NFL DFS Bargain Bin: Week 7 Value Plays for DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo

October 23, 2021

Juan Carlos Blanco analyzes optimal DFS value plays for the Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season. These players are worth considering on FanDuel, DraftKings, and Yahoo daily fantasy sports games.

Welcome to the Week 7 Sunday slates edition of RotoBaller's NFL DFS Bargain Bin, where the goal is to touch on some potentially mis-priced players across the industry that find themselves in favorable match-ups and/or suddenly expanded roles.

Before we go NFL DFS Bargain Bin hunting, a few particulars about format and content:

• The nature of the beast with value plays is at least a modest amount (and sometimes substantially more) of risk. Therefore, the Bargain Bin may prove to be a bit more of a roller-coaster ride on some slates than your typical “tout” article!
• Naturally, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an upside to be had. All of these selections are therefore suitable for GPPs and can also often serve as solid cash game plays, while often helping you accommodate multiple higher-priced studs into your lineup.
• Typically, I’ll suggest players that are value-priced across three major DFS sites (DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo). However, there are certainly occasions where one or more site prices a player significantly lower than others. Whenever possible, I’ll typically at least note those players as an “XYZ site special.”
• This article is by no means intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all value options for the week. Rather, it’s meant to take a deeper dive into those I feel offer some of the best combinations of savings and upside.
• The goal is to recommend truly affordable players, as opposed to, say, a player priced just $300-$400 away from the highest-priced option at his position. I don’t have set-in-stone price limits in mind for each site, but I do consider legitimate affordability very important criteria.

With those housekeeping items out of the way, I’ll give you my thoughts on where there may be some value spots to exploit on the Week 7 Sunday slates!

Quarterback DFS Value Plays

Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs. ATL | DK: $5,500, FD: $7,100, Yahoo: $26

Tua made an impressive return on the stat sheet in the Week 6 loss to the Jaguars in London, throwing for 329 yards and two touchdowns. The second-year signal-caller has trade rumors swirling around him at present, and this could realistically be his last game in a Dolphins uniform. If so, Tua could go out with a bang while facing a Falcons defense that's allowed 244.4 passing yards per game, a 68.4 percent completion rate and an 11:1 TD:INT.

Carson Wentz, IND at SF | DK: $5,400, FD: $6,700, Yahoo: $23

Wentz looks increasingly comfortable the more he reacclimates himself to playing under Frank Reich, and having T.Y. Hilton at his disposal again certainly doesn't hurt, either, although the speedster is questionable for this matchup due to a hamstring injury. However, Wentz is still a rock-solid value at his salaries after throwing for two touchdown passes apiece in each of his last three games. The 49ers are allowing a 69.6 percent completion rate at home, and even though they are very good at keeping big plays in front of them, Wentz is averaging a career-high 8.0 yards per attempt and should be able to deliver a strong return given his modest salaries.

ALSO CONSIDER: Matt Ryan, ATL at MIA| DK: $5,700, FD: $7,300, Yahoo: $25

Running Back DFS Value Plays

Chuba Hubbard, CAR at NYG | DK: $6,100, FD: $7,300, Yahoo: $22

Hubbard will once again helm the Panthers backfield in the absence of Christian McCaffrey (IR-hamstring) on Sunday after encouragingly logging a total of 46 touches over the last pair of contests as the clear lead back. Hubbard has logged multiple receptions in three of his last four games as well, and he'll head into a favorable all-around matchup for RBs on Sunday. The Giants are giving up the fourth-most rushing yards per game (137.2), along with 4.7 RB yards per carry. New York has also yielded a 31-364-2 line through the air to running backs, setting Hubbard up for what could be a rewarding day overall.

Devonta Freeman, BAL vs. CIN| DK: $4,400, FD: $5,700, Yahoo: $14

Latavius Murray will sit out Sunday's game due to his ankle injury, which makes Freeman the de facto lead back against the Bengals. The veteran has been effective in a complementary role thus far, averaging 5.9 yards per carry on a modest tally of 16 totes. Coach John Harbaugh is still likely to rotate in Le'Veon Bell and Ty'Son Williams to make sure Freeman isn't overly taxed, but with a projected workload of at least 15-20 touches at his salaries, Freeman is certainly worthy of consideration despite Cincinnati's improved run defense, especially when also considering the Bengals have given up the most receptions (47) to backs this season.

