDuel NFL salary. There are cheaper elite, or nearly elite, options on the board for us this weekend. The Lions passing defense has been solid this season, but they struggled to defend Newton and the Panthers last week. This week, the Lions travel to New Orleans to face Drew Brees ($8,600) and the Saints. Brees historically performs better in New Orleans, and is averaging just under 20 FanDuel NFL points-per-game. When playing at home, Brees is averaging over 20 points.
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Also on the field in New Orleans is Matthew Stafford ($8,500). The Lions signal caller had a great start to the season, hurling seven touchdown passes and only one interception in the Lions first three games. But against the Vikings and Panthers stout secondaries, Matthew cooled off a bit. Still, Stafford managed to throw two touchdowns last week, on 229 passing yards and didn’t throw a pick.
This week, the Lions have one of the easiest passing defenses they’ll see all season. It’s a great time to pick Stafford as he bounces back on a cheaper salary than any of the top three elite quarterbacks.
Other Top Options
Playing Carson Wentz ($7,600) in FanDuel NFL cash games isn’t smart. However, for GPP, this could be a big pay-off. Yes, the Panthers are defending the pass very well, a top ten passing defense. But Carolina is also defending the run really well.
The Eagles will likely be forced to air the ball out, as we saw in Kansas City and Washington. Also, Carson has over 30 passing attempts per game, is sixth in the NFL in total passing yards (1,362), and sixth in passing touchdowns (10). Wentz has also limited his mistakes this season, all leading to a 20+ FanDuel NFL points-per-game average. Everyone is fading the Eagles passing offense this week, which is exactly why you should consider Wentz for GPP.
On the same field in Charlotte, NC, Cam Newton ($8,200) will continue to roll against an Eagles defense who’s failed to stop any passing game this season. The Eagles run defense is second, only behind the Broncos, making it all the more likely Newton and the Panthers air the ball out early and often. Also, with a great run defense from the Eagles, this game may stay close, and force the Panthers to continue to throw the ball down field. It’ll be a popular pick, but a great pick for Cash games.
Fades
Carson Palmer ($7,100) – We saw a lot of struggles from the Cardinals last week, and while their run game is the biggest problem, Palmer and the Cardinals struggled to put a solid passing game together against a weak set of defensive backs. This week, they face a Buccaneer’s defense who stifled Brady last week. No thanks!
Marcus Mariota ($7,900) – It’s going to be tempting to play Mariota and the Titans offense against the Colts. And there are some Titans we’ll like in this game, but Marcus isn’t one of them. For starters, Mariota is questionable. From there, the potentially banged up starter will likely focus on the run game against the Colts this week.
Derek Carr ($7,500) – At some point the Raiders will have a healthy Carr back on the field and their entire offense will be more attractive for FanDuel NFL DFS plays. Not this week. Carr has been limited in practice and the Chargers secondary is one of the better graded in the NFL right now.
FanDuel NFL Lineups: Week 6 – Running Backs
Top Picks
After a sub-par, but still solid, game last week in Houston, Kareem Hunt ($9,300) should bounce back and continue his dominating rookie season against the Steelers this week. Pittsburgh is struggling to defend the run this year, and in Kansas City against the top running back of the season through five weeks, the Steelers likely only get worse. He’s pricey, but in cash games, Hunt is a great play.
Sticking with the game in Kansas City, and watching the Steelers struggle with the pass game last week, we have to believe Tomlin and the Steelers will push the ball through Le’Veon Bell ($9,000) more on the ground. Bell had ten targets in the air last week, and that helped Le’Veon provide over 14 FanDuel NFL points. This week, that could double if they get the run game going.
Melvin Gordon ($8,400) finally emerged as a top running back last week, as we expected. This week, Melvin and the Chargers should continue to roll with the running game. Now back on the west coast, in Oakland, the Chargers will likely give Gordon another 20 carries, and continue to target Melvin in the air against a Raiders defense who’s struggling in every facet of the game.
For a more affordable and almost equally dominate option, we have to grab C.J. Anderson ($7,000) for cash or GPP plays. Anderson is quietly off to a great start, and aside from a weak game against a tough Bills offense, C.J. has run all over the Raiders, Cowboys, and Chargers. Anderson is averaging over 14 FanDuel NFL points-per-game, but without the Bills game it moves above 17 points.
