Most weeks there are a bunch of interesting passing game stacks to consider where we just use the chalk options at running back and get different at quarterback and receiver. The Week 7 Sunday slate on FanDuel feels more like a week to just succumb to the chalky passing game stacks and instead get a little contrarian at running back. So, don’t expect anything too crazy with my primary stacking options this week, but I implore you to take a closer look than usual at the list of low-owned GPP flier running backs who all have two touchdown upside and likely won’t carry too much ownership.
So, with that let’s stack’em up for Week 7.
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Stacking Options
QB Jared Goff (LAR): $7,800 / WR Brandin Cooks (LAR): $6,700
The Rams/Falcons game has the highest Vegas total on the slate which should make it a popular game to stack. That said, it always seems like the Rams passing game is lower owned then you would expect, probably because of difficulty deciding which of the trio of wide receivers to pair with Jared Goff. This week, I expect Cooper Kupp to the most popular choice, which is in part why I’m recommending Brandin Cooks. Cooks ownership should be fairly low, yet, he has probably the most upside of the group. The Falcons secondary has been torched by opposing teams over the last five weeks allowing 312 passing yards (31st), 2.8 touchdown passes (32nd), and 8.56 yards per attempt (30th). It is that last number that interests me the most as Cooks has the highest aDOT (13.8) by far for the Rams receivers. Cook also seems to excel when playing on the fast track in domes like he will be on Sunday in Atlanta. Bring it back with Calvin Ridley (or Austin Hooper) instead of Julio Jones to get lower ownership and to avoid Jalen Ramsey.
Bring it back with: Calvin Ridley (ATL): $5,500
QB Deshaun Watson (HOU): $8,300 / WR DeAndre Hopkins (HOU): $8,000
This is another combination that figures to carry quite a bit of ownership this week, but as I wrote in the introduction, I’m not getting too cute with my passing game stacks on the slate. Watson and the Texans passing game has been playing well the last couple of weeks and they’ll get an above-average matchup in what should be close and fairly high scoring game with the Colts this week. DeAndre Hopkins has been fairly quiet lately and hasn’t scored since his two-touchdown effort in Week 1. Look for Hopkins to get back in the end zone this week as the Texans are forced to pass in the red zone against a Colts defense that has only allowed two rushing touchdowns this season. Of course, you will want to bring it back with the Colts top receiver T.Y. Hilton who should be fully healthy coming off the bye week and gets a favorable matchup against the Texans secondary that he has burnt before.
Bring it back with: T.Y. Hilton (IND): $7,600
RB Tevin Coleman (SF): $6,200 / DEF 49ers (SF): $5,000
The 49ers should deploy a heavy ground assault versus the Redskins this week as a big road favorite. The 49ers have been the most run-heavy team this year and will get a plus matchup against a Redskins run defense that ranks 20th Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) according to FootballOutsiders. The duo of Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida will divvy up carries which could help keep both of their ownership down. I’ll give the edge to Coleman who has seen at least 16 carries in each of the last two games since returning from injury and has received 10 red zone touches in those games compared to just two for Breida. Pair up Coleman with the strong 49ers defense who have registered 3.4 sacks (third) and 2.4 turnovers (fourth) per game this season.
Low-Owned Stud
Michael Thomas (WR – NO): $8,100
Finding the right guy to fill the low-owned stud slot this week was a little bit of a challenge, but I believe I have found the man for the job with Michael Thomas. With the Saints facing the Bears in Chicago, Thomas figures to come in at low ownership but who else is Teddy Bridgewater going to throw to this week, especially if Alvin Kamara and/or Jared Cook misses the game. Thomas has seen double-digit targets in four out of six games this season including 25 over the last two weeks and that was with Kamara absorbing 15 looks in those games. Meanwhile, the Bears pass defense has yielded 14.5 receptions per game (29th) to wide receivers over the last five weeks, so it wouldn’t shock me if Thomas gets double-digit receptions with a shot at 100 yards and a score despite the matchup and low ownership.
Low-Owned Fliers
- Josh Jacobs (RB – OAK): $6,700
- Melvin Gordon (RB – LAC): $6,600
- Derrick Henry (RB – TEN): $6,500
- Joe Mixon (RB – CIN): $6,100
- Tyler Boyd (WR – CIN): $5,600
- Hunter Henry (TE – LAC): $5,700
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Brad Richter is a featured writer at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
