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Week 5 of the NFL season is in the books, and now we shift our focus to Week 6 and what value plays we can find on the main slate in DFS competitions.
In this weekly piece, I will examine some undervalued sneaky targets. By selecting these players, you will have more flexibility in other positions to secure a high-end player elsewhere in your lineup. No matter what competition you are playing in DFS, finding a budget player with a safe floor and room for upside is the recipe for success.
I will include the DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) prices for each player in the main slate competition. However, when discussing which players are valued, I will focus primarily on their DraftKings price compared to other players on that platform. Even though both platforms have a few minor differences in scoring, a value is usually playable on any format given their relation to other highly-priced players at their position.
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Quarterback NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 6
Kirk Cousins, ATL at CAR | DK: $6.2K FD: $7.4K
After a record-setting Week 5 performance where he threw for 509 yards and four scores, how can that be topped? A favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers this weekend fits that bill and should help Cousins continue his hot streak.
Last weekend, this Carolina defense allowed Caleb Williams to throw for over 300 yards. Cousins should provide a very high floor with a solid amount of upside in this matchup.
Anthony Richardson, IND at TEN | DK: $6K, FD: $7.3K
Anthony Richardson (hip) is currently questionable with an injury but was able to log three limited practice sessions last week, which suggests he should be ready to suit up in Week 6.
The former third-overall pick got out to a hot start this season, totaling 30.2 and 17.9 PPR points through the first two games, but then took a significant step back in Week 3 and was forced out of action in Week 4 with an injury.
However, Richardson’s price is rarely this cheap, and this is a great opportunity to take advantage of an elite upside option at a discount. Sophomore wideout Josh Downs has begun to emerge since missing the start of the year with an ankle injury and will provide some more security for Richardson.
Note: If Richardson misses his second straight game, Joe Flacco is a solid option as well. Last weekend, he threw for 359 yards and three scores.
Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 6
Bucky Irving, TB at NO | DK: $5.4K, FD: $5.7K
The fourth-round rookie has begun to push for an even split in the Tampa Bay backfield and could even begin to take the majority of carries sooner rather than later.
After Rachaad White saw more attempts through the first two games, Irving has seen two more attempts since Week 3 and has held a slightly higher 5.8 average yards per carry compared to White’s 5.3. In addition, Irving has totaled 163 yards, while White has totaled just 138. Irving also has had four carries within the five-yard line, while White has seen just one.
Bucky Irving running free #NFL pic.twitter.com/OUY8eKZSkT
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhifer) October 4, 2024
While the committee will limit each other’s upside, I’d rather invest in the cheaper option that is not only running better but also getting the valuable touches at the goal line.
Facing a weak New Orleans team that has lost three straight games, Tampa could have a positive game script and rely on its rushing attack late in the game to run out the clock.
Justice Hill, WSH at BAL | DK: $5.2K, FD: $5.5K
A popular sleeper pick of mine through the campaign's first quarter has another favorable matchup against the high-flying Washington Commanders.
While Derrick Henry has begun to emerge again as an elite runner after his slow start, Hill has continued to see most of the passing work and sometimes even more work than Henry in high-scoring affairs. Hill has logged more snaps than Henry in three out of five games and eclipsed double-digit PPR points in two of them.
Given how hot the Washington offense has been, the Ravens may have to rely on their passing attack to keep up with Jayden Daniels. This should allow Hill to have a productive afternoon.
Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 6
Jalen Tolbert, DET at DAL | DK: $5K, FD: $6.1K
The 25-year-old has begun to find his footing this season but took it another step further in the Cowboys’ Week 5 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Brandin Cooks (knee) sidelined, Tolbert was locked in as the No. 2 wideout and did not disappoint.
In this game, he totaled 21.7 PPR points with seven catches for 87 yards and the game-winning score. He saw double-digit targets for the first time this season.
THE DALLAS COWBOYS!! Dak to Tolbert for 6️⃣!
