NFL DFS Week 11: Smash Spot for Austin Ekeler

The Chargers’ star running back won’t come cheap, but he’ll carry your lineup with a plus matchup in Green Bay.

It’s time to set those winning DFS lineups!

Today’s article features players that will return value regardless of salary level. Many of them you will have to spend up for, but check back tomorrow for a bargains article that will help with salary relief.

The highest game totals of the week are Arizona at Houston (48.5), Chicago at Detroit (47.5) and Las Vegas at Miami (46.5). You will find players here from each of these games, while we are fading players in the Pittsburgh at Cleveland (32.5) and New York Jets at Buffalo (39.5) matchups.

Let’s get to it.

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Quarterbacks

C.J. Stroud, Texans

Gone are the days of Stroud making the DFS bargains article! You’ll have to spend up for the current MVP favorite who is also playing in the game with the highest total of the week at SI Sportsbook. The Cardinals have allowed the ninth-most DFS points to quarterbacks this season, and Stroud has the most passing yards per game in the NFL.

Jared Goff, Lions

Not only are the Lions facing a Chicago team that has allowed the fifth-most DFS points to quarterbacks this year, they are facing them at home. I’m sure you’ve heard enough about Goff’s home/road splits, so I’ll just say: fire him up.

Running Backs

Austin Ekeler, Chargers

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Ekeler is a goal-line monster, with five total touchdowns in just six games played this season. He’s also seen an average of more than seven targets and 55 receiving yards per game since Joshua Palmer landed on the IR in Week 8. Add all this up with a soft matchup vs. a Green Bay defense that has allowed more than 100 rushing yards per game to running backs across the last four contests, and Ekeler looks to be in a smash spot.

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins

Perhaps no running back has a better matchup this week than Mostert, who is facing a Raiders team that has allowed the most rushing yards (514) to running backs across the last four contests and four total touchdowns. Even with De’Von Achane possibly returning, there should be enough to go around. Mostert didn’t practice Wednesday, but it was likely a veteran day off and he should be fresh Sunday coming off a bye. The veteran has averaged a league-best 5.6 yards per attempt this season among runners with 100-plus carries.

Tony Pollard, Cowboys

Go ahead and throw rocks at me if you want, but hear me out. First of all, his salary is very reasonable. Second, this will be a contrarian play that will help you for tournaments. Third, no team has allowed more rushing touchdowns (13) than the Panthers this year. They have been tough on the pass, though, so surely Dallas will find a way to scheme for Pollard and the run game. The Panthers have allowed opposing runners an average of 118 yards per game on the ground this year.

Wide Receivers

Terry McLaurin, Commanders

The Giants have allowed more than 300 yards per game to wide receivers across the last three contests. That’s great news for McLaurin, who leads the Commanders with a 19% target share and 22% receiving yards share. No team has dropped back more times than the Commanders this season (444).

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys

Using CeeDee has nothing to do with the matchup, and everything to do with the fact that he is the hottest receiver in the NFL right now. Lamb has three consecutive games with 11-plus catches and 150-plus yards. He also has four total touchdowns (one rushing) in that span.

Davante Adams, Raiders

Adams was targeted 13 times in the primetime win vs. the Jets Sunday, and it’s just a matter of time until he pops off for a big game in this new Antonio Pierce offense. The mood is lighter in Las Vegas and the matchup vs. Miami is favorable in a game with the third-highest total of the week.

Deebo Samuel, 49ers

The Buccaneers have been dreadful vs. the slot receiver (see Noah Brown in Week 9), and Samuel is running 30% of his routes out of the slot. Samuel is so versatile, he could break off a big play in any number of ways, and I expect this Niners offense to be clicking.

Tight Ends

George Kittle, 49ers

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY NETWORK

Kittle has been on fire since Week 7, and he’s had 116-plus receiving yards in each of his last two games. Remember, the Buccaneers have struggled vs. the slot, and in Week 9 they allowed 10 catches and 130 yards to Dalton Schultz.

Trey McBride, Cardinals

With Kyler Murray back under center, McBride finished Week 10 as the TE2, catching eight of nine targets for 131 yards. He led the team with a 28% target share and 53% of the team’s air yards. This week’s matchup with the Texans is favorable as Houston has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this year.

Luke Musgrave, Packers

Musgrave had a career-high 64 receiving yards on Sunday, catching two of his four targets. He’s had two big games in a row after scoring a touchdown in Week 9 and catching three of four targets for 51 yards. No team has allowed more receiving yards to tight ends than the Chargers, who have also allowed a 78.7% catch rate to the position. 

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