The Best Cash Game Picks for Week 10 (DraftKings)

I’m happy to hop in on the Cash Game article this week. I’m mainly a cash player, so this is in my wheelhouse. Hopefully, my cash game picks will help you win some money. Let’s get it started…

Quarterback

Last week, it seemed like there were two options: pay up for Josh Allen or use Justin Fields (though I also thought Trevor Lawrence would be a good play against the Raiders, who are very bad against quarterbacks this year). At the time I’m writing, Josh Allen (elbow) seems unlikely to play, so it looks like we have two ways to go at quarterback this week, too.

Patrick Mahomes ($7900)

Patrick Mahomes is your pay-up option this week. It’s pretty simple – he’s elite, he’s producing (leads the NFL in both passing yards and TDs), the team’s pass rate is high – even when not trailing (yours would be, too, with their running backs), he’s at home, and the Chiefs’ Vegas team implied total is 30 points. If the Chiefs get out to a lead (likely), the Jaguars will throw more, which could lead to more drives for Mahomes, too. Finally, the matchup isn’t tough, so all signs point to a big day for Mahomes. You’ll have to find some value elsewhere to fit him in, but he’s a solid choice.

Justin Fields ($6500)

Despite being priced up $1200 off his week 9 blow-up game, Fields is still your cash game value play at quarterback. The team’s pass rate, as well as Fields’ designed runs, had been increasing for a few weeks leading up to the Miami game anyway, and he was gaining buzz – and now the cat (the bear?) is fully out of the bag. Fields is red hot, brings a rushing ability that adds to both floor and ceiling, is scoring more touchdowns both ways, and has gained Chase Claypool. Detroit has not been good against the pass, especially lately, and also presents a good matchup for rushing quarterbacks. Fileds is an excellent cash option, and his price point opens up salary for you elsewhere.

Honorable Mentions: Tua Tagovailoa ($6700); Trevor Lawrence ($5400)

Running Back

It seems like three-RB builds that included some value plays in the mid-range salary level have been the best bets in cash this year. A few popular options in that range (Rhamondre Stevenson, Kenneth Walker III, and Joe Mixon) are off the main slate this week, and another – Travis Etienne – had his salary increase by $800. Those builds are still in play this week, but that approach may not be the virtual no-brainer it has been.

Saquon Barkley ($8600)

If you are going to spend up at running back, I can’t see doing it with anyone else besides Saquon Barkley. I once heard Fantasy Alarm writer and Texans fan Colby Conway say on the Fantasy In Frames pre-game show, “death, taxes, and running on the Texans” – and it’s that simple. Saquon is in a smash spot. He gets elite volume through carries and his involvement in the passing game and has produced well, including an two touchdowns in the last three games. He’s “due” for positive TD regression, too. The team implied total isn’t bad (23.3), and the Giants are a home favorite. It’s not unlikely we will see Barkley approach the 3X threshold, even at his price (25.8 DK points).

Travis Etienne ($7100)

I’m not a huge Travis Etienne fan, partly because I don’t think he’s a good fit for how Jacksonville is using him – in terms of sheer volume, but especially in rush-to-reception ratio – but the results are what they are for now. The price increase and the big underdog in a road game are concerning, but he has a safe floor until his volume starts decreasing. The matchup is pretty good, too. The Chiefs give up 4.7 YPC and have been vulnerable to running backs catching passes. Therefore, Etienne is a good bet in just about any game script. And in a game where Trevor Lawrence will likely be throwing quite a lot, we may see the big receiving game from Etienne we’ve been waiting for.

Dameon Pierce ($6300)

Speaking of running backs whom I don’t love but whose volume and production cannot be denied, Dameon Pierce is straight up eating and putting up big numbers even on a bad offense, and he remains very affordable this week as he is once again in the $6k range. The Giants are not as good on defense in general or specifically against the run as people think, and Pierce is less likely to get game-scripted out against them than he would be in a number of other matchups. If I’m going for that three-RB build, Pierce will be involved.

Honorable Mentions: Josh Jacobs ($7600); Alvin Kamara ($7400); Tony Pollard [if Ezekiel Elliott is out] ($6500)

Wide Receiver

While running backs have provided much of the cash game pay-off this season, wide receiver is probably still my favorite position in all fantasy formats. One reason is there are always (seemingly) so many great options to talk about, and for me, that includes DFS. Unfortunately, that can make narrowing your cash pool difficult.

