Last week was bizarre. It was one of the lowest-scoring weeks I’ve ever seen, and it was shocking to see how low the pay line was in cash games. I actually prefer slates like that, and we could be in for another one here. We have many teams on bye and a gluttony of injuries across the league. That means these cash game players will be rostered more than ever before, so let’s get into it!
The players below are ones I’m looking at for cash game considerations for Week 7:
Quarterbacks
DraftKings
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC): $8,300 vs. LAC
We mentioned this last week, and Patrick Mahomes will be in this section in almost every article we write! This is simply the best cash game quarterback of the last decade, scoring 20 DraftKings points in all but a handful of games since taking over as the starter. That makes him impossible to avoid against the Chargers, allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Mahomes had 31 DraftKings points in their most recent matchup despite completing just 20 passes.
Josh Allen (QB – BUF): $8,200 at NWE
If there’s one quarterback who’s matched Mahomes over the last few years, it’s Josh Allen. This is the leading scorer in the NFL over the last three years, averaging 24 DK points per game this season. He also has 32 and 40 fantasy points in two of his last three outings and is finally finding his legs after a slow start. New England has a tough defense, but JA is averaging over 27 DK points in their last three matchups!
FanDuel
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC): $8,300 at KC
Why is Justin Herbert still barely above $8K on FanDuel? He was top three in fantasy points just two years ago and is leading all quarterbacks with 23.3 FanDuel points per game this season. That makes him hard to avoid since this is expected to be a shootout, with KC allowing the most passing yards in the NFL last year. This 49-point total is one of the highest of the week, and these two studs should be slinging the ball all over the field.
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR): $6,700 vs. PIT
This is the most baffling pricing on this slate. Matthew Stafford is 16th among quarterbacks in salary on FanDuel, and it’s hard to understand why. He’s top five in air yards, pass attempts and passing yards, throwing to two studs like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. That makes him about $1,000 too cheap, and Pittsburgh is not as terrifying of a matchup as it sounds. The Steelers own a 16th OPRK against opposing signal-callers.
Running Backs
DraftKings
Kenneth Walker (RB – SEA): $7,100 vs. ARI
I was shocked to see Kenneth Walker barely cracking $7K on DraftKings. He’s the second-highest-priced back on FanDuel but is seventh on DK. That will have him in everyone’s lineup, especially since Walker averages over 20 DK points per game across his last four outings. He’s also benefiting since Seattle is a substantial home favorite against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC): $6,000 vs. LAC
Isiah Pacheco has established himself as the go-to back in KC and needs a price bump on DraftKings. He’s got at least 13 DK points in four straight fixtures, picking up at least 15 carries in all of those! That’s amazing since he receives most of the goal-line work in one of the highest-scoring games of the week. Not to mention, LA owns a 23rd OPRK against opposing running backs.
FanDuel
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC): $9,400 at KC
Austin Ekeler is the most expensive back on this slate, but rightfully so. He’s second among all position players in fantasy points since the start of last season, establishing a 15-point floor and 20-point average. His versatility adds to that dominance, and he needs to be utilized in one of the highest-scoring games of the week. We didn’t even mention that Ekeler has at least 16 FanDuel points in nine straight matchups with the Chiefs.
Zach Evans (RB – LAR): $4,800 vs. PIT
We have no data to tell us if this is a good play, but it’s just one of those bargain-bin running backs that will be rostered by everyone. With Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers out, Zach Evans is the only back left! If he gets all of the running back work below $5K, Evans will be in nearly every lineup out there with how cheap he is. Facing the Steelers is sensational, too, surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing backs.
Wide Receivers
DraftKings
Amari Cooper (WR – CLE): $6,100 at IND
There are always a few prices at each position that surprise me, and this is one of them. Amari Cooper has looked dominant as Cleveland’s top wideout this season, scoring at least 17 DraftKings points in three of his last four games. The only dud was a blowout loss against Baltimore when Deshaun Watson got injured, and it’s believed he’ll be ready to return here. Indianapolis isn’t a bad matchup either, posting a 21st OPRK against opposing wide receivers.
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL): $5,700 vs. DET
The fantasy production hasn’t been massive from Zay Flowers, but the role has been. He’s playing in over 90 percent of the Ravens’ snaps while leading the team with a 28 percent team target share. That’s one of the best marks in the NFL, and it will only get better since we’re talking about a rookie. Detroit has been destroying opposing teams’ running games, but they own a 19th OPRK against opposing receivers.
FanDuel
Keenan Allen (WR – LAC): $9,200 at KC
Keenan Allen is spread across most of my season-long leagues because he’s always been a stud. He’s leading all wideouts with 21 FanDuel points per game, picking up 11 targets per outing! That sort of workload is amazing in such a high-scoring game. With KA scoring at least 13 FD points in six of his last seven matchups with KC, there’s no better bet on this slate for double-digit receptions!
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND): $7,000 vs. CLE
Michael Pittman Jr. is Indy’s only trustworthy wide receiver right now, and we only expect him to get better with Gardner Minshew behind center. Minshew loves to sling the ball, which is incredible since Pittman Jr. has a 28 percent team target share. That’s allowed him to record at least eight catches in four of six games. They’ll need to feed him against this challenging Cleveland defense.
Tight Ends
DraftKings
Travis Kelce (TE – KC): $8,500 vs. LAC
This doesn’t need any explanation. Travis Kelce has been the safest cash game tight end over the last five years, leading the position with 18 DK points per game this season. He’s lapping the field at this position and shouldn’t be faded in any matchup. In his most recent meeting with L.A., Kelce collected six catches for 115 yards and three touchdowns!
FanDuel
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL): $6,900 vs. DET
Mark Andrews is the only tight end in the same stratosphere as Kelce. He’s second at the position over the last three years and is well above everyone else behind them. We love that since he has a 14-point average across his last three games and faces a Detroit team that’s allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Defense/Special Teams
DraftKings
Seattle Seahawks D/ST: $3,200 vs. ARI
Seattle is my favorite D/ST of the weekend, and it was strange to see them ninth in salary on DraftKings. This team is one of the league leaders with 11 DraftKings points per game and gets one of the best possible matchups. Arizona ranks 20th in total offense, entering this matchup as a 7.5-point road underdog.
FanDuel
Buffalo Bills D/ST: $5,000 at NWE
It’s easy to save salary on FanDuel, and with so many cheap options out there, many people will pivot to Buffalo as the highest-priced D/ST. This is simply one of the best defenses in the NFL, leading the slate with 12.2 FD points per game. That would make them enticing against anyone, but they face a New England offense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing D/STs.
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
