NFL Week 6 brings another interesting slate for DraftKings tournaments, with several high-total games, some underpriced offensive weapons and a few defensive matchups worth attacking.
For my NFL DFS tournament/GPP picks for Week 6, I’m looking for players whose salaries don’t fully reflect their opportunities, along with offenses that can produce the explosive plays needed to win large-field tournaments. This week’s picks include a potentially overlooked game stack, a pair of running backs with strong workload outlooks, and several receivers who offer significant upside without requiring an elite salary.
Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami, and Minnesota are also on bye, removing several popular fantasy options from the player pool. That makes identifying the right midrange values particularly important.
Here are my favorite DraftKings GPP plays for Sunday’s 10-game main slate on October 18.
NFL DFS Tournament Strategy for Week 6
The biggest decision this week is how much salary to allocate to the high-end running backs. Kenneth Walker III ($8,500), Bijan Robinson ($8,700), and Jonathan Taylor ($8,000) all offer attractive opportunities, but using one alongside an expensive passing stack can make the rest of a lineup hard to build.
I’m more interested in finding value between $5,000 and $7,000, where several players have workloads that rival more expensive options. At wide receiver, we also have some appealing midrange plays in games with totals above 50 points, making it possible to build lineups with significant scoring potential without relying on multiple minimum-priced players.
Best Contrarian Stack for NFL DFS Tournaments in Week 6
Game Stack: Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons
Caleb Williams ($6,200) – Luther Burden III ($5,400) – Rome Odunze ($4,900) – Drake London ($7,000)
Chicago-Atlanta has one of the best offensive environments of Week 6, with a 51.5-point total and both teams carrying implied totals of at least 25 points. The Bears are slight road favorites, and Williams offers an appealing combination of passing upside and rushing ability at $6,200. Atlanta has allowed 37.7 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, making this a particularly interesting matchup for a Chicago offense that has multiple receivers capable of creating explosive plays.
Luther Burden ($5,400) is my preferred starting point. His salary is still manageable, and his ability to generate yards after the catch gives him a path to a big performance without needing 12 or 13 targets.
Odunze ($4,900) is the more volatile option, but his downfield role and red-zone potential make him an interesting second stacking piece. The two receivers cost just $10,300 combined, allowing us to capture a significant portion of Chicago’s passing production without paying for an expensive WR1. They’ll be going against an Atlanta secondary that has had injury issues and has allowed the second-most receptions and sixth-most yards to opposing WRs this season.
On the Atlanta side, I still prefer London ($7,000) as the preferred bring-back. He remains the focal point of Atlanta’s passing attack, and Chicago has allowed 32 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, only slightly better than Atlanta. The Falcons also are likely to be in a pass-heavy game environment given the Bears’ pace of play and the fact they’ve looked like one of the best teams in the league when Williams has been healthy. London’s target-earning ability gives him a strong opportunity to capitalize on that game script, and pairing him with the Chicago passing attack gives us exposure to both sides of a game with genuine shootout potential.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Josh Allen ($7,500) + Khalil Shakir ($5,300) + Dalton Kincaid ($5,100) + Brock Bowers (7$,500)
- Matthew Stafford ($6,400) + Puka Nacua ($8,100) + Davante Adams ($6,600) + Trey McBride ($7,200)
NFL DFS Tournament Quarterback Pick
Daniel Jones ($5,200)
Jones is one of the more appealing salary-saving quarterback options this week, even though he’s been a disappointment so far. Indianapolis is a seven-point home favorite against Tennessee, with an implied team total near 26 points, and Jones costs considerably less than quarterbacks in similar offensive environments. He can also add rushing production, giving him another way to reach a strong DraftKings score even if the Colts don’t need to throw 40 times.
