You know the drill by now. I will give you some of the top cash game options that I see for the main Sunday slate, and then give a potential cash game lineup using some of those players. This week with 2 teams having a bye week, we are back to having more players than usual to use.
Quarterbacks:
Matt Barkley ($6,000) - With as well as Barkley played last week, it is hard to not consider him at this low price point. All it takes is for Barkley to only be 80% of what he was last week to still be a great value.
Drew Brees ($9,300) - The Saints are playing at home against a weak Lions secondary. If you don’t feel good about going cheap with Matt Barkley, Brees is the alternative. While he is priced as the most expensive QB, it shouldn’t matter when he goes out and posts over 300 yards and 3 TD’s.
Running Backs:
David Johnson ($9,200) - Between him and Le’Veon Bell as the high salary play at the RB position, I lean towards Johnson. This is due to Johnson’s price being $100 less than Bell, and he is also going up against a defense that is worse against the run. You know each week that you will get your value returned with Johnson.
Jordan Howard ($7,400) - As usual, I am going to be picking on that weak 49ers run defense. They have struggled to stop the run all year. There is no reason to think that will stop now. Howard has been playing great since getting the fulltime role, and going up against the worst run defense should have him setup for a monster game.
Doug Martin ($6,500) - Since returning from injury, Martin has averaged over 20 carries per game. While he hasn’t had that great game since his return, he has been racking up yards lately. This week against the Chargers I think we see over 100 yards and a score from Martin.
Wide Receivers:
Antonio Brown ($9,000) - I still don’t think the price on Brown has reached the tipping point yet for cash games. He is tied with Odell Beckham Jr. as the top priced guy, but for cash game purposes, his consistency should have him priced higher. Keep taking advantage of this price and good things will happen.
Julian Edelman ($6,600) - Well we know Gronk is out, which means that Edelman will continue to see his heavy dose of targets. At this price point you can’t afford to leave him off of your cash game lineups. You are guaranteed at least 7 receptions with 80 yards and a strong chance of a TD.
Michael Thomas ($6,900) - This is just an extension of Brees and the Lions secondary. Thomas is the most consistent receiver for the Saints. That alone in what should be a high scoring game makes Thomas a nice play in cash games.
Tyreek Hill ($5,800) - The Chiefs are trying to get him the ball as much as they possibly can. This week they are facing the Falcons, a defense that has been allowing a lot of yards to opposing receivers. Hill shouldn’t find it hard to make value once again if he is to get 8+ touches.
Tight Ends:
Jimmy Graham ($6,400) - Graham has been playing well this season, but that isn’t even the prime reason behind this pick. The Panthers defense has yet to figure out how to defend TE’s this season. Either they give up a TD, or they are giving up a lot of yards. Well with Jimmy Graham facing the Panthers, I think both will be happening here.
C.J. Fiedorowicz ($5,000) - In case you haven’t heard, the Packers defense is really bad. Even someone like Brock Osweiler should be able to throw the ball well on them. That will make Fiedorowicz an even better option than he usually is.
Kicker:
Dan Carpenter ($4,500) - He is minimum priced in a game with a high implied point total.
Defense:
New England Patriots ($4,600) - Jared Goff is going to be starting in just his third career game. While he looked competent against the Saints, it is the Saints defense. I fully expect the Patriots to force a lot of turnovers in this game.
Cash Lineup:
QB: Drew Brees
RB: Jordan Howard
RB: Doug Martin
WR: Antonio Brown
WR: Julian Edelman
WR: Michael Thomas
TE: C.J. Fiedorowicz
Kicker: Dan Carpenter
D/ST: New England Patriots