It’s time for the week seven edition of “Buy or Leave Dry”. As we do every week, we take a look at some players to use and avoid when constructing your daily fantasy (DFS) teams for DraftKings and FanDuel. After a week six hiatus, we are back and looking to make some money here in week seven.
Quarterback
BUY: Blake Bortles Jaguars vs Raiders
Salary DraftKings $6,200 FanDuel $7,400
It’s time for Blake Bortles to step up. Bortles and the Jaguars return home to face the 32nd ranked pass defense of the Oakland Raiders. Through five game Bortles has thrown for 1321 yards and 8 touchdowns. He has yet to put up the numbers expected of him this season. With the Raiders giving up a league worst 312 pass yards per game, week seven is the perfect time for Bortles to explode. Take advantage of his dipping salary and insert the first half of our QB/WR stack in your lineups this week.
LEAVE DRY: Alex Smith Chiefs VS Saints
Salary DraftKings $6,100 FanDuel $7,200
On Paper Alex Smith looks like a quarterback to use week seven. With a home game against the putrid New Orleans Saints defense, I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to put Smith in your DFS lineups. Here a few reasons why Alex Smith is a “Leave Dry” this week. 1) His low salary and matchup against the Saints will lead to a high ownership percentage. It is very possible that Smith will be near 25% owned in GPP and cash contests this week. Although the potential is there, the risk is not worth the reward. 2) Smith faced an Oakland Raiders defense ranked dead last against the pass last week and finished with 224 yards and zero touchdowns. This is the second time this year Smith has been held without a TD. 3) Spencer Ware and Jamaal Charles. The Saints are a different team away from home and Kansas City’s defense should be able to keep the New Orleans offense in check. Therefore, Spencer Ware and Jamaal Charles become huge parts of the offense for the Chiefs this week. Many will disagree with this one, but leave Smith out of your lineups this week.
Other options to use at quarterback include Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan and Marcus Mariota.
Running Back
BUY: Jacquizz Rodgers Buccaneers @ 49ers
Salary DraftKings $4,300 FanDuel $5,600
Once the news that Doug Martin would not be returning this week came out, Jacquizz Rodgers instantly became a must use in DFS. In his lone start, the week five win against the Carolina Panthers, Rodgers touched the ball 35 times for 129 total yards. Rodgers has always shown a great ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and proved to be a useful weapon for Jamies Winston. The San Francisco 49ers rank 29th against fantasy football running backs and are allowing a league worst 174.5 yards against on the ground. Rodgers will once again be the lead running back for the Bucs and is in a great situation to put up big numbers. His salary is extremely low for the production potential. Rodgers is a must use in all DFS formats.
LEAVE DRY: Melvin Gordon Chargers @ Falcons
Salary DraftKings $6,400 FanDuel $8,000
You read that right, Melvin Gordon is a “Leave Dry”. The Chargers running back has gone two straight games without a rushing touchdown and only has 1 catch over that period. Despite his fast start Gordon is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry on the season. When the Chargers and Falcons meet in week seven, expect to see a shootout, with game flow leading to more passing than rushing for both teams. Philip Rivers has distributed the ball to all of his receivers and has a new favorite target in tight end Hunter Henry. With his salary being so high on both sites Gordon is a risky play. He will most likely have an ownership percentage between 15-20 and just like with Alex Smith the risk is not worth the reward.
Other options at running back include Demarco Murray, Spencer Ware and James White.
Wide Receiver
BUY: Allen Robinson Jaguars VS Raiders
Salary DraftKings $7,300 FanDuel $8,400
Here is the second half of our weekly QB/WR stack. Allen Robinson has gone five games to start the season without a 100 yard receiving game. The Jaguars star receiver had six last season. This week will determine how Robinson is looked at going forward. With a juicy matchup against the Raiders and their league worst pass defense, it’s time for Robinson to explode. Allen Hurns is banged up and the Jaguars have trouble running the ball, so look for Blake Bortles to target his favorite receiver early and often. Take advantage of DFS players being down on Robinson and use him in your lineups. Prediction here is 10 catches, 180 yards and two touchdowns putting “ARob” at the top of the week seven wide receiver rankings.
LEAVE DRY: Antonio Brown Steelers VS Patriots
Salary DraftKings $9,300 FanDuel 9,000
This is hard to do, but needs to be done. Antonio Brown needs to be left dry in week seven. With Ben Roethlisberger out, Brown takes the biggest hit of all the Steelers talented skill position players. Per Brad Evans of Yahoo, in the four games last year without Big Ben at the helm, Brown had a stat line of 17 catches for 235 yards and zero touchdowns. Good for 62nd best among fantasy wide receivers. Brown has undeniable ability to get open and make things happen but with Bill Belichick and the Patriots in town it might be a little harder this week. Le’Veon Bell figures to be the workhorse for the Steelers this week both rushing and receiving along with the occasional deep shot to Sammie Coates. Unfortunately for Steelers fans, business will not be “boomin” for AB this week in Pittsburgh.
Better Options include Julio Jones, Mike Evans and Michael Crabtree.
Tight End
Buy: Hunter Henry Chargers @ Falcons
Salary DraftKings $3,600 FanDuel $5,800
For the connection Hunter Henry has with Philip Rivers and his week to week rise in production, Henry is severely undervalued week seven. Take advantage of it!
LEAVE DRY: Coby Fleener Saints @ Chiefs
Salary DraftKings $3,800 FanDuel $5,900
With similar salaries to Hunter Henry, Coby Fleener is just too inconsistent to trust in a tough road matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Stay away week seven.
Defense
Buy: Eagles VS Vikings
Salary DraftKings $3,100 FanDuel $4,400
In two road games this season the Minnesota Vikings have scored one offensive touchdown. In two home games the Philadelphia Eagles have seven sacks, forced three turnovers and have allowed 13 points. I smell big home underdog upset here. Fly Eagles Fly!
Leave Dry: Bengals VS Browns
Salary DraftKings $3,600 FanDuel $5,100
Simply put, the Bengals are playing the Browns. This will lead to 25% ownership or higher on both sites. Despite being winless the Browns do not quit. They will score some points and keep this game closer than people think. Don’t fall into the trap.
This article was written by Scott Burke. Scott is one of the Lead Fantasy Football writers for SuperTwoSports.com. He is a graduate of Montclair State University. Besides spending time with his beautiful wife, Scott is an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also considers himself to be a Daily Fantasy Sports junkie. Click here to follow Scott on Twitter.
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