It’s finally here- Week 7 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
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Matthew Stafford V PIT ($6,500)
The Rams signal caller disappointingly regressed somewhat last time out at home to the Cardinals, failing to build on his first multi-touchdown game of the season from the previous week against Philadelphia. Stafford will have another chance to impress on Sunday as the Rams once again play hosts at SoFi, their third home matchup in a row. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the latest guests in Inglewood fresh off the bye and welcoming back two of their main receiving weapons in Dionte Johnson and Pat Freiermuth. I project most of the offensive play to come through the air in this one – the Rams will be without main rusher Kyren Williams and Pittsburgh continues to be one of the most inefficient run offenses in the league with their backfield duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren (still no rushing TDs this season). With so much talent in the passing game on both sides of the ball, and such little threat on the ground, this could turn into a shootout very quickly. Stafford was 2 drops away from a 3 TD game last week, don’t let his fantasy output from that game put you off, a big game is coming for the 15-year veteran.
Geno Smith v AZ ($6,000)
Seattle clearly saw what their quarterback did in their week 2 win at Detroit and thought “let’s try that again”. Just like in the game at Ford Field; Geno Smith threw the ball exactly 41 times, rushed for exactly 20 yards, and passed for over 320 yards…unfortunately for the Seahawks, Smith couldn’t replicate the 2 touchdowns he scored back in week 2, tossing 2 picks instead as the Hawks lost away to Cincinnati. Fortunately for Geno, Arizona is the perfect remedy for a QB struggling to put up consistent numbers, with the Cardinals defense allowing over 260 yards per game to opposing signal callers. Fantasy managers may fade Smith after his first scoreless game of the season last week, let them…stick with Geno and watch him, D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett tear apart the Arizona secondary.
Jordan Love @DEN ($5,800)
Last week I mentioned how players returning from a bye make great DFS starts due to fantasy managers forgetting how well they were playing prior to being absent for a week; what managers are less likely to forget however, is how bad some performances were pre-bye and that lingering feeling of resentment that comes after being completely burned…oh hi Jordan Love. The Packers quarterback’s 53.3% completion rate, 182 passing yards and 3 INTS made for some pretty grim viewing in week 5, but entering this week’s matchup with Dever, the 4th-year playmaker out of Utah State will be buoyed by the return of Aaron Jones in the backfield, giving him a full complement of offensive weapons for the first time this season. No team has given up more touchdowns to opposition QBs than the Broncos – trust Love to get back on track this week at a great price.
Also consider Lamar Jackson v DET ($7,600), Sam Howell @ NYG ($5,500) & Russell Wilson v GB ($5,400)
Josh Jacobs @CHI ($7,400)
Entering week 7 only Christian McCaffrey (110) and Travis Etienne (113) had more rushing attempts than Josh Jacobs (107), but while CMC and Etienne both boast 7 scores on the season, Jacobs languishes behind with only 2 touchdowns in his opening 6 contests. Jacobs’ 2.9 yards per carry ranks 49th amongst running backs; behind the likes of Miles Sanders, Rhamondre Stevenson and Joshua Kelley…and we all know how bad those guys have been for fantasy. The opportunities are there for the 2022 rushing leader, as are the targets, with 21 in his last 3 weeks. Things have to change for Jacobs, it can’t continue to be this mediocre…right? The Raiders travel to Solider Field on Sunday to face off against a generous Bears rush defense. I’m paying up for Jacobs this week, the big game is coming and I want a large exposure to him when it does.
Ken Walker III v AZ ($7,000)
I’ll be honest, I am facing off against Ken Waker in my main re-draft League of Record this week and I am terrified. Kyren Williams had the best rushing yardage total of his entire career when the Rams squared off against Arizona last week, and fellow sophomore Walker is a significantly better back than the former Fighting Irish. Walker could easily surpass the 158 yards Williams posted in week 6 and will hope to find the end zone for the fifth game in-a-row. My biggest concern for Walker’s production is not the opposition, but teammates Zach Charbonnet and DeeJay Dallas who may see an uptick in snaps if Seattle go up big and up fast. Walker is priced $1600 cheaper than Austin Ekeler at the top of the slate; I expect the lead dog in Seattle to not just be a RB1 this week, but the RB1 this week.
Isiah Pacheco v LAC ($6,100)
Everyone had Isiah Pacheco as an RB1 on the season right? The 7th round pick ousted Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the main man in the Chiefs backfield halfway through his rookie season and has kept hold of the job since. Pacheco has seen 52 rushing attempts in his last 3 outings, almost unheard of for a KC running back in the Patrick Mahomes era, and making things even sweeter for Pacheco managers…he’s seeing targets. Jerick McKinnon was the thorne in the side of anyone who played Pacheco last year, but he is being out-targeted by Pacheco 19-17 on the season. The Chargers rank 23rd against RBs and the Chiefs are a 6 point favourite…Pacheco is a great start in week 7.