ALSO CONSIDER: J.D. McKissic, WAS at GB | DK: $5,000, FD: $5,700, Yahoo: $16

Wide Receiver DFS Value Plays

Calvin Ridley, ATL at MIA | DK: $6,600, FD: $7,300, Yahoo: $23

The Dolphins will once again head into Week 7 with starting corners Xavien Howard and Byron Jones questionable due to multiple injuries, so the possibility certainly exists at least one will miss the contest. Miami is struggling badly against the pass irrespective of who's on the field anyhow, as the Fins have given up the fourth-most passing yards per game (292.5) and a 67.2 percent catch rate to receivers. The Dolphins have also yielded the fourth-most receptions (90) and third-most receiving yards (1,260) to WRs, along with eight touchdowns. Ridley should have fresh legs after last having played three weeks ago, and he's posted at least seven receptions and 61 yards in each of his last three games.

Mecole Hardman, CIN at DET | DK: $4,300, FD: $5,400, Yahoo: $15

Josh Gordon has made a minimal impact on the Chiefs himself through two games, but he seems to have fueled the fire of Hardman, who's posted a 13-138 line on 17 targets in that same pair of contests. The speedster could play a big role in what could certainly turn into an offensive showcase against the Titans, a game that has a projected total of 57.5 points going into the weekend. Tennessee shapes up as a vulnerable defense against a player of Hardman's skill set, considering the Titans are allowing 276.3 passing yards per game and 14.6 yards per grab to receivers, which have also caught an NFL-high 10 touchdowns against them.

Allen Lazard, GB vs. WAS | DK: $4,200, FD: $5,500, Yahoo: $13

Lazard will undoubtedly go lightly rostered in tournaments compared to teammate Davante Adams and other receivers overall, but he's worth a shot in Week 7, especially in larger-field contests. The fourth-year wideout scored in his first TD of the season in Week 6 and now faces a Washington defense that's surprisingly giving up an NFL-high 309.5 passing yards per game and a robust 11.8 yards per completion. Washington has also facilitated an NFL-high 99 receptions to wideouts on a 66.4 percent catch rate while giving up the second-most touchdown catches (9) to the position. Lazard's typically low target volume is a concern, but his bargain salaries more than account for the risk.

ALSO CONSIDER: Brandin Cooks, HOU at ARI | DK: $6,000, FD: $6,500, Yahoo: $18

Tight End DFS Value Plays

Dallas Goedert, PHI at LVR | DK: $4,600, FD: $5,900, Yahoo: $17

Goedert is off the reserve/COVID-19 list and ready to roll after missing one game, but he may fly a bit under the radar because of that recent absence. However, the fourth-year tight end could certainly be ready to thrive the rest of the season with Zach Ertz no longer a presence behind him, and Goedert may have a chance to start delivering on that potential Sunday. The Raiders are allowing the second-most receptions (41) and receiving yards (407) to tight ends through six games and are also tied with multiple teams for second-most touchdown grabs (4) allowed to the position. Ertz was averaging just over 36 snaps a game behind Goedert, so the latter's amount of time on the field could certainly see an immediate boost.

C.J. Uzomah, CIN at BAL | DK: $3,000, FD: $5,200, Yahoo: $15

The allure of Uzomah's unexpected nationally televised splash against the Jaguars in Week 4 has worn off for the most part in DFS circles, although the veteran did record his third touchdown grab of the season in Week 6 against the Lions. Uzomah's priority in the Bengals' air attack is naturally fairly low considering the team's talent at wideout, but he could be in for one of his more fruitful games Sunday. The Ravens have given up the most receptions (43) and receiving yards (454) to tight ends, and Uzomah, who boasts an excellent 87.5 percent catch rate, could pay off his extremely low salaries if he's able to get downfield on at least a handful of grabs.

ALSO CONSIDER: Zach Ertz, ARI vs. HOU | DK: $3,900, FD: $5,300, Yahoo: $17

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