In this weekly DraftKings article, we will discuss some cash game stacks that should provide a high floor for your 50-50 and H2H cash game contests. These stacks are safe to use in your GPP tournaments as well, but they will most likely carry a high ownership percentage. In the second half of this article, we will review some lower-owned GPP stacks along with a defensive stack.
*This article focuses on stacks from DraftKings main slate and does not include Thursday Night Football, the game in London, Sunday Night Football, or Monday Night Football.
$$ Cash GAME STACKS $$
New England Patriots versus Carolina Panthers
QB Tom Brady $8,000 with WR Brandin Cooks $7,600 (Cash/GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: TE Rob Gronkowski $6,600 and/or WR Chris Hogan $6,000 (GPP)
With high-end quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees not available on DraftKings main slate, Tom Brady will garner the bulk of the ownership. Since the Patriots Week one loss to the Chiefs, Brady has looked like a man on a mission. Over the past two games, Brady has eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. Back in 2014 when Brady struggled against the Chiefs in Week four, the media was quick to speculate that he may be washed up. Brady followed that up by throwing multiple touchdowns every single game over the following ten weeks that season. Do not expect the Patriots offense to slow down this week versus a Panthers, who play a zone-based defense that the Patriots receivers will be able to exploit. Last week this defense surrendered 220 yards and three touchdowns to Drew Brees before he took his foot off the pedal in the third quarter. Brandin Cooks had success versus this defense last season posting seven receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown in Week six and seven receptions for 42 yards Week 11.
Atlanta Falcons Stack vs. Buffalo Bills
QB Matt Ryan $7,400 with WR Julio Jones $8,800 (Cash/GPP)
Super Stack: WR Mohamed Sanu $4,800 (GPP)
The undefeated Atlanta Falcons are a solid pivot off the Patriots stack this week as they are averaging 29 points/per game and Julio Jones has yet to register a breakout game. Jones targets have steadily increased every week (12 targets last week in Detroit) as he has remained the focal point of the passing game. Last season it took Jones a few weeks before he erupted in Week four with 12 receptions for 300 yards and one touchdown versus the Panthers at home. Bills rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White and E.J. Gaines are still coming into their own as defenders and are overmatched against Jones’ skillset.
GPP STACKS
Here are three GPP stacks that should carry a low ownership percentage but provide multi-touchdown upside.
Los Angeles Rams Stack at Dallas Cowboys
QB Jared Goff $5,600 with WR Sammy Watkins $5,900 (GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: RB Todd Gurley $7,800 (GPP)
Correlation Play: WR Dez Bryant $6,500 or RB Ezekiel Elliott $8,200 (GPP)
The first thing that we should realize is that this is not the same Rams offense we saw last season as Jared Goff is in a completely different situation. New offensive pieces such as Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Andrew Whitworth have transformed this offense. Rams coach Sean McVay has proven over the past two seasons that he is one of the best young play callers in the NFL as the Rams have eclipsed 40 points scored in two of their first three games. Goff looks like a different quarterback in this offense and has sneaky upside in this matchup. The Cowboys defense has allowed six passing touchdowns over the past two weeks and is currently the sixth worst against wide receivers allowing 38.7 fantasy points per game. Footballguys Steve Buzzard’s ownership projections have Goff estimated at one percent owned this week. Sammy Watkins flashed his upside last week with six receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns versus the 49ers. Keep an eye on Watkins practice reports to make sure that he passes concussion protocol and is active this week.
Denver Broncos Stack vs. Oakland Raiders
QB Trevor Siemian $5,200 with WR Demaryius Thomas $6,300 (GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: WR Emmanuel Sanders $6,100 (GPP)
Correlation Play: TE Jared Cook $3,400 (GPP)
The Raiders defense struggled last week allowing 365 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a 150.7 quarterback rating to Kirk Cousins. The Broncos will study the tape to see how they can exploit a Raiders defense that has allowed five passing touchdowns over the past two weeks. Trevor Siemian has been solid at home this season with seven touchdowns in his first two games. While Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have not registered a 100-yard game this season, Sanders had two touchdowns in Week two. Jared Cook is a solid correlation play as Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. will lock down Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. The Broncos are the seventh worst defense against tight ends allowing 16.5 fantasy points per game.
Los Angeles Chargers Stack vs. Philadelphia Eagles
QB Philip Rivers $6,300 with WR Keenan Allen $7,200 (GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: WR Tyrell Williams $4,400 (GPP)
Correlation Play: TE Zack Ertz $6,300 or WR Alshon Jeffery $6,200 (GPP)
It is no secret that the 0-3 Chargers have struggled to get their offense going thus far. With their backs against the wall expect them to come out focused as four of their next five games will be on the road. This is a spot where the Chargers must get a win or their season will be in jeopardy of spiraling out of control. Philip Rivers will lean heavily on wide receiver Keenan Allen as Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby remains out with a dislocated ankle. The Eagles defense is the fourth worst against wide receivers allowing 40.5 fantasy points per game. Last week Odell Beckham torched this defense for nine receptions 79 yards and two touchdowns. Expect a similar stat line out of Allen as the Chargers are in a must-win situation this week.
DEFENSIVE STACKS (Cash/GPP Tournaments)
There is one defensive stack that stands out this weekend and can be used in Cash Games or GPP tournaments.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets
RB Leonard Fournette $6,700 with D/ST Jacksonville Jaguars $3,600 (Cash/GPP)
Through the first three weeks of the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars stand out as a team with a clear identity. They focus on the running game and challenge their opponents with shutdown defense. On paper, Leonard Fournette seems to be the perfect fit for this style of play but he is only averaging 3.5 yards per carry this season. Regardless, Fournette is locked into heavy volume with 29 touches week one, 16 touches week two and 20 touches week three. He has scored a touchdown in each of his first three games and will soon have a breakout performance as touches equal opportunity. The Jets are the seventh worst defense against the run allowing 26.6 fantasy points per game. The Jaguars have quickly risen to the highest priced defense on DraftKings but are still firmly in play versus the New York Jets. It’s difficult to envision the Jets reaching their implied team total of 17.75 points in this matchup. The Jaguars dominated the Ravens 44-7 last week and the Texans 29-7 week one.
Thank you for reading! And as always, feel free to send any comments, suggestions, or nasty remarks to me on Twitter @shiposki75
