We are not all blessed with the opportunity to meet the people we look up to the most. I am both fortunate and blessed to have met Mike Tagliere back in 2019 in a crowded bar area of a Buffalo Wild Wings located in Canton, Ohio. He was welcoming, friendly, and very inviting to talk to. We became quick friends having shared interests outside of this sport we adore so avidly. We stayed in relatively frequent contact over the last couple of years.
Over this last week, we have seen tributes, kind words, financial support, and an outpouring of love for Tags and his family both across the industry and from people that just invited Tags and company into their daily fantasy football lives.
Tags took the time to answer my questions, critique my work, and always stayed supportive of my growth in this space. “Hell yes, dude! incredibly happy for you!” Were his exact words when he found out that I received the opportunity to write this weekly article.
The industry lost a voice of prominence, yes. But it’s more than that. We all lost a great man whose kindness and unwavering support branched out to countless people. I miss my friend, who will always have a space in my heart and will continue to inspire me to chase my dreams.
For those who are able and willing, please consider assisting the Tagliere family via the GoFundMe that was set up by FantasyPros.
I could go on, but I think Tags would tell me to wrap this up and get on with some fantasy football.
For the most current lines and odds, make sure you’re checking out BettingPros.
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Stacks to Target
DraftKings
Josh Allen (QB - BUF) $8000 / Stefon Diggs (WR - BUF) $7600 / Emmanuel Sanders (WR - BUF) $4900
Despite a slow start in weeks one and two, Josh Allen returned for MVP-caliber form last week, effectively snuffing out any doubts of regression. Through three weeks of play, he is the QB7 overall and averaging 25.4 DK points per game. He is tied for fourth in passing touchdowns with seven and has one more on the ground. He is sixth overall in fantasy points per game in DK scoring and squaring off against a defense that has allowed 300-plus passing yards in two of three contests.
In last week's article, I mentioned that Justin Herbert (QB - LAC) was due for a return to the mean in the touchdown production department. The same logic is applicable to Stefon Diggs who has yet to have that week-winning type of game. He is currently the WR24 in PPR scoring and averaging 14.7 DK points per contest. This may not seem like it is selling the point, so here's the skinny. In two of three games, Diggs has 10 or more targets. In six seasons in the NFL, Diggs is averaging 12.98 yards per reception. Thus far this season, he is averaging 10.1, well below his typical average. With that type of volume, a return to the mean is coming, best to catch it at the bargain price then wait to pay up.
For those looking for the variance play, Emmanuel Sanders comes in at $4900 and with six-plus targets per game. He is currently taking the field-stretcher role from Gabriel Davis (WR - BUF), who he has outpaced in snap percentage, routes run, and targets.
For cash games, Diggs remains the preferred option while Sanders would bode well in tournament plays.
Matthew Stafford (QB - LAR) $7000 / Cooper Kupp (WR - LAR) $7800
If it isn't broke, don't fiddle with it, said every dad at some point or another. Had no idea he was referencing DFS plays when he said it though. Matthew Stafford is settling into the Rams offense and making it look easy to put up big numbers. He is the fourth-highest quarterback in terms of PPG on this slate, averaging 26.0 DK points per contest but remains the sixth-highest in terms of salary. This is a discount that should be taken while it's available. The Cardinals defense is allowing the eighth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks but the 10th most to wide receivers. Meaning that the game plan should be simple. Get the ball to the playmakers, and let them do the work.
Enter Cooper Kupp from stage left. Kupp is putting on a clinic and currently the fantasy WR1 in PPR formats. He is second overall in targets, first in receiving yards, and first in receiving touchdowns among his peers. As the most expensive receiver on this slate, the risk is all cost-related. He has seen ten or more targets in each game, cleared the 100-yard mark in two of three, scored a touchdown in all three, and scored two touchdowns in two of three. We do not know when he returns to earth, but until then, if you're not plugging him into lineups, someone who is cashing out is.
The variance play is Robert Woods (WR - LAR) who, thus far, hasn't lit the scoreboard too brightly but comes in at a very reasonable $5300. Woods currently seems to be the odd man out in this offense, despite averaging 6.3 targets per game. He represents that multi-lineup, risk/reward option for tournament play.
Sam Darnold (QB - CAR) $6000 / D.J. Moore (WR - CAR) $6600
For those who may be seeking a cheaper stack to build with, consider Sam Darnold a cheap play to start with. On this slate, he has the eighth-highest FPPG paired with the 13th-highest salary, already making him a potential value. This week they face a Cowboys defense that is allowing the 11th highest production to quarterbacks. They have allowed over 300 passing yards in all three weeks, while Darnold has thrown 300-plus in two of three games. The Cowboys have also allowed two or more passing touchdowns in two of three contests. The stage is set for production and at a discounted price.
Thus far, D.J. Moore has been Darnold's favorite target, averaging 10.3 targets and 95 receiving yards per game. The Cowboys have allowed three receivers to clear the 100-yard mark this season. Moore will probably draw some shadow coverage from Trevon Diggs (CB - DAL), who has looked good in spurts.
