The slate of games for Week 10 presents more than a few juicy matchups
for DFS owners to target and inexpensive plays due to the suspensions
of Ezekiel Elliott and Mike Evans. The duel revenge game in Tampa
Bay featuring two improbable fantasy assets in Ryan Fitzpatrick
and Josh McCown going against the respective former teams is filled
with value for DFS owners, and the trio of running backs filling
in for Elliott against the Falcons could be difference makers on
tickets this week.
In addition to those players, here are a few targets that I will
feature in my DFS lineups this week:
Double revenge narrative: Ryan Fitzpatrick
and Josh McCown will square off against their former team.
The way to beat the Browns is through the air and not the ground,
which plays well for the Lions considering their inability to
run the ball and Matthew Stafford’s success this year with the
passing game. I don’t usually stack players in cash games, but
a Stafford/Golden Tate stack is going to provide an excellent
foundation for cash players this week.
Arguably the most seasoned backup of the 32 No.2 QBs in the NFL,
Ryan Fitzpatrick is an intriguing value this week in GPP based
on his bottom barrel price tag and his matchup against a Jets
team that has allowed the fourth-most points to opposing QBs.
Fitzmagic has been a solid injury replacement for Jameis Winston
with 358 yards and four touchdowns in just under two full games
of action in 2017. I don’t buy into the revenge game narrative,
but I do think this will be a shootout, and Fitzpatrick does not
shy away from slinging the ball downfield. Paring him with DeSean
Jackson or rookie Chris Godwin is a solid GPP plan Week 10.
Fade - Drew
Brees @ Buffalo ($6,900 on DraftKings)
For some reason, Brees continues to be one of the most expensive
quarterback plays on DraftKings, despite the fact that he has
one 20-point game in the last five weeks. Brees’ struggles
on the road compared to playing at the Superdome are well documented,
and the Saints are 6-2 because of a potent two-headed ground attack.
There are too many inexpensive upside plays this week to spend
nearly 7K on Brees.
Running Backs
H2H/Cash - Jordan Howard vs. Green Bay ($6,100
on DraftKings)
The Packers allow the 5th-most points to opposing running backs
this season and are reeling with the loss of Aaron Rodgers. Only
Le’Veon Bell and Ezekiel Elliott have more carries on the year
than Jordan Howard, and the second year tailback is fresh off
of a bye week to rest and heal from a shoulder injury. This could
be the biggest game of the year for Howard and the fact that he
costs $3,700 than Bell makes him a great value.
Of the three running backs set to replace Ezekiel Elliott this
week against the Falcons, Smith carries the lowest price tag and
the lowest floor. But the former undrafted Ohio State Buckeye
is the biggest of the three backs and appears poised to get work
in the passing game. The common assumption in the fantasy industry
is that veteran Alfred Morris will be the lead back with Smith
working in on passing downs, but there have been rumors of Smith
impressing his coaching staff, and the Elliott suspension could
be the opening for Smith to make his mark.
Fade - Aaron
Jones @ Chicago ($6,400 on DraftKings)
A negative game script reduced Jones’ workload to just
five carries for 12 yards last week against Detroit, as Brett
Hundley failed to move the ball against a tough Lions defense
and Matthew Stafford dominated the Packer defensive unit. While
I don’t anticipate the Bears putting up big offensive numbers
against the Packers, I can envision Hundley making mistakes that
lead to easy scores for Chicago and another negative game script
for Jones.
Wide Receivers
H2H/Cash - Golden
Tate vs. Cleveland ($6,800 on DraftKings)
With seven catches in each of his last three games, Golden Tate
has been the epitome of the perfect cash game wide receiver with
a high floor and the upside to deliver a monster game. The way
to beat the Browns is through the air, especially from the slot
position with cornerback Jason McCourty lining up outside vs.
the Z receiver. Expect a floor of 15 points from Tate with the
upside of a huge game this week against the lowly Browns.
The DeSean Jackson signing in Tampa Bay has been a bust so far
with the former Redskin and Eagle posting a pedestrian 27/422/2
line over the first half of the season. Jameis Winston has struggled
with his accuracy, and he and Jackson have not been able to build
a rapport in their first season together. With Mike Evans suspended
for fighting and gun slinging Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, this
could be the biggest game of the year for Jackson, making him
a solid upside play for GPP.
The volume was still there for Hopkins with Tom Savage filling
in for the injured Deshaun Watson, but catching just six of 16
passes is not the type of catch percentage you expect from a 7.5k
player. Not to mention, playing the Rams on the road will present
Savage with a more difficult task than taking on the Colts at
home.
I like both tight ends in the Bucs/Jets matchup, but the return
of Jenkins to his old team is too juicy to avoid. Although the
Bucs have yet to allow a double-digit game to an opposing tight
end, ASG will be a big part of the Jets game plan and should provide
a high floor you expect from a cash game TE.
GPP - Kyle
Rudolph @ Washington ($4,900 on DraftKings)
The Redskins defense ranks 18th in total defense this season,
allowing 336 yards and 24.2 points per game. Josh Norman has yet
to allow a touchdown reception in coverage, and DJ Swearinger
has added some much-needed punch in run support from the secondary.
The one area in which Washington has struggled is limiting fantasy
points to opposing tight ends, with only the Giants, Broncos,
and Browns allowing more points to TEs in 2017. Rudolph and Case
Keenum finally look to be on the same page with Rudolph averaging
13 points in his last four contests.
Fade - Charles
Clay vs. New Orleans ($4,200 on DraftKings)
Clay returns to the field after missing a month with a knee injury.
Although he is Tyrod Taylor’s favorite target, the Saints
have been stout against opposing TEs this season. I need to see
a full game from Clay before inserting him into any of my lineups.
