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Andy Smith's NFL DFS picks and lineup sleepers for the Week 6 (October 2024) Early Slate. His top daily fantasy football lineups to target for DFS contests.
Welcome back to our weekly DFS column here at RotoBaller! In this piece, I will examine my top, and contrarian plays for the early slate in Week 6 of the NFL Season.
Similar to last week, we have an early game in London, that removes the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears from our slate. In addition, we have several top teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas Chiefs on bye weeks, which further decreases the player pool leaving our slate with just six games.
These DFS lineup recommendations are based on matchups, overall upside/talent levels, opportunity, salary, as well as factors such as home-field advantage, implied point totals, and more. Good luck with your DraftKings DFS lineups. Let's dominate this early slate together!
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Quarterbacks - Week 6 DFS Picks
Top Play: Lamar Jackson - BAL vs WAS (DK: $7,800/ FD: $9,500)
The reigning MVP has scored at least 20 PPR points in every game this season and posted a season-high 38.9 PPR points in a shootout victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
In this game, Jackson threw for 348 yards, four scores, and added 55 yards on the ground.
"OH LAMAR JACKSON" - Kevin Harlan on a stupendous play pic.twitter.com/9a82M1hA3Q
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 6, 2024
Facing the Commanders, this game could open up quite quickly, given how explosive the Washington offense has been and the hefty 52-point combined total. Jackson will be the popular play on the slate, but he also possesses the highest upside.
Contrarian Play: Jordan Love - GB vs ARI (DK: $6,600/ FD: $8,500)
My contrarian option is Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers. After missing the previous two games with a knee injury, Love threw for 389 yards and four scores during his return in Week 4, but he took a step back in Week 5 against a weak Los Angeles Rams defense.
In this game, he threw for 224 yards, two scores, and an interception. The Packers leaned on their running game in this one, limiting Love’s ceiling.
However, they may need to rely on their passing attack this weekend to keep up with Arizona.
The Cardinals have allowed the 24th-most points to opposing quarterbacks on DraftKings, making Love a strong option that will save you some money and one that could easily finish near the top of the position.
Running Backs - Week 6 DFS Picks
Top Play: Saquon Barkley - PHI vs CLE (DK: $8,200/ FD: $9,200)
The Eagles will most likely welcome back A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) this week, providing a much-needed boost to a struggling offense.
Through the first four games, Barkley has exceeded all expectations in Philadelphia, totaling 435 rushing yards and 85 yards through the air with five total scores.
In Week 4, Barkley was the lone weapon and faced a lot of run-focused defense but still tallied over 100 scrimmage yards. However, Barkley scored over 30 PPR points in two games when at least Brown or Smith was on the field, showing how explosive the Philadelphia offense could be at times.
The Saquon Barkley we all know. 65 yards to the house. pic.twitter.com/eh6eV54Nr6
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2024
Facing a Cleveland Browns team that does not have much offensive firepower, the Eagles could have a sizeable lead in this game, setting up for a heavy dose of Barkley in the second half.
Top Play: James Conner - ARI at GB (DK: $6,800/ FD: $8,000)
Conner hit the century-yard mark for the second strategy game (and the third time this season) last weekend, facing a tough San Francisco defense.
Conner has seen at least 18 carries in three out of five games this season and three or more targets in two of them.
This weekend, the workhorse back faces a Green Bay defense that has allowed the 20th-most points to opposing running backs. He is a high floor play with plenty of potential for a goal-line score or two.
Contrarian Play: Justice Hill - BAL vs WAS (DK: $5,200/ FD: $5,500)
Hill is a great sleeper to target this weekend. However, facing a potent Washington offense, the Ravens will need to rely on their passing attack more often than they would like.
Hill has seen at least two targets in every game, but that total has climbed to six or eight in high-scoring games.
Given how both defenses have struggled through the early part of the season, both quarterbacks are likely to score a lot of points. As a result, do not be surprised if Hill is on the field quite often.
Wide Receivers - Week 6 DFS Picks
Top Play: Marvin Harrison Jr. - ARI at GB (DK: $7,200/ FD: $7,000)
After posting at least three straight games of 15.0 PPR points, the rookie took a step back last weekend. He caught only two passes for 36 yards. However, he was targeted seven times but was unable to capitalize on those opportunities.
Since his disappointing effort in the season opener, Harrison has seen an average of eight targets per game and has received 41.9% of the team’s air yards.
