NFL DFS Week 6: Spend Up for Elite Receivers

Cooper Kupp or Ja’Marr Chase should give your DFS main slate lineup a solid floor.

It’s time to set those Week 6 DFS lineups!

Today’s article features players that will return value regardless of their salary price points. You’ll notice that I like some player pairs from the Rams, Bengals and Bears. Elite receivers this weekend are pricey but are likely worth the spend. Friday’s bargains article will have plenty of affordable running back options if you choose to spend up at wideout.

Remember, if you choose to stack players from a team and you expect a lot of points to be scored in that game, it’s a sound strategy to also roster a player from the other team to “send some points back.” For example: If you want to play Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon and Ja’Marr Chase, you’ll also want a player such as DK Metcalf or Kenneth Walker in the hopes that the Seahawks-Bengals game turns into a shootout.

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Let’s get to it.

Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow, Bengals

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Burrow looked like he was back last weekend vs. the Cardinals, and we are going to trust our eyes and his talent to have a big day vs. a Seahawks defense that ranks 21st vs. quarterbacks. Tee Higgins returned to practice Wednesday, and although it was limited, there is optimism he will play Sunday as well. Even if he doesn’t, Ja’Marr Chase’s statline from last weekend should give you enough confidence to start Joe Cool.

Justin Fields, Bears

For two weeks in a row now, Fields has looked like a prolific passer, finishing as a Top 3 QB. The connection between he and DJ Moore is undeniable, and this matchup says we should see more fireworks this weekend, as no team has allowed more passing completions than the Vikings. Fields also has the mobile upside that can add up in a hurry.

Matthew Stafford, Rams

Stafford is an excellent value this week at a mid-tier salary. WIth Cooper Kupp back in the fold, in addition to Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, Kyren WIlliams and Tyler Higbee, there will be no shortage of receivers to target vs. an Arizona defense that has allowed the fourth-most passing yards and the fourth-most DFS points to opposing quarterbacks this season. It’s also worth mentioning that Stafford has the fourth-most passing yards in the NFL. You know what to do.

Running Backs

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins

This is Mostert’s backfield now that De’von Achane is banged up. Mostert has finished as a Top 10 RB three times this season and he has seven touchdowns in just five games played. The matchup couldn’t be any juicer vs. the Panthers, who have allowed the second-most DFS points -- including nine touchdowns -- to opposing runners this year.

Alvin Kamara, Saints

Kamara should have success on the ground vs. a Texans defense that has allowed the 12th-most yards to opposing runners, but even more importantly, Kamara can also rack up the receptions.

Kyren Williams, Rams

This Rams matchup with the Cardinals is tied with the Dolphins-Panthers game for the highest total on the slate Sunday . The Cardinals have allowed eight touchdowns to running backs this season -- four rushing and four receiving. They are also allowing a 90.2% catch rate to runners. There are plenty of ways we could see Williams succeed on Sunday.

Wide Receivers

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Don’t overthink this. If Joe Burrow is back, so is Chase. A matchup with the Seahawks secondary is just icing on the cake.

Cooper Kupp/Puka Nacua, Rams

Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

By now you have figured out I like this Rams game. Kupp is the more pricey option, but I don’t have any qualms spending up as he picked up right where he left off last Sunday, leading the team in targets (12) and receiving yards (118). For a slight discount, however, you could also have Nacua, who had 11 targets and 71 yards and a touchdown with Kupp back on the field.

DJ Moore, Bears

DJ Moore is a beast. Across the past two weeks of play, he has 19 catches, 361 yards, and four touchdowns. That’s bonkers. This week he faces a Vikings secondary that has allowed the most yards to receivers this year. Sign me up.

Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings

With no Justin Jefferson on Sunday, those targets have to go somewhere. I am betting most of them go Hock’s way. Hockenson has averaged eight targets per game this year, and the Bears have allowed a league-worst 85% catch rate to the position.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles

After putting up a donut in Week 1 and after some “squeaky wheel” reports, Goedert put on a clinic last week vs. the Rams, catching eight of his nine targets for 117 yards and a score. It makes sense that the Eagles use him in the game plan again this week vs. a Jets defense that has allowed the most touchdowns and DFS points to the position this year.