Below are the players that I’m considering as my cash game core for this week’s main slate. I value consistency of volume and opportunity combined with potential upside when putting together my cash game lineup. Have a solid process, be sure to have FantasyPros notifications set up for Sunday morning, and remember to have fun!
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Quarterback
Russell Wilson (SEA): $7,800 at MIA
The obvious frontrunner for MVP is still a good option this week if you must pay up at quarterback. He is averaging 36.3 DKFP after throwing for 14 passing touchdowns in the first three games. He is a stud, but the question is whether Pete Carroll will continue to “let Russ cook.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA): $5,400 vs. SEA
Fitzmagic is not exactly a typical cash game quarterback, but he can certainly put up some numbers, especially when playing from behind. Only Atlanta is giving up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than the 33.3 DKFP the Seahawks have allowed through the first three weeks. He has earned 27.3 and 25.2 DKFP the last two weeks. This game also has the second-highest scoring projection.
Others Considered:
- Josh Allen (BUF): $7,300 at LV
- Deshaun Watson (HOU): $6,600 vs. MIN
- Cam Newton (NE): $6,400 at KC
Running Backs
Alvin Kamara (NO): $8,000 at DET
He is underpriced this week for his role and the matchup. He had 47.7 DKFP and 38.4 DKFP in each of the last two weeks. He has 31 targets through the first three weeks. With Michael Thomas out, he has become Drew Brees’ go-to receiver. His floor is incredible, and his ceiling is as high as anyone else’s. It will be hard not to play him in cash games this week.
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): $7,800 vs. CLE
He might be underperforming so far this year based upon his talent and our expectations; however, his usage is still good, the pace of the Cowboys is good, and his matchup this week is good. Even though he has “disappointed” us this year, he has also shown us his floor. He is averaging 22.9 DKFP. We all know what he is capable of, and this could be the week that he breaks out. Last week was the first time this year he didn’t get at least 20 rushing attempts, but he was targeted 11 times.
Kenyan Drake (ARI): $6,000 at CAR
If a team is playing Carolina, and that team has a running back on its roster, then you must consider that running back in DFS. Only the Raiders have given up more fantasy points to running backs than the 44.2 DKFP allowed by Carolina. The seven rushing touchdowns the Panthers have given up is the most through three weeks. The matchup and opportunity are there, but Drake does scare me because he has not produced so far this season. Despite averaging 18 rushes per game, he is only averaging 11.6 DKFP.
Mike Davis (CAR): $5,700 vs. ARI
This should be a fast-paced game, and Davis is really the only running back for the Panthers. Whether it’s right or not, it looks like they are going to ride with him for the time being. He has 17 targets in the last two games. Last week, he earned 23.1 DKFP. The Cardinals give up the second most yards per target to running backs. This is a good situation for him, and he’s still underpriced in a PPR format relative to his expected role.
Others Considered:
- Dalvin Cook (MIN): $7,600 at HOU
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC): $6,400 vs. NE
- Joe Mixon (CIN): $5,800 vs. JAC
- Darrell Henderson (LAR): $5,800 vs. NYG
- David Johnson (HOU): $5,600 vs. MIN
Wide Receivers
DeAndre Hopkins (ARI): $8,500 at CAR
If you choose not to pay up at running back this week, then you need to get Hopkins in your lineup. He is essentially an extension of the Cardinals run game. His 37 targets this year are on pace for a record number (197). He is averaging 26.5 DKFP.
Amari Cooper (DAL): $6,700 vs. CLE
He is essentially at 2.5x floor with this price point. That won’t win you any GPPs, but that is good for cash. It is even better considering that Cooper has huge upside. The knock on him in the past has been his inconsistency. So far this year, however, that hasn’t been an issue. He just has yet to have an explosion game (and hasn’t scored a touchdown yet). Only Nuke has more targets than the 35 Dak Prescott has given him this year.
DeVante Parker (MIA): $5,700 vs. SEA
I feel gross just writing his name, never mind recommending him in cash games. Two years ago, he was in my “Never Again” article, but DFS is different than redraft leagues. His situation is very good this week. He gets a Seahawks team that is allowing far and away the most fantasy points to wide receivers (79.2 DKFP — 25 points more than the next highest team, the Cowboys). Despite some hamstring concerns, he caught all five of the balls thrown his way last week. He is only averaging 12.3 DKFP, but his floor and ceiling should rise quite a bit this week against Seattle.
Hunter Renfrow (LV): $4,600 vs. BUF
Renfrow might not be a guy we feel good about rostering, but because of injuries, the Raiders really don’t have anyone else at this point. Per our own Mike Tagliere, in his young career, Renfrow has six games of more than five targets and has produced at least 17 DKFP in four of them (three 20+ games). The matchup is also good as the Bills have surrendered 100-yard games to two of the three slot receivers they have faced this season. He is coming off a 6-84-1 game against the Patriots and at this price point with his expected role, he should return value.
Others Considered:
- Tyler Lockett (SEA): $7,000 at MIA
- Keenan Allen (LAC): $6,500 at TB
- Mike Evans (TB): $6,400 vs. LAC
- Odell Beckham (CLE): $5,800 at DAL
- D.J. Moore (CAR): $5,600 vs. ARI
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson (DET): $4,800 vs. NO
Nobody has given up more touchdowns (4) or fantasy points (28.8 DKFP) to tight ends so far this year than the Saints. Hockenson is averaging 12.0 DKFP this year and has had at least 4 catches in each game.
Logan Thomas (WAS): $3,500 vs. BAL
Thomas’ production hasn’t been where we’d like it to be but, he is still getting targets. In fact, he leads the NFL in tight end targets with 24. His price is still too low based upon the volume that he is seeing. The Ravens are a good defense but are giving up the fourth-most amount of fantasy points to the tight end position (18.8 DKFP).
Others Considered:
- Mark Andrews (BAL): $6,000 at WAS
- Mike Gesicki (MIA): $5,100 vs. SEA
- Dalton Schultz (DAL): $4,300 vs. CLE
- Rob Gronkowski (TB): $3,600 vs. LAC
Defense/Special Teams
Baltimore Ravens DST: $4,000 at WAS
If you are going to pay up for a defense, then the Ravens are a good option. The only game they didn’t earn 15 DKFP was against the Chiefs, which is easily excusable. They get Washington and Dwayne Haskins, who are both train wrecks right now. Even the Browns earned 14.0 DKFP last week against them.
Houston Texans DST: $2,500 vs. MIN
There are not a lot of low-priced defenses that I am in love with this week. I do like the Texans ability to get pressure on quarterbacks, and Kirk Cousins hasn’t exactly been on his game so far this season.
Others Considered:
- Los Angeles Rams DST: $3,900 vs. NYG
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers DST: $3,400 vs. LAC
- Indianapolis Colts DST: $3,300 @ CHI
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Jamy Bechler is a regular contributor to FantasyPros for NBA, NFL, and PGA. You can send him questions and follow him on his DFS twitter @WinningDFS101. When he is not playing DFS, Jamy is an author, host of the “Success is a Choice” podcast, and a leadership consultant, working with businesses and teams across the country (including the NBA). Even though he offers his advice on players and contests, after additional information and consideration, he may end up using different players and strategies than what he recommended in this article.
