/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65509870/usa_today_13517537.0.jpg)
You’ll find all kinds of DFS fantasy rankings, values, best/worst plays on DK Nation, but what about just identifying the good chalk? I play almost completely in cash games during NFL season, and it’s really important to know who we can trust, and who we can’t.
New to the cash game scene? Cash games on DK refer to double-ups, 50-50s and head-to-heads — all of which roughly the top half of the field doubles its money.
I’ve had a good start to the season in cash games, profiting on four slates and breaking even on another. Here are the core plays that I’m considering this week, on the 11-game DK main slate only.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson ($6,800) @SEA — After rushing for just six yards in Week 1, Jackson’s produced a minimum of 10 DKFP in each of his last five games. That includes 146 rushing yards and a touchdown last week against the Bengals. That rushing floor always makes him a cash play unless he’s severely overpriced.
Russell Wilson ($6,600) vs. BAL — Wilson’s been the most efficient QB in the NFL, with over 1,700 passing yards and 14 touchdowns (and another three on the ground), without throwing an interception. He’s averaging over 30 DKFP in home games this season, and has a soft Baltimore defense on deck.
Matt Ryan ($6,300) vs. LAR — Ryan’s always extremely safe because the Falcons are constantly slinging the ball. You’ll have to deal with some turnovers, but the 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in six games speaks for itself.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook ($8,000) @DET — My only issue with Cook is paying up for him, but we do see his salary come down $400 after a poor game against a stout Philly front seven. But he’s locked into a monster workload against a Lions team that ranks bottom-three in DKFP allowed to the position.
Leonard Fournette ($7,000) @CIN — Fournette’s my favorite play this week, and a lock for cash games. He has at least 26 touches in each of his last three games, and expanded role in the passing game, and a cushy matchup against the Bengals.
Chris Carson ($6,500) vs. BAL — Carson’s another RB at a huge discount that has a massive role in the offense. Carson also has 26 or more touches in three straight seeing his point total rise each week from 21.5 DKFP to 28.9 DKFP last week.
Josh Jacobs ($5,000) @GB — The Raiders have been competitive this season, and Green Bay has a lengthy injury list this week. The Packers have been shredded on the ground in multiple games, and Jacobs just put up a 26-123-2 line against the Bears, along with three receptions (32.3 DKFP).
Carlos Hyde ($4,700) @IND — Hyde’s found the end zone in three of his last four games, and has handled 47 total carries over the last two games. He posted a 26-116-1 line last week against the Chiefs (22 DKFP), and is far too underpriced regardless of matchup.
Wide Receivers
Julio Jones ($8,000) vs. LAR — Yes, Julio will now be facing Jalen Ramsey, but the Rams defense has been very soft this season. Jones got back involved last week, catching 8-of-9 targets for 108 yards. Look for some of that early season production in the game with the highest total on the board.
Cooper Kupp ($7,400) @ATL — Pretty similar concept here for Kupp, who’s coming off a brutal game. But just look how productive he was prior to that. The Falcons have been getting absolutely shredded through the air.
D.J. Chark ($6,000) @CIN — Chark drew a rough matchup in a low scoring game last week, but had four massive games prior to that. Dede Westbrook is injured, and Chark will feat on a Bengals secondary missing its top-two corners.
T.Y. Hilton ($5,900) vs. HOU — Hilton’s in a weird spot if you look at his game log. He missed Week 4, and then had a modest game in Week 5 after returning from a quad injury. Now he’s had time to get healthy, and put up those numbers we saw in the early season, but at a discount.
Kenny Golladay ($5,800) vs. MIN — Minnesota ranks just 22nd against WR, and Golladay has the ability to rip off big plays. With 20 or more DKFP in three of his last four, one play could help him to reach value in this matchup.
Allen Lazard ($3,000) vs. OAK — All three of Green Bay’s top-three WR are either already ruled out, or in doubt. That leaves Lazard, who Rodgers showed trust in on MNF. He posted a 4-65-1 line (16.5 DKFP) on five targets. He’s basically a free space on this slate in cash.
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper ($5,300) vs. LAR — Hooper’s been Ryan’s go-to-guy, with at least seven targets in four straight games. He’s scored 25 or more DKFP in three of those outings, and has a great matchup.
Mark Andrews ($4,900) @SEA — Seattle has allowed the fourth-most DKFP to the TE position. Andrews has been one of Jackson’s favorite targets this season, averaging 16.3 DKFP.
Hunter Henry ($4,000) @TEN — Henry returned in Week 6 from a knee injury and was in a heavily featured role. He lined up far more than expected in the slot or at WR, bringing in 8-of-9 targets for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns (33 DKFP).
Team Defense
Bills D/ST ($4,300) vs. MIA — They face the Dolphins at home.
Colts D/ST ($2,000) vs. HOU — The Colts and Texans generally play each other tough, and trend towards the under. Prior to the bye, Indy held Kansas City to 13 points in its own stadium.
Washington D/ST ($1,700) vs. SF — The cheap route is always uncomfortable to take, but you’ve got to love the price point. The 49ers have been dominating, but not putting up huge numbers on offense. A few points here is just fine.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jedlow) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.