This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Quarterback
Cam Newton, CAR @ NE ($7,300) – It hasn't been very convincing that Newton is 100 percent healthy given the way the Panthers have used him sparingly in the running game (although he had a rushing TD last Sunday). This is a premier matchup for him, as the Patriots have been terrible against the pass this season in allowing 300-yard games to each of the three quarterbacks they've faced. New England has given up a league-worst 992 passing yards to opposing offenses and its 9.1 YPA against is the third worst mark in the league. Newton's rushing ability gives him an edge over other immobile quarterbacks and it doesn't hurt that Kelvin Benjamin looks like he's good to go this week. Don't forget that Christian McCaffrey had a 100-yard game last week, as well, and has a set list of plays designed specifically for him in the playbook.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey, CAR @ NE ($6,400) – McCaffrey finally broke out last week and has a great matchup against a team that loves to use its running back out of the backfield. McCaffrey has his own set of plays drawn up and can get up to double-digit carries. The Patriots, as mentioned, haven't been the best on defense, and rather than stacking Kelvin Benjamin or Devin Funchess, a contrarian include pairing up Newton with McCaffrey.
Bilal Powell, NYJ vs. JAX ($6,100) – If there ever was a week to use Powell, it's this one given Matt Forte is slated to miss this game due to injury. Powell, oddly, hasn't been targeted in either of the last two games but should be leaned heavily upon Sunday. Jacksonville's not the best matchup, but Powell will be at home and without Forte he'll likely get 15-plus touches in this game.
Wide Receiver
Will Fuller, HOU vs. TEN ($4,500) – The wide receiver recommendations this week are going to be strictly aimed at GPPs. Fuller returns for the Texans and is capable of going over 100 yards for a touchdown, but he's also capable of going 3-31 on any given week. The reason to use him here is that the Titans' defense will likely be keyed in on DeAndre Hopkins, leaving Fuller softer coverage to burn down the field. Tennessee's pass defense has been vulnerable the last few seasons, meaning both Deshaun Watson and Fuller should be primed for big fantasy production.
Paul Richardson ($5,000), Tyler Lockett ($5,700), SEA vs. IND – Vontae Davis is expected to be back this week, and with Doug Baldwin expected to play, it would make a lot of sense for Davis to shadow him. That leaves Richardson and Lockett on softer coverage, and while neither should be trusted in cash games, both make for excellent GPP plays given their upside. If you use either of them, just keep your fingers crossed that the offensive line holds up.
Tight End
Tyler Kroft, CIN @ CLE ($4,900) – Kroft will slide into the starting tight end role with Tyler Eifert being ruled out for what is being classified as a multi-week injury. At 0-3 the Bengals couldn't ask for a better matchup against the Browns, who have been awful on defense the last few seasons. Bill Lazor went more to a passing attack last game and Andy Dalton is a quarterback who has relied heavily on his tight end in the red zone.
Kicker
Justin Tucker, BAL vs. PIT ($4,800) – Tucker hasn't had a monster game yet this season but will benefit from being at home in what should be a tightly contested divisional game. He's the eighth highest-priced kicker this week despite having a perfect record for extra points and hitting 97.4% of his field goals last season. This game seems like it'll be an ugly, grind-it-out type affair with the kickers benefitting as a result.
Defense
Jacksonville Defense @ NYJ ($5,200) – This isn't exactly going out on a limb considering how good this defense has been (ask Joe Flacco) and its matchup with the Jets. For cash game purposes, this seems like an easy call despite the Jets pulling out the win last week against Miami. The Jaguars have scored 12 and 28 points in two of their three games and added Barry Church, A.J. Bouye and Calais Campbell this offseason.
