The arrival of cold weather means that the NFL season is ramping up! Week 10 was a whirlwind of emotions and outcomes, as Justin Jefferson (WR – Vikings) made several improbable catches in a 33-30 overtime win on the road against the Buffalo Bills. Of course, this wasn’t the only noteworthy performance, as several teams rallied to upset their opponents, including Green Bay getting a 31-28 win over Dallas. Tua Tagovailoa (QB – Dolphins) notched his third consecutive 300-yard, three-touchdown performance to lead the Dolphins in a rout of the Cleveland Browns and Detroit outlasted Chicago to rattle off their second win in a row. At the same time, the Washington Commanders also stole a divisional road win and ended Philadelphia’s undefeated record on Monday Night Football. Any given Sunday, right?
My recommended players in Week 10 were solid once again. Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes (QB – Chiefs) finished as QB2 and QB3 in PPR formats, while Saquon Barkley (RB – Giants), Tony Pollard (RB – Cowboys), and Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB – Dolphins) all logged RB1 finishes for my recommended running backs. That doesn’t include Jonathan Taylor (RB – Colts), who finally returned to form with the overall RB1 finish against a bad Raiders run defense. Wide receivers were not as successful, but DeAndre Hopkins (WR – Cardinals), Gabe Davis (WR – Bills), and Stefon Diggs (WR – Bills) all logged WR1 finishes. Tyler Higbee (TE – Rams) and T.J. Hockenson (TE – Vikings) produced top-seven finishes at the tight end position, but Dallas’ defense got torched at Lambeau Field. Fortunately, Pittsburgh and Arizona both had solid outings on defense, finishing as the D4 and D7 respectively.
Once again, there will be four more teams on Bye in Week 11, meaning players on Jacksonville, Miami, Seattle, and Tampa Bay will not be available to insert into DFS lineups. There are plenty of good matchups on Sunday’s main slate, so without further ado, let’s dive into which players should be prioritized when constructing DFS builds ahead of kickoff on Sunday afternoon.
Quarterbacks
DraftKings
DraftKings maximum salary is set at $50,000
Josh Allen (QB – Bills): $8,500
It hasn’t been all roses and rainbows for Josh Allen in recent weeks. The MVP betting favorite has now dropped two games to the Jets and Vikings with costly turnovers in big moments. He’s too talented to keep this slump going against Cleveland’s 31st-ranked scoring defense. The Browns are surrendering 26.4 points per game and just got boat-raced by Miami, so they will be a perfect matchup for Allen to get right with his arm and legs being utilized heavily. The blizzardous conditions in Buffalo will be avoided, per the NFL’s decision, meaning Allen will face the Browns indoors at Ford Field in Detroit, creating the opportunity for him to throw for over 300 yards for the sixth time this season. Pay up and lock Allen into lineups without hesitation.
Justin Fields (QB – Bears): $7,600
Chicago has finally found the formula that works for its offense. Second-year quarterback Justin Fields hasn’t stopped dominating teams with his arm or legs in the past four weeks. Despite going 1-3 during this stretch, Fields has become the league’s top rushing quarterback, recording at least 147 yards and a rushing touchdown in each of his past two games against Miami and Detroit. Next up, he’ll face Atlanta, who passed on him in the 2021 NFL Draft for Kyle Pitts (TE – Falcons). The motivation will be there and Atlanta is a bottom-five scoring defense, meaning Fields could go ballistic once again on the road in Atlanta.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Jones (QB – Giants) ($5,700) isn’t the most attractive pick in DFS but he’s cheap and gets a plus matchup against the Detroit Lions at home in Week 11. The Giants don’t have elite pass-catchers but Jones threw for two touchdowns against a gritty Houston secondary last week, so considering the floor he gives you with his mobility, Jones is a good salary-saving option in DFS builds this weekend.
FanDuel
FanDuel maximum salary is set at $60,000
Jalen Hurts (QB – Eagles): $8,800
How will Jalen Hurts lead his team out in Week 11 after suffering their first loss of the 2022 season? We’ll find out on the road during head coach Nick Sirianni’s return to Indianapolis, where the Colts have revived their outlook under interim head coach Jeff Saturday. As bad as it’s been in Indy, the Colts have a tough defense, ranking inside the top ten in every metric except for sacks and forced turnovers. Hurts just lost one of his favorite targets, Dallas Goedert (TE – Eagles), to I.R., so he may be forced to use his legs more than he’s done in recent games. A strong, accurate arm and elite rushing ability still make Hurts worth top dollar in a tough road matchup.
