This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
QUARTERBACK
Alex Smith, KC vs TEN ($7,800): Believe it or not, Smith averages the most fantasy points per game of the quarterbacks playing this weekend, checking in with 20 fantasy points per game. He has the second-best matchup for a quarterback, as the Titans allow the most fantasy points to quarterbacks outside of the Falcons. The difference is $700 between Smith and Jared Goff, giving Smith a slight edge.
RUNNING BACK
Marcus Murphy ($5,400), Mike Tolbert ($5,100) BUF at JAC: It can't be emphasized enough that both of these players are suited for only GPPs and shouldn't be given a thought in cash. The idea is that lineups lock with the start of the first game Saturday and the status of LeSean McCoy likely won't be known until gametime. If McCoy is out, the backfield will be left to Murphy and Tolbert to handle, albeit it a tough matchup. Still, someone for Buffalo will get the touches and could surprise completely based on volume and goal-line work. An interesting GPP strategy would be to build two lineups and use one of them in each.
Derrick Henry, TEN at KC ($6,500): DeMarco Murray has already been ruled out, putting Henry in line to not only start but handle a full workload for the Titans. With Murray out last week and Henry facing a tough Jacksonville defense, the Alabama product had no trouble producing for fantasy owners with 18.2 fantasy points, more than 3x his price ($5,800). The Chiefs rank in the bottom third of the league defensively for rushing touchdowns (15), yards per carry (4.3) and rushing yards per game (118.1).
WIDE RECEIVER
Cooper Kupp, LAR vs ATL ($6,600): Kupp was a good GPP play this season as he was up and down throughout his rookie campaign. Kupp had at least 13.1 fantasy points in six of his 15 games but also had five games with less than six fantasy points. He's also a great red-zone target, leading all receivers this weekend in that category (23) and even beating out players like Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown this season.
Michael Thomas, NO vs CAR ($8,300): Thomas has one of the better matchups of the week against the Panthers' pass defense. Carolina allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, and Thomas already has games of 15.5 and 18.2 fantasy points against Carolina this season. Drew Brees typically plays better at home, and the duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara should keep the Carolina defense honest.
TIGHT END
Travis Kelce, KC vs TEN ($7,700): For cash games, it appears only two tight ends are worth considering after Kelce: Greg Olsen ($6,500) and Delanie Walker ($5,800). The problem with those two is they each face defenses that have been stingy against the position, both ranking in the top 6 in fewest fantasy points allowed. Meanwhile, the Titans rank 19th, putting them in the bottom half of the league. This game has a healthy over/under, and it makes sense even in cash to pair Kelce with Smith.
KICKER
Harrison Butker, KC vs TEN ($4,900): Butker averages the most fantasy points per game of any kicker playing this weekend (12.3), largely due to hitting 38 of 42 field goals (90.4 percent) this season. Butker's average is a couple points better at home (13.6 fantasy points), and Andy Reid should have his team moving the ball up and down the field.
DEFENSE
Los Angeles vs Atlanta, ($4,700): The Rams' defense comes into the weekend averaging 10.8 fantasy points per game, second only to the Jaguars. Jacksonville has a bad matchup defensively, though, as Tyrod Taylor is known for his ball protection, which makes the chances of a defensive score lower than usual. Matt Ryan and the Falcons don't play as well on the road, and the Rams rank fourth in sacks, sixth in interceptions and eighth in forced fumbles.
