Quarterback
Lamar Jackson — It is a good matchup for Lamar to bounce back vs a Cleveland defense whom to date has not played very well. Mark Andrews should be a go a tight end though he was very limited all week. Andrews on the field is a must for Lamar to hit his passing ceiling vs Cleveland. Tight ends vs Cleveland is one of the best matchups on the board.
Patrick Mahomes — Tough matchup on paper for KC, but I think with a few injuries to the 49ers defense, Mahomes can compete for QB1 this week. Pairing Mahomes correctly has been frustrating this season. Travis Kelce at 8K on DK makes a tough stack, and it has been hard to rely on Ju-Ju Smith Schuster, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and Mecole Hardman. I have been for some reason waiting on the Hardman game and I will not stop here. I do not feel great about chasing Ju-Ju as it feels like I’m point chasing, and no way MVS can drop two straight duds.
Justin Herbert — He may be the sneaky best play of the week when factoring in matchup, price (cheaper than Mahomes and Jackson) plus stacking. Mike Williams should bounce back here, Donald Parham has been ruled out paving the way for Gerald Everett to be a plug-n-play at 4K, and lastly Austin Ekeler is on pace to catch over 100 balls this season and either player is playable with Herbert.
Geno Smith — On the other side of the game vs Herbert is Geno Smith coming off his worse game of the season. Tyler Lockett is very questionable, and even if he is a go I wonder if he’s 100 percent. That in itself can lead directly to the Smith — DK Metcalf stack as the Chargers secondary is beatable, especially deep.
Joe Burrow — On the other end of the spectrum, Burrow comes in after his best game of the season as he also pushed Ja’Marr Chase to one his best games of the season. I believe most will go to Higgins here for the price, but I’m going back to Burrow — Chase here. I do worry about the pace vs Atlanta as the Falcons like to run and kill a lot of clock, but the secondary is beatable here at home for the Bengals.
Dak Prescott — Dak is back and right on time for the best matchup in all of fantasy football: The Detroit Lions. If you believe the thumb is A-OK, load UP on Dak — Ceedee Lamb stacks. Michael Gallup and Noah Brown may be playable to pivot away from Lamb, as I do believe 300-yards and 3TDs is in the projection here. The offense is completely healthy, at home and favored by a TD.
Wide Receiver
Davante Adams — I’m struggling wanting to play Derek Carr as I always question his ceiling. If you ever wanted to play Carr this is the spot. Adams should shred the Houston secondary at home and favored.
Michael Pittman — The targets keep coming, and even if we do not believe Matt Ryan to be great, Indy is letting him rip the ball.
Amon Ra St. Brown — If he’s fully healthy, there is no reason for St. Brown to step right back into 9+ targets vs Dallas in a tough matchup.
CeeDee Lamb — One of the top WRs on the board factoring in matchup, price and QB upgrade.
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin — Heavily favored vs a tanking Carolina team.
Alan Lazard — Ouch but he’s Green Bay’s #1WR vs a beatable secondary in Washington.
Brandin Cooks — Healthy target share but from a bad QB in a good matchup.
Christian Kirk — I’m falling for it one more time here as the targets has to come back. The Jags are at home and favored and I do believe Lawrence is an above average QB.
Terry McLaurin — I like him more with Heinicke here as McLaurin was a top 10 fantasy WR with him under center as opposed to Wentz.
Value WRs- The value WRs are thin but here we go:
Romeo Doubs — Christian Watson is out for GB, and the Packers need WR play.
Alec Pierce — I liked him last week and the TD saved the day as I watched Pittman get peppered with targets. But I’m willing to go back to the well vs Tennessee.
Nico Collins — He’s on the field just as much and running just as many routes as Cooks. And he is a plus size WR.
Donovan Peoples-Jones — For some reason I keep landing on DPJ. WR targets are slim, but he remains a deep threat.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler — PPR machine, and truly efficient with his RB carries, and is a huge red zone threat, a plus matchup at home vs Seattle. Just checks every single box you need. It could help that Josh Kelley has been ruled out.
Derrick Henry — History of smashing the Colts including his last 6 games.
Saquan Barkley — Currently operating at the top of his game, he’s the center piece of the Giants offense. Yes, it’s the Giants but they’re 5–1.
Leonard Fournette — He has one of the best roles in football. Goal line rushes, passes from Brady for an offense who never takes his foot of the gas.
Joe Mixon — I think the field will play him more than I will, and lean the passing game, but he’s in an excellent spot.
Josh Jacobs — In one of the best spots on the board, Jacobs has been a surprise this season. He’s on the field, he’s involved in the passing game. As long as he’s healthy, he is a must play.
Dameon Pierce — Also in a great spot and stays involved in the passing game. So, whether they are playing from behind or not, he’s always a great play, especially here vs the Raiders.
Breece Hall — He remains one of my favorite plays each week until further notice. They are a run heavy team, yet he’s involved in the passing game. Denver has a tough defense, but with the offense in shambles, the Jets should play with a lead and plenty of short fields.
Kenneth Walker, III — Yet another good RB play with a great price. The Chargers are giving up loads of rushing yards for the 2nd straight season, and Seattle should be looking to bounce back.
Tight End
Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews stand alone the top of the chain, but matchup and price gives the nod to Andrews. You are paying up for a WR type of score here.
George Kittle — He seems to be getting more involved in the passing game, but he has a scary floor.
TJ Hockenson — His price is up but he earned it. He’s a better play if Josh Reynolds is out, but he will run routes on all of Jared Goff’s routes.
David Njoku — Clear focal point of the Cleveland passing game.
Robert Tonyan — Since last season, catching over 80 percent of his targets from Aaron Rodgers. Saw 12 targets last week.
Gerald Everett — Good matchup, plus Parham has been ruled out to make way for more TE targets and Herbert has no issues going to his TEs.
Daniel Bellinger — He has caught 15 of 17 targets from Daniel Jones for 139-yards and 2 TDs. It’s hard to make sense of the WR play, but he’s been a steady rock at TE.
Foster Moreau — Anytime Darren Waller is out, plug and play for the price.
Cade Otton — Cameron Brate is out once again and the last time he stepped in he went for 6 for 43 off of 7 targets. Good value.
Defense — Even to now, I’m still undecided completely on Defense beyond the Jets at 2.6K. It was already a play with Russ in, and now he’s ruled out. The Jets have talent, and they keep coming in at low prices making them a near lock. The Packers and Bucs should absolutely have a great fantasy day if you can afford them. I’d be willing to take a shot on the Ravens vs Jacoby Brissett, and if the Jets are not cheap enough Washington could generate some pressure on Rodgers, and the Texans could hit value vs Las Vegas.
