This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.
TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)
QB: Matt Ryan (ATL, $40)
Clearly, Ryan has been a disappointment for fantasy this year, as he's thrown exactly one TD pass in all but one game, and in the game he bettered that mark, he still threw for just two TDs. However, he'll be facing a Patriots defense that's allowed every QB they've faced this year to throw for over 300 yards, and that includes Josh McCown. This defense simply cannot stop the passing game, and Ryan is in a great spot to have his first big game of the year.
RB: Carlos Hyde (SF, $20)
After the Week 5 "Matt Breida scare" that caused fantasy owners to worry Hyde was about to lose his job, Hyde touched the ball 18 times last week, so all appears well, at least for now. Of course, the fact he's produced just 3.08 yards per carry over the last four weeks is an obvious concern, but there's plenty of reason for optimism. Dallas is in the bottom third of run defenses, and they also allow 56 receiving yards per game to RBs. In addition to his rushing attempts, he's been targeted at least five times in three different games, so he should find himself with enough combined yardage to have a big day.
WR: Julio Jones (ATL, $35)
This superstar has yet to score in 2017 while posting just a single game with 100 yards. That said, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn publicly stated his displeasure with the lack of volume that has helped to keep Jones in check this year. Expect the coaching staff to ensure that he gets the ball early and often in a cupcake matchup against the Pats. Worried about the old adage that Bill Belichick eliminates an opponent's top option? With the knowledge that this defense has yet to stop anyone, it's a myth that could help Jones be a nice contrarian choice this week.
Other Against-the-Grainers
QB: C.J. Beathard (SF, $22), Tom Brady (NE, $36)
RB: Tevin Coleman (ATL, $19), Derrick Henry (TEN, $13), Mark Ingram (NO, $20)
WR: Robby Anderson (NYJ, $12), Dez Bryant (DAL, $24), Robert Woods (LAR, $15)
TE: Delanie Walker (TEN, $23), Hunter Henry (LAC, $19)
DST: Seattle Seahawks ($19), Los Angeles Rams ($19)
CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)
Quarterback
Dak Prescott (DAL, $33)
In terms of passing yardage, Prescott hasn't been a strong fantasy option as he has just a single game with more than 252 yards. Despite his lack of production in that area, he's more than made up for it by accounting for 10 total TDs over his last three games. In addition, he's also rushed for at least 24 yards in all but a single game this year. He'll be up against a 49ers defense that's the eighth most generous unit to QBs in terms of fantasy production. He's not just a steady option, he also has great upside this week.
Running Back
Jay Ajayi (MIA, $26)
It was just about this time last year that Ajayi became the centerpiece of the Dolphins offense and had a massive second half. After a season-high 28 carries last week in which he posted 4.4 yards per carry, he had his first efficient performance since Week 1. He'll be facing a Jets defense that's allowed a TD per game and over 100 yards to opposing RBs this year, and in what should be a close contest, he should continue to get fed the rock, which should result in a second straight strong performance.
C.J. Anderson (DEN, $28)
An unexpected game script last week made Anderson irrelevant in a week he was highly owned in DFS, but the beauty of daily fantasy is that each week is a new opportunity. He'll be up against the Chargers this week, and this defense has been a sieve against opposing running backs, giving up over 130 rushing yards per contest. The Denver defense will likely be looking to atone for last week's disappearing act, and this game should either be close or one in which Denver holds the lead. Either way, Anderson should see at least 20 carries, as he's done three time earlier this year. Between expected volume and opponent, he's a strong option this week.
Wide Receiver
Michael Thomas (NO, $23)
Although Thomas was a huge disappointment last week, he recently had a three-game stretch in which he posted between 87-89 yards while scoring twice, so he's been a very stable option for Drew Brees. He'll be facing a Packers secondary that's had more than its share of struggles, and with injuries mounting, they won't be able to overcome against a player like Thomas. Look for him to see his normal 8-11 targets and return to his productive ways this week.
A.J. Green (CIN, $32)
Coming back from the Bengals' bye week, Green was on fire after having scored in three straight games while averaging 121 yards during that span. He was a clear beneficiary of Bill Lazor taking over as the offensive coordinator. Despite his great production, he'll be facing a Pittsburgh defense that's allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, but they don't have a CB with the ability to hang with Green. Also, Andy Dalton certainly won't shy away of throwing the ball to his superstar playmaker, and Green should continue his solid production.
John Brown (ARI, $15)
Brown has been anything but the type of reliable option that fantasy owners tend to trust in cash games. However, he's been healthy over the past couple weeks while seeing his playing time become that of a full-time player. Over the past three games, he's averaging six targets while scoring in each of the last two contests. As the second option in a pass-heavy attack, Brown should easily earn his salary this week against a Rams defense that ranks in the middle of the league in terms of fantasy production allowed to WRs.
Tight End
Evan Engram (NYG, $18)
In his first week as the primary weapon for Eli Manning, Engram came through with flying colors against the vaunted Broncos defense. Even when the Giants had all of their receiving weapons, he started out the season with four straight games with at least 44 yards. With that as an established floor, along with a potential increase in targets, he should have little trouble posting another productive outing against the Seahawks, who allow the 18th most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Defense/Special Teams
Minnesota Vikings ($15)
The strength of the Vikings defense is their ability to completely stymie an opposing rushing attack. This week, they'll be facing the Ravens, who not only have a weak O-line, but they also lack an elite running back. Once this game settles in, Baltimore should find themselves in plenty of unfavorable down-and-distance situations, and they'll likely force a struggling Joe Flacco to throw the ball more than he likes. Once that happens, the sacks and takeaways should follow, and this is one of the better matchups the Minnesota defense will have this season.
Honorable Mentions
QB: Kirk Cousins (WAS, $33), Carson Wentz (PHI, $30)
RB: Le'Veon Bell (PIT, $34), Leonard Fournette (JAC, $37)
WR: Doug Baldwin (SEA, $19), Adam Thielen (MIN, $16)
TE: Austin Hooper (ATL, $11), George Kittle (SF, $11)
DST: Jacksonville Jaguars ($20)
