DraftKings NFL: Week 10 Tournament Guide

This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.

There are a few things that stand out about Sunday's 11-game slate. Last week there were few options at RB. This week there are more than we've had all season as upward of 10 players are viable in cash games. Recent slates have also been lacking in terms of games with high totals. This week we have three more than 50 that look good for game stacks and three in the high 40s that are appealing targets as well. Keep in mind that almost all of the "chalk" busted last week and that isn't the first time that's happened this season. There are plenty of good options this week at every position, so look for leverage by fading some of the more popular players in tournaments. Avoid putting cash lineups in GPPs. Correlation and leverage are the top two factors when it comes to winning large-field tournaments. Good Luck.

Note: All prices listed come from DraftKings, but most of the logic can be applied to other sites across the DFS industry. Discussion is limited to players from the "main slate" of games kicking off at 1 p.m., 4:05 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday. The strategy below is meant for large-field tournaments, where payouts typically are limited to ~20 percent of lineups, with the vast majority concentrated at the very top.

The Games

Point-Per-Dollar Value

These are the players with the best projections relative to their salaries — good plays both for cash games and large-field tournaments. While we don't want our GPP lineups to look like cash-game lineups top to bottom, there's nothing wrong with using a few chalky plays. These players, along with a couple passing-game stacks, tend to form the core that remains fairly consistent throughout my lineups.

• RB D'Ernest Johnson at NE ($4,700)

Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are out, meaning Johnson will handle the majority of work at RB. The matchup isn't great, but the price sure is. He's going to be popular in cash games so it probably makes sense to just roster him and move on. 

• RB James Conner vs CAR ($6,300)

Conner has a lot going for him this week. The Cardinals have a favorable matchup at home against the Panthers and Chase Edmonds is expected to be out, which means Conner should be in line for a heavy workload. He's coming off a massive game last week when he had 21 carries and five catches while scoring three touchdowns and putting up 40 fantasy points. Improbably, he leads the NFL in TDs despite splitting time with Edmonds. With Edmonds out of the picture, Conner is just way too cheap for this spot. 

• WR Keenan Allen vs. MIN ($7,000)

Allen has drawn at least 11 targets in five of eights games this season. Last week he caught 12 passes for for 104 yards. The matchup with Minnesota has the second-highest total on the slate. Allen has put up double-digit fantasy points in every game and he stands out as one of the safest options at what is a loaded WR position. He has plenty of upside too in a plus matchup. 

Other Cash-Game Options 

QB Josh Allen at NYJ ($7,900)

QB Justin Herbert vs. MIN ($7,300)

QB Dak Prescott vs. ATL ($6,900)

QB Jalen Hurts at DEN ($6,500)

QB Carson Wentz vs. JAX ($5,900)

RB Jonathan Taylor vs. JAX ($8,100)

RB Dalvin Cook at LAC ($8,000)

RB Najee Harris vs. DET ($7,900)

RB Austin Ekeler vs. MIN ($7,600)

RB Ezekiel Elliott vs. ATL ($7,000)

RB Cordarrelle Patterson at DAL ($6,600)

RB James Conner vs. CAR ($6,300)

RB Leonard Fournette at WAS ($6,100)

RB D'Ernest Johnson at NE ($4,700)

RB Mark Ingram at TEN ($4,500)

WR Davante Adams vs. SEA ($7,900)

WR Keenan Allen vs. MIN ($7,000)

WR Mike Evans at WAS ($6,900)

WR DK Metcalf at GB ($6,800)

WR Diontae Johnson vs. DET ($6,800)

WR Michael Pittman vs. JAX ($6,300)

WR Cole Beasley at NYJ ($5,200)

WR Tyler Johnson at WAS ($3,300), if Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown are out

TE Pat Freiermuth vs. DET ($3,900)

TE Dan Arnold at IND ($3,500)

TE Jared Cook vs. MIN ($3,200)

D/ST Dallas Cowboys vs. ATL ($3,000)

D/ST Cleveland Browns at NE ($2,800)

D/ST Tennessee Titans vs. NO ($2,600)

Passing-Game Stacks 

Stacks are the centerpiece of any tournament lineup, seeking to take advantage of positive correlations between players. It rarely makes sense to use a quarterback without one or two of his pass catchers, even if the player in question scores a decent portion of his fantasy points with his legs. Ideally, a stack also includes a pass catcher from the other side of the game, hoping to take advantage of a back-and-forth shootout. (Implied team totals are listed in parentheses.)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30.5) at Washington Football Team (21)

