This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.
QUARTERBACK
CASH
Cam Newton, CAR vs. TB ($6,600) - Take the quarterback with the best floor and combine that with the worst defense against quarterbacks and you get a LOCK of the week. This is the highest team total for the Panthers. Newton has not scored less than 18 points in any game this season and hit 4x value five times. Tampa Bay's defense has allowed quarterbacks to score at least 20 points in every game this season and 28.7 points on average. Interesting to note that Newton has struggled against the Bucs in the last and the games have been low scoring, but this is a different defense now and Newton has a floor of 20 with a ceiling of 30. The Panthers have a lot more offensive weapons and a better system with Norv Turner.
GPP
Deshaun Watson, HOU at DEN ($6,300) - When it comes to taking a GPP quarterback, I look for a player with a 30-point ceiling that is in a matchup causing low projected ownership. The Broncos have been tough against quarterbacks, but they allowed Pat Mahomes to score 25.8 and 30 points. Watson played injured against tough defenses (BUF, JAX) in Week 6 and 7, and was on the Thursday slate last week which becomes "out of sight, out of mind." His projected ownership is less than 10 percent and the Texans have won five in a row. Another thing dropping his ownership is Will Fuller being out for the year. But the Texans did trade for Demaryius Thomas, which will help.
RUNNING BACK
CASH
I am purposely not writing up Todd Gurley this week. Play him regardless.
Phillip Lindsay, DEN vs. HOU ($5,500) - Lindsay has posted at least 15 points in five games and is a perfectly priced RB2 for cash games. Houston has allowed four running backs to hit at least 4x value and three were heavy receiving backs (Saquon Barkley, James White, Nyheim Hines). With Royce Freeman on the mend, Lindsay's floor is solid for cash games.
GPP
Mark Ingram, NO vs. LAR ($5,000) - Ingram had a big performance in his first game back Week 5 and has been quiet the last two weeks. There is nothing that screams breakout, but more of a gut feel on my part to get a running back at a cheap price with a total of 60. If the Saints want to try and ground it out on the Rams and play keep away, Ingram would be the way to go. I can see him going for 100 yards rushing and two TDs as a ceiling.
Mike Davis, SEA vs. LAC ($3,400) - This play is based on Chris Carson, who is a gametime decision, being out. Davis would project for 18-20 touches against the Chargers, and with Seattle at home it is a great spot to get the best value on the board potentially at running back. Davis posted 28.4 and 15.5 points in Weeks 4-5 so when given the opportunity, he has exceeded value.
WIDE RECEIVER
CASH
Courtland Sutton, DEN vs. HOU ($3,900) - Sutton takes over for the traded Demaryius Thomas this week and likely will be the highest owned wide receiver. He has shown flashes of brilliance, which is why so many are excited about him this week and moving forward. You need to save money in cash game especially at the wide receiver position and he does that.
Adam Thielen, MIN vs. DET ($8,900) - Eight games in a row with 100 yards receiving, seven of eight games with 10 or more targets, six touchdowns. The most consistent wide receiver by far this year and until he hits $10,000 I will continue to play him in cash games.
GPP
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU at DEN ($8,300) - I am already on Watson in tournaments, so I'm doubling down and pairing with Hopkins. With no Will Fuller, and Demaryius Thomas just getting acclimated, I can see Hopkins having one of his 15 target monsters. Hopkins has posted four games of 25 points or more, but also has a floor (has not scored below 15 all season). The Broncos have allowed wide receivers to hit 22 points or more four times and hit for at least 3x value eight times.
Kenny Golladay, DET at MIN ($5,500) - I'm shocked by the projected ownership (5-10 percent) on him this week after Golden Tate was traded to the Eagles. Golladay looks primed to explode with an increase in targets and it will start this week. I love taking players in a great spot but coming off a down week or two because of the huge recency bias. Golladay has posted four games of 17 points or higher with Tate, so I can see him going off for 25-28 points this week.
TIGHT END
CASH
Greg Olsen, CAR vs. TB ($4,700) - Olsen's salary this week is one of the lowest it has been in the last 3.5 years. He has typically been a $5,500-$6,000 priced tight end, so we get him at a bargain price because of his injury earlier this year. Also, we get Olsen in a fantastic matchup against the Bucs with a projected team total of 30.
GPP
O.J. Howard, TB at CAR ($4,300) - Staying with the same game, Howard is projected as the fourth-highest owned tight end, but I think he has potential to be the top scoring player at his position this week. The Panthers have given up some big games recently to tight ends to either hit for 25 points or over 3.5x value. Howard has quietly posted five games in a row with at least 3.3x value and four with at least 4.0x value. I think the Panthers/Bucs game has the potential for the biggest shootout of the week with at least 70 combined points and game stacking Cam Newton with D.J. Moore and Howard is a good way to start tournament lineup construction.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
CASH
Dolphins vs. NYJ ($2,800) - Cash game defenses all come down to finding the best value less than $3,000 that fits the best profile. The Dolphins are home favorites, with a relatively low total (44) on the slate against a rookie quarterback with a depleted receiving core.
GPP
Carolina vs. TB ($3,200) - Defenses have posted four games of 14 points of more against the Bucs. While Fitzpatrick does offer a little more security versus Jameis Winston, he is still going to drop back and throw 50-plus times, which means more opportunities for sacks, fumbles, interceptions and defensive touchdowns.
