It’s finally here- Week 6 of the 2023 season, and the third DraftKings main slate. We are back offering you DFS advice to try and help you navigate your way to victories throughout the season. The players selected here are based on their price, their ability to hit value and likely ownership. The selections are leaning more towards GPP slates, rather than cash (50/50) slates. But let’s get into it
Joe Burrow v SEA ($6,300)
Remember everything I said in week 4 about Joe Burrow, let’s pretend I said it last week instead. Finally, Joey B is back and it seems the Bengals have finally remembered how to play offense as they blew away the Arizona Cardinals 34-20 in Glendale. Burrow looks to have fully recovered from the calf injury that has plagued him since the preseason, and his numbers from Sunday seem to back that up. Completion percentage; check, passing yards; check, touchdowns; check…all season bests for the highest paid QB in football. Despite this, he’s only been priced up $100 on DraftKings; save yourself almost $2k and take Joey B over Hurts this week.
Matthew Stafford v AZ ($6,100)
Things that happened for the LA Rams in week 5…
- Superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp returned from injury, making his 2023 debut
- Matthew Stafford had his first multi-TD outing of the season
Coincidence? I think not. Stafford welcomed back his favourite weapon and proceeded to pepper him with targets to make up for lost time. Kupp hauled in 8 of 12 targets for 112 yards, whilst emerging rookie talent Puka Nacua showed that he is going nowhere even though Kupp is back, with the rookie posting 7 receptions for 71 yards and a score in the Rams defeat at home to the 5-0 Eagles. Stafford is a bargain this week at only $6100 as they host the same Arizona Cardinals that were dismantled by the aforementioned Joe Burrow last time out.
Geno Smith @CIN ($5,700)
One of my favourite things about bye weeks for DFS; managers always forget how players were performing before they had the week off, creating opportunity to be contrarian with roster construction. Geno Smith has had a mixed season to say the least, with the 11th year QB posting 2 games of over 290 passing yards, but also 2 games of fewer than 115. Geno is back to full health, as is his main weapon D.K. Metcalf, who’s threat in the end zone will be key to Seattle winning this game. This is a Bengals defense that allowed Ryan Tannehill to throw for 240 yards and a touchdown a fortnight ago; I’m expecting a big game from Geno in Ohio.
Also consider Tua Tagovailoa v CAR ($7,600), Trevor Lawrence v IND ($6,500) & Brock Purdy @ CLE ($5,600)
Travis Etienne v IND ($7,100)
I had the pleasure of seeing Mr Etienne do his thing in the flesh last week in London, and he put on quite the show for the Tottenham crowd as he totalled 184 all purpose yards and 2 touchdowns as the Jags outstayed the Bills for their second win on U.K. soil this season. Surprisingly this was Etienne’s first 100-yard rushing game of the season, and despite his 39.4 point effort in North London, he has only been priced up $100 as Jacksonville return to Florida to host the Colts in week 6. Etienne is a stud at the position and will be involved heavily against an Indianapolis team reeling from the loss of their quarterback, don’t be put off by his price tag, he’s still a value at $7100.
Raheem Mostert v CAR ($6,400)
After a blistering start to the season and sitting as the RB1 after 3 games, Raheem Mostert would have been as surprised as any of us to find himself operating as part of a running back committee in the Dolphins backfield. Despite remaining efficient at 6.6 yards per carry, the emergence of explosive rookie De’Von Achane saw Mostert’s carries dwindle to 7 in week 4 and 10 in week 5. Mostert’s workload looks set to see a significant boost in week 6 however with Achane being placed on the IR after suffering a knee injury against the Giants last time out. Jeff Wilson could return to the fold, but for now Mostert is the only show in town on this historic Dolphins offense.
D’Andre Swift @NYJ ($6,100)
For the first time since claiming the starting role as his own D’Andre Swift failed to rush for over 100 yards or score a touchdown, as the Eagles ran out winners over the LA Rams in week 5. Don’t be put off by the relatively sub-par rushing performance from the Eagle’s leading man – despite the downtick in production on the ground, Swift saw a season high 6 targets, catching 100% of them for 38 yards. Swift can do it all out of this backfield and has arguably the best O-Line in football creating opportunities for him. Look for Swift to put up big numbers against a Jets defense who are allowing almost 160 yards per game to opposition running backs…2nd worst in the league.
Alexander Mattison @CHI ($5,600)
Do I want to roster Alexander Mattison this week, no. Do I think that Alexander Mattison is an extremely talented running back, not really. Am I of the opinion that the Vikings are going to run him into the ground with Justin Jefferson being placed on the IR, oh yes. This pick is definitely more opportunity + matchup as the Vikings travel to Chicago to take on the very generous Bears run D, who are currently gift-wrapping 145 yards per game to opposing rushers. Mattison has seen share of carries drop from 77% to 61% in Cam Akers’ two starts since joining the RB room in Minnesota, but Mattison is still the guy, and at $5600 he has a great opportunity for a TD this week at Soldier Field.
