What’s up everyone? Welcome into my seventh 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 and final thoughts cheat sheets for every main slate, you can click here.
Quarterback
Kyler Murray- As the week has wore on, I have my QB pool down to three guys in Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow (DK). Starting with Murray, the only real knock I have on him here is that his Alpha WR DeAndre Hopkins is banged up heading into this game. I do, however, expect him to play, and Murray feels to cheap for what he has done rushing the ball this season. He has had a massive floor on the ground, and had success vs Seattle on the ground last season as well. They run zone at a top-five rate defensively, and Murray’s numbers jump significantly vs zone-coverage.
Deshaun Watson- Watson is another zone coverage killer, and he has been absolutely balling since Bill O’Brien was fired. The Packers are one of the worst teams in the NFL this season in terms of generating pressure on QB’s, which bodes well for Watson who seems to always be running for his life. This is the highest O/U on the main slate, and I expect Watson to fall behind Kyler in ownership despite it being as good of a matchup. I will note that Murray has more of a rushing ceiling right now.
Other Options: Joe Burrow (DK), Russ Wilson (FD)
Running Back
Alvin Kamara- Kamara was already the near lock of the slate, but that was officially confirmed on Friday when both Michael Thomas and Manny Sanders were ruled out. Already heavily involved in the Saints passing game, it’s likelier that the Saints will come in with an even more run-heavy approach than usual down their top two pass catches. The Panthers are allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs this season, and the most catches to this position. Kamara is also first among running backs in red zone targets.
Kareem Hunt- Hunt was one of my favorite plays on the slate already, and now seems like a lock with Aaron Jones status completely up in the air. Despite being on the road, this is a spot for the Browns to set-up their dominant rushing attack down the stretch of this game. Installed as three point dogs, the Bengals are still without key defensive lineman DJ Reader and Sam Hubbard, as well as now William Jackson. I expect the Browns to deflate the ball in the second-half if winning, and even if they get down we know that Hunt will be heavily involved in the passing game. Hunt is top-five in the NFL in red zone targets, while having more red zone rush attempts than Kamara. He is too cheap on all sites.
These are the only two guys I’m certain I’m locking in as of right now. This Aaron Jones injury situation threw a serious wrench into things, and I think that all of Gio Bernard, Mike Davis and Chris Carson are cash game playable now for your RB3. Be sure to check Final Thoughts for my final decision.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Golladay- The stars seem to be aligning for Kenny G this weekend and I’ve made I’m willing to take a stand and be overweight in all formats. For starters, he’s had a 16 DK points floor this season, which nobody seems to mention. He’s been getting there without scoring touchdowns as well, and is going to absolutely explode in the game that he puts everything together. This could be that game, in an expected shootout vs the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta has allowed the fifth-most touchdowns and fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
SEA WRs- This is an obvious spot in a 56 O/U against a pass-defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers. The beautiful part about this passing game is how concentrated it is between DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, who have target totals of 39 and 38 this season. I always lean Metcalf in these situations, he has the second-highest Air Yards share in the NFL at 44% and has been much more consistent than what we saw in 2019. That being said, Lockett is significantly cheaper on DK, and they project extremely similarly. I definitely want exposure to this game in my main lineup, but still would prefer DK as of right now.
Terry McLaurin- McLaurin is way too cheap on DraftKings at $5,800 and draws his best matchup of the season vs Dallas. The Cowboys are getting healthier on defense, but McLaurin has produced remarkably in a string of tough matchups this season, so I will definitely bet on him in this spot. Kyle Allen fed him double-digit targets last week, and I will point out that the Football Team are just one point dogs in this game…
DK Punts- There are a few punt plays that I would feel comfortable with on DK, and they are Tre’Quan Smith and Gabriel Davis. Smith gets the benefit of having Sanders and Thomas both out, and could be the number one option in this passing game on Sunday vs Carolina. Davis is a bit thinner from a projection standpoint, but will see a bump in targets with John Brown out and he has produced in this exact spot this season. The Bill defense is really banged up, and with Sam Darnold expected back the Jets may actually be able to put up some points. If either of these guys land in a build you love, I would be fine keeping them.
Note: I prefer Tre’Quan to Davis if you have the salary.
Other Options: Davante Adams (DUH), Keenan Allen, Brandin Cooks, Christian Kirk
Tight End
Hunter Henry- The Jaguars have been crushed by tight ends this season, ranking bottom-seven in fantasy points allowed and the third-most touchdowns to the position. He feels way too cheap on both sites, and would provide exposure to the Chargers without punting RB or spending up on Keenan Allen.
Darren Fells- Fells has scored each of the last two weeks, and will be thrust into play as a punt if Jordan Akins (ankle/concussion) is ruled out again this week. This play is contingent on whether or not Akins plays, but would allow you to stack Watson with a cheap pass catcher should you land on him in your optimal build.
David Njoku- The Joker is a DK-specific punt priced at only $3,000. Austin Hooper was ruled out for this game, and I expect the Browns to be motivated in giving the ball to Njoku to showcase him for a potential trade. Regardless, this is a hyper-athletic player and Mayfield is known to target his tight ends in short yardage situations.
Other Options: Travis Kelce
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
