This piece will identify some of my favorite DFS stacks of the weekend. Be sure to use our Stacking tool found within our Player Models to find the highest projected stacks, the stacks that figure to be chalky, and more. Our Correlations page is also a great resource to find hidden edges in stacking positions and games.
Quarterback + Wide Receiver + Opposing Running Back
- Derek Carr ($5500 DraftKings, $7300 FanDuel)
- Darren Waller ($5600 DraftKings, $6800 FanDuel)
- Kareem Hunt ($6900 DraftKings, $8200 FanDuel)
When running my initial projections through the FantasyLabs optimizer, my most popular quarterback was Las Vegas signal-caller Derek Carr. His superb efficiency has bolstered his fantasy value despite ranking just 14th in passing yards. Carr has impressed with 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions on the season. He is coming off consecutive QB1 fantasy finishes including 311-plus passing yards in two of his last three games.
The Raiders passing game is a valuable part of this week’s DFS slate, especially facing a Cleveland defense allowing the fourth-most points per game in the league (31.6). Tight end Darren Waller’s stats are among the league’s positional best, despite already observing the Raiders’ bye in Week 6. His ranks are as follows:
- Tied for first in TE targets (56, Kelce)
- First among all TEs in Target Share (27.6%)
- Tied for first in receptions (40, Kelce)
- Third in receiving yards (343)
- Third in yards after catch (191)
- Third in fantasy points per game (15.1)
Waller faces a Cleveland defense that has allowed the sixth-most receptions (40), and 10th-most receiving yards (369) to opposing tight ends. With the exception of the New England game, Waller has 88 yards or a touchdown in the Raiders’ last four games. Going back to his 2019 breakout season, Waller has been one of the league’s most consistent tight ends, especially when in this DFS price range.
Since the start of 2019, there have been 17 games that Waller’s salary has been between $3000 and $6000 on DraftKings. In those contests, Waller had an average point difference of +5.03 over expectation.
The bring back play for the Browns is volume-rich Kareem Hunt.
Fantasy owners have been disappointed with Hunt’s performance since Nick Chubb injured his knee against the Cowboys in Week 4. Hunt’s numbers have failed to see a significant increase in yardage or fantasy points per game during that time.
However, Hunt is finally healthy after suffering a groin strain in Week 4, and saw a season-high 92.2% snap share in last week’s 37-34 win at Cincinnati. Las Vegas has allowed the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to opposing running backs per 4for4, translating to the fantasy smash spot we’ve been waiting for.
Few running backs can match Hunt’s versatile profile. He ranks first at the position in total touchdowns (seven), second in yards created (232), and fourth overall in red zone touches (28).
It’s worth noting the weather forecast for this game includes 25 mph winds, which has known to limit the upside of passing games. However, those conditions support Hunt’s upside while increasing Waller’s short to intermediate target volume.
This game has a 50.5-point projected total with only a 2.5-point spread. A high-scoring, close game is the ideal DFS stacking opportunity. Carr’s low price, paired with two high-volume plays, makes this a very attractive tournament stack.
Quarterback + Wide Receiver + Opposing Wide Receiver
- Jimmy Garoppolo ($5400 DraftKings, $6600 FanDuel)
- Brandon Aiyuk ($5800 DraftKings, $5900 FanDuel)
- D.K. Metcalf ($7500 DraftKings, $7800 FanDuel)
Similar to Las Vegas, the 49ers pop in this week’s optimizer models because of a very favorable matchup.
Seattle has allowed the the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to opposing wide receivers by a whopping 11.4% more than any other team. In addition, only Atlanta (27.6) has allowed more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than Seattle (26.4).
Garoppolo should flourish in a San Francisco offensive scheme that should skew more pass heavy than normal. The 49ers will be without a litany of running backs including Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and Tevin Coleman. They will start rookie JaMycal Hasty along with veteran Jerick McKinnon who was limited last week as an injury precaution.
Garoppolo’s fantasy outlook is solidified by the following quarterback stat lines against Seattle this season:
- Matt Ryan: 450 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
- C. Newton: 397 passing yards, 3 total touchdowns, 1 interception
- D. Prescott: 472 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
- R. Fitzpatrick: 315 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
- K. Murray: 360 passing yards, 4 total touchdowns, 1 interception
With leading wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) out, the speedy Brandon Aiyuk inherits a prominent role in the offense. The rookie has two overall Top 20 WR performances, including a season-best 115 receiving yards last week against New England. He projects to matchup with Seattle CB Quinton Dunbar who ranks just 60th in coverage rating per PlayerProfiler.
After last week’s monstrous performance by Seattle receiver Tyler Lockett, we pivot to teammate D.K. Metcalf to complete this stack. Metcalf’s disappointing two-reception, 23 yard performance in Week 7 will cause Seattle to involve him early. Metcalf had success against San Francisco’s secondary last season.
