Welcome to the Week 7 NFL DFS main slate. I’m finding success so far this season in head-to-head and double-up contests. Hopefully, you are, too. Before we dive into the Cash Game picks for this week, let’s get a few guidelines out of the way first. The “Cash Game Plays” weekly DFS article has been my bread and butter for the past few years. Evolving a little over the years, I now play almost as many tournaments as I do cash game contests.
The goal of the cash game article is to outline some of the safer plays while also providing options that will help you create the most optimal builds. The whole point of it all is to make some money. Sometimes we won’t, but the most important part is putting ourselves in the best position to do so. That goes without saying, but it can sometimes get overshadowed by the results on a week-to-week basis.
People only want to know how many points a guy scored, not necessarily the route they took to get there. DFS is not only a science but a math equation. Let’s dive in, put the pieces together, and try to solve it. With that said, here are the DFS Cash Game Plays for Week 7. If you’ve been riding with me all along, you know the drill. There will be a lock emoji next to a few of my favorite options. All the players mentioned in the article are viable for Cash Games, but those with that lock emoji will be fixtures in my main lineup(s).
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts ($6,900 DK, $8,300 FD)
Looking at Footballoutsiders.com’s “Pace/Time Stats,” the matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders stands out as a fast-paced game. Jalen Hurts might not be the greatest real-life quarterback, but he’s an elite fantasy player because of his dual-threat ability. Only Lamar Jackson has more rushing yards at the quarterback position, but he’s $500 more expensive on DraftKings. On FanDuel, if you choose between the two, I would take Jackson because he’s only $100 more. In the season opener for the Baltimore Ravens, Jackson rushed for 86 yards on 12 carries against this Raiders defense. Since Hurts is basically the cheaper version of Jackson from a fantasy perspective, I like his chances to produce similar production levels.
Other Options: Kyler Murray (FanDuel), Lamar Jackson, Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahomes
Running Back
Darrell Henderson ($6,600 DK, $8,000 FD) – 🔒
As far as the Stafford revenge game is concerned, yes, he’s a great option in tournaments, and he should have success through the air. However, Darrell Henderson finds himself squarely in play as one of the best value options on the slate once again. On DraftKings, his price didn’t increase all that much from last week, only a $600 bump up after producing 24.7 DK points. Now, he gets the best matchup he’s had against the Detroit Lions, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to the running back position. Henderson is a lock on both of the main DFS sites. If you are going to fade him in Cash Games, FanDuel is the site based on price.
D’Andre Swift ($6,000 DK, $7,100 FD) – Mainly on DraftKings
Although I love Henderson this week, D’Andre Swift is a good option on the other side. Normally, playing two running backs from the same game is suboptimal. However, Swift has proven to be game script proof. When the Lions fall behind in games, Swift racks up targets and catches. Although he was listed as questionable, Adam Schefter tweeted that he’s expected to play. He’s also been questionable every week this season and played in every game perfectly fine. Jared Goff is a check-down machine, and I think Sean McVay will be perfectly fine letting him hit those little dump-off passes once the Rams get out to a healthy lead. If the Lions were to somehow jump out and lead this game, Swift should get the majority of the carries out of the backfield.
Miles Sanders ($5,100 DK, $5,900 FD)
The Philadelphia Eagles’ coaching staff is starting to realize how important it is to get Miles Sanders the ball. At least, that’s what it sounds like. “Offensive Coordinator Shane Steichen said he’s “a hell of a back,” and they “have to get him going.” Does that mean they actually will? I have no idea, but he’s one of the cheapest running back options on the slate. When the Eagles actually decide to run the ball, they’ve been pretty successful at it. The Eagles are third in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (5.2 yards per carry). Now, some of that is because of Jalen Hurts, but when they’ve handed it off to their running backs, they’ve done well. The running backs are averaging 4.74 yards per carry. It’s just hard to get anything going when you’re running the ball 8.75 times per game, which is what they’ve done since Week 3. I think this is the week Sanders gets going, and if so, he’s a great value.
