This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Onto another week for FanDuel fantasy football. This week is interesting in that it appears one should pay up at the running back spot, and there aren't too many values there, but some can be found at wide receiver and tight end. Remember to look for floor for cash games and low-owned/high-upside players for tournaments.
QUARTERBACKS
Russell Wilson ($8,600) clocks in as the most expensive quarterback, and rightfully so, with a juicy home matchup against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers should be able to slow down Chris Carson but their pass defense is vulnerable, allowing more than 300 passing yards per game this season. Wilson is averaging 23.3 fantasy points per game this season and should easily be able to hit that mark. Derek Carr ($7,400) is reasonably priced and has a good home matchup against the Lions. Detroit has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks while Carr has seemingly hit his stride. He has back-to-back games of more than 20 fantasy points and deep threat Tyrell Williams ($6,300) has scored in every game he's play in this season. A stack using Carr, Williams and Darren Waller ($6,800) isn't expensive, yet offers a lot of upside in this matchup. Are you feeling lucky this week? It's kind of a crazy thought considering that he hasn't thrown a pass in the NFL, but Brandon Allen ($6,000) is at the minimum price for a quarterback, and it isn't a matchup to shy away from playing the Browns. Last week, we saw both Matt Schaub and Matt Moore step in as backups and be productive, so it's possible Allen finds immediate success. Use him only in GPPs and look elsewhere for cash.
RUNNING BACKS
The conversation for cash games this week at running back starts with both Christian McCaffrey ($9,700) and Dalvin Cook ($9,000). While both carry huge price tags, both are averaging more than 20 fantasy points per game and have a good opportunity to hit that mark once again this week. While it'll take some creative punting at the other positions, it's possible to roster Russell Wilson, McCaffrey and Cook in the same lineup (more on that in a bit). Was I a week early on using Ty Johnson ($5,500)? He had two runs of over 10 yards called back due to penalty last Sunday and could lead the Lions backfield this week with Tra Carson nursing a hamstring injury. Josh Jacobs ($7,200) is a great mid-priced option given his workload (17-plus touches in four straight games) and home matchup with the Lions. Detroit has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Finally, if there's a week for Le'Veon Bell to get the Jets' ground game going, it's in Miami against the Dolphins. The Dolphins give up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs and just lost their best defensive player, Xavien Howard.
WIDE RECEIVERS
There's going to be some needed value at wide receiver if you're using the expensive options listed above. It seems like a big game is going to happen for the Chargers' Mike Williams ($5,700) and it's kind of fluky he hasn't found the end zone. D.J. Moore ($5,400) has averaged more than 10 fantasy points per game despite only scoring one touchdown himself. Gardner Minshew has proven to be a competent quarterback and has targeted Moore eight, nine and 10 times over their last three games. Tyrell Williams ($6,300) is extremely cheap this week considering he's scored double-digit fantasy points in all five of the games he's played in this season. My favorite tournament play of the week at the position? That would be the Browns' Odell Beckham ($7,000). He's coming off a quiet game against the Patriots, and on paper has a bad matchup against the Broncos' Chris Harris. However, in tournaments he's (OBJ) going to have an ownership level really low (possibly below three percent) and he's still capable of going nuts in any given matchup.
TIGHT ENDS
Again, if we're going with higher-priced running back we should look for economical plays here at tight end. While he didn't work out last week, Cameron Brate ($5,200) looks good against a Seattle team who has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. While it seems we keep going back to the Oakland/Detroit game, the Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, putting T.J. Hockenson ($5,000) firmly on the radar. Lastly, this could be a good week for Vance McDonald ($5,300), as the Colts have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
DEFENSES
My Buffalo Bills ($5,000) are the highest-priced defense/special teams this week in the main slate and perhaps, rightfully so. They have 10 or more fantasy points in four of their seven games and now get the lowly Redskins. This game has an over/under of 37 points, and chances are weather plays a negative factor here. That helps the Bills. If you're looking to spend a little bit less and save $1,000, think about using the Carolina Panthers. After a three-week hiatus from home, they return and have a nice matchup against the Titans and Ryan Tannehill. The former Dolphin quarterback has fumbled three times in the last two games, showing a knack for turning the ball over (he threw an interception as well).