Buccaneers:

This should be a great spot for Tampa Bay coming off a bye. Washington has given up the league's most fantasy points to quarterbacks and consequently the league's most fantasy points to wide receivers. Tom Brady ($7,600) has thrown at least four TDs in five of eight games this season as he makes his case for MVP. Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski are out and Chris Godwin ($7,100) is questionable. That leaves Mike Evans ($6,900) in a smash spot as he should see a few extra targets, especially near the goal line. If Godwin is active, he'd be a great option too. He has at least 100 yards and a TD in back-to-back games. If Godwin is out, Tyler Johnson ($3,300) would be the No. 2 WR with Scotty Miller ($3,000) likely operating as the third option. Johnson would look very appealing for near-minimum salary. Even Cameron Brate ($2,700) and O.J. Howard ($2,700) are viable with Gronkowski ruled out. Both have considerable TD equity with the Bucs in such a favorable spot. Leonard Fournette ($6,100) has four TDs in as many games. He makes sense as a run back if you'd rather stack the Washington passing game.

Football Team:

I have more interest in the Bucs side of this matchup but the Washington passing game is in a pretty good spot too. Tampa Bay is great against the run but they struggle against the pass, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points in the league to QBs. Taylor Heinicke ($5,400) is cheap and he has rushing upside. Terry McLaurin ($7,600) would bring some nice leverage as he isn't likely to be popular. If Logan Thomas remains out, Ricky Seals-Jones ($3,700) has put up double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three games and continues to draw end zone targets. J.D. McKissic ($5,200) has topped 16 DK points in four of his last seven as he continues to be heavily involved as a receiver when Washington is trailing. 

• Favorite Stacks: QB Brady + WR Evans + WR McLaurin +/- WR Johnson (if Godwin is out)
  • QB Brady + WR Evans + TE Seals-Jones (if Thomas is out) +/-  WR Johnson
  • QB Brady = WR Evans + WR McLaurin + TE Brate/TE Howard

Minnesota Vikings (24.75) at Los Angeles Chargers (28.25)

Vikings:

Only the Lions and Jets have given up more fantasy points to running backs than the Chargers. Dalvin Cook ($8,000) is in a great spot against a defense that refuses to commit to stopping the run. Cook played 80 percent of the snaps last week and he's touched the ball at least 20 times in three consecutive games. Neither Justin Jefferson ($7,700) or Adam Thielen ($6,700) will be overly popular. Either could provide significant leverage in a matchup that features the second-highest total and has the potential to shoot out. Tyler Conklin ($3,400) has caught five passes in back-to-back games and makes sense as one of the better cheap TEs on the slate. I'd rather avoid Kirk Cousins ($6,100) and instead stack Cook with the Chargers passing game or run it back with someone cheap like Conklin. 

Chargers:

Justin Herbert ($7,300) busted out of a mini slump last week when he threw for 356 and two TDs while rushing for another on his way to 35 fantasy points. He has a favorable matchup against a Vikings defense that's dealing with injuries to multiple key players. Only six teams in the league have allowed more fantasy points to wide receivers, which bodes well for Keenan Allen ($7,000) and Mike Williams ($6,600). Allen caught 12 passes last week as he continues to see big volume while Williams has finally seen his salary come down but still isn't likely to be popular. Jared Cook ($3,200) remains cheap. He's drawn at least five targets in five of eights games. With all the options at running back this week, Austin Ekeler ($7,600) will go slightly overlooked. He's had a couple down games lately but nevertheless has topped 20 fantasy points five times in his last seven. 

• Favorite Stack: QB Herbert + WR Allen + RB Cook + TE Cook/TE Conklin

Other Stacks to Consider

QB Josh Allen + WR Stefon Diggs/WR Cole Beasley + WR Jamison Crowder/WR Elijah Moore

QB Aaron Rodgers + WR Davante Adams + WR DK Metcalf

QB Dak Prescott + WR CeeDee Lamb + RB Cordarrelle Patterson and/or TE Kyle Pitts

QB Dak Prescott + RB Cordarrelle Patterson + WR Amari Cooper +/- Michael Gallup

QB Dak Prescott + WR Amari Cooper + TE Kyle Pitts +/- Michael Gallup

QB Carson Wentz + WR Michael Pittman + TE Dan Arnold

QB Taylor Heinicke + WR Terry McLaurin + WR Mike Evans 

QB Taylor Heinicke + RB Leonard Fournette + WR Terry McLaurin  +/- Mike Evans

High-Priced Heroes 

• Jonathan Taylor vs. JAX ($8,100)

Taylor continues to be the most consistent running back in the NFL. He's scored at least 20 fantasy points in six consecutive games and has topped 30 three times in that span. The Colts are in a great spot at home against the jaguars. Taylor won't be overly popular either considering the plethora of good options at running back this week. 