While the line and spread suggest this may be a Jonathan Taylor game, Tennessee has allowed 35.9 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers and is a funnel-to-the-pass defense, making it a better environment for Jones and his receivers. The biggest concern is game script, but at 5.2k Jones doesn’t need the same passing volume as an expensive quarterback to deliver tournament value. A couple of passing touchdowns combined with rushing production would make him a useful option for lineups looking to spend elsewhere, and with receivers like Josh Downs and Keenan Allen cheap this week, Jones is a great cheap option to build around at QB.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Tyler Shough ($5,600)
- Michael Penix Jr. ($5,000)
NFL DFS Tournament Running Back Picks
Higher End: Kyren Williams ($6,800)
Williams stands out as one of the biggest salary discrepancies on the Week 6 slate. The Rams are 12.5-point home favorites against Arizona and carry a massive 32-point implied total, creating an excellent environment for their lead running back. Williams has an established role around the goal line and also contributes in the passing game, having caught 16 receptions over his last two games alone. While the threat of Blake Corum poaching some work exists, Williams has several different paths to a big fantasy performance, and at $6,800, he’s also considerably cheaper than the elite running backs despite playing in one of the week’s best offensive situations.
Arizona has allowed 19.9 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (fairly average), but the projected game script is the bigger attraction. If Los Angeles builds an early lead, Williams should have plenty of opportunities to accumulate carries and potentially score multiple touchdowns. He’s also involved enough as a receiver to remain productive if the Rams lean on Matthew Stafford early. The combination of workload, scoring opportunities, and a favorable salary makes Williams one of my preferred running backs for Week 6 tournaments.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- James Cook ($7,400)
- Jonathan Taylor ($8,000)
Lower End: Cam Skattebo ($5,800)
Skattebo is an interesting tournament target this week because the matchup with New Orleans is significantly better than his recent production might suggest. The Saints have allowed 31.5 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, one of the highest marks in the NFL, and Skattebo’s physical running style gives him an opportunity to take advantage of a defense that has struggled to contain opposing backfields. At $5,800, he’s priced below several backs with comparable opportunities. The Giants are also playing at home in a relatively competitive matchup, with New Orleans favored by just 1.5 points. That should give New York an opportunity to keep its running game involved rather than abandoning it early.
Skattebo’s touchdown potential is the biggest attraction, but any additional receiving involvement would make him even more appealing on DraftKings given the full PPR scoring. He’s a volatile option, given that both Tyrone Tracy and Najee Harris will be involved at points, but the matchup and salary create a realistic opportunity for a breakout performance and a ceiling-type fantasy week if he and the Giants get off to a fast start.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Braelon Allen ($5,700)
- Quinshon Judkins ($5,500)
NFL DFS Tournament Wide Receiver Picks
Higher End: Tetairoa McMillan ($7,300)
McMillan has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most productive young receivers, and his role in Carolina’s offense gives him the kind of ceiling we’re looking for in tournaments. He’s averaging 9.8 targets and 96.3 receiving yards per game through four appearances, with a 31.6% first-read target share. Before Carolina’s Week 5 bye, McMillan delivered his best performance of the season against Detroit, catching 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. That performance highlighted his ability to produce a massive DraftKings score when Bryce Young consistently looks his way.
The matchup with Philadelphia may not scream out massive game like the Lions game did, but on paper it gives McMillan another opportunity to deliver a strong performance. The Eagles have allowed 39.8 DraftKings points per game to opposing wide receivers, the sixth-most in the NFL, and have struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. McMillan also has an average target depth of 11.9 yards, giving him opportunities to produce explosive plays rather than relying entirely on short receptions. At $7,300, he’s no longer a bargain, but his target volume, downfield involvement, and proven 40-point ceiling make him an appealing higher-end GPP option, especially since other WRs will likely get higher ownership around him.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Malik Nabers ($6,500)
- Davante Adams ($6,600)
Lower End: Xavier Worthy ($4,600)
Worthy is one of the most intriguing cheap receivers on the slate because his salary doesn’t fully reflect his explosive-play potential. Kansas City is an 8.5-point home favorite against the Chargers, with an implied total of 25.5 points, and Worthy gives Patrick Mahomes a vertical threat who can turn a single reception into a long touchdown. He’s also involved enough in the offense to offer more than a purely touchdown-dependent profile, making him an appealing option at just $4,600.