Also consider Alvin Kamara @ HOU ($6,800), Breece Hall v PHI ($6,000) & Chuba Hubbard @ MIA ($4,300)
Ja’Marr Chase v SEA ($8,300)
I hope you listened last week when Ja’Marr Chase made an appearance in this column! Chase finally caught his 1st touchdown of the season, and his 2nd…and his 3rd as the Cincinnati Bengals got back to winning ways in Arizona. Chase added 192 yards on 15 receptions to his hat-trick of scores, totting up a massive 55.2 fantasy points on the week. Chase is an easy fade after such a slate-breaking performance, but despite a career day, he has only been priced up $400 heading into the week 6 matchup against the Seahawks. Tee Higgins is still suffering from a rib injury but does look set to return, but he could be used as a decoy as he gets back to full health. Stay in the flames with Chase.
Adam Thielen @MIA ($5,900)
Thielen has finally hit a price point that may start to put fantasy managers off, after all we’re nearly at $6k for a 33-year old wideout with a rookie QB slinging him the rock every week. Don’t buy into the narrative that Thielen is “too old” to continue to put up solid numbers for fantasy. Week 5 saw him record his 2nd highest target total on the season with 13, and joint highest number of receptions with 11. Carolina are 2 TD underdogs as they travel to South Florida so expect to see Bryce Young throwing the ball plenty come the second half, and when he does, expect it to be going to Adam Thielen more often than not. Even at $5900, Thielen feels cheap for the sheer volume of opportunity he continues to receive.
Marquise Brown @LAR ($5,300)
The pricing on this one baffles me; Brown is a guy who has put up 4 straight weeks of 16+ fantasy points, and is the clear No.1 receiving option on his team, yet he remains at the bargain price of $5300. Brown has received double digit targets in 3 of his last 4 outings, scoring 3 touchdowns in the same duration. The Cardinals now hope across the state line to play the Rams in LA, and despite the tough matchup, Brown should continue to see plenty of success if he receives the same level of attention from QB Joshua Dobbs that he has been since week 2. Brown is currently carrying a designation for an “illness”, but don’t be put off, he’s suiting up Sunday and should be in your lineups.
Also consider Tyreek Hill v CAR ($9,300), Michael Pittman Jr @ JAX ($6,300) & K.J. Osborn @ CHI ($4,400)
T.J. Hockenson @CHI ($6,600)
Unless they’re dating Taylor Swift, I don’t particularly like paying up at the Tight End position, and whilst I am in no position to comment on T.J. Hockenson’s love life, I am pretty certain he’s going to be worth every penny of that $6600 price tag this weekend. With Justin Jefferson hitting the IR, Kirk Cousins’ clear No.2 target has been promoted to his clear No.1 target. Hock was already getting healthy looks in the passing game, he’s about to see a significant bump for at least the next 4 weeks until Jefferson returns. The Bears currently rank 25th against the TE on the season; at $6600 Hockules could return WR1 value at the TE position.
Logan Thomas @ATL ($3,500)
Thomas has the honour of being part of a very select group of players who make both the Bargains and Slatebreakers column in the same week. Outside of Hockenson, there are very few safe picks at the position this week, so whilst other managers are chasing a repeat performance from George Kittle or Dallas Goedert, I recommend a pivot to the Commanders’ Logan Thomas as he takes on the Falcons in Atlanta. Since week 3 Thomas has hauled in 82% of his targets and led the team with 9 receptions for 77 yards and a score last week against the Bears. As with any TE, there’s risk, but Thomas feels a safer play than most, with a price tag that allows much more freedom to roster studs elsewhere.
Also consider Dallas Goedert @ NYJ ($4,800) & Kyle Pitts v WAS ($3,500)
Miami Dolphins v CAR ($3,500)
Miami are my No.1 ranked DST on the slate this week as they host the lowly Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins managed to sack Daniel Jones 7 times last weekend and will look to continue this aggressive streak against a Carolina offense that fumbled the ball twice last weekend in Detroit, as well as tossing up 2 picks. I expect the 49ers, Eagles and Raiders to be heavily rostered, Miami is a nice contrarian play to save a few hundred dollars of your budget.
Detroit Lions @TB ($2,700)
Speaking of the Lions, if you’re looking to save a little more cash but still roster a DST with upside, you could do worse this week than Detroit. The men from Motor City currently boast the best rush defense in the NFL, and with Mike Evans potentially still limited with a hamstring injury he picked up prior to the Bucs’ bye week, it may be a long day for Baker Mayfield. Baker has thrown an INT in each of his last 2 games, the Lions will be looking to make that 3-in-a-row come Sunday.
Also consider New England Patriots @ LV ($2,600) & Cleveland Browns v SF ($2,200)
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Image Credit: Joseph Maiorana – USA TODAY Sports