• Davante Adams vs. SEA ($7,900), if Aaron Rodgers plays

It's rare that we see Adams priced less than $8K. It would be appropriate if Jordan Love was starting but with Rodgers expected back, it's simply too cheap no matter the matchup. The Packers are in a nice spot at home against Seattle. The Seahawks have struggled on defense and have no one who can limit Adams. They also get Russell Wilson back, which bodes well for the game script. 

Honorable Mentions: Dalvin Cook, MIN at LAC ($8,000); Terry McLaurin, WAS vs. TB ($7,600)

Fading the Field

Every week we see at least one or two players who are popular without the backing of a top point-per-dollar projection. Recency bias is often to blame, but in some cases it even makes sense to fade a player with a strong projection, particularly when there are good alternatives at the same position and price range.

• QB Jalen Hurts at DEN ($6,500)

Hurts has attempted only 31 passes in the last two weeks. He's thrown for more than 200 yards just once in his last five games. The Eagles have been favoring a more run heavy attack, likely because Hurts has struggled throwing the ball. The matchup at Denver isn't great either. The Broncos might have lost Von Miller, but the defense is still good and Denver just shut down the potent Cowboys offense. I'd much rather find the $400 and roster Dak Prescott ($6,900) or save $600 and go to Carson Wentz ($5,900).

The Smash Spot

Players in favorable positions to significantly outperform their salary.

• WR Mike Evans at WAS ($6,900), if Chris Godwin is out

Evans is a good option regardless, but if Godwin is out, he becomes one of the top overall plays on the slate. Tampa Bay is dealing with multiple injuries at WR and TE. Chris Godwin is listed as questionable while Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski have already been ruled out. The Buccaneers are coming off a bye and have a favorable matchup against a Washington defense that's given up big plays in the passing game all season. 

DK Metcalf is too cheap now that Russell Wilson is back. As is Diontae Johnson at home against the Lions with Chase Claypool ruled out. 

Honorable Mentions: DK Metcalf, SEA at GB ($6,800); Diontae Johnson, PIT vs. DET ($6,800)

The Bargain Bin

QB Carson Wentz vs. JAX ($5,900)

QB Taylor Heinicke vs. TB ($5,400)

QB P.J. Walker at ARI ($5,000)

RB Michael Carter vs. BUF ($5,600)

RB J.D. McKissic vs. TB ($5,200)

RB AJ Dillon vs. SEA ($4,800)

RB Devin Singletary at NYJ ($4,700), if Zach Moss is out

RB Brandon Bolden vs CLE ($4,400), if Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson are out

WR Jerry Jeudy vs. PHI ($5,300)

WR Jarvis Landry at NE ($5,200)

WR Jamison Crowder vs. BUF ($4,800)

WR Elijah Moore vs. BUF ($4,700)

WR Michael Gallup vs. ATL ($4,000)

WR James Washington vs. DET ($3,500)

TE Pat Freiermuth vs. DET ($3,900)

TE Dan Arnold at IND ($3,500)

TE Jared Cook vs. MIN ($3,200)

TE Cameron Brate at WAS ($2,700)

TE O.J. Howard at WAS ($2,700)

Injury Situations

• WR Chris Godwin at WAS

Godwin is listed as questionable after returning to practice on Friday. It appears that he's on track to play but if he were out, Mike Evans and Tyler Johnson would get significant bumps. With Brown and Gronkowski already out, Johnson would be viable in cash-games if Godwin misses. 

• RB Alvin Kamara at TEN

Kamara is out due to a knee injury, meaning Mark Ingram ($4,500) should see the majority of snaps at RB. Ingram had five catches last week, so I'd expect him to be involved in the passing game as well. He's a viable option for both tournaments and cash games. 

• RB Zack Moss at NYJ

Moss is working his way through concussion protocol. If he isn't cleared, Devin Singletary ($4,700) would look good in a matchup against the Jets. Singletary caught seven passes last week and would be in line for double-digit carries if Moss sits.

Weather Watch

Nothing to be overly concerned about this week.