Dak Prescott (QB – Cowboys): $7,500
Dak Prescott executed some great throws against a tough Green Bay pass defense in Week 10 despite the loss. CeeDee Lamb (WR – Cowboys) and Dalton Schultz (TE – Cowboys) are his favorite weapons to target within the Cowboys’ offense, so expect the same production, or more, against Minnesota’s 29th-ranked pass defense. The Vikings are allowing 262.9 passing yards per game while bottling up the run, which means Prescott could be airing it out for his first 300-yard outing of the season on the road in a hostile environment on Sunday.
Honorable Mention: Russell Wilson (QB – Broncos) ($6,900) has been struggling this season but his blow-up game did occur against Las Vegas earlier in the year. The Raiders’ defense is among the worst in the league in most measurable metrics, so with the urgency to win in Denver’s locker room, expect Wilson to come out swinging with another two-touchdown performance at home against a division rival.
Running Backs
DraftKings
Nick Chubb (RB – Browns): $8,200
Nick Chubb was a victim of the game script against Miami in Week 10, attempting a season-low 11 carries. He still churned out 5.7 YPC and caught three of four targets for 18 yards, which is encouraging when Cleveland inevitably falls behind against Buffalo on Sunday. Chubb is the focal point of the Browns’ offense, so expect head coach Kevin Stefanski to continue feeding his top player 20-plus carries against a surprisingly porous Bills run defense. Chubb is a touchdown machine, scoring four in his last three games and only going without a touchdown twice this season. Plug him in and watch the points pile up.
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – Patriots): $6,700
New England doesn’t have a world-beating offense by any stretch of the imagination but it does have one of the best dual-threat running backs in the league right now. Rhamondre Stevenson has been handling double-digit carries for seven consecutive weeks while drawing at least seven targets in each of his last three games played. The second-year running back has also found the end zone four times in his previous four games played, so despite a relatively tough Jets’ run defense, you cannot ignore Stevenson’s value.
Honorable Mention: Cordarrelle Patterson (RB – Falcons) ($6,200) returned from I.R. in Week 10 but did next to nothing despite playing in a plus-matchup against Carolina’s run defense. Perhaps the short week or the recent arthroscopic knee surgery played a factor, but Patterson gets one of the best fantasy running back matchups against Chicago in Week 11. The committee backfield approach by head coach Arthur Smith is concerning, but Patterson has feasted on touchdowns in most games when healthy this year, so plug him in as a solid value due to the discounted salary.
FanDuel
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – Commanders): $6,600
This is an easy one, considering any running back playing Houston is set for a big outing. Rookie Brian Robinson Jr. has handled double-digit carries in four of his previous five games, hitting double-digit PPR points with three of those opportunities. Antonio Gibson’s (RB – Commanders) return won’t be enough to fade Robinson in the best fantasy running back matchup in Week 11, so plug Robinson in at a discounted rate and reap the rewards.
Devin Singletary (RB – Bills): $6,400
Devin Singletary has not been effective consistently, but he did score two early touchdowns against a talented Minnesota run defense in Week 10. The Browns have a bottom-ten run defense and the second-worst scoring defense, which combines to make Singletary worthy of insertion into DFS builds in Week 11. Until James Cook (RB – Bills) and Nyheim Hines (RB – Bills) start getting more involved, Singletary is a solid value in plus-matchups such as the upcoming game against Cleveland that will take place in dry, indoor conditions in Detroit this weekend.
Honorable Mention: David Montgomery (RB – Bears) ($6,200) gains appeal with Khalil Herbert (RB – Bears) recently sent to I.R. Justin Fields has been electrifying with his long touchdown runs, but Montgomery is still getting double-digit carries for the most part. The Falcons’ run defense is its strength, but they will be focusing on Fields, who may increase his targets to Montgomery as a receiver out of the backfield. Goal-line and red-zone trips could be frequent for a suddenly potent Bears offense, meaning Montgomery is a sneaky play at $6,200 on FanDuel.
Wide Receivers
DraftKings
CeeDee Lamb (WR – Cowboys): $7,500
CeeDee Lamb exploded with 11 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay in Week 10 and he’s in line for an even bigger outing against Minnesota in Week 11. The Vikings are a top-four matchup for fantasy wideouts in PPR formats, meaning Lamb could deliver another 30-point performance on the road. He’s not as high priced as you’d think, so pounce on the value and plug Dallas’ alpha target into DraftKings lineups with confidence.
Gabriel Davis (WR – Bills): $6,300
Gabe Davis has been volatile this season but he came through with a WR1 finish against Minnesota in Week 10, finishing with a 6-93-1 stat line on ten targets. The third-year wideout will get another good matchup against Cleveland, who allow the 15th-best fantasy wide receiver finishes this season while surrendering over 26 points per game on average. Davis only needs a couple of deep ball targets from Josh Allen to connect on a home-run touchdown or chunk play, so at $6,300, he becomes a good value to invest in.