Tyreek Hill ($9100)

This is almost cheating. Of course Tyreek Hill is a good cash option – I’m not making any bold call here – but I’d also not be doing my job if I didn’t recommend him. His volume is reliable, his production is through the roof, his team implied total is 26.25 (with an over/under of 48.5), he’s at home, and he does well against zone coverage, which Cleveland plays a lot of.

However, there are a couple of reasons to reconsider Hill. First, of course, is his price; he’s getting into the range where he makes building the rest of the lineup more complex and requires a more significant result to pay off.

A second reason is while this game could have a good pace and hit the over, the Browns’ Chubb-heavy attack could slow the Dolphins down, and, on the other side of the ball, their bad rush defense could mean Jeff Wilson, Jr. and Raheem Mostert get a greater share of the production than a typical week, making the Miami pass game is less prolific. Hill is still a good bet if you can fit him in, but I had to note that potential outcome if you’re putting that many salary eggs in his basket.

Amon-Ra St. Brown ($6900)

After a hot start, the Sun God has cooled off, even taking the concussion situation into consideration. But while the fantasy points haven’t been there, the targets (and target share) have. That kind of usage is what we like in cash, and it’s something I’m OK betting on, especially at this price point. This week, the over/under in the matchup with the Bears is 48.5, and the Lions’ team implied total of about 23 points isn’t bad. The Bears are decent against wide receivers but have been worse in recent weeks. Additionally, St. Brown will be the number one pass option in a likely negative game script. He will definitely be a strong consideration for me when building a cash lineup.

Christian Kirk ($5900)

In general, I don’t love Christian Kirk. He’s not a real NFL WR1, even if he is the Jaguars’ WR1. That said, he has a good target share (23.7%) and targets per route run rate (26.9%). Given this week’s matchup, he is an especially solid cash choice. That usage will be in a game environment where Trevor Lawrence will likely attempt over 40 passes. The Chiefs’ defense is not very good against the pass, including a particular vulnerability to slot receivers. And at this price, it’s tough to argue against using Kirk in your week 10 lineup, even if Lawrence can falter when pressured. He looks like a priority play for me at the moment.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Olave ($6800); Juju Smith-Schuster [especially if Mecole Hardman is out] ($6000); Zay Jones ($4400); Mack Hollins ($4200)

Tight End

Last week was an especially bleak TE slate, but it’s the position many of us like to spend down on (besides DST) most frequently anyway. While target hog and elite producer Travis Kelce returns to the main slate this week, there are a few more affordable options I’m looking at instead.

David Njoku ($4100)

You must monitor David Njoku’s injury status in the next couple of days. If it sounds like he’ll play and won’t be limited, he checks the value, volume, matchup, and game script boxes for me. If Njoku’s status is murky or negative, other value options are available.

Greg Dulcich ($3400)

Let’s add to the Big D energy here and hype our favorite Weir Al doppelgänger some more: target share over 17%, targeted on almost 22% of his routes, outstanding route participation (over 75%), aDOT over 13 yards, good matchup (Titans giving up the sixth most DK PPG to TEs), extra rest (Week 9 TNF), second-half-of-the-year-rookie narrative… We love it, and at $3400, we love it even more.

Foster Moreau ($3200)

Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow on the IR. Fantasy managers adding Keelan Cole off of waivers. I flagged Mack Hollins as cash viable above. It’s ugly. Foster Moreau looks like the chalk TE punt this week.

Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce ($7800); TJ Hockenson ($5300); Cole Kmet ($3400)

DST

We like to spend down at DST, especially in cash. This week, we can pick on two backup quarterbacks.

Cardinals ($2700)

Cardinals: pretty good at pass rushing; Rams: pretty bad at offensive line-ing. Bonus: <John Wolford has entered the chat.>

Vikings ($2200)

If Allen plays, this is a punt you hope tallies a couple of interceptions and/or sacks and doesn’t produce negative points. If Allen doesn’t play, you just got a $2200 defense facing Case Keenum.

I hope I gave you some good plays this week – best of luck! If you cash, sing my praises, but if you don’t cash, I’m only the backup – kind of like Keenum.

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