NFL DFS Rankings for DraftKings, FanDuel - Week 7 Picks for Cash and GPP Contests

October 18, 2023

Doug's Week 7 NFL DFS rankings for DraftKings, FanDuel. His top daily fantasy football rankings and DFS lineup picks for cash games and GPP contests.

At first glance, this is one of the worst main slates of NFL ever. Between island games and byes, this slate is devoid of the Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles, Jaguars, Dolphins, 49ers, Vikings, and Bengals. The Bills and Lions are both in games with extremely low totals, while Deshaun Watson, Justin Fields, and Daniel Jones are likely to be out, thus limiting their teams’ upside. Add in the fact that the Chiefs have gotten boring and this slate looks downright gross.

To quote the great Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend!” Where others may see what’s not there, I’m focused on what is there. This slate gives us the chance to highlight players who may not otherwise be fantasy starters and that’s exciting! Teams like the Seahawks, Commanders, and Falcons move to the forefront of fantasy relevance as high upside pivots from the chalk that will be the Chiefs vs Chargers. Chaos brings about opportunity and I’m here for all of it! 

There are quite a few great plays available on DK for Week 7, but my goal is to create a hierarchy of plays so you know who to prioritize when building your lineups! Also, be sure to check out all of our other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big!

DraftKings NFL DFS Cash Rankings - Quarterbacks

1. Tyrod Taylor (New York Giants - $5,100)

There are a number of players in the $7,000-$9,500 range at other positions who should find their way into cash lineups, so spending down at quarterback this week is going to be a necessity. It doesn’t hurt that the high-end quarterbacks all have matchup questions, so it’s not like you are going to have to make a scary fade when pivoting down at this position.

The Washington Commanders have allowed 30 or more real-life points in four of the six games they’ve played this year. Desmond Ridder scored 22.08 DraftKings points against Washington, and he’s merely the most recent of the list of quarterbacks who have feasted against the Commanders. Tyrod Taylor should get the start for the Giants this weekend and he looked competent against the Bills on Sunday night. He threw 36 passes and ran five times. That’s exactly the kind of volume to look for in a cash-game quarterback, especially in a matchup that’s so fantasy-friendly.

It’s unlikely that Taylor is among the top five scoring signal-callers on the slate, but he doesn’t need to be. If he can score 15 or more DraftKings points he will have done his job, and you will have the cap space necessary to spend up on high-ceiling options at other positions. 

2. Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks - $6,000)

3. Sam Howell (Washington Commanders - $5,500)

Others in consideration: Desmond Ridder, Jordan Love

DraftKings NFL DFS GPP Rankings - Quarterbacks

1. Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons - $5,200)

Oh boy, back to the Desmond Ridder well one more time. He was the GPP option I highlighted last weekend and we are right back to it for Week 7. Ridder continues to put up fantasy-relevant numbers that support two pass catchers at a price that allows you to construct your lineup with high-ceiling secondary stacks. He’s scored 22.08 or more DraftKings points in three of his last five games, including back-to-back games of 300 or more passing yards. Ridder is being allowed to throw far more than has been expected this year, and that’s how he’s been able to support Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Jonnu Smith as viable stacking partners. 

As it was last week, using a Falcons stack is as much about who else you can fit into your lineup as it is about what they can do for you. Last week they gave you access to Raheem Mostert/Adam Thielen secondary stacks, and this week they will let you get to KC/LAC, SEA/ARI, or one-offs of Cooper Kupp and/or Josh Jacobs. Atlanta stacks took down a number of GPPs last weekend and they are set up to be in that spot once again this weekend as they face a Buccaneers team that has allowed 271 or more passing yards in three of their five games this year.

2. Sam Howell (Washington Commanders - $5,500)

3. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams - $6,500)

Others in consideration: Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Geno Smith, Jared Goff

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DraftKings NFL DFS Cash Rankings - Running Backs

1. Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders - $7,400)

When choosing a running back for cash games it’s all about volume. It is ideal to find a player who is going to get 20 or more opportunities, with a handful of them coming in the passing game. That’s exactly what Josh Jacobs brings, as he’s had at least 22 opportunities (carries + targets) in each of his last four games. Jacobs has also received at least five targets in each of his last five games, and targets are worth about two and a half carries. He’s yet to do too much with those opportunities, but the production will come as long as he continues to get fed. 

This week could be where he sees that production spike as he’s facing a Bears defense that has been vulnerable in spot to the running game. With Justin Fields most likely out for Chicago this weekend, the Raiders should be playing a lot of this game from ahead and that means lots of running. Jimmy Garoppolo is a little banged up on the Raiders side, so that’s one more reason for Las Vegas to rely on the running game. 

There aren’t a lot of great spots for running backs on this slate, nor are there any truly reliable value plays (outside of maybe Craig Reynolds), so it makes a lot of sense to roster in a couple of high-volume guys and lock in a high floor. 

2. Kenneth Walker (Seattle Seahawks - $7,000)

3. Craig Reynolds (Detroit Lions - $4,900)

Others in consideration: Isiah Pacheco

DraftKings NFL DFS GPP Rankings - Running Backs

1. Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers - $6,800)

The recommendation comes with the assumption that Aaron Jones will be back in the lineup for the Packers and that he will receive his normal workload. Jones has only played in parts of two games this year, but if we look at how he’s been used historically, we can expect about ten carries and five to seven targets in the passing game. He had a similar workload to that in Week 1 against Chicago and he produced a monster week with two touchdowns and 26.7 DraftKings points. 