Other Options: Derrick Henry, Miles Sanders, Darrel Williams, Leonard Fournette, Chuba Hubbard
Wide Receiver
Davante Adams ($8,900 DK, $9,000 FD) – 🔒
The weekly Cash Game write-up wouldn’t feel complete without Davante Adams. He’s a staple almost every week, and he’s a great option again here. Of course, you’ll probably have to decide between him and Cooper Kupp, but since I’m locking in Henderson at running back and getting exposure to the Rams that way, I’m going to try to find the funds to pay up for Adams at wide receiver. The Washington Football Team has been a mess defensively this year, ranking 28th in pass DVOA and allowing the most passing yards per game.
Chris Godwin ($5,900 DK, $6,700 FD) – 🔒
Chris Godwin is too cheap on both sites, and he pops as one of the best point-per-dollar plays on the slate. With Antonio Brown ruled out, that eliminates one of Tom Brady’s main weapons in the Bucs’ passing attack, and it should, in essence, open the door for Godwin and Mike Evans to see as much volume as they can handle. Because Evans is more expensive, and Godwin has almost a six-yard difference in aDOT (average depth of target), meaning he’s the safer option in PPR formats. Also, something to consider when choosing which players to roster are player props. Godwin has an Over/Under set at 5.5 receptions with the Over heavily juiced. That tells us Vegas expects him to have a solid game.
The Chicago Bears are also dealing with several injuries and COVID-19 concerns. Tashaun Gipson and Akiem Hicks have been ruled out. Robert Quinn was placed on the COVID list. Deon Bush was placed on injured reserve. Bilal Nichols and Duke Shelley are questionable to play. Things could get messy for this normally stout Bears defense.
Rashod Bateman ($3,400 DK, $5,300 FD) – DraftKings only
As you might have noticed, I listed Rashod Bateman as a DraftKings only option. He’s not a horrible option on FanDuel, but I don’t think you need to stoop that low in Cash Games. If you find yourself playing a $5,000-range wide receiver, Jakobi Meyers is much more dependable and only $400 more. Bateman made his NFL debut a week ago and gobbled up four catches for 29 yards on six targets. No one would confuse that for elite production, but the usage was there, and even if that’s his floor at $3,400, he’ll pay off his price tag and allow you to spend up for Adams, Kupp, or even Derrick Henry.
Other Options: Cooper Kupp, Jakobi Meyers, Calvin Ridley, Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods
Tight End
Dallas Goedert ($4,200 DK, $5,900 FD)
With Zach Ertz out of the picture, finding a new home in Arizona, Dallas Goedert could be the biggest beneficiary. Goedert was already getting targets and red zone opportunities, but Ertz was getting close to 20 percent of the team’s red-zone targets. In his first start since the Zach Ertz trade, Goedert gets a solid matchup. The Las Vegas Raiders have yielded the second-most receptions and fifth-most yards to the tight end position. Also, if we’re playing his quarterback, it’s a cheap mini-stack that doesn’t carry a ton of risk. Goedert should be a safe bet for targets.
Ricky Seals-Jones ($3,700 DK, $5,400 FD)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Ricky Seals-Jones has now made the write-up for a third straight week. And guess what? RSJ has paid off his salary each of the last two weeks. Let’s keep riding him as it seems only to be getting better. Last week, RSJ had his best game of the season, catching four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown on six targets. He also played 100 percent of Washington’s offensive snaps. I don’t see why things change against the Green Bay Packers in a game where Washington is a road underdog by over a touchdown. They’ll need to throw the ball in this one.
Other Options: Darren Waller (FanDuel), Travis Kelce, Mike Gesicki
Defense/Special Teams
Arizona Cardinals ($3,100 DK, $5,000 FD)
Rarely do I pay up for defense in Cash Games. However, the Cardinals might be the exception to the rule this week. The Houston Texans are abysmal offensively, ranking 31st in total offense DVOA. To top it off, over the last three weeks, they’ve turned the ball over at a three times per game average. That’s the most of any team over the last three weeks. The Cardinals are fifth in adjusted sack rate. Davis Mills and the gang could be in grave danger.
New York Giants ($2,500 DK, $3,600 FD)
If you’re a steady dumpster diver for defense/special teams (like myself), the G-men aren’t the worst option. While starting out playing better than he was in New York, Sam Darnold has come back down to earth. Over the last three games, he’s thrown six interceptions and fumbled once.
Other Options: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FanDuel), New York Jets, New England Patriots
Good luck, and let’s win some cash.
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