Meanwhile, Robby Anderson (WR - CAR) has compiled only five receptions through three games. With Christian McCaffery (RB - CAR) out, there may be more targets to spread around. Even at a discounted salary of $5100, there is plenty of risk associated with plugging Anderson into lineups.
For players wanting prime exposure to this game, game-stacking either CeeDee Lamb (WR - DAL) or Amari Cooper (WR - DAL) is certainly in play.
Honorable Mentions: Dak Prescott (QB - DAL) $6700 / CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL) $6700 / Amari Cooper (WR, DAL) $6000 - Kirk Cousins (QB - MIN) $6400 / Adam Thielen (WR - MIN) $6800 / Justin Jefferson (WR - MIN) $7300
FanDuel
Russell Wilson (QB - SEA) $7700 / D.K. Metcalf (WR - SEA) $7700 / Tyler Lockett (WR - SEA) $7900
Russell Wilson at only $7700 feels like a bargain to build from. Through three games, he is averaging 22.3 FD points, 298.3 passing yards, and 2.3 touchdowns per game. The 49ers are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks while being a little more stingy against wide receivers.
Speaking of receivers, Tyler Lockett came back to earth after scoring 24-plus fantasy points and eclipsing the 100-yard mark in the first two weeks of this young season. Last week, he fell flat hauling in four receptions for a disappointing 31 scoreless yards. However, he missed some game time with an apparent injury but returned to finish. Meanwhile his counterpart, D.K. Metcalf finished with 107 yards and a score. With a mere $200 difference in salary, the looming question is which receiver to plug in? For multi-lineup managers, the answer is quite simply to plug alternate usage to maintain exposure. For single lineup plays, Lockett still feels like the right call. After returning to last week's game from what appeared to be a gnarly injury, he remained quiet, possibly hampered by that injury. Expect a rebound from Lockett who has played explosively prior to last week's game.
Patrick Mahomes (QB - KC) $8700 / Travis Kelce (TE - KC) $8200 / Tyreek Hill (WR - KC) $8200
Expect Patrick Mahomes to come out this week with a sense of determination. The Chiefs have now lost back-to-back games and face another solid defense against the Eagles. The Eagles are currently allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and have yet to allow 250 or more passing yards. They are also allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. They have yet to allow a 100-yards receiving to a wideout, including Calvin Ridley (WR - ATL), Deebo Samuel (WR - SF), and CeeDee Lamb.
But, they have not faced Mahomes. Yet. Mahomes has thrown over 300 yards in two of three games, three passing touchdowns in all three, and is currently averaging 27.7 FD points per game.
Tyreek Hill is off to an uncharacteristic slow start, only clearing eight FD points in one game thus far. With the high cost and the defensive matchup, the more consistent stacking target would be Travis Kelce, who has finished with 13 or more FD points in all three weeks, and more than 20 in two of the last three. It's also worth noting that the Eagles just allowed 80 receiving yards and two scores to Dalton Schultz (TE - DAL).
Taylor Heinicke (QB - WAS) $7400 / Terry McLaurin (WR - WAS) $7100 / Logan Thomas (TE - WAS) $5800
To begin, this is obviously a tournament-style play as opposed to a cash lineup stack. Against a stout Buffalo Bills defense, Taylor Heinicke was not great, but he also certainly was not awful either. With some garbage time heroics, he did manage two passing and one rushing touchdown. This week he faces an Atlanta Falcons defense that is allowing the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts (QB - PHI) threw three touchdowns in week one followed up by Tom Brady (QB - TB) tossing five the following week. Heinicke has been extremely serviceable in his expanded role as the Football Team's starter. Through two-and-a-half starts, he has complied 670 passing yards six total touchdowns. He is currently averaging 18.16 FD points on a per-game basis.
Terry McLaurin over the last two seasons has shown his ability to be somewhat quarterback-proof. He has produced with a carousel of quarterback play ranging from awful to mediocre-at-best. Thus the story continues. Through three weeks, McLaurin has seen 25 targets which he has turned into 231 yards and one touchdown. The Falcons are allowing the 11th-most fantasy points to wide receivers and have surrendered five total touchdowns to the position. McLaurin will most likely draw Fabian Moreau (CB - ATL), who has allowed nine completions on 12 targets for 85 yards and two touchdowns.
Logan Thomas is in play here as well as the eighth-highest salary among the tight end position while maintaining a tie at fourth among the position in FD points per game. He has turned 14 targets into 117 receiving yards and two scores. While Thomas is in play due to cost, it is banking on a score to cover the cost. McLaurin is the preferred target for this stack. The matchup is great and the total investment leaves room to bolster other positions in lineups.
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Hurts (QB, PHI) $7900 / DeVonta Smith (WR - PHI) $5900 / Dallas Goedert (TE - PHI) $6000 - Aaron Rodgers (QB - GB) $7600 / Davante Adams (WR - GB) $8100
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John Hesterman is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from John, check out his archive and follow him @John_Hesterman.