NFL DFS Week 6 Bargain Picks: Desmond Ridder Does It Again

The Falcons quarterback outplayed his price point in Week 5 and he’s one of 12 players who bring DFS value Sunday.

It’s time for our weekly DFS Bargains article.

Beware, this can get ugly.

All of the players below have very low price points, but have the potential to pop off on Sunday. They are essentially dart throws, but if you have spent up for Cooper Kupp, Christian McCaffrey and TJ Hockensen, you probably need some salary relief.

NFL DFS Week 6: Spend Up for Elite Receivers

Here goes...

Quarterbacks

Gardner Minshew, Colts

MInshew Magic should be on display this weekend as the veteran QB takes over for injured rookie Anthony Richardson vs. the Jaguars. We’ve seen Minshew have success in the NFL before, and with the threat of Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss in the run game, things should go well for Minshew vs. a Jaguars defense that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards and eight passing touchdowns to opposing signal-callers this season.

Desmond Ridder, Falcons

Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports

At a low salary, we are willing to bet on Ridder again. No, we aren’t just chasing the points. Ridder threw for 300-plus yards last weekend adding a passing and a rushing touchdown. The Falcons traded for wide receiver Van Jefferson this week, which feels like a vote of confidence for their starter, and this matchup is excellent as the Commanders have allowed the fifth-most DFS points to quarterbacks this year. It’s a contrarian play that could pay off.

Running Backs

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Miles Sanders did not practice again on Thursday, but this time it was with a shoulder issue. Add that to the lingering groin issue, and it’s pretty safe to guess he won’t be the lead back this weekend. Hubbard slightly out-snapped and out-carried Sanders last week, and I’ll bet on him carrying the load this weekend at a bargain price. The Panthers are facing a Dolphins defense that has allowed the 11th-most rushing yards to the position this season.

Keontay Ingram/Emari Demercado, Cardinals

James Conner is out and one of these two running backs will lead this backfield on Sunday. As to which one... well, Demercado played all but one snap after Conner left last week. He rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown and caught one of his three targets for another 12 yards. Ingram started the season as the Conner handcuff, and this week he was listed first on the depth chart. It’s not a great matchup for either, but the salary is so low, it could be worth trying to guess correctly.

Kendre Miller, Saints

It’s a nice matchup vs. the Texans for the rookie that earned 12 carries last weekend, while also catching all four of his targets for 53 yards

Cam Akers, Vikings

Hang with me here: With Justin Jefferson out, those targets will have to go somewhere. Also, with Jefferson gone, will the Vikings need to try to lean more on their run game? Akers’s salary is right at the Bears rank 30th vs. running backs this season.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

He's Jonathan Taylor. No, the matchup isn't great. But, I'm willing to bet this could be the last time you can get him at a bargain price this season.

Wide Receivers

Josh Downs, Colts

Robert Scheer/USA TODAY Network

The slot receiver led the team last week with six catches and 97 yards. He’s been targeted much more heavily when Minshew has been at quarterback, and the Jaguars have been incredibly generous to slot receivers this season.

Tutu Atwell, Rams

If you choose not to spend up for Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua, this is a good way to get exposure to a Rams-Cardinals game that is tied for the highest total of the week at SI Sportsbook. Atwell saw five targets and scored a touchdown last week even with Kupp back on the field.

Chase Claypool, Dolphins

Mike McDaniel has a new toy, and according to Tyreek Hill he looks like a vending machine. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I do know he’s big and he’s fast. I also know he rushed for 96 yards in 2021, and he had a pair of rushing touchdowns in his rookie year with the Steelers. Could he play the Deebo Samuel role this weekend in a game with the highest total of the week? O.K., maybe that’s pushing it -- but this is the bargains article, after all!

Tight Ends

Logan Thomas, Commanders

Thomas has yet to finish with fewer than seven DFS points in any game he's played this year, and he logged 21 last week. He was targeted a whopping 11 times on Thursday vs. the Bears, and he caught nine of those targets for 77 yards and a score. His 14.8 target share is second only to Terry McLaurin, and his two touchdowns are the most of any Commanders receiver. Better yet? He gets a matchup with an Atlanta defense that has allowed an average of more than 13 DFS points per game.

Tyler Conklin, Jets

Conklin has averaged more than five targets per game since Week 2, and his matchup this weekend is with an Eagles team that has allowed three touchdowns and an 82.2% catch rate to the position. 

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