Also consider Aaron Jones @ DEN ($6,800), Jahmyr Gibbs @ BAL ($6,300) & Jerome Ford @ IND ($5,100)
D.K. Metcalf v AZ ($6,800)
D.K. saw double digit targets for the first time this season in the Seahawks 17-13 defeat to Cincinnati last time out. Tyler Lockett has seen more looks from Geno Smith, but D.K. continues to pile up more yards than his very slot-friendly team mate. Metcalf is the redzone threat for Seattle and will continue to be so against a very WR friendly Arizona defense. The Cardinals are bleeding just short of 200 yards per game to opposing receivers – expect D.K. to see a healthy dose of those this weekend as Seattle looks to bounce back from their defeat to the Bengals.
Marquise Brown @SEA ($5,300)
How is Marquise Brown still only $5300? The disrespect towards this man with his pricing is a crime. For the third week in a row Brown saw double digit targets from Joshua Dobbs, but for the first time since opening week, Brown failed to put up double digit fantasy points. I don’t project too many managers fading Hollywood at this price, but some may be put off by the pedestrian point total last time out. The chemistry between Brown and his QB is clear for all to see and he now gets to face the 32nd best (aka worst) defense in the league against wideouts. Find his name, click add, be happy with the 15 fantasy points you’re going to get from Brown this week…don’t overthink it.
Drake London @TB ($5,100)
Note to self, copy and past last week’s blurb for Drake London into the week 7 column. Last time out I waxed lyrical about how Drake London had seen season highs in targets, receptions and yards in week 5 against the Texans and how I hoped these trends would continue. Well, continue they did…and then some! The 3rd-year WR from USC saw double digit targets for the first time this year, hauling in 9 of the 12 looks Desmond Ridder gave him for 125 beautiful yards. The Falcons now travel to sunny Tampa to face a Bucs unit who are bottom 6 against wideouts in yards and fantasy points given up. Bijan Robinson will continue to be the main threat for the Falcons, but I’m fully expecting London to still be the man Desmond Ridder has eyes for when he wants to air it out.
Also consider Chris Godwin v ATL ($6,900), Zay Flowers V DET ($5,700) & Rashee Rice v LAC ($4,700)
Mark Andrews v DET ($5,700)
Andrews is still the 2nd priciest TE on the slate but comes in at a full $2300 cheaper than Travis Kelce. At only $5700 I can’t resist having a heavy exposure to Andrews in my lineups, especially as the Ravens host the very TE friendly Lions. Detroit have dominated opposition backs so far this season, and Baltimore are struggling badly on the ground since the loss of J.K. Dobbins in week 1. The combination of Gus Edwards and Justice Hill won’t get it done against the best run defense in the league, so any success the Ravens see will be through the air. Rookie WR Zay Flowers will continue to see a big target share from Lamar, but never write off Jackson’s favourite target…Andrews feels a bargain on this slate.
Luke Musgrave @DEN ($3300)
Speaking of Tight Ends with a very favourable match up; Packers rookie Luke Musgrave once again makes this column as a stand out play at the most frustrating position in fantasy. Musgrave led the Packers in targets in their week 5 defeat in Vegas, hauling in 6 of his 7 looks from Jordan Love for 34 yards. Why the 2nd round pick is priced lower this week than Cole Kmet, Hunter Henry, Tyler Higbee and both Falcons TEs I’ll never understand – the Broncos are giving up the most fantasy points to TE in the National Football League; Musgrave is the best pick at the position for me outside of Kelce and Andrews this week.
Also consider David Njoku @ IND ($3,400) & Michael Mayer @ CHI ($2,700)
Las Vegas Raiders @CHI ($3,800)
I could sum up why I love the Raiders DST this week in just 2 words; Tyson Bagent (and yes I had to double check his first name was Tyson and not Tyler). I am tempted to leave my “analysis” there, but let’s add some meat to the bones on this pick. The Raiders have recorded an interception in each of their last 3 contests and they will be looking (read as “guaranteed”) to extend that streak as they travel to Soldier Field to take on the Bears. Chicago was already a juicy matchup for opposing fantasy DSTs, and now they will be starting an undrafted rookie under centre in place of the injured Justin Fields. They are the 3rd priciest DST on the slate, but they could be worth every penny.
Washington Commanders @ NYG ($3,500)
Not only did Tyrod Taylor nearly defeat the Buffalo Bills, he only took 3 sacks the entire game! Danny Dimes must have been left wondering just what he’s done to offend his O-Line for them to protect T-Mobile far better than they have him all season. Taylor may be in for a reality check this week however as the Giants welcome divisional rivals Washington to Gotham City. The Commanders recorded 3 sacks and 3 INTs last time out against the Falcons and will look to get after the stand-in QB in New York. 34-year old Taylor proved last time out he still has legs…he may have to use them on Sunday.
Also consider Baltimore Ravens v DET ($2,500) & Kansas City Chiefs v LAC ($2,400)
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Image Credit: Philip G. Pavely – USA TODAY Sports
