RADIO
Bye weeks are no longer an obstacle we'll have to maneuver in NFL DFS this season, with all 32 teams playing games either on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday this week. The main slate consists of 10 games, which will be capped off with a much-anticipated showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills.
In this weekly article, we'll be taking a look at stacks and bring-back options that are ideal plays in GPPs (guaranteed prize pools) on DraftKings and FanDuel. Salaries and scoring formats can differ on both sites, making some players much better options on one site compared to the other.
When looking at stacks and bring-back players each week, you have to take into account potential game scripts and correlation. Before the 15th week of the season, here are my favorite stacks and bring-back options in NFL DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 10% off using code BALLER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
Los Angeles Rams vs. Washington Commanders
- Matthew Stafford ($6,000 DK, $7,200 FD)
- Cooper Kupp ($7,800 DK, $8,200 FD)
- Puka Nacua ($7,300 DK, $8,000 FD) or Demarcus Robinson ($3,600 DK, $5,600 FD)
It seems like a lifetime ago when we could last consider Matthew Stafford a viable quarterback in fantasy football. But in recent weeks, the veteran gunslinger has compiled some impressive numbers against daunting defenses. Stafford has thrown for at least three touchdowns in three straight games and two of those came against the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns.
After facing the Ravens and Browns in back-t0-back weeks, the Los Angeles Rams will host the Washington Commanders in Week 15. The Commanders are 32nd in pass defense DVOA and are giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Rams also boast the second-highest projected team total (27.75) on the main slate.
We got a vintage Cooper Kupp performance in Week 14 versus the Ravens. The All-Pro wideout hauled in eight of his 10 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown after he failed to eclipse 50 receiving yards in six straight outings beforehand. Sean McVay iterated that Kupp is getting healthier from an ankle injury he suffered a few weeks back, so better days could be in store for him down the stretch.
Kupp won't have a better matchup the rest of the way as the Commanders surrender the second-most fantasy points per game to receivers. Aside from that, we also may not get Kupp for this cheap on both sites again in the final three weeks of the season.
Puka Nacua has put together a historic rookie campaign as he's on pace for 107 catches and 1,455 receiving yards. While Kupp is considered Stafford's go-to target, Nacua leads the Rams in target share (29.1%) and air yards per route run (2.63).
There isn't a team in the NFL that has given up more explosive passing plays (20 or more yards) than the Commanders. If Tutu Atwell is inactive due to being in concussion protocol, Demarcus Robinson has 15 combined targets and a touchdown in each of his last two games. Kyren Williams is a fine option to stack with Stafford given his massive workload, and Davis Allen is worth mentioning if Tyler Higbee misses his second straight game.
Bring-back options:
- Terry McLaurin ($5,600 DK, $6,700 FD)
- Curtis Samuel ($4,600 DK, $6,300 FD), Jahan Dotson ($4,700 DK, $5,800 FD), or Logan Thomas ($3,700 DK, $5,100 FD)
The Commanders want to get a good look at Sam Howell to finish the season, so I'd expect them to let him air it out down the stretch. Howell has 41 or more pass attempts in eight of his last 10 games. The touchdowns haven't been there for Terry McLaurin, but he has registered seven-plus targets in seven of his last eight appearances. After having no catches in Week 13, the only way is up for the big-play wideout coming out of Washington's bye week.
The Rams are susceptible to explosive plays through the air as their secondary is a young group, so there is a path for multiple pass catchers to hit for the Commanders. Curtis Samuel leads all Commanders receivers with a 17.9% targets per route run. Jahan Dotson has the most receiving touchdowns (four) on the Commanders and he's run the second-most routes (508) on the team. Logan Thomas is a solid red zone option for Washington. Antonio Gibson is a viable option if Brian Robinson Jr. is unable to play on Sunday.
Win more with expert tools and advice from proven winners. A valued RotoBaller Premium subscriber won half a MILLION dollars in Week 3! Join in on the winning and get your edge with our NFL Premium Pass which includes our exclusive DFS Cheat Sheets, the #1 Lineup Optimizer, and access to our VIP Chatrooms. RotoBaller's Premium Pass comes with a 100% money back guarantee. Gain access now!
this is my community.. this is my family.. without them this would not happen @WinDailySports @RotoBaller@BaronZito973 @mb_guruDFS #OTC there are others and you know who you are and I love you all for the help! pic.twitter.com/psRCDbCqqL
— Scott (@scottd923) September 25, 2023
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
- Brock Purdy ($6,800 DK, $8,400 FD)
- Deebo Samuel ($7,700 DK, $8,400 FD)
- Brandon Aiyuk ($7,200 DK, $7,800 FD) or George Kittle ($5,800 DK, $6,800 FD)
There likely isn't an offense playing much better than the San Francisco 49ers right now. Brock Purdy is firmly in the NFL MVP race and Kyle Shanahan will unquestionably give him plenty of opportunities to continue putting up gaudy numbers down the stretch. The second-year quarterback has thrown for at least 300 yards or multiple touchdowns in five of his last six games. The matchup is ripe for Purdy this week as the 49ers will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are 31st in pass defense DVOA and Purdy doesn't need many pass attempts to hit as he is second in average completed air yards (7.2).