This week, Anderson and the Broncos are facing a Giants team whose basically melting down on every side of the football game. We loved Gordon to finally emerge last week, because of the match up against the Giants. For that same reason, Anderson could have as good a game, if not better, as the Giants continue to implode.
Other Top Option
Lamar Miller ($6,800) is gradually getting more expensive as he continues to get 15 to 20 carries per game, is averaging around 70 rushing yards per game, and sees three to five passing targets as well. Miller has one rushing and one receiving touchdown this year, and has a great match up against the Browns this week.
I’m not sure why, likely because of the young D’onta Foreman lurking behind Miller on the depth chart, but many DFS players continue to fade Lamar, making for a great GPP play.
Another more affordable play, and related to our Saints stack this week, is Alvin Kamara ($5,800). While Kamara isn’t getting many touches on the ground, only seven in the two weeks before the Saints bye week, he’s getting nearly eight passing targets per game from Brees.
With the Peterson trade, Alvin is likely to see more touches, and more targets. Kamara also has two touchdowns, one in each of his last two games. If Alvin sees the end zone again this week, he could put up over 20 FanDuel NFL points, again.
Fades
Leonard Fournette ($8,600) – I probably sound like an idiot for recommending this, but I’m increasingly nervous about Fournette. I didn’t draft Leonard in my season-long fantasy football league, because of his injury prone history at LSU. While that may feel like a mistake so far, Fournette has been almost as dominate as Hunt, he was limited in practice this week. At some point soon, Fournette is going to come out of a game, and unlikely season-long fantasy football, you can’t put him on the IR and pick up another running back during a DFS play.
Ty Montgomery ($7,200) – Yes, Montgomery is supposedly healthy this week. And yes, the Vikings aren’t as good at stopping the run as they are against the pass. But for that very reason, i don’t like Montgomery, whose fantasy value is dependent on a robust passing game from Rodgers.
FanDuel NFL Lineups: Week 6 – Wide Receivers
Top Picks
While we didn’t mention Deshaun Watson as a top quarterback pick, he’s still a great option this week. And even better, DeAndre Hopkins ($8,000) is his top target. Hopkins only has 363 passing yards, tenth in the NFL, but he’s second in targets with 61, and tied with Chris Hogan for five touchdowns, second in the NFL.
Over the last two weeks, Watson had thrown DeAndre’s way 24 times, for 159 total receiving yards and four touchdowns. Hopkins averaged over 20 FanDuel NFL points-per-game in the last two weeks, is averaging over 16 points for the season, and has never had less than 10.8 points this season. Hopkins is an elite play in all formats.
Looking back to our Brees play at quarterback, we have to grab Michael Thomas ($8,500) for our lineup. Thomas is getting eight to eleven targets per week, a respectable number considering how the Saints like to spread the ball around the field. Michael is also averaging over 80 receiving yards per game in the last three weeks, and has a touchdown in his last two games. Thomas is a must-play with Brees as your quarterback.
Jordy Nelson ($8,100) has been a weekly top pick for us, since the start of the season. Nelson has a touchdown catch in all four of the games he’s played in, and six total, leading the NFL. While Jordy isn’t a target machine, or will not pile up receiving yards, he’s Rodgers favorite target for a quick slant into the end zone, and few have been able to stop the play. Nelson is averaging over 17 FanDuel NFL points-per-game, thanks to his high touchdown haul. If you’re playing cash games, he’s a must-have.
If we’re expecting Stafford to bounce back this week, it makes sense to grab Golden Tate ($7,600) in one of the wide receiver positions. Heading into week six, Tate has 40 targets, 11th in the NFL and the most of all the Lions receivers. While he only has one touchdown reception so far this season, he’s reached over 100 yards against the Cardinals, and is facing a favorable set of defensive backs this week.
Other Top Picks
Will Fuller V ($6,000) appears to be taking advantage of another opportunity, offered to him, due to injuries, by the Texans coaching staff. Also, with Watson emerging as a legit NFL quarterback, Fuller is developing into the second top receiver on the team, and has four touchdowns in nine targets over the last two games. That’s incredible red zone efficiency. Fuller is a great play, once again, against the Browns in Houston.
