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, Sunday Night Football, or Monday Night Football.
$$ Cash GAME STACKS $$)
Houston Texans versus Cleveland Browns
QB Deshaun Watson $6,700 with WR DeAndre Hopkins $8,100 (Cash/GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: WR Will Fuller $5,200 (GPP)
After an impressive start to his NFL career, Deshaun Watson projects to be the top option at quarterback this week. Watson has produced back-to-back five-touchdown games and the Texans have averaged 41.3 points over the past three games. Another positive when rostering Watson is the baked-in rushing yardage as he has averaged 40.7 rushing yards per game over the past month. That is the equivalent of an additional touchdown based on DraftKings scoring system. The Browns defense has been better against the run ranking as the eighth best in the NFL. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton and Defensive End Myles Garrett are expected to play and will help boost the Browns rush defense. The Browns defense has struggled against the pass allowing the highest quarterback passer rating (112.4) in the NFL this season. Number one wide receivers have feasted on Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor as Antonio Brown finished with 11 receptions for 182 yards and T.Y. Hilton excelled with seven receptions for 153 and one touchdown. Deandre Hopkins has been a target hog this season with 61 targets through the first five weeks behind only Antonio Brown. The only drawback for rostering Watson and Hopkins is that they will be popular this week. Footballguys own Steve Buzzard has Watson and Hopkins with the highest ownership projection at their respective positions. If you are looking to differentiate, Will Fuller has shown chemistry with Watson with four touchdowns over the past two weeks.
GPP STACKS
Here are some GPP stacks that should carry a low ownership percentage but provide multi-touchdown upside.
Arizona Cardinals Stack versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB Carson Palmer $6,100 with WR Larry Fitzgerald $6,800 (GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: WR J.J. Nelson $4,400 or RB Andre Ellington $5,300 (GPP)
Correlation Play: WR Desean Jackson $5,800 (GPP)
Since the early season injury to David Johnson, the Cardinals have leaned on Carson Palmer as they rank second in the NFL in team passing offense. Palmer is in-line for some positive touchdown regression as he only has six touchdowns through the first five weeks. Larry Fitzgerald continues to be the preferred option in the passing game with 51 targets (fourth-most in the NFL). The Buccaneers pass defense has been awful as they have allowed the second most passing yards per game (309) this season behind only the Patriots. Andre Ellington makes for a solid pivot from Fitzgerald as he leads all running backs with 40 targets this season.
New England Stack at New York Jets
QB Tom Brady $8,300 with WR Chris Hogan $7,000 (GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: WR Brandin Cooks $7,600 or TE Rob Gronkowski $6,800 (GPP)
A Patriots stack gives us an opportunity to pay up to be contrarian in our GPP tournament lineups. This week it is much easier to pay up for Tom Brady on DraftKings due to the value that is available at the running back and wide receiver positions. Brady is leading the NFL with 1602 passing yards and 320 passing yards per game. Chris Hogan has been the most consistent Patriots receiver averaging 70 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game over the past four weeks. Consider adding Brandin Cooks or Rob Gronkowski to your Patriots stack as both players have multiple-touchdown upside.
New Orleans Saints Stack versus Detroit Lions
QB Drew Brees $7,200 with WR Michael Thomas $7,300 (GPP)
Alternate/Super Stacks: RB Alvin Kamara $4,500 or RB Mark Ingram $4,400 (GPP)
Correlation Play: WR Golden Tate $6,800 (GPP)
Fresh off their bye week, the New Orleans Saints number four ranked passing offense squares off against the Detroit Lions who are ranked with the fourth-worst pass defense. The Lions were picked apart by Cam Newton last week allowing 355 passing yards and three touchdowns. Drew Brees remains a quarterback to target when he is playing at home on a fast track. Over his career, Brees has 272 touchdowns at home as compared to 201 touchdowns on the road. While Michael Thomas is the top option in the passing game averaging 9.2 targets per game, don’t discount Alvin Kamara or Mark Ingram after the departure of Adrian Peterson. Detroit is allowing the sixth-most receiving yards to running backs (58.2 yards per game).
San Francisco 49ers Stack at Washington Redskins
QB Brian Hoyer $5,100 with WR Pierre Garcon $6,300 (GPP)
Correlation Play: WR Terrelle Pryor $5,700 (GPP)
Brian Hoyer is an interesting option if you are looking to save at the quarterback position. Hoyer finished with 353 passing yards and two touchdowns against Indianapolis last week and 332 passing yards and three total touchdowns versus the Rams in Week three. The Redskins enter this game with the fifth-best pass defense but will be without superstar cornerback Josh Norman. Pierre Garcon is the top option in the 49ers passing game with 8.8 targets per game. He may also be playing with a chip on his shoulder after the Redskins chose not to re-sign him this past offseason.
DEFENSIVE STACKS (GPP Tournaments)
There is one defensive stack that stands out this weekend and can be used in GPP tournaments.
Baltimore Ravens versus Chicago Bears
RB Javorius Allen $5,400 with D/ST Baltimore Ravens $3,700 (GPP)
Joe Flacco has struggled to push the ball downfield this season thus benefitting the Ravens short pass options. Javorius Allen has averaged five receptions over the past month and will be locked into targets with Terrance West expected to miss due to a calf injury. The Ravens defense will be a popular option playing at home against rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
*Note* If you are playing on a DraftKings slate with Sunday Night Football, a Denver Broncos stack with C.J. Anderson and the Broncos D/ST is the preferred option.
Thank you for reading! And as always, feel free to send any comments, suggestions, or nasty remarks to me on Twitter @shiposki75