The Week 7 FanDuel main slate will be a fun one. It leaps off the screen just how many strong running back and wide receiver options are priced between $6,800 and $8,000. Unlike many recent weeks, the bargain plays pale compared to the guys priced just slightly higher at both positions. Make it a priority to get at least five of these more expensive running backs and wide receivers into your lineup. Given the depth of top options, we are likely to see at least a handful of backs and receivers with 25-plus fantasy points on Sunday. It raises the bar for what we are likely to need our players in these roster slots to score. Budgeting at least $42K ($7K per spot) of our $60K cap to the running back, wide receiver, and flex spots means we are going to have to find some value at other positions. We will go deeper on who some of those values might be. Most importantly, we will try to narrow down the field on these more expensive players to the ones best positioned for one of those 25-plus point games we probably need to finish atop a Week 7 FanDuel GPP.
Quarterback Positional Overview
Of the quarterbacks priced below $8,000 this week, Dak Prescott carries the highest projection in the Footballguys consensus at 19 points. We project Lamar Jackson ($8,800) for over 25 points. On a projected point per dollar basis, it is hard to get away from Jackson, so it just comes down to how much we want to sacrifice in projection to gain uniqueness. The pricing gap between the top quarterback and the cheapest starter (P.J. Walker at $6,200) is less than the gap at any other position. The savings are not extreme, and we do not gain as much cap space to play with by searching for sleepers. The sky-high projections and unmatched ceilings of the top quarterbacks makes trying to save a few bucks at the position tougher to stomach.
Top QB Plays
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore ($8,800)
While Lamar Jackson has cooled off considerably since his scorching start to the season (40-plus FanDuel points in both Week 2 and Week 3), we know his upside is unmatched. Jackson also has a high floor, given his rushing ability. He has run for at least 58 in each of his last five games. Facing a banged-up Cleveland defense that will be without top cornerback Denzel Ward, everything sets up well for a big fantasy game from Jackson. His percent rostered will likely hit double digits, which is the only real negative for Jackson as a tournament play, given his weekly upside.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati ($8,300)
In the last two weeks, the Cincinnati offense has turned the corner. The Bengals punted on their first two drives last week against the Saints, then scored four touchdowns and a field goal in their final six possessions. It was easily Burrow’s best performance of the season. He completed over 75% of his passes for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns and also rushed for 25 yards and another touchdown. With the rebuilt offensive line making steady improvements and Tee Higgins back to full health, the Bengals have the surrounding talent for Burrow to excel.
For the first time in Joe Burrow’s career, the Bengals have five offensive linemen playing at a solid level.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) October 21, 2022
Finally, the Bengals are showing confidence in their line. Breaking down where each lineman is at and how the group has progressed. https://t.co/ruVQKjjEec
Other QBs to consider
Dak Prescott, Dallas ($7,500) The Cowboys were able to give Prescott plenty of time to recover from the hand injury that has sidelined him since Week 1. He returns in the best possible spot facing arguably the worst defense in the NFL. The Lions have given up the second-most FanDuel points per game to opposing quarterbacks (22.9). Prescott comes at a bargain price and has a pair of strong stacking options (CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup).
Justin Herbert, LA Chargers ($8,100) We have yet to get a GPP-winning performance from Herbert this season. While he has had three games with 20-plus points, he has not yet topped 25 FanDuel points this season. Herbert had six 25-plus point games last season (including four with 30-plus points). We know he is capable, and it seems like just a matter of time. With Keenan Allen set to potentially return, this could be the week where we see Herbert have his first big game of the season.
Running Back Positional Overview
The good news this week is that the position is extremely deep. You can make a decent upside case for just about every single back priced $6,800 or above this week. The bad news this week is that there is only one player (discussed below) priced under $6,800 worth getting excited about.
Top RB Plays
Aaron Jones, Green Bay ($6,800)
“We gotta get Aaron Jones the ball more…. when he touches the ball, good things happen,” said Aaron Rodgers this week. In the Packers' three losses this season, Jones averaged 9.0 carries per game. In wins, he has averaged 14.3 carries and 3.0 receptions per game. A player as explosive as Jones (career 5.1 yards per attempt and 7.9 yards per reception) can a lot of damage with 17 touches. With the Packers being big favorites against a struggling Commanders team, this is a game the Packers should win. It sets up well for Jones to bounce back in a big way. The sub-$7K salary for a player of Jones’ caliber is what makes this play especially attractive.