Week seven started us out with news that Patrick Mahomes will be out for the next few weeks with a knee injury. While the football world will be wondering how the Chiefs will perform without him, the real question becomes who can we find to replace him in fantasy? Matt Moore will step-in but it will really be a wait and see approach. That is something to monitor as the weeks progress and until Mahomes can return to the starting lineup.
While that is the biggest news in the football and fantasy world, let’s dive into week seven’s Sunday games and Monday night game to see great DFS plays this week. Lots of great stacking options include the 49ers against the Redskins, the Bills against the Dolphins, and the Rams against the Falcons. Let’s also not forget some great barn-burner games including the Cardinals versus the Giants, the Eagles versus the Cowboys, and the Texans versus the Colts. Let’s not waste any more time; here are two optimal lineups to use this weekend.
DraftKings Optimal Lineup – Week 7
QB – Gardner Minshew II vs. Bengals – $5,400
Minshew Mania was dialed back a little bit when the Jaguars were held in check offensively against the New Orleans Saints, last weekend. Although this was a good reality check for Minshew and the Jaguars offense, the aspect of facing the Bengals may ramp things up again. With both Bengal starting cornerbacks (Dre Kirkpatrick and William Jackson III) not suiting up for their contest this weekend, this is a prime rebound opportunity for Minshew. Expect Minshew to put up solid numbers against a winless Cincinnati team and really bring back Minshew Mania into full-force. Also at a low price of only $5,400, you can get a quality player at a low cost.
Alternative option: Josh Allen vs. Dolphins, $6,500
RB – Leonard Fournette vs. Bengals – $7,000
Fournette is slowly becoming the star player that all fantasy owners were expecting him to become, after a stellar rookie season. Last season he was hampered with injuries and didn’t look himself. This season is a different story as he has certainly shaken off all that rust and is looking dynamic on the field. Over the course of this season, he is averaging 23 fantasy points in road games, on DraftKings. Let’s couple that with the Bengals being the league’s worst run-defense; currently giving up the most rushing yards (1,107) and rushing touchdowns (nine). Fournette will be able to easily keep his streak going and will put in a good day at the office in Cincinnati. While you may have to pay a bit to use him, the price will be more than worth it.
Alternative option: James White vs. Jets, $4,900
RB – Tevin Coleman vs. Redskins – $5,600
The 49ers are one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season, marching out to a 5-0 record through the first six weeks of 2019. The way they are doing that is playing sensationally on defense and establishing the run on offense. Now a lot of people were concerned with the backfield situation between Coleman and Matt Breida and who would lead the team in touches. Coleman dealt with an early-season injury, which led to Breida taking the lead-dog role. Although, if the two games after the bye week are any indication of things to come in the immediate future, then Coleman would be the running back to start in fantasy rosters. Breida has elite level speed but can’t power through the hole and get those tough yards as Coleman can. Pair that with the fact that both starting tackles are out for the 49ers, those outside runs will be hard to come by and that would mean Coleman would get more opportunities with inside runs and goal-line touches. The Redskins are a mess and this game should be over early. Start Coleman and benefit from the power-running from the San Francisco offense.
Alternative option: Jordan Howard vs. Cowboys, $4,800
WR – Cooper Kupp vs. Falcons – $7,400
Kupp has become the go-to target in the Rams offense, while Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks have been relegated to supplemental pieces. With the exception of a poor game against the 49ers last week, Kupp is one of the consistent fantasy players in 2019 and a must-start every week. So with the Falcons coming up in week seven, you know that Kupp should have a solid bounce-back performance and re-establish himself as the elite receiver in fantasy football this year. While Jared Goff is not looking like himself this season, you can trust that a terrible Atlanta defense should cure all the problems that this Los Angeles offense is currently dealing with. The Falcons are ranked 27th in passing yards allowed and 30th in passing touchdowns allowed. Kupp should have a field day in Atlanta this weekend and it will be worth the high-investment for sure.
Alternative option: Michael Thomas vs. Bears, $7,900
WR – John Brown vs. Dolphins – $5,500
There’s nothing better than coming off the bye week and facing the Miami Dolphins. The Bills will look to keep their momentum after starting the year 4-1. Josh Allen has certainly stepped up his game after an average rookie season and will look to find plenty of ways to carve up the Dolphins defense. One of those ways is getting into a rhythm early with Brown. Brown was questionable all this week on whether he would play, but that designation is now gone and he will look to wreak havoc on the hapless Miami secondary. Brown is the lead guy in this passing attack and he should be able to perform at a high-level being 100% healthy. Low price this week and this is the perfect opportunity to start him.
Alternative option: DJ Chark Jr. vs. Bengals, $6,000
WR – Allen Lazard vs. Raiders – $3,000
Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood is sure missing some of its familiar residents. Devante Adams is ruled out for another week, Geronimo Allison is doubtful, and Marques Valdes-Scantling is questionable. So expect Rodgers to be playing with unproven players like Jake Kumerow, Darrius Shepherd, and Lazard. Now, why are we going to play Lazard this week? This is totally a dart-throw but we can hopefully bank on the fact that Lazard was targeted often against the Lions on Monday night. His final stat line was four receptions, for 65 yards, and one touchdown. The Raiders offer a middle-of-the-road defense and this could be a situation where we see a classic Rodgers performance. This means that Lazard should see plenty of targets as the de facto number one option. At a bargain price this week, all fantasy players are hoping for Lazard to be Rodgers’ neighbor.
Alternative option: Tyler Boyd vs. Jaguars, $5,600
TE – Evan Engram vs. Cardinals – $6,500
Engram is finally fully healthy and he has a great defense to face in his return as well. While the Cardinals will be welcoming back Patrick Peterson to the secondary, Engram should be able to beat them in the middle of the field and the home run play. Peterson should give Golden Tate a tough time to perform well, but Engram should have no trouble and also the return of Saquon Barkley should prevent the defense from fully focusing on Engram as well. The Giants will be able to put together a balanced attack and Engram should be able to lead the charge for the passing attack. One of the pricier tight ends this week, Engram should be worth every penny and have great performance for fantasy owners.
Alternative option: Darren Waller vs. Packers, $4,700
FLEX – Devin Singletary vs. Dolphins – $5,400
Do you really need a reason to start any Bills player in your fantasy roster this week against the Dolphins? We touched on it earlier in this article with the section on John Brown and this goes the same for Singletary. Finally healthy after dealing with a nagging hamstring injury the past couple weeks, Singletary should have a great performance against Miami and become the lead back once again in Buffalo. Cheap price + terrible defense = easy start.
Alternative option: Josh Jacobs vs. Packers, $5,000
DST – San Francisco 49ers vs. Redskins – $4,100
Currently, the 49ers possess one of the league’s best defenses. If it weren’t for the elite level play of the Patriots defense, the 49ers may arguably have the best defense in the league. There is a possibility that this game could be a trap game with San Francisco traveling to the East Coast to face the Redskins, but let’s not get too crazy here. The defense has been the reason why this team is off to its best start since 1990 and the Redskins offense will offer no threat to them. While they are one of the pricier defensive options this week, they are going to be worth the price as they should rack up a lot of pressure which will lead to turnovers, sacks, and most importantly fantasy points.
Alternative option: Buffalo Bills vs. Dolphins, $4,300