Deebo Samuel has leapfrogged Brandon Aiyuk as the more expensive option on both sites. The do-it-all receiver has 116-plus receiving yards in back-to-back games, and he's totaled five touchdowns in that span. Not many wideouts possess the ceiling that Samuel does given his usage in San Francisco's dynamic rushing attack and his ability to create yards after the catch.
Even though Aiyuk couldn't find the end zone in Week 14, he is still getting valuable usage in arguably the best offense in the league. Aiyuk leads the 49ers in air yards per route run (3.52), which is sixth among receivers who have run at least 290 routes this season. George Kittle is somewhat of a boom-bust play when Samuel, Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey are healthy.
The good news is that the Cardinals are tied for the ninth-most receiving touchdowns (five) allowed to tight ends this season. McCaffrey is always worth stacking with Purdy if you can find a way to afford him on either site.
Bring-back options:
- Trey McBride ($5,200 DK, $6,600 FD)
- James Conner ($5,700 DK, $6,300 FD) or Marquise Brown ($5,100 DK, $6,400 FD)
This is a game where it is not necessary to use a bring-back piece from the Cardinals. The Cardinals are double-digit underdogs and are projected for only 17.25 points at home. If you prefer to use someone from Arizona, Trey McBride has emerged as a No. 1 option for Kyler Murray. McBride has garnered at least seven targets in each of his first four games with Murray under center. The athletic tight end has also accumulated 28 receptions, 323 yards, and a touchdown in that four-game span.
James Conner is going to dominate the backfield touches if the Cardinals can keep this game somewhat competitive. The 49ers aren't a favorable matchup for running backs and we've seen Arizona mix in other backs when they are playing from behind. Marquise Brown is questionable to play in Week 15, but the Cardinals had a bye week to potentially get him on the same page as Murray in a new offense. If Brown and Michael Wilson are ruled out or limited, then Greg Dortch and Rondale Moore become fine bring-back options.
Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jordan Love ($6,200 DK, $8,000 FD)
- Romeo Doubs ($5,300 DK, $6,400 FD)
- Jayden Reed ($4,900 DK, $6,100 FD) or Tucker Kraft ($3,000 DK, 4,700 FD)
Having a short memory is valuable in NFL DFS as we'll want to forget about how Jordan Love performed against the New York Giants in Week 14. Love logged 267-plus passing yards and multiple touchdown passes in four consecutive games before posting 218 yards, one touchdown, and an interception versus the Giants.
The strong-armed quarterback will take on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in Week 15 that is surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points per game and the second-most passing yards to the position. The Buccaneers have allowed at least 250 passing yards in nine of their 13 games this season. Even Desmond Ridder (no offense to Ridder) has eclipsed 250 passing yards twice against them.
If Christian Watson misses his second straight game, Romeo Doubs becomes an intriguing option in Week 15. Doubs leads the Green Bay Packers in red zone targets (16) and red zone touchdowns (six) this season. The physical wideout has shown an ability to make plays down the field as he is second on the team in air yards percentage (25.1%). The Buccaneers are tied for the second-most explosive passing plays allowed among defenses.
Jayden Reed has continued to see his role in Green Bay's offense grow each week. The first-year pass catcher led the Packers with 10 targets in Week 14 and he's found the end zone four times in his last five games. The Packers are using Reed in a variety of ways as two of his touchdowns in his last five games have come on the ground. Tucker Kraft is a solid value tight end with fellow rookie Luke Musgrave sidelined. Kraft recorded four receptions for 64 yards against the Giants and the Buccaneers are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Bring-back options:
- Mike Evans ($7,500 DK, $8,300 FD)
- Rachaad White ($7,000 DK, $7,600 FD) or Chris Godwin ($5,900 DK, $6,100 FD)
Credit to Mike Evans this season as the veteran receiver has proven he still has plenty left in the tank at 30 years old. Evans has already hit 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th consecutive season to begin his career and he has double-digit touchdowns for the fifth time in his career. Following a one-catch, eight-yard performance in Week 14, look for Evans to be more productive as he's caught a touchdown in all but four games this year.
Rachaad White is a true league-winner this season as he's carved out a massive role in Tampa Bay's offense. White boasts the eighth-highest opportunity percentage (targets and carries) among all running backs at 33.6%. Besides his valuable workload, the versatile back has found the end zone in five of his last six games.
The Packers are tied for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns allowed (12) to the position. Chris Godwin hasn't looked like his usual self this season, recording what would be his lowest touchdown output since his rookie year in 2017. That said, Godwin isn't going to be popular and he just led the team with 11 targets in Week 14. Cade Otton is also worth mentioning as he is another salary-relief tight end to consider in tournaments.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
