DraftKings Cash Game
Welcome to a weekly series where I provide you with what I think is the optimal cash game lineup. All prices, fantasy points, and analyses are based on DraftKings’ DFS platform. If you are unfamiliar with what cash games are, or if you are interested in my basic strategy, click here.
Week 5 Recap
I finally found my footing in Week 5, winning almost 86% of my cash games without a sweat. Hitting on Lamar was the key piece. I thought I did a good job understanding that this was a slate where it would be advantageous to pay up at QB. I was also fortunate to get 15.8 points out of Nico Collins before he left the game because of an injury. I also liked my fade of Diontae Johnson, who I knew would be popular but who had a tough matchup against the NFL’s best secondary. My main mistake was leaving out Tucker Kraft ($3,500), who scored almost 25 points. I didn’t want to be overexposed to Green Bay’s offense, so I left him out for Reed, which was the wrong decision in this case
Here are my results so far:
- Week 1: Won 21.3% of head-to-heads
- Week 2: Won 35.71% of head-to-heads
- Week 3: Won 21.3% of head-to-heads
- Week 4: Won 0% of head-to-heads
- Week 5:Won 85.71% of head-to-head
- Season Win Percentage: 32.86%
Now, let’s dive into Week 6.
Quarterback
Given how tight pricing is on this slate, I think it’s almost a mistake not to play Spencer Rattler ($4,000). I’ve been burned by the stone minimum QB play in cash before when Sam Ehlinger only managed 7.5 points. However, I’m not letting availability bias impact my decision. How fragile are these minimum-salary QBs, though? Looking at only QBs who were projected for two or more points (this removes backups) at a salary of $4,000 during the 2022 and 2023 NFL season, we see this distribution of scoring among nine qualified QBs:
While there are some examples of flops, most of these guys are scoring 12+ points, which is a good return on a $4,000 QB. It’s important to note however, that none of these QBs scored even 16 points. On the other hand, most of these QBs aren’t getting plugged into the NFL’s 4th-scoring offense. Rattler should give us just enough production for his salary, while allowing me to play a lot of talented players you can’t fit if you pay up for any of Lamar Jackson ($7,800), Jayden Daniels ($7,300), or Jalen Hurts ($7,200).
Running Back
Running back is really thin this week. I only like three RBs and they’re all included in this lineup. The first of these is Jahmyr GIbbs ($7,000), who is one of my favorite plays this week. His projection is lower than I would expect, as he hasn’t scored less than 16 DK points in a game this season and gets the NFL’s worst run defense, Dallas. Gibbs is a player who is likely never going to burn you while also providing slate-breaking ceiling if this game shoots out, as the total implies it may.
The last RB I’m playing, and by far the lowest owned, is Tony Pollard ($6,000). He’s one of the few positive salary values at RB and gets a good matchup against a bad and injury-riddled Colts defense. The Titans clearly don’t trust Will Levis in the red zone, since their running backs have racked up the second-most high-value touches in the NFL, meaning more TD opportunities for Pollard. x
Wide Receiver
Chris Godwin ($6,900) is always in play at cash when he’s under $7,000, as he is this week. He projects as one of the few values are WR this week, and has a good matchup against the Saints, who will blanket Marcus Lattimore on Mike Evans, opening up Godwin underneath. This is admittedly more of a feel play, but Godwin has been consistent this season and a disappointing game from him is 12 points, not 6.
Returning to the Falcons discourse, the only other Falcon I’m playing this week is Drake London ($6,700). London is about $800 underpriced according to my salary model and gets that same terrible Panther defense. His role has been growing as of late, as he’s up to a 30% target share in the last three weeks. He should get there on his volume alone, but if he also exhibits efficiency and hauls in a TD or two, he could win you the week.
Given how good of a play Lamar Jackson could be, I wanted to hedge this risk by playing Zay Flowers ($6,500). If Lamar hits his ceiling, a lot of that passing work will likely funnel to Flowers, who had 12 targets last week and scored 22 points without a TD. Flowers gets a fantastic matchup this week against Washington, who ranks 26th in dropback EPA/play.
Tight End
There are a couple ways to approach TE this week, as you’ll see some two tight end builds in cash, as well as an option to pay up and a few options to punt off. Since I’m punting at QB, I think it’s prudent to pay up at TE and not forgo ceiling at another position by playing Jake Ferguson ($5,000). It’s rare we see TEs that are underpriced and especially rare we see TEs underpriced who are $5,000+. Ferguson has a great matchup in that projected shootout against Detroit and has scored less than 11.9 points just once this season in Dallas’ opener.
*Note: Version 1.0 of this article included Cade Otton ($3,500) here.
FLEX
Given how tight this slate is priced, you almost have to play Bucky Irving ($5,400). After it was announced that Rachaad White was doubtful to play Sunday, Irving became probably the best play on the entire slate, underpriced by about $1,000. Irving has flashed in his relief duties of White and he has a real shot at 20+ points this week with the backfield likely almost entirely to himself.
*Note: Version 1.0 of this article included Bijan Robinson ($6,600) here.
DST
There were also a few ways to approach DST this week, with even a defense like the Eagles DST ($3,400) at play, but in this construction, I was able to fit in the Patriots DST ($2,400). I have an extra $100, but I straight up prefer New England to either of the $2,500 options (Commanders and Cardinals) given an insanely low game total of 37.5.
*Note: Version 1.0 of this article included Titans DST ($2,800) here.
Summary
As mentioned previously, this is the hardest slate of the season. Every lineup is going to feel a little uncomfortable with how tight pricing is, but by punting off QB with Spencer Rattler, I was able to construct a lineup I do feel a little comfortable with. If I get buried by a $7,800 Lamar Jackson, so be it.
Here is the final lineup:
