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We had a great week last week with some of my calls, guys like George Pickens, Daniel Jones, and Geno Smith paying off decently, and then the big one, Rashaad Penny, with his monster game versus the Detroit Lions. I hope to repeat that success this week, so let’s get started.
Quarterback
DraftKings
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC) vs. HOU $5,600
Lawrence had been building momentum through the first three weeks, improving his fantasy production in the first three games. Unfortunately, he ran into a very good defense in the Eagles last week and could only muster up 10.66 Draftkings points. This week he gets a much better matchup with the Texans at home, who rank 27th in overall defensive DVOA. Lawrence will be lower owned because, surprisingly, Tom Brady is only $400 more on Draftkings, so you can get a cheap low owned stack from this game.
Others I like: Teddy Bridgewater (QB – MIA) $5,400
Fanduel
Teddy Bridgewater (QB – MIA) @ NYJ $6,400
The Jets rank 29th in pass defense on the season, and Bridgewater has proven to be a serviceable quarterback in the past. With weapons like Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, Bridgewater just needs to get the ball in their hands, and good things will happen. At $6,400 on Fanduel, he gives you a lot of freedom when building the rest of your lineup, and he has some really good stacking options with the aforementioned Waddle and Hill.
Running Back
DraftKings
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) vs. MIA $5,400
This is officially Breece Hall’s backfield. He got 66 percent of the snaps last week, compared to 44 percent for Michael Carter. He also had 23 opportunities compared to Carter’s 12. The Dolphins rank middle of the pack against the run so far this season, but with at least six targets in three of the four games this season, Hall can beat them in multiple ways. The PPR scoring on Draftkings favors Hall and gives him a solid floor.
Others I like: Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB – SF) $5,500, Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE) $5,500
Fanduel
Rhamondre Steveson (RB – NE) vs. DET $6,000
I’m sure by now you’ve heard the narrative, “Start your running backs against the Lions.” They are giving up the second most point to running backs on the season, and they give up two rushing touchdowns on average for the season. The next closest team is at 1.25 per game (Texans). In addition to the rushing upside for Stevenson, he is also the Patriots’ preferred passing down back and should see a ton of check-downs from rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe, who is making his first start.
Wide Receiver
DraftKings
Chris Olave (WR – NO) vs SEA $5,700
Olave proved me wrong last week. I was telling people not to play him in their season-long leagues because his production was a product of Jameis Winston‘s YOLO balls that we all love, but Olave still put up good numbers in London with Andy Dalton. It’s looking like Dalton will get another start, and he gets an excellent matchup with a Seahawks team that ranks dead last in pass defense DVOA.
Others I like: Michael Gallup (WR – DAL) $5,000, Zay Jones (WR – JAC) $4,100
Fanduel
George Pickens (WR – PIT) @ BUF $5,500
I called last week “George Pickens Week,” and I was spot on, so I’m going back to the well. Yes, the Bills’ defense is very good, and yes, the Steelers’ rookie QB Kenny Pickett is making his first NFL start, but the Steelers are going to have the throw the ball a ton to keep pace, and Pickens will benefit. The 14-point spread in favor of Buffalo could also lead to some junk time points for Pickens if they are down big in the fourth.
Others I Like: Curtis Samuel (WR – WAS) $5,800, Zay Jones (WR – JAC) $5,700
Tight End
DraftKings
Cade Otton (TE – TB) vs. ATL $2,500
Bucs tight end Cameron Brate has already been ruled out of this game, leaving rookie tight end Otton to fill his spot. Otton has played well this season, but mainly as a run blocker. However, he can also make an impact in the passing game. In fact, there was a practice session this past offseason in which Otton caught three touchdowns — all of the thrown by Tom Brady.
Others I like: Hunter Henry (TE – NE) $2,900
Fanduel
Hunter Henry (NE) vs. DET $4,500
I had to dig deep for this one. This isn’t a week to pay down at tight end on Fanduel, but if you must, I like Hunter Henry. It doesn’t look like Jonnu Smith will be able to play this weekend, so Henry should get the majority of the snaps. Tight ends are usually a rookie quarterback’s best friend, as passes to tight ends are usually the easiest throws to make, and at $4,500, Henry won’t have to do much to pay off his salary.
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