I’ve talked about him each week, and over the last two weeks he’s been disappointing. But Rishard Matthews ($5,400) has been a target machine for the Titans, and against the right secondary, he should have a great day. I’m skeptical about Mariota’s ability to have a great passing game this weekend, but Matthews should at least benefit from some good plays, could pile up over 100 yards this week, and has a shot at a touchdown, which we haven’t seen since the Titans played the Seahawks on September 24th.
Fades
Antonio Brown ($9,200) – Like the Kareem Hunt fade call last week, this might seem stupid. And it could be a dumb move, but I’m fading Brown this week. Last week, Big Ben and the Steelers threw to Antonio 19 times. A statistic that will likely draw many FanDuel NFL players to pick brown this week. But I think that’s a mistake.
The Steelers failed to spread the ball around the field, and to other receivers, which ultimately lead to Big Ben and the Steelers failure against the Jags last week. This week, while Brown could still see double-digit targets, we know the Chiefs will focus on Brown all game. So it’s likely the Steelers will lean on Bell and their running game, making Brown a weak play this week.
Julio Jones ($8,400) – Another risky fade, I don’t like Jones this week. Julio had a bye week to rest, but has been dealing with an injury, and his production through five weeks of the NFL season has been below par for his elite status. Jones still hasn’t found the end zone, and is facing a fairly solid Dolphins pass defense this week. For $8,400, this salary isn’t worth the risk.
Cooper Kupp ($5,900) – Everyone’s (mostly) favorite wide receiver in the fantasy football world is due for a rough weekend. After seeing 15 targets over the last two games, over 100 receiving yards, and a touchdown, the Rams are facing the Jags defensive backs, who are proving to be the league’s best in the first part of the season.
FanDuel NFL Lineups: Week 6 – Tight End / Kicker / Defense
At tight end, we’re starting to sound like a broken record. Rob Gronkowski ($8,000) and Travis Kelce ($7,200) continue to be elite plays at tight end, if you can afford them. And thanks to his incredible weekly consistently, Zach Ertz ($7,000) is finally starting to be priced like Gronk and Kelce.
In cash games, Gronk is always going to be a great play at tight end, as long as he stays healthy. But Rob continues to visit the injury report, and for that reason I’ll continue to fade him. Kelce looked great over the last two weeks, but is currently in Concussion protocol, which doesn’t bode well for his availability this week. So, once again…we’re back to playing Ertz.
Zach is clearly Wentz’s favorite receiver, with a healthy dose of about ten targets each week, around seven receptions each week between 60 and 90 receiving yards, and two total touchdowns this season. You’re paying for a very solid chance at double-digit FanDuel NFL points at the tight end position, which is worth it.
Sticking with the Thursday night game in Charlotte, and the Eagles, I have to grab a very affordable and productive Jake Elliott ($4,600). Elliott and the Eagles could finally run into an offensive wall against a very good Panthers defense this week. But, the Rookie kicker is averaging 12.5 FanDuel NFL points-per-game, and has no less than nine points in a good. This is a rock-solid play on a cheap kicker salary.
For defense, you could really go with either the Jacksonville Jaguars ($4,900) or Baltimore Ravens ($4,900). The Jags defense has been more dependable, but they’re hosting a good Rams offense this week. The Ravens are less dependable, but they’re hosting a terrible Bears offense this week. Flip a coin and go with either of these teams.
So after reviewing all the options, we put together our favorite lineup for the week. Here’s a look at our Final FanDuel NFL Week 6 lineup:
QB – Brees (NO $8,600)
RB – Anderson (DEN $7,000)
RB – Kamara (NO $5,800)
WR – Thomas (NO $8,500)
WR – Hopkins (HOU $8,000)
WR – Matthews (TEN $5,400)
TE – Ertz (PHI $7,000)
K – Elliott (PHI $4,600)
D – Baltimore Ravens ($4,900) or Jacksonville Jaguars ($4,900)
This leaves us with $200 left, maximizing our picks using value in two receiver positions, defense, and kicker and loading up on some big point potential at quarterback, running back, and receiver.
Note: This is a recommended lineup after discussing our top options for the week. You should use this as a guide, and provide your own input when building FanDuel NFL lineups. We are not telling you, or selling you, to use this lineup.
Next: FanDuel NBA Preseason October 12
Good luck with your FanDuel NFL plays week 6, and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR on Twitter for all the late breaking lineup news and roster updates!