📺: #DALvsPIT on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Jg7btATnJO— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2024
Facing the Detroit Lions this weekend, the game could open up quickly with all the offensive weapons on the field. Tolbert is a cheap option to get exposure to in this potential shootout.
Rashod Bateman, WSH at BAL | DK: $4.1K, FD: $5.5K
Bateman has been hard to trust from a redraft standpoint this season. He has eclipsed double-digit PPR points in just two games and fallen under 8.0 PPR points in the other three.
However, in positive game scripts, Bateman can produce. Facing the Commanders, the 24-year-old should have several opportunities to score points given the matchup and the potential high-scoring affair.
Last week, in a shootout against the Bengals, Bateman caught a season-high 58 yards on eight targets. In addition, he has been given looks deep downfield with a strong 13.5 aDOT. While a high aDOT is good for big plays, it can also explain the several bust games he has had, as several of those deep targets are tough to bring in.
Lined up against a relatively weak Washington secondary, Batemen should be more boom than bust this weekend.
Rashid Shaheed, TB at NO | DK: $5.6K, FD: $6.4K
Another deep threat I am targeting this week is Rashid Shaheed. On Monday evening, Shaheed continued his breakout campaign by catching four passes for 86 yards and a score.
The 26-year-old has eclipsed 70 yards in four of the five games this season and boasts a stellar 14.6 aDOT while running 3.71 average yards per route. In addition, Shaheed has outproduced the presumed top option in the wide receiver room, Chris Olave, in all but one game this season.
Shaheed should not be priced as a mid-end WR2. He has flashed a high upside in almost every game, seeing looks downfield and connecting with them. Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the 27th-most points to opposing WRs on DraftKings, makes him a steal this weekend.
Note: Derek Carr (oblique) is not expected to suit up in Week 6, making Shaheed a riskier play. However, given his deep-threat ability, he is still worth a look and could have much lower ownership without his QB1.
Darnell Mooney, ATL at CAR | DK: $5.3K, FD: $6.5K
Darnell Mooney might be the most underappreciated wide receiver early in the season. After catching just one pass in Week 1, Mooney has caught fire, averaging 18.1 PPR points since Week 2 with 5.8 receptions and 78.8 yards in each game.
In addition, Mooney has seen at least six targets during this stretch, with a high of 16 in last Thursday’s overtime game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Darnell Mooney
•16 Targets
•9 Receptions
•105 Yards & 2 TDSCurrently WR15 on the season
Weekly Flex with WR2 potential based on Matchup pic.twitter.com/LWrYsdXep2
— Nick Guglielmo (@NextLvl_Fantasy) October 8, 2024
Double-digit targets will likely be hard to project, but he has continued to grow in this offense and has only improved with Kirk Cousins getting better every week. This weekend, he will face a weak Carolina secondary.
Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 6
Cade Otton, TB at NO | DK: $3.5K, FD: $5.2K
After catching just one pass through the first two weeks, Otton has averaged 10.1 PPR points since Week 3. During this span, he has seen at least eight targets in two games, with a high of nine in Week 4. In addition, he has run at least 30 routes in two out of the three games since Week 3.
Facing the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed the second-most points to opposing tight ends, provides Otton not only a safe floor but a lot of upside.
Mark Andrews, WSH at BAL | DK: $3.9K, FD: $5.5K
Mark Andrews has been nothing short of a disappointment this season but might have finally begun to shake off the rust in last weekend’s game. In Week 5, Andrews caught a season-high 55 yards on four catches, which was a step in the right direction.
While Isaiah Likely has logged slightly more snaps, Andrews has seen more total targets since Week 2, suggesting the veteran could be due for a breakout game.
The Ravens will have to keep them all in the air to match the Washington offense, which presents a positive game script for Andrews. The risk is there, given how poorly he has performed this season, but this is a great opportunity to get a potential top option at his lowest value.
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