San Francisco is still without top CB Richard Sherman, and was eviscerated by a Miami passing attack just three weeks ago.
The price savings on this stack allowed us to create opportunities in the FantasyLabs optimizer to pay up for expensive, big-name players at both tight end and running back.
As a result of the injury to Samuel and a depleted running back core, the projected ownership on this stack remains low. This QB + WR + opposing WR stack is the most fiscally efficient way to get exposure to the game with the highest current over/under (53.5) on the Sunday slate.
Quarterback + Wide Receiver + Opposing Wide Receiver
- Lamar Jackson ($7,400 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel)
- Marquise Brown ($6,100 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel)
- James Conner ($6,400 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel)
The marquee game on the Sunday slate provides a perfect contrarian DFS opportunity.
The exposure to all offensive playmakers in this game will be lower than normal, as both Pittsburgh and Baltimore rank in the Top 3 in overall defensive DVOA per Football Outsiders. But a closer look projects offensive upside at key DFS positions.
The Ravens superior pass rush (5.3 sacks over their past three games) is now bolstered with the arrival of former Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Baltimore complements that pass rush with the NFL’s best secondary, having allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Expect Pittsburgh to give heavy volume to running back James Conner, who has actually fared well against Baltimore since 2018.
Conner is Pittsburgh’s top scoring option with 3.8 red zone touches per game, and six total goal line carries. He has also flashed explosiveness with four runs of 15 yards or more.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger simply does not look like the same quarterback after elbow surgery last offseason. He ranks just 21st in fantasy points per game (17.7), 27th in yards per attempt (6.7), and 23rd overall in passing yards. This should be a run-heavy script for Conner, providing him season-high volume.
Lamar Jackson’s reduced price has him now as only the fourth most expensive quarterback on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Jackson looked completely healed from a nagging knee injury in Week 6, when he tallied a season-high 108 rushing yards against a tough Philadelphia run defense. With two weeks to rest, I expect Jackson to attack a weakened Pittsburgh linebacking core now without second-year linebacker Devin Bush (torn ACL) for the entire season.
The Steelers’ perfect 6-0 record has masked their pass defense. Pittsburgh’s secondary has been especially giving to opposing teams’ top wide receivers.
Pittsburgh has allowed the following WR1 stat lines this season:
- A.J. Brown: 6 recs, 153 yards, 1 TD
- Travis Fulgham: 10 recs, 152 yards, 1 TD
- Will Fuller: 4 recs, 54 yards, 1 TD
Pittsburgh has also allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, including nine receiving touchdowns. This is good new for Baltimore wide receiver Marquise Brown, who ranks second in team market share air yards per 4for4.
When Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh has enjoyed extra time to prepare off a bye week, that’s usually bad news for their opponent:
This is your contrarian stack for Week 8. Jackson will see a season-low ownership total against Pittsburgh, and Brown provides multiple touchdown upside against a vulnerable Steelers’ secondary. As only the eighth-highest priced running back on DraftKings, Conner pops at a 21.4 projected point ceiling with only 2-4% projected ownership in Jonathan Bales’ FantasyLabs model.
If you want a contrarian stack with tantalizing upside, this is your Week 8 play.
Running Back + Opposing Defense/Special Teams
- Jonathan Taylor ($6,600 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel)
- Colts D/ST ($3,100 DraftKings, $4,800 FanDuel)
The Jonathan Taylor breakout officially starts now.
Coming off their bye week, I expect Indianapolis to unleash Taylor is a running back DFS smash spot. Detroit has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including nine total touchdowns.
Hunt should gash a Bengals run defense that has allowed 716 rushing yards, third-most of any NFL team this season. In their Week 6 win at Atlanta, the far less explosive Todd Gurley even found a way to a multiple touchdown performance, albeit one by accident.
Indianapolis wants to get back to running the football, and limiting turnovers by quarterback Philip Rivers. The veteran ranks just 28th among all quarterbacks with 14.3 fantasy points per game.
Taylor has seen an increase in snap share and routes in each of the past three games. His 115 total yards and overall RB8 performance in Week 6 were season-highs.
The Colts defense has been among the NFL’s best this year and will see the return of MLB Darius Leonard (groin) from a two-game absence. The Lions’ offensive line ranks just 21st in pass protection, and will need to bring their best performance against defensive coordinator’s Matt Eberflus’ crew that has allowed just 19.2 points per game (fourth-best).
Taylor’s Top 25 rankings in running back reception (16) and Top 10 ranking in receiving yards (162) make him a dual-threat DFS play with quality touch volume.
The Jonathan Taylor explosion is coming soon, and playing indoors against a poor Detroit run defense should provide a golden opportunity.
