The current week of DFS is always my favorite week of DFS. The slate is clean and we are not forced to deal with our draft day mistakes. It is all about honing in on value plays and which ones to slot in.
This week offers a 10-game slate (11 for FanDuel) with some unique roster construction options.
This article is aimed at deciphering values in the lobbies. It is not meant to be a roster builder. Instead, it will help identify key players priced below their production potential based on various factors for both DraftKings and FanDuel.
NFL Week 10 DFS Value Plays: Targets & Advice
Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy (QB – SF) @ TB | $6,500 (DraftKings)
Brocky Purdy has not been as efficient as he was last season, which was not entirely unexpected. However, he is still a formidable piece of an offense that finds ways to score points. He is the QB9 in fantasy points per game, the QB11 in rushing yards and is averaging 262 passing yards per game, despite missing one of his key receivers.
This week is special because it marks the return of Christian McCaffrey. No shade is directed at Jordan Mason, who handled his role exceptionally, he is not McCaffrey.
The Buccaneers allow the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including an average of 273.9 passing yards and 2.0 passing touchdowns on a per-game basis. McCaffrey is a game-changer for opening up this offense with his dual-threat ability.
This game features a 50.5 over/under. Pieces of both sides of this game should be in play. Purdy works in both cash and GPP contests and can easily be team-stacked or game-stacked. He should be in lineups.
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC) vs. TEN | $6,900 (FanDuel)
For the older folks in the crowd, remember NBA JAM? “He’s heating up!” After a slow start to the season, Justin Herbert has been the QB10 in fantasy points per game since Week 7. He is unlocking a raw but talented Quentin Johnston, building some chemistry with rookie Ladd McConkey, and has been first in passing yards during that stretch. While offensive coordinator Greg Roman worships at the run-the-ball altar, he is slowly incorporating more of what Herbert does best in strong-arming secondaries.
The Titans are no slouch on defense. They allow the 19th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. However, over the last four weeks, they have surrendered eight passing touchdowns and an average of 200.7 passing yards, including an outing where Jared Goff only needed 85 passing yards to throw three scores.
Herbert offers a price point that can be used in both cash and GPP contests.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones (RB – MIN) @ JAX | $6,700 (DraftKings)
Aaron Jones is currently the RB19 in fantasy points per game. However, he is 10th in red-zone touches, making him viable as a multi-touchdown prospect in an offense that can move the ball. In eight games played, he has finished with four double-digit fantasy point performances. He is averaging 19.2 opportunities per game.
The Jaguars allow the fourth-most fantasy points to the position, including 0.9 rushing touchdowns per game. The expectation of the Jaguars falling behind offers a positive game script for Jones to be healthily involved in closing this game out.
In the full PPR DraftKings structure, Jones is underpriced for this matchup. He can work in both cash and GPP contests for this slate.
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI) vs. NE | $7,700 (FanDuel)
Currently, D’Andre Swift has emerged as the most consistent fantasy points producer in this Bears offense. After a disappointing start to the fantasy season, Swift has emerged as a viable fantasy option. While rising, his price point has not fully caught up. He has finished as RB8 or better in four of his last five games and averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game in that stretch.
The Patriots allow the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs, including a robust 124.6 rushing yards per game, second to only the Carolina Panthers.
His cost and half-PPR setting on FanDuel represent both risk and upside for Swift. He works in cash and GPP contests, but he feels safer in cash contests.
Wide Receivers
Josh Downs (WR – IND) vs. BUF | $6,200 (DraftKings)
With Joe Flacco under center, Josh Downs has emerged as the preferred target in this offense. On the season, Downs is the WR23 in fantasy points per game and is averaging eight targets per game. Michael Pittman has been ruled out this week, leaving Downs with a few more targets to go his way.
The Buffalo Bills are not a great matchup for receivers, surrendering the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position. However, they have surrendered a receiving touchdown in every game since Week 5, except one.
Downs is a volume-based play that works better in GPP contests than cash.
Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL) @ NO | $7,500 (FanDuel)
Darnell Mooney is quietly the WR12 in half-PPR scoring this season. He is second to only Justin Jefferson in 20+ yard receptions and has five receiving touchdowns up to this point in the season. He has maintained over a 21% target share in the Falcons’ offense and averages 7.5 targets per game.
Meanwhile, the Saints allow the 13th-most fantasy points to the position but have recently parted ways with Marshon Lattimore. Additionally, the Saints have allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to perimeter receivers this season.
This is a smash spot for the ascending Mooney. He can be used in both cash and GPP contests. He is preferred in cash due to cost but can be utilized in stacked GPPs for some contests.
Tight Ends
Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF) @ IND | $4,900 (DraftKings)
Currently, Dalton Kincaid is the TE12 on the season. He ranks fifth in targets and there is still meat left on the bone. He only has two touchdowns for the season where he should be sitting at three or four. Meaning, there is some positive regression to expect. He has four receptions of 20+ yards and has emerged as a true factor between the 20s. He just needs a bit more red-zone involvement to push him up the board.
The Colts are the fourth-best fantasy matchup for tight ends and are surrendering an average of 59.2 yards and 0.6 touchdowns to the position. Between a plus-matchup and factoring in some regression in the scoring department, Kincaid is one of the better values at salary on this slate. He can used in both cash and GPP contests.
Taysom Hill (TE – NO) vs. ATL | $6,300 (FanDuel)
One of the most difficult players to project or rank weekly is the Swiss army knife known as Taysom Hill. He can score as a passer, runner and receiver. Just wait until they teach him how to kick field goals, completing his quest for NFL world domination. To put it into perspective, he is the TE15 on the season and only has eight receptions. As difficult as he is to project and rank, he is equally, if not more, difficult for opposing defenses to scheme for.
Hill faces a Falcons team allowing the 19th-most fantasy points to tight ends. If only he could compacted into that singular role. They allow the seventh-most points to running backs, which he is at times, including 1.1 rushing touchdowns per game.
There is no such thing as a sure thing when putting Hill into lineups. However, there is plenty of upside, an expected low roster percentage and multiple ways for him to score. Consider him a touchdown-dependent GPP dart throw for multiple lineup users.
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John Hesterman is a featured writer and Expert Consensus Ranker at FantasyPros. He also writes for DynastyLeagueFootball.com. For more from John, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter/X @John_Hesterman.
