This article first appeared on RotoBaller.com
[sc name=”Author Andrew C Lovell”]
If you played in DFS contests that included Thursday night’s Oakland Raiders-Kansas City Chiefs, I sure hope you played Derek Carr (417 yards, three touchdowns) and Amari Cooper (11 receptions, 210 yards, two touchdowns). If not, well … you’re probably going to face an uphill battle.
The goal of this weekly column is to help find the most profitable DFS stacks, while avoiding the duds. Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is an ideal way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments.
Let’s take a look at some of the top DFS stacks for Week 7, loosely sorted by salary.
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High-Priced Week 7 DFS Stacks
New Orleans QB Drew Brees and WR Michael Thomas at Green Bay
The Saints scored 52 points last Sunday, but only 14 of those points came from the passing attack. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call an “outlier.” Brees finished with 186 yards, two TDs, and two interceptions, while Thomas managed just 11 yards on three receptions.
Look for both to bounce back in a road matchup with the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers. This game would certainly boast better shootout potential with Rodgers in the mix, but Brees and Thomas still stand out as two of the more dynamic fantasy options at their respective positions. Their high price tags could keep their ownership low, which always helps in GPPs.
Dallas QB Dak Prescott and WR Dez Bryant at San Francisco
So much for a sophomore slump. After a brilliant rookie season, Prescott has continued to prove himself as one of the NFL’s brightest young stars and one of fantasy’s top quarterbacks. Prescott has accounted for at least three touchdowns in each of his last three games, and he’s topped 275 total yards in the last two games.
In an inviting road matchup with the 49ers’ 27th-ranked pass defense, Prescott is an elite DFS option. Bryant is the obvious stack, as he’s caught touchdowns in three of his last four games. Someone like Cole Beasley or Terrance Williams might snag a touchdown, but Bryant carries the highest upside.
Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green at Pittsburgh
After a disastrous two-game stretch to open the season, Dalton has settled into a groove, throwing seven touchdowns against just two interceptions over his last three games. The Steelers rank No. 1 in the NFL in pass defense, but don’t let that scare you away.
Pittsburgh has faced some of the most anemic passing attacks in the NFL (Cleveland, Chicago, Baltimore, Jacksonville; all ranked 23rd or worse in passing offense). Green is always a good bet for 100 yards and a touchdown. Roll him out with confidence in your DFS lineups.
Moderately-Priced Week 7 DFS Stacks
Seattle QB Russell Wilson and TE Jimmy Graham at New York Giants
The Giants picked up their first win of the season last Sunday night, but their inability to defend opposing tight ends continued. Big Blue has surrendered seven touchdowns to tight ends this season, including at least one in every game.
Graham, meanwhile, finally found the end zone in the Seahawks’ last game, so the trends here would indicate Graham is in store for a big day. Wilson is always a fine DFS option due to his running prowess. Doug Baldwin is also a viable stack, but Graham has greater touchdown upside.
Carolina QB Cam Newton and RB Christian McCaffrey at Chicago
Newton offset his three interceptions last Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles by rushing for a season-high 71 yards and a touchdown. With wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (knee) a question mark and tight end Greg Olsen already sidelined, Newton could again be running around against the Bears.
McCaffrey has emerged as a valuable PPR weapon and is coming off a 10-catch, 56-yard performance against the Eagles. Expect him to be heavily involved once again. This is a high-upside stack that won’t break the bank.
Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota and WR Eric Decker at Cleveland
There’s no doubt Mariota is an elite DFS play against the Browns’ middling pass defense. Cleveland has surrendered an NFL-worst 14 passing touchdowns, so the odds favor Mariota finding the end zone at least two or three times.
The key question, of course, is which pass-catcher will reap the benefits? Delanie Walker? Rishard Matthews? Both are possible, but how about Decker? The veteran is coming off his best game of the season (seven catches, 88 yards) and should be able to build on that momentum against the winless Browns.
Bargain-Priced Week 7 DFS Stacks
San Francisco QB C.J. Beathard and WR Pierre Garcon vs. Dallas
Beathard probably won’t be confused with Joe Montana any time soon, but the rookie showed last Sunday he’s no worse than veteran Brian Hoyer. Beathard stepped up in relief of Hoyer to pass for 245 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Washington.
The Cowboys’ defense ranks 16th against the pass, but it’s also allowed 11 touchdowns by opposing quarterbacks. In a game where Beathard and the 49ers should be trailing, the garbage-time points will be there for the picking.
Cleveland QB DeShone Kizer and TE David Njoku vs. Tennessee
It’s been a rough season for the rookie Kizer. He’s been injured, benched, and largely ineffective, despite occasional flashes of brilliance. He’ll get another chance to impress this Sunday against the Titans.
If Kizer does turn in a solid game, chances are the athletic tight end Njoku will be involved. Two weeks ago, Njoku turned in a three-catch, 48-yard outing that included a touchdown. He’s DFS price tag is about as low as it gets, so if you roll the dice with him, you’re banking on another similar performance.
