DraftKings provided us with a 13-game main slate for the second week in a row. But this one just hits a little bit different. To me, this slate has more options for DFS than any main slate in recent memory. The quarterback position is loaded; we’ve got a ton of workhorse running backs and elite wide receivers in all price ranges. So, out of all of the options available to us, who makes the cut for our top plays this week? Let’s dive in.
If I had to pick one quarterback to be the slate’s QB1, it would be Josh Hoover. For starters, the only quarterback who averages more DraftKings points per game than Hoover is Jaxson Dart, who is priced at $1300 above Hoover and has a considerably worse matchup. The reason Hoover averages so many fantasy points is that all TCU wants to do is throw. He’s topped 42 pass attempts in every game against an FBS opponent this season, and now he draws a matchup against a Kansas defense that gave up 32 DraftKings points to Garrett Greene and 23 to Matthew Sluka. Hoover also has two clear potential stacking partners in Jack Bech and Savion Williams. DFS Hero has Hoover ranked as the 4th best value at the QB position on this slate.
One thing that Leonard has going for him this week is that projections seem to love him more than DFS players do – he’s DFS Hero’s 5th-ranked value play at the QB position this week while coming in at low ownership. This may be because Leonard plays a very un-aesthetically pleasing style – he rarely throws downfield and is reliant on his legs to accumulate fantasy points. But back-to-back 100-yard rushing outings have led to back-to-back performances over the 30 fantasy point mark. And this Louisville defense just allowed Georgia Tech’s Haynes King to run for 58 yards and a touchdown in addition to throwing for over 300 yards.
DFS Hero’s #1 value play:
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor, $5100 (assuming DeQuan Finn is out again. When you’re the starter for a team that’s implied for 24 points, and you’re only $5100, the value rates out well)
Others receiving votes:
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska, $6400
The struggles of the Kansas offense so far this season have been a big topic of conversation. But the Jayhawks’ RB1 has largely been unaffected, topping 100 rushing yards in every game this season. This week, he draws a matchup against a TCU defense that just surrendered 151 total yards and four total TDs to SMU’s Brashard Smith. He rates out as DFS Hero’s number 1 value play at the RB position for this slate.
If you can find the salary to afford him, this game is an absolute smash spot for RJ Harvey. UCF’s lead back has topped 30 DraftKings points in every game so far this season and now draws a Colorado defense that averages giving up 150 yards per game. UCF’s offensive tendencies should allow them to smash that number as they play at an above-average tempo and run the ball at the 5th-highest rate in the nation.
DFS Hero #2 value play:
Woody Marks, USC, $7100
Others receiving votes:
Jaydon Blue, Texas, $7400
Dante Dowdell, Nebraska, $5600
Donald Chaney Jr, Louisville, $3200
I can’t mention all of these expensive quarterbacks and running backs and not follow up with some value at the wide receiver position, right? Well, the Longhorns’ WR1 certainly presents some value. Texas is implied to score 50.5 points by the Vegas spread, and one would have to think that Bond will play a role in that. I also see Bond as QB-agnostic – the short and intermediate accuracy of Ewers would provide more volume while the deep bombs of Arch Manning provide one-play upside – so no matter who starts for the Longhorns, Bond is one of my top plays.
Against Alabama, Wisconsin showed us their cards in what they are going to do while trailing, and that is to pepper the ball to Will Pauling, who had a team-high 11 targets and scored 23.3 DraftKings points in the game. The Badgers are currently 15-point underdogs to USC, so I would expect the plan to be the same. Also, it’s worth noting that Pauling found success last year with Braedyn Locke as the starting QB, topping 14 DraftKings points in every game that Locke started, with all of those coming against stout defenses. Pauling rates as the 4th-best value play on the slate, according to DFS Hero.
DFS Hero #1 value play:
Luke Grimm, Kansas, $5200
Others receiving votes:
Tai Felton, Maryland, $7700
Well, someone has to catch the ball for the Sooners. With their entire starting WR unit out, Oklahoma is going to have to turn to some new faces at the position this week. Pettaway is the listed backup for Deion Burks, who had been the best Oklahoma WR to this point in the season and has seen the most volume by far. Pettaway had three catches for 79 yards, filling in against Tennessee, and a repeat of that stat line would provide value.
Alex Orji HIGHER 41.5 Rushing Yards
Marcel Reed HIGHER 16.65 Fantasy points
RJ Harvey HIGHER 20.5 Fantasy Points
