Welcome to the FF_Astronauts weekly DFS column.
The column will cover values picks, must have players, bust players and key positional players each week from Nathan McGuire, Alex Edwards and @FF_Spotlight.
Let's take a look at week 7 of the Sunday main slate.
Value Pick
Drew Sample, Cincinnati, $3,200
The TE position is normally the position I look at to try to save some of my valuable budget. The TE position has a much lower ceiling than that of the RB or WR positions. It also has a much higher level of variability, so I have a much lower expectation for the TE position. Here I bring you TE19. Drew Sample has not had much production since his 9 target, 7 catch performance against the Browns. Well, this week the Bengals are playing the Browns again. For his very low price, Sample has a good potential to out perform his price tag and open up more opportunities at other positions.
Nathan McGuire, @n_mcguire95
Don't Believe the Hype (Bust Player)
Michael Thomas, New Orleans, $7,600
People have been waiting and waiting for the top drafted wide receiver in 2020, Michael Thomas. He was hampered with an ankle injury, but was expected back just before the bye week. Then he got in a fight with a teammate. Now, coming out of the bye, he tweaks his hamstring early in the week and doesn’t practice on Wednesday. Much of Michael Thomas’ numbers from last year were with Teddy Bridgewater. Drew Brees has not been airing it out this year and there are many questions swirling around MT for me to trust him this week with the third highest wide receiver’s salary.
@FF_Spotlight
Must Have Players
Kamara , New Orleans, $7,900
Kamara could be the answer to this question every week he has played so far but is especially so this week. Michael Thomas is still not back so look for Kamara to keep getting pumped with volume both in the run and pass game. New Orleans is also going up against Carolina who is ranked 31st against RBs on DraftKings. Kamaras worst performance so far has been 19.9 points in week 5. I would expect him to have at least 30 points this week.
Alex Edwards, @ItsDraftSzn
QB
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles, $6,100
Hollywood Herbert has been tearing up the scene since the Chargers' doctor punctured Tyrod Taylor's lung. He is 6th in DraftKings fantasy points per game. Facing a favorable opponent in the Jacksonville Jaguars, Herbert has the potential to put up serious points again this week. Last week, he showed off his ability to distribute the ball and push down field to Mike Williams. He is QB11 in price, but I predict finishes in the top 5 for Sunday's lineups.
Nathan McGuire, @n_mcguire95
RB
D'Andre Swift, Detroit, $5,400
It’s time. So many other rookies are getting a shot and now it’s time for Swift! They reworked things in Detroit over their bye and there is a great matchup coming with Atlanta. Swift’s value is there and he’ll make a great pairing with Alvin Kamara who clearly is a must have as well. Totally double dipping here! Swift’s skill set, will work great in this match up and he can work through the air and on the ground. Opponents are averaging 6.7 yards per play against Atlanta and 4.1 yards per rushing attempt. I want to have players in that Atlanta/Detroit game which is expected to be high scoring.
@FF_Spotlight
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WR
Kenny Golladay, Detroit, $6,700
Golladay gets the luxury of going up against the Atlanta defense this week who ranks 30th against WRs on DraftKings. Since coming back to action in week three, Golladay has averaged 17.1 points. This game looks to be a game that could be on the higher side scoring and I expect him to finally break through 20+ points this week. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he is this weeks player that scores 40+ points.
Alex Edwards, @ItsDraftSzn
TE
Noah Fant , Denver, $4,800
Noah Fant is finally returning from an Ankle injury that kept him sidelined since Week 4. He has gotten at least 5 targets in every game and has been a monster after the catch. He is playing a Chiefs team that has done well against the pass; however, a deeper dive reveals they are 21st against the TE. The Chiefs have allowed big fantasy games to other dominant TEs such as Hunter Henry and Darren Waller. I think as the Broncos start needing to rely on their passing attack, look for Drew Lock to Target Noah Fant.
Nathan McGuire, @n_mcguire95
DEF
The Washington Football Team, $2,800
The Washington Football Team is playing the Dallas Cowboys. If these teams played three weeks ago this would have been an awful matchup for Washington, but this week, I'm not even sure that Andy Dalton makes it all the way through the game without being pulled. Keep in mind that Ben DiNucci is the back up for Dalton and he was drafted in the 7th round of this year's NFL draft. Dalton had a quarterback rating of 38.7 and threw two touchdowns in this blow out loss. It was already apparent that there were calls for a quarterback change and that's exactly the narrative you want to target with a fantasy defense.
@FF_Spotlight
LESSONS LEARNED FROM WEEK 6
@FF_Spotlight
Don't forget about the QB/RB stack
Alex Edwards, @ItsDraftSzn
Having a cheap defense is nice but it doesn't always work out, sometimes you gotta spend on Defense.
Nathan McGuire
This is far from the first time I learned this lesson but the budget is a restriction not a requirement.
DATA POINT - WEEK 7
Alex Edwards, @ItsDraftSzn
There have been 12 times a player scored 40 points or more on DraftKings so far this season and at least 1 has happened each week.
Nathan McGuire, @n_mcguire95
Noah Fant is tied for second in YAC/r amongst TEs with 15+ receptions behind Jonnu Smith and tied with Hayden Hurst
@FF_Spotlight
Derrick Henry's 212 yards are not even in the top 50 single game rushing records in the NFL. He would have had to break 220 yards to crack that list. His best performance was on December 6th, 2018 against the Jaguars with 238 yards.
BEST LINE UP - WEEK 6
Alex Edwards, @ItsDraftSzn
QB: Newton, $6500, 20.48 points
RB: Henry, $7300, 43.40 points
RB: Swift, $4500, 30.30 points
WR: Golladay, $6200, 17.50 points
WR: Jefferson, $6000, 42.60 points
WR: McLaurin, $5700, 14.40 points
TE: Ebron, $4100, 2.90 points
FLEX: J Taylor, $6400, 15.50 points
DEF: Washington, $3300, 4.00 points
Total: $50,000, 191.08 points
Nathan McGuire
QB: Stafford, $6300, 13.32 points
RB: Taylor, $6400, 15.50 points
RB: Harris, $5000, 4.30 points
WR: Golladay, $6200, 17.50 points
WR: Crowder, $6100, 11.80 points
WR: Jefferson, $6000, 42.60 points
TE: Brate, $3500, 1.30 points
FLEX: J. Jones, $6700, 36.70 points
DEF: Steelers, $3600, 18.00 points
Total: $49,800, 161.02 points
@FF_Spotlight
QB: Tannehill $5900, 33.56 points
RB: Henry, $7300, 43.40 points
RB: Gibson, $5500, 9.50 points
WR: Godwin, $6400, 9.8 points
WR: Jefferson, $6000, 42.60 points
WR: Fulgam, $4400, 19.5 points
TE: Hooper, $3900, 10.20 points
FLEX: Aaron Jones, $7600, 13.10 points
DEF: Dolphins, $2900, 15.00 points
Total: $49,900, 196.66 points
HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS - WEEK 6
Nathan McGuire: 161.02
Alex Edwards: 136.16
@FF_Spotlight: 102.10
HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS - SEASON LONG
Nathan McGuire (4-1-1): 9 pts
Alex Edwards (2-4-0): 8 pts
@FF_Spotlight (0-1-5): 1 pts