Marvin Harrison picking up right where he left off last week!!
pic.twitter.com/zRxdF1Ywor— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 22, 2024
The Packers should be able to quickly move downfield against the Arizona defense, which could force Arizona to respond with their air attack.
Harrison Jr. provides a safe floor from a target perception but also an elite ceiling, given his game-breaking speed and the consistent looks he has seen.
Top Play: Stefon Diggs - HOU at NE (DK: $7,800/ FD: $8,000)
My other top pick is Stefon Diggs, who will serve as the top pass catcher in Houston. Nico Collins (hamstring) will not play in this game as he was placed on the injured reserve.
After Collins left the game, Diggs led the way with eight targets. He brought in six of them for 82 yards. The Texans will also likely be without Joe Mixon (ankle), which could force C.J. Stroud to surpass 35 passing attempts for the third straight week. Diggs is a high-floor play with perceived upside, given how often his team will be passing the ball.
Contrarian Play: Dontayvion Wicks - GB vs ARI (DK: $5,200/ FD: $6,000)
Wicks let the fantasy community down last week after catching just two of his seven targets for 20 yards. Wicks was the No.2 option in the passing attack and had a path to a big afternoon but was unable to get the job done.
However, I am willing to re-invest in Wicks, primarily because of the matchup. The Cardinals can put points on the board and will keep the game close throughout. As a result, the Packers may need to keep relying on their air attack.
Wicks has flashed high upside at times, especially during the stretch run of last season and even in Week 4 of this season, when he caught five passes for 78 yards and two scores.
Despite Romeo Doubs’ return from a team-imposed suspension, Wicks remains a high-upside option that is a great stack with Jordan Love.
Contrarian Play: Michael Wilson - ARI at GB (DK: $4,600/ FD: $5,900)
If you are planning to fade Marvin Harrison Jr. and would rather go with another top wideout like Mike Evans or A.J. Brown, Michael Wilson is worth a look.
After seeing just two targets in each of the first two games, Wilson has gone on to average 7.3 targets per game. During this stretch, he has averaged 5.3 receptions and 60 yards in each game.
Their game against the Green Bay Packers could open up, as the 49.5-point total suggests, making Wilson a cheaper option with solid upside.
Contrarian Play: Rashod Bateman - BAL vs WAS (DK: $4,100/ FD: $5,500)
The other contrarian wideout I am targeting is Rashod Bateman. Bateman has struggled with consistency this season. He has two games in which he topped double-digit PPR points but three games in which he did not.
However, facing the Washington Commanders, who have struggled to defend the pass in most weeks this season, Bateman will likely be more boom than bust.
Tight Ends - Week 6 DFS Picks
Top Play: Tucker Kraft- GB vs ARI (DK: $4,800/ FD: $6,000)
The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout game last weekend, catching four of his five targets for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
WHO PICKED UP TUCKER KRAFT?!! pic.twitter.com/P69xdhZfIM
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 6, 2024
He has surpassed Luke Musgrave on the depth chart and should be viewed as a high-end tight end in any matchup going forward.
Contrarian Play: Cade Otton - TB at NO (DK: $3,500/ FD: $5,200)
Otton had another solid showing last weekend and is worth a look if you want a cheaper position. Since Week 3, Otton has seen an average of seven targets per game compared to the first two weeks, where he saw only four targets combined.
Otton has tallied and surpassed 40 receiving yards in the past three contests. He may not have much upside, but the fact that he is drawing an increase in targets makes him a solid option, especially given his cheaper price.
Defense/Special Teams - Week 6 DFS Picks
Top Play: Philadelphia Eagles - PHI vs CLE (DK: $3,400/ FD: $4,800)
One of the most popular defenses on the slate is the Philadelphia Eagles, and rightfully so. They will face a Cleveland Browns offense that has allowed the 30th-most DraftKings points to opposing defenses.
Last week, the Washington Commanders shut them down, sacked Deshaun Watson seven times, and held him to 200 passing yards for the fifth straight game.
If you wanted to pick a top defense, I would lean toward Philadelphia over Houston. The Patriots are turning to their rookie QB to start this week, which adds a bit of uncertainty to the situation.
Contrarian Play: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - TB at NO (DK: $2,600/ FD: $3,700)
My sleeper pick is Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay will face New Orleans, which will be without Derek Carr (oblique) this weekend. Jake Haener stepped into last week’s game in relief and did not perform well, going 2-for-7 with 17 yards.
Rookie Spencer Rattler is slated to start, which could add some inherent risk to picking Tampa Bay. However, facing a rookie quarterback, they should be in a favorable situation.
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