Whats’s up everyone? Welcome into my third NFL Building Blocks of the season. In this article, I will highlight my top graded plays for cash games. If you are interested in my cash game core plays + final thoughts cheat sheet for every main slate, you can click here.
Quarterback
Russell Wilson- This is THE game of the weekend with a massive 56.5 O/U, and climbing by the day. The Cowboys are banged up on defense, and the Seahawks have been unable to halt opposing offenses this season. This sets up as another smash spot for Wilson who has finally been freed, and is passing more on first and second down than he ever has in his career. Mike McCarthy said that the Cowboys want to score as many points as quickly as possible this week, and I won’t blame anyone for locking in the most expensive QB on the slate.
Kyler Murray- The only reason that I’m not going to be locking in Chef Russ in cash, is the presence of Kyler Murray. I foolishly faded Murray in cash games last weekend, even though I did it in favor of Josh Allen who also had a superb game. Murray was the correct process play, and I won’t make the same mistake twice with him getting the Lions in Week 3. The Lions are unable to pressure opposing QB’s which is huge for someone like Murray who has struggled under pressure throughout his career. They also have a massive 30 point implied team total, and the upside with his legs is nearing a Lamar-like level.
Other Options: Cam Newton
Running Back
Derrick Henry- I really like Henry this week, and he might be my favorite spend-up at this position. I’m not sure how, but the total keeps rising on this game and has now reached a whopping 49.5 points. Henry was trolled by Tannehill last week as he tossed four touchdowns, and has been extremely unlucky with touchdowns. I noted in my write up of this game, Henry has 56 rushing attempts this season despite no touchdowns. The Vikes have coughed up the fourth-most rushing yards in 2020, and I think this is the week Henry finds the box.
Jonathan Taylor- There are some really strong running back plays this week, and I won’t be overthinking it with Jonathan Taylor. He was force-fed 12 (!) touches on their opening drive in Week 2, and it’s clear he is the focal point of this offense. The Jets have been abused on the ground, including multiple 40+ yard runs surrendered last week. Taylor is installed as big home favorite, in line for 25+ touches in expected positive game-script.
Miles Sanders- Another no-brainer, Sanders is not priced according to his bellcow role in this Eagles offense. All off-season we heard that Doug Pederson doesn’t use one running back, and that’s exactly why I’ve trained myself to fade coach-centric analysis in most cases. Pederson coached the Chiefs offense when Jamaal Charles was the number one RB in fantasy football, and Sanders was a bellcow last season after Jordan Howard went down. He saw 20 carries and 7 targets in his first game, and has a solid matchup against the Bengals.
Kenyan Drake- Drake is an interesting case, he isn’t as involved in the passing game as I would like, but he is another guy that’s run bad when it comes to touchdowns. The Lions are maybe the best matchup for a running back right now — both David Montgomery and Aaron Jones have demolished this team so far this season. I want all the pieces I can get to this Cards offense in this spot, and Drake is a clear mis-price on both sites. I’m not worried about stacking my QB/RB in cash games in a matchup like this.
Other Options: Devin Singletary
Wide Receiver
DeAndre Hopkins- Hopkins is as “safe” as it gets at Wide Receiver, especially considering we will be using his QB on a team implied for 30 points. He leads the NFL in targets through two weeks, and I don’t need to explain why he is an amazing play on Sunday. The decision is not why to play Hopkins, it’s if we feel comfortable fitting him into our optimal lineup. He does project for high-ownership.
DK Metcalf/Tyler Lockett- Both of these guys set up in smash spots against a Dallas secondary that has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to wideouts through two games. This passing game is completely centered around these two, with them accounting for over 80% of the teams Air Yards. I like both of them in all formats in this game, but Lockett profiles better on full-PPR DraftKings while I prefer Metcalf on TD-dependent FanDuel. I would like one of these guys on my main team, and will debate the decision throughout the weekend.
CeeDee Lamb- Lamb is someone I’m taking a stand on this week, and I just can’t seem to move off him in a lot of my builds. The Seahawks have been flamed in the slot this season, and with Marquise Blair sidelined we should see a near five inch height difference between Lamb and Ugo Amadi, who replaced Blair in Week 2. He has looked the part so far, and went over 100 yards in his second ever NFL game. He is too cheap for me on both sites, especially baking in the expected shootout. Above I wrote that Dallas has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to WRs…the Seahawks have allowed the most.
Diontae Johnson- Johnson is under-priced once again this week despite leading the Steelers for the second week in a row in Week 2. The Texans secondary hasn’t been exposed yet, because they really haven’t been in either game. The Chiefs and Ravens both made relatively quick work with them, and it’s only a matter of time before they get absolutely abused through the air. Johnson should be $1,000 more operating as Ben Roethlisberger’s alpha wideout, and makes for a tough fade on DraftKings.
Other Options: Calvin Ridley (if Julio out), KJ Hamler (DK punt)
Tight End
Hayden Hurst- Julio Jones status for this game is “up in the air” and Hurst would be a beneficiary should he miss. Most will move to Calvin Ridley, but don’t ignore Hurst who found the end zone last weekend. The Bears have given up 13 catches to opposing Tight Ends this season, and he remains under $5,000.
Logan Thomas- Thomas is a relatively easy play for me on both sites, in an elite matchup with the Browns. Cleveland allowed the second-most fantasy points to Tight Ends last season, and sit at the third-most already this season. They have one of the worst linebacker units in the NFL, and Thomas snap share rose again in Week 2. He clearly has a rapport with Dwayne Haskins, and I think he has a legitimate ceiling at this price.
Other Options: Dallas Goedert
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