The Chargers have generally been competitive as a secondary, but Worthy’s speed creates a different kind of matchup problem. Kansas City doesn’t need to throw constantly for him to produce a big game, and a few designed touches or downfield opportunities could be enough to deliver a strong return. There is also the injury to Rashee Rice, which could work in his favor as his teammate has yet to practice this week, a development which could increase Worthy’s target share this week by a big margin. His weekly production will remain volatile, regardless, but that’s part of the attraction in larger tournaments. At this salary, Worthy offers an explosive ceiling that can make a significant difference in a GPP lineup.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Carnell Tate ($5,000)
NFL DFS Tournament Tight End Pick
Harold Fannin Jr. ($4,100)
Fannin gives us a more established receiving role than Colston Loveland ($4,300) at a slightly cheaper salary, in a great matchup, making him an appealing midrange tight end for Week 6 tournaments. The TE earned a 17.6% target share through five games, with 18 receptions for 157 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also seen three red-zone targets and has produced 91 yards after the catch, showing he can generate fantasy points beyond simply catching short passes. His disappointing Week 5 performance against the Jets, when he caught just one pass for four yards, could also help keep ownership down this week, a plus for anyone entering large field GPP lineups.
The matchup with Baltimore isn’t especially favorable for tight ends overall, but there are some encouraging signs. The Ravens have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends through five games and rank seventh-worst in fantasy points allowed per opportunity to the position. Last week, they also allowed much-maligned Kyle Pitts to break out with over 40 yards and a TD. To top things off, Cleveland is also a 5.5-point home underdog, which could force the Browns into more passing situations. With KC Concepcion dealing with a concussion, Fannin could see additional targets if the rookie receiver is unavailable. At $4,100, his established role and touchdown potential give him a reasonable path to a strong tournament return.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Colston Loveland ($4,300)
- Tyler Higbee ($3,400)
NFL DFS Tournament Defense Pick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($2,600)
Tampa Bay is one of my preferred cheaper defenses for Week 6, with a home matchup against Pittsburgh in a game carrying the lowest total on the main slate at 39.5 points. The Steelers are favored by 2.5 points, but their implied team total is just 21, leaving room for Tampa Bay to produce a useful defensive performance without needing a shutout. At $2,600, the Buccaneers also provide significant salary savings compared with the more expensive defenses.
The appeal largely comes from the game environment. Neither offense is expected to produce a particularly high score, and a close, lower-scoring contest could create opportunities for sacks and turnovers, especially with a highly immobile 40+ year-old QB in Aaron Rodgers is on the other side. Tampa Bay doesn’t necessarily have the same defensive ceiling as Kansas City or Los Angeles, but we’re paying considerably less and can use those savings to upgrade an offensive position. In tournaments, that trade-off is worth considering when a cheaper defense has a realistic opportunity to outperform its salary.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Carolina Panthers ($2,500)
- Baltimore Ravens ($3,200)
NFL DFS Tournament Picks FAQ
What is a GPP in NFL DFS?
A GPP, or guaranteed prize pool tournament, is a DFS contest that generally rewards high-ceiling lineups capable of finishing near the top of a large field. Unlike safer lineup constructions, tournament lineups often place more emphasis on ceiling, correlation, ownership and leverage.
What should I look for in NFL DFS tournament picks?
Strong NFL DFS tournament plays should offer a combination of upside, salary value and a realistic path to outperforming their expected ownership. Correlated game stacks and lower-owned pivots from popular players can also help differentiate lineups in larger contests.
How are NFL DFS tournament picks different from cash-game picks?
Cash-game lineups generally prioritize projection, workload and consistency, while tournament lineups can take on more volatility in exchange for a higher ceiling. GPP players may also consider ownership and leverage more heavily when deciding between similarly projected options.
What are the best NFL DFS tournament picks for Week 6?
My favorite NFL DFS tournament plays for Week 6 include Daniel Jones ($5,200) at quarterback; Kyren Williams ($6,800) and Cam Skattebo ($5,800) at running back; Tetairoa McMillan ($7,300) and Xavier Worthy ($4,600) at wide receiver; and Harold Fannin Jr. ($4,100) at tight end. Tampa Bay ($2,600) is my preferred value defense, while Bears-Falcons is my featured contrarian game stack for Sunday’s DraftKings main slate.