This week’s matchup is even better than the one he had in Week 1, as the Denver Broncos have been one of the most generous teams to opposing running backs in 2023. They have allowed over 122 rushing yards in four of six games this season, including monster games for Khalil Herbert, De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Breece Hall. Aaron Jones has the same kind of game-breaking ability. You roster him for his ceiling, as his floor is a sub-five DraftKings point game. If he hits that upside, especially at what could be low ownership, then you’re well on your way to making some bank. 

2. Kenneth Walker (Seattle Seahawks - $7,000)

3. Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City - $6,100)

Others in consideration: Keontay Ingram, Saquon Barkley, Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, Zach Evans, Rhamondre Stevenson

DraftKings NFL DFS Cash Rankings - Wide Receivers

1. Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams - $9,500)

Is there anyone more reliable in fantasy than Cooper Kupp? I’ll save you the hassle, the answer is a resounding “No!” It seems like every week Kupp is getting seven to ten catches and 100 or more yards with a high probability of a touchdown. His floor is as high as any player in the league, and with so many premium options not on this slate, he’s a must for your cash games.

The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have a terrible defense, but they have allowed more than 200 passing yards in every game this year and that’s more than enough to get Kupp his stats given his monster target share. Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers look like they won’t play this weekend, leaving Zach Evans as the probable starter. That probably means more passes will be called, and that’s great for Kupp. He’s a rare breed that gives you a monster floor and one of the highest ceilings on the slate. With the value to be found at quarterback and the other wide receiver positions, it won’t be hard to absorb his $9,500 salary this weekend.

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— Lakers Insiders 🎃 (@LALInsiders) October 17, 2023

2. WanDale Robinson (New York Giants - $3,800)

3. Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers - $6,900)

Others in consideration: Zay Flowers, Josh Downs, Jakobi Meyers, Amari Cooper, Marquise Brown, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, Drake London

DraftKings NFL DFS GPP Rankings - Wide Receivers

1. DK Metcalf (Seattle Seahawks - $6,800)

Kenneth Walker should be a chalky option given how poorly the Cardinals have played against opposing running backs, which makes the Seattle passing game an easy pivot point in GPPs. Arizona has allowed 26 or more real-life points in four of their six games this year, and they’ve given up big passing days to Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy, Daniel Jones, and Sam Howell. Geno Smith is getting more than enough volume in the passing game to support a big wide receiver day, with 36 or more attempts in three of his last four games.

Tyler Lockett has been the more consistent wide receiver for the Seahawks this year, but DK Metcalf is the big-play guy. He’s scored in double figures in every game this year, with a high of 20.2 DraftKings points. He’s yet to face a really weak passing defense, so this week offers him his best chance for a monster week.

He saw a season-high ten targets in Week 6, and he’s had games of six and eight targets as well this season. Metcalf is always one of the more highly targeted receivers in the red zone, and those are the best kind of targets when looking for a ceiling game. If using Metcalf it makes a lot of sense to go with a full stack of him, Lockett, and Geno to maximize your bet against a Kenneth Walker game and try to break the slate. 

2. Keenan Allen (Los Angeles Chargers - $8,600)

3. Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams - $9,500)

Others in consideration: Tyler Lockett, Joshua Palmer, Rashee Rice, Drake London, Mike Evans, Christian Watson, Terry McLaurin, Michael Wilson

DraftKings NFL DFS Rankings - Tight Ends

1. Jonnu Smith (Atlanta Falcons - $3,600)

It still blows my mind that Jonnu Smith is even in the league, but here he is as the top-value tight-end option for the second time in three weeks. Smith has seen five or more targets in each of his last five games, and he’s produced double-digit fantasy points in each of his last three games. At some point, we have to just accept that he’s a major part of the Falcons offense.

Kyle Pitts may have the upside, and he’s a GPP play for sure, but Smith is the one I want for a consistently high floor. With the volume we’ve been seeing from the Falcons' passing offense, that floor should be there once again this weekend. He’s plug-and-play at his production level until DraftKings raises his price over $4,000. 

2. Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs - $8,000)

3. Darren Waller (New York Giants - $5,000)

Others in consideration: Mark Andrews, Kyle Pitts, David Njoku, Luke Musgrave, Michael Mayer, Dawson Knox (if Kincaid is out)

DraftKings NFL DFS Rankings - D/ST

1. Kansas City Chiefs - $2,400

I’m going to write this every week because it’s the only thing that matters when choosing a value defense, “target a defense that can pressure the opposing quarterback.” The Chiefs don’t have the best matchup in the world, but that doesn’t matter because they pressure the opposing quarterback. They have three or more sacks in four of their last five games, and they’ve forced at least one turnover in every game this year.

That level of productivity has given them a floor of four DraftKings points this year, and also three games of ten or more points. At $2,400, that’s exactly what we are looking for in a cash or GPP defense. Let the Chargers drop back 30 or more times, something they’ve done in all but one game this year, and let the Kansas City front seven do their thing. 

2. Las Vegas Raiders - $3,800

3. Indianapolis Colts - $3,400

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