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As multiple fantasy standouts sit out due to bye weeks, daily fantasy players must dig deeper to find productive options for the main slate. This DraftKings lineup focuses on players with secure roles and advantageous matchups, offering a path to tournament success.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams comes at a reasonable $6,400 salary. Stafford has been a volume passer, leading the NFL with 216 attempts, and has produced three games with over 22.9 fantasy points. He faces an Arizona Cardinals defense that has struggled against quarterbacks, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position (23.2).
Running Backs
D'Andre Swift of the Chicago Bears is priced at $6,700. With Kyle Monangai likely sidelined again, Swift should handle a significant workload. Last week, he recorded 15 touches and scored 17.3 PPR points. The Atlanta Falcons were torched by Derrick Henry for 21.0 PPR points in Week 5, and with Chicago employing a run-heavy approach, Swift could be in for a big day.
Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers is a value play at $6,300. With Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve, Hubbard owns the backfield. He offers a safe floor, having scored at least 14.4 PPR points in a game this season, with upside for 20-plus. The Philadelphia Eagles will be without quarterback Jalen Hurts, which should lead to more possessions and a positive game script for Hubbard.
Wide Receivers
Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams is the top-priced option at $8,100. Since returning from injury, Nacua has been a target monster, seeing 21 targets last week and averaging 15 per game this season. With Stafford under center, Nacua is the centerpiece of this stack.
Malik Nabers of the New York Giants is priced at $6,500. Over the past two weeks, Nabers has posted 23.2 and 29.1 PPR points, emerging as the focal point of the Giants' passing game. With Jameis Winston at quarterback, Nabers should continue to see a healthy target share.
Kendrick Bourne of the Arizona Cardinals is a bargain at $4,000. Bourne has stepped into the role previously held by Michael Wilson, who is now filling in for Marvin Harrison Jr. In his first game as the Cardinals' No. 2 receiver, Bourne led the team with 70 receiving yards on eight targets. In a likely negative game script, Bourne should see steady targets, especially in garbage time.
Tight End
Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams is a cheap option at $3,400. Higbee appears to have overtaken Colby Parkinson as the Rams' primary tight end, playing the majority of snaps last week. Over the past three weeks, Higbee has been a reliable fantasy asset, scoring at least 11.7 PPR points and seeing six targets per game. He joins Stafford and Nacua in a Rams double stack.
Flex
Ladd McConkey of the Los Angeles Chargers ($5,300) or Denzel Boston of the Cleveland Browns ($5,500) are the flex choices, depending on their availability. McConkey seems to have recovered from injury and should see a full workload. In a negative game environment against the Kansas City Chiefs, McConkey could see plenty of targets. Boston could see more targets if KC Concepcion is out, but even if not, he's a strong option after back-to-back 12.9 PPR performances.
Defense/Special Teams
The Carolina Panthers defense is a budget-friendly $2,500. They face an Eagles offense that may be missing several key players. Jalen Hurts is already ruled out with blood clots, Saquon Barkley hasn't practiced, and DeVonta Smith was limited on Thursday. While the Panthers may be a popular choice, their low salary and favorable matchup make them worthwhile.
More Fantasy Sports on SI News: Jeff Salcedo is a writer for Fantasy Sports on SI with extensive experience covering the NFL, MMA, NBA, and soccer. A dedicated fantasy sports enthusiast, he has competed in fantasy leagues and daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests for more than a decade. Before joining Fantasy Sports on SI, Salcedo worked as a senior sports reporter for BYU's student newspaper, The Daily Universe. Follow Jsalcedosports.