Honorable Mention: Terry McLaurin (WR – Commanders) ($5,900) has quickly improved his production with Taylor Heinicke (QB – Commanders) under center for the Washington Commanders. McLaurin has four consecutive double-digit PPR finishes with Heinicke leading the way, so expect more of the same despite Houston’s stingy pass defense on the road Sunday afternoon.
FanDuel
Tee Higgins (WR – Bengals): $7,600
Cincinnati will continue to be without its top wideout, Ja’Marr Chase (WR – Bengals), on Sunday in Pittsburgh, meaning Tee Higgins should take advantage of a porous pass defense. He’s been relatively quiet in recent weeks despite Chase’s absence, but Joe Burrow (QB – Bengals) needs to target someone, which means Higgins has value with at least six to nine targets in each of his previous four games. The touchdowns are needed to pop in FanDuel lineups, but Higgins is talented enough to come down with at least one or two scores despite a healthier Steelers defense playing with some momentum at home.
Darius Slayton (WR – Giants): $6,300
A banged-up Giants wide receiving corps has left an opportunity wide open for Darius Slayton. The fourth-year wideout hit a huge touchdown down the sideline against a good Houston pass defense in Week 10, so against Detroit’s 32nd-ranked scoring defense and bottom-five pass defense, Slayton has a lot of appeal in DFS lineups. Factor in his salary on FanDuel at $6,300 and Slayton becomes an attractive salary-saving option who can pop at home once again on Sunday afternoon.
Honorable Mention: Darnell Mooney (WR – Bears) ($6,000) is a great floor play at wideout if you’re trying to save money for other positions. Atlanta is the best matchup for wide receivers, ranking 32nd against the pass while surrendering 25 points per game, meaning Mooney could land his fourth double-digit finish of the season in FanDuel lineups on the road in Atlanta.
Tight Ends
DraftKings
T.J. Hockenson (TE – Vikings): $5,300
Minnesota’s decision to trade for T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline has paid off in a big way. Kirk Cousins (QB – Vikings) already has established a great rapport with his new tight end, targeting him 19 times in the two games that they’ve played together. Hockenson is matchup-proof, so don’t worry about Dallas’ sixth-ranked defense against tight ends. Cousins will continue feeding the big-bodied tight end targets throughout the game, making him a value despite the high salary.
Honorable Mention: Pat Freiermuth (TE – Steelers) ($4,200) is one of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett’s (QB – Steelers) favorite targets within Pittsburgh’s offense. The second-year tight end has a high floor, which is rare at the tight end position, so plug him in against an injured Cincinnati pass defense with the potential to produce his fifth double-digit finish of the season.
FanDuel
Dalton Schultz (TE – Cowboys): $5,900
Dak Prescott’s return has boosted Dalton Schultz’s involvement and usage within the Cowboys’ offense. The fifth-year tight end looks fully healthy now and has delivered two straight double-digit finishes, including his first touchdown of the season against Green Bay last weekend. Minnesota is a top-ten matchup for tight ends, so plug Schultz into lineups with confidence.
Honorable Mention: Cole Kmet (TE – Bears) ($5,700) is dealing with a thigh contusion but appears to be trending toward playing against Atlanta on Sunday. He’s been Justin Fields’ favorite downfield target recently, scoring 19.5 and 21.4 points in FanDuel lineups in his past two games. As long as he’s healthy, Kmet deserves to be plugged into DFS lineups.
Defense/Special Teams
DraftKings
Patriots D/ST: $3,700
New England has arguably the best front seven in the league, with Matthew Judon (LB/Edge – Patriots) leading the way with 11.5 sacks. The Patriots have forced multiple turnovers in most of their games, so playing against Zach Wilson (QB – Jets) for the second time in three weeks means that there could be a lot more turnover-worthy plays and sacks that will boost their scoring in DraftKings lineups.
Honorable Mention: Broncos D/ST ($3,500) has been great for most of the season, but they specialize in stopping the pass, which Tennessee exposed in Week 10. How will the Broncos look against the volatile Raiders offense in Week 11? I’m betting on them returning to form, shutting down Davante Adams (WR – Raiders), and forcing Josh Jacobs (RB – Raiders) to beat them, which he has not been doing in recent weeks.
FanDuel
Ravens D/ST: $4,700
Baltimore is well-rested coming out of their Bye Week and gets a plus matchup against Carolina in Week 11. Baker Mayfield (QB – Panthers) is a liability under center, and the arrival of Roquan Smith (LB – Ravens) has bolstered a pedestrian Ravens defense. Fire them up at home in Week 11 against a one-dimensional Panthers offense.
Honorable Mention: Commanders D/ST ($4,000) will be getting star edge rusher Chase Young (DE – Commanders) back in the mix on Sunday against Houston’s offense. The Texans lack firepower in most areas on their offense, so with the way the Commanders’ defense has been playing in recent weeks, they are a sneaky play in a good matchup on the road.