Instead of giving details on each player for an entire lineup, this week I want to give you some players to use from each position – one player for cash game contests and one player for GPP contests. The strategy here is fairly simple and straightforward: using a higher-projected-to-be-owned player in a good matchup for cash games, and a lower-projected-to-be-owned option for GPPs that will help set your lineup apart.
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (Cash – $8200/15%)
This offense has looked a bit out of sorts despite the 3-1 record, however, that doesn’t really matter to us in fantasy as long as Mahomes can put up some points for us. The Vikings have allowed the 8th-most fantasy points to QBs thus far and this game has the highest O/U on the board at 53. He might be throwing it to Kelce, MVS, Toney, Moore, McKinnon, Watson, Gray, Rice, and whoever else suits up for the Chiefs, but it doesn’t matter to us, just score. Mahomes can chip in with his legs too, having rushed for 154 yards through 4 games; that’s 20 more yards than Jalen Hurts.
Matthew Stafford (GPP – $5600/7%)
Stafford and the Rams take on the Eagles, and while it sounds like a formidable matchup just because it is Philly, the reality is that the Eagles’ secondary has been susceptible to the pass, allowing the 5th-most passing yards per game so far in 2023 (260.8). They’ve allowed 9 passing TDs through 4 games (although 7 were Weeks 1 and 2, just 2 the past 2 weeks). Stafford will get Cooper Kupp back this week so the Rams are only getting stronger. This game would present more of a challenge if it were played in Philadelphia, but it is being played in L.A. so crowd noise shouldn’t be a detriment.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson (Cash – $7700/23%)
Robinson has been a consistent producer this season, currently ranked as the 8th overall RB on Yahoo in terms of points. He gets to take on the Houston Texans on Sunday, and the Texans have allowed the likes of Zack Moss, Travis Etienne, and even Najee Harris put up decent rushing totals against them, each with at least 70+ yards, not to mention the receiving production. The Texans have allowed 5 rushing TDs as well. Robinson is a better rusher than all of those backs, so look for him to provide a low-floor but high-ceiling statline Sunday.Â
James Conner (GPP – $5800/9%)
Conner has 318 yards rushing this season. That’s the same amount as the aforementioned Bijan Robinson. That’s also good for 3rd-most in the NFL with only D’Andre Swift and Christian McCaffrey ahead of him. To say his performance has been under-the-radar is probably an understatement. He goes up against an underachieving Cincinnati team on Sunday who allowed over 125 total yards to Nick Chubb in Week 1, over 100 total yards to the Edwards/Hill combo in Week 2, and over 150 total yards to Henry/Spears in Week 4 (38 yards to Kyren Williams in Week 3). This game has a somewhat small spread at 3 points as of this writing, so this game figures to be somewhat close and the Cardinals will need to lean on Conner all game long, whereas last week against the Niners they got in the hole quickly and had to abandon the run.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson (Cash – $9400/23%)
Don’t think about this one too much. He’s one of the best – if not the best – WR in the league. The Vikings D should allow points in this one and the offense is going to be forced to keep pace. He’s 3rd in the league in receptions (33) and leads all WRs in yards (543). And he’s got 3 TDs in 4 games. Kirk Cousins has a few other options to throw to in Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, but none more reliable and explosive as JJ.Â
Jaylen Waddle (GPP – $7500/4%)
Want a piece of the Dolphins action for a fraction of the price? Jaylen Waddle is your man. The Dolphins are heavy favorites (-12.5) against the Giants, and there is potential for them to get up big and take the air out of the ball, but as we saw with the game against the Broncos, they are not afraid to run up the score (although many of those points came on the ground). Waddle can be a big part of the process of the Fins getting up big, and if the Giants can somehow keep it competitive then there should be even more opportunity.
Tight End
Sam LaPorta (Cash – $5000/20%)
The rookie LaPorta is leading all TE in receiving yards thus far and is Top 3 in receptions, so he’s getting consistent looks and is converting those looks into production. Unfortunately for the Lions it appears as though they will be without their top wideout in Amon-Ra St. Brown, but that could also lead to a few extra looks for the first-year TE. It also looks like the Lions will be without their rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs, which again could mean the Lions are going to have to rely on the passing game even more so than usual.
T.J. Hockenson (GPP – $6500/5%)
Hockenson has solidified himself as one the few tight ends that can be relied upon week in and week out for fantasy production, putting him up there with Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews – although he did not live up to expectation last week, corralling just 2 of his 3 targets for 24 yards. Expect Hockenson to get back on track this week against the Chiefs, and at just 5% ownership he seems like a steal given his potential ceiling.Â
Defense
Saints (Cash/GPP – $3000/8%)
This game features one of the lowest over/unders of the day at 39, and Mac Jones has thrown 4 picks in 4 games. He’s also been sacked 7 times. Look for the Saints to keep the score low, force a turnover or two, and add a few sacks. If you’re lucky, they’ll score a touchdown.
