Finding solid value plays on salary-based DFS sites is essential when trying to build successful lineups. Each week I’ll discuss players at every position who I think are the best bets to outperform their salary and provide that much-needed value. Each position is followed by salary restrictions for each site. Make sure to take note of salary differences between sites, as a player may make a much better value on one over the other.
NFL Week 7 Daily Fantasy Value Plays at QB, RB, WR, TE, and D/ST for DraftKings and FanDuel
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT, FD: $7,200, DK: $6,200) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
In his last six regular season matchups against the Bengals, Roethlisberger has surpassed 250 passing yards in each and averaged 294 in those contests. He’s tossed six passing touchdowns in the last three home games against Cincy, and I expect him to build off his performance in Week 6 (16.4 points). Big Ben has torn up opposing defenses at home in the past couple seasons, especially in 2016 where he averaged 319 passing yards and 3.3 passing TDs per game. I expect him to continue his solid play against a familiar Bengals team and at home, so feel confident rostering Ben this week.
Kirk Cousins (WSH, FD: $7,500, DK: $6,500) at Philadelphia Eagles
Opposing quarterbacks are throwing against the Eagles more than any other defense, as they’re surrendering 41.5 passing attempts per game. Captain Kirk has played exceptional football in his past three games, averaging 305 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, and 2.3 passing TDs per game. In six career games against the rival Eagles, Cousins has averaged 303 yards and 2.2 passing touchdowns. I really like this spot for Cousins on the road, and think he makes a great option in DFS this weekend. Fire him up with confidence.
Running Back
Adrian Peterson (ARI, FD: $6,300, DK: $5,800) at Los Angeles Rams
We were all impressed by Peterson’s debut with the Cardinals, as he racked up 134 yards rushing and two TDs on 26 carries. Just one week later he’ll face the NFL’s worst rush defense. Los Angeles has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and most rushing touchdowns to opposing backs, leading to the most fantasy points allowed to the position. I expect Carson Palmer to stick it in Peterson’s belly at least 20 times once again, giving him a solid floor and high ceiling against a terrible run D. He’s still at a depressed price after just one week with his new team, so take advantage of it and plug him into your lineups.
Joe Mixon (CIN, FD: $5,600, DK: $5,000) at Pittsburgh Steelers
The rookie back will get his first taste of the Bengals-Steelers rivalry this Sunday at Heinz Field. Mixon has seen at least 15 carries in each game under new OC Bill Lazor, including seven targets in the passing game in those three games. He’ll square off against a Pittsburgh defense that’s been gashed by the run this season, allowing the fifth-most rushing yards and sixth-most fantasy points to opposing backs thus far. Mike Tomlin’s D has also allowed five rushing touchdowns, tied for second-most in the NFL. Mixon should see a solid workload once again, which will likely give him great value as a cheap option on both sites.
Wide Receiver
Nelson Agholor (PHI, FD: $5,900, DK: $4,900) vs. Washington Redskins
The third-year WR seems to have finally solidified his role in this Philly passing attack, as his targets have increased each of the last four weeks. He’s second in WR targets behind Alshon Jeffery, and is tied for the team-lead in touchdowns (4) with Zach Ertz. Agholor also posted a big game against Washington in Week 1 with a 6-86-1 line, and now Josh Norman is absent from the secondary due to broken ribs. He should have his shot to post another big line, and with a cheap salary on both sites, Agholor should have no trouble reaching value this weekend.
Eric Decker (TEN, FD: $5,100, DK: $4,300) at Cleveland Browns
Decker finally showed some signs of life in the Titans’ offense in Week 6 (7-88-0) after not catching five balls in a game all season. He’ll now get to face a Browns secondary that has really struggled over the middle of the field but performed pretty well against outside receivers. Decker has seen 15 targets over the last two weeks and finally made some big connections with Marcus Mariota, so I expect his success to carry over into Week 7 against a weak opponent. Jason McCourty is currently the number one rated coverage corner by Pro Football Focus, so Rishard Matthews should have trouble on the outside, opening up even more targets for Decker on the interior of the defense. It was only a matter of time before Decker’s talent would emerge, and I think this could be his first big fantasy week for his new team.
Tight End
Kyle Rudolph (MIN, FD: $5,400, DK: $3,800) vs. Baltimore Ravens
The 6-foot-6 tight end gets a great matchup at home against the Ravens this weekend. Baltimore has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and ranks 32nd in DVOA against the position. Rudolph has seen his role grow in the offense with Stefon Diggs hampered by a groin injury. He’s seen 18 targets in the last two games after seeing just 15 in the first four weeks, so Pat Shurmer is clearly trying to include him in the passing offense. His usage in the red zone has been solid as well, as he’s now up to six RZ targets on the season, including both of his touchdowns on the season. Baltimore has allowed six touchdowns to the position this season, tied for most in the NFL, so I like Rudolph’s chances of posted a solid week.
Austin Hooper (ATL, FD: $5,000, DK: $4,100) at New England Patriots
Hooper is another guy who has gained an increased offensive role due to injury issues at the WR position. After seeing just six targets in the first three weeks, Hooper has racked up 16 over the past two. He’s hauled in 12 of those for 98 yards, including a career-high seven catches in Week 6 against the Dolphins. The second-year player will now face a Patriots defense he scored a TD against in the Super Bowl, who is also struggling against the position this year. New England has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, including the second-most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards. Fire up Hooper with confidence this Sunday.
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins (FD: $4,300, DK: $3,100) vs. New York Jets
Despite having an offensive-minded coach in Adam Gase, Miami’s defense has really been the strength of this team through five games. They’re currently third-best in the league allowing just 16.8 points per game, and will get another shot at a Josh McCown-led offense who busted them for a season-high 20 points in Week 3. McCown has shown how turnover-prone he is the past few weeks, coughing up four interceptions in the last three games. I expect this Miami defense to have more success against him the second time around, and make for a great value play this weekend, especially on FanDuel where they’re the sixth-cheapest defense.
