This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
This week a little different with Fan Duel running two main slates, one for Saturday' s games and one for Sunday' s games. Let' s go through each day quickly with a pick at each position. Note that there should be a core group of players (in cash) that is then surrounded by other picks. Assume the picks below are for cash unless listed otherwise.
SATURDAY
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota, TEN at NE ($7,600): Mariota is $1,400 cheaper than Brady and will most certainly outrun him. Likely playing from behind most of the game should bolster Mariota' s passing stats while the Patriots run the clock out.
Running Back
Dion Lewis, NE vs. TEN ($7,800): While he' s the highest priced running back this weekend he' s within $800 of both Devonta Freeman (tough matchup) and Derrick Henry (likely getting decreased carried playing from behind). Lewis hasn' t been below 9.2 FPs in his last eight games and has 58 fantasy points in his last two games with the Patriots.
Wide Receiver
Mohamed Sanu, ATL at PHI ($6,000): The Eagles have likely spent the last two weeks figuring out how to slow both Devonta Freeman and, more important, in the passing game, Julio Jones. This should open a great opportunity for Sanu, who is one of the best secondary receivers in the NFL.
Tight End
Delanie Walker, TEN at NE ($6,300): He' s the third-highest priced tight end on the slate but could end up being the most valuable. Tennessee should be watching Rob Gronkowski ($8,200, a high price) closely and who knows how Zach Ertz ($7,400) does with Nick Foles. Walker is still Mariota' s favorite target.
Kicker
Stephen Gostkowski, NE vs. TEN ($5,300): For a $500 difference between the top-3 kickers this week, stick with the sure thing.
Defense
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta ($4,700): Put the lack of Carson Wentz aside and the Eagles still have the best scoring team defensively on this slate. Matt Ryan, while a three-point favorite, doesn' t play as well on the road and the Eagles have been slightly better at home defensively than on the road this season.
SUNDAY
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT vs. JAC ($7,800): First, he' s home (unlike Drew Brees $8,000) and has had two weeks to prepare for the Jaguars. Ben will have Antonio Brown back and JuJu Smith-Schuster has proven to be a game changer as well. That' s leaving out the receiving ability of Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant, who are fantastic in their own right. Jalen Ramsey can' t cover the whole field and the refs might call the game more tightly against the Jaguars in Pittsburgh.
Running Back
Le'Veon Bell, PIT JAC ($9,400): It' s really a head-scratcher when someone has to validate the highest priced player at the position. Look, LeSean McCoy had a good day last week on the road against this defense, and there isn' t a safer floor at the position. Bell has had at least 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games while Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Leonard Fournette and Latavius Murray (the next four highest-priced running backs) have combined for only three 20-plus performances in the same span.
Wide Receiver
Stefon Diggs, MIN vs. NO ($7,200): JuJu Smith-Schuster looks good as well, but it' s Diggs who seems more interesting. Marshon Lattimore should be shadow Adam Thielen, making Diggs the primary target for Case Keenum.
Tight End
Vance McDonald, PIT vs. JAC ($4,500): He' s at the minimum price and pairing him with Ben is a good strategy. He' ll get one-on-one coverage inside the 20 and an easy score will help him hit value.
Kicker
Kai Forbath, MIN vs. NO ($4,900): He' s indoors and at home, so this makes a lot of sense, especially considering the lack of the elements. The Vikings are favored and could be seeing a lot of field goal attempts if the Saints' defense holds.
Defense
Minnesota Vikings vs. Saints ($4,500): First, they' re at home and at a very low price. They' ve had two weeks to prepare for the Saints, and everyone knows that Brees will be in for fight. Other than Pittsburgh at home against the Jags, this is the best bet.
