We’ve got some value plays available this weekend, but nothing like last week when there were literally a dozen great options. There are plenty of running backs worth deciding between, but finding two, let alone three wide receivers you are comfortable with this week is a challenge. One of the best ways to sharpen your lineup is to look at what the general public will do since it tends to correlate well to players hitting value. Today, I’ll share our top five at each position. While it is by no means a guarantee, playing the chalk often works out well in cash games. These numbers may change between the publishing of this article and opening kickoff depending on injury report updates so make sure to keep that in consideration. Let’s get into it!
Get our complete projected ownership report here 
Quarterback
There are four exceptional options that stand out this weekend at the QB position and we expect nearly 80% of lineups to use one of them. The top three are all bunched up just above 20% projected ownership with Dak Prescott (@ IND) leading the pack. Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Allen are both right behind him with matchups against the Patriots and Lions. Finishing out the list are two extreme opposite players as Andrew Luck looks to air it out versus a tough Cowboys defense and Lamar Jackson is expected to pick up fantasy points with his legs against the easiest defense in the league.
We’ve got some value plays available this weekend, but nothing like last week when there were literally a dozen great options. There are plenty of running backs worth deciding between, but finding two, let alone three wide receivers you are comfortable with this week is a challenge. One of the best ways to sharpen your lineup is to look at what the general public will do since it tends to correlate well to players hitting value. Today, I’ll share our top five at each position. While it is by no means a guarantee, playing the chalk often works out well in cash games. These numbers may change between the publishing of this article and opening kickoff depending on injury report updates so make sure to keep that in consideration. Let’s get into it!
Get our complete projected ownership report here
Quarterback
There are four exceptional options that stand out this weekend at the QB position and we expect nearly 80% of lineups to use one of them. The top three are all bunched up just above 20% projected ownership with Dak Prescott (@ IND) leading the pack. Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Allen are both right behind him with matchups against the Patriots and Lions. Finishing out the list are two extreme opposite players as Andrew Luck looks to air it out versus a tough Cowboys defense and Lamar Jackson is expected to pick up fantasy points with his legs against the easiest defense in the league.
Running Back
There are two quality value plays this weekend which should enable most lineups to spend up on one or two of the slate’s stars. Those are the five that make up this week’s leaderboard and it starts with Ezekiel Elliot who gears up for a matchup in Indianapolis. He has been used so much in the passing game that you can rely on him to produce once again. Likewise, Joe Mixon was a bell cow last week and could have another huge week versus the Raiders. Saquon Barkley will, of course, get plenty of attention as always despite a matchup versus the Titans, then this week’s favorite value plays are Jaylen Samuels (vs NE) and Dalvin Cook (vs MIA).
Wide Receiver
There isn’t much to love at the wide receiver position this week, but Amari Cooper‘s price may make him the exception. Cooper is practically a WR1 and at just $6,600, you can expect to see him in nearly every other lineup. Plenty of lineups will be using one of the Steelers wideouts, JuJu Smith-Schuster and/or Antonio Brown versus the Patriots in what may turn out to be a shootout. The others, sandwiched in between the Steelers’ duo, are Adam Thielen (vs MIA) and Davante Adams (@ CHI).
Tight End
We are expecting nearly every single lineup to use one, or even two of these five tight ends this week. Beyond them, there isn’t much to be excited about in cash games, and even Cameron Brate hardly qualifies unless you are desperate to save money. Eric Ebron will be the most popular with a great matchup versus Dallas and the likelihood for double-digit targets against them. Down $200 is another target hog, Jared Cook, who is coming off back to back 100-yard performances. He’ll take on the Bengals this weekend and be owned in nearly 1 in 4 lineups. The other common plays we are forecasting are George Kittle (vs SEA) and Rob Gronkowski (@ PIT).
Defense
A small majority of lineups will use one of the top two options this weekend. The most used play is expected to be the Bears, who despite a tough matchup versus Green Bay, might have a price too good for many to pass up. Sticking in the NFC North, Minnesota comes in second at over 20% projected ownership thanks to a sub-$4,000 price point and a quality matchup versus MIA. After then, Dallas will be the favorite value play with expensive options, Buffal and Detroit both playing each other in matchups that favor the defenses.
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