This is an interesting NFL slate where very few plays jump out at you. I would say given his price and the matchup, A.J. Green is one of the few guys this week. Although his price is down, he is still a top-tier receiver that you are spending up for. I think the play this week may be have a mix of pricey and cheap guys, instead of trying to balance it out.

So that raises the question, who are the cheap players that can help me spend up for those studs this week? That is exactly what this article is about! These are players who could be valuable and help you with roster construction. They are NOT players you’re necessarily targeting, but rather the players that allow you to target the best plays on the board. They are also the ones that may provide low ownership, thus making them good tournament plays. Let’s reach into the bargain bin and see what we have for this week!

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford, vs. ATL

DraftKings: $6,200 | FanDuel: $7,900

While Stafford isn’t too cheap, he’s definitely cheaper than he should be. I have him as the QB5 in my rankings this week. Yet, he’s the 10th-priciest QB on DraftKings and 8th-priciest on FanDuel. The Falcons will be without pass rusher Vic Beasley, which should allow Stafford to throw downfield a bit more. This is a game that could easily turn into a shootout, so it’s foolish to not have some exposure to Stafford in tournaments this week. He should also be as safe of a play as any for cash games.

Kirk Cousins, vs. OAK

DraftKings: $6,100 | FanDuel: $7,600

This game has the highest over/under of the slate, at 54.5. The Raiders defense really isn’t that good, so Cousins is in a position to show everyone that he deserves the big contract he wants. He should be pretty safe.

Andy Dalton, at GB

DraftKings: $5,100 | FanDuel: $6,800

Dalton has been BRUTAL. He has burnt DFS players the first two weeks of the season, and many vow to never play him again. As a tournament player, I love to hear this. His ownership will be lower than it should be, his price is ideal, and he has a great matchup against a porous defense, in a game that he will have to throw the ball. I’ll never go all in on Dalton, but this is a play that could win you a GPP.

Running Backs

Jonathan Stewart, vs. NO

DraftKings: $4,700 | FanDuel: $6,200

Stewart should see 16-22 touches in a great matchup. Kalil will be out for the offensive line, but they’re still playing the Saints. They will be able to move the ball, and Stewart should have plenty of chances to score a goal line touchdown.

Isaiah Crowell, at IND

DraftKings: $4,800 | FanDuel: $6,600

Crowell had a little talk with his coach after last week’s game about his workload. While I don’t think that will affect much, this is a better game for him. The Colts run defense is worse than the Steelers and Ravens, which were his first two matchups. The biggest influence on Crowell’s performance each week will be game flow. If the team is playing catch-up, they’re just not going to have him on the field. This is a game that could be close, so I expect him to have a nice workload, with high potential of finding the end zone.

Chris Thompson, vs. OAK

DraftKings: $4,500 | FanDuel: $5,600

This game has the highest over/under of the slate, at 54.5. This game has the potential to be a shootout, if that’s the case, Thompson will get plenty of work out of the backfield.

Wide Receivers

Mohamed Sanu, at DET

DraftKings: $4,500 | FanDuel: $5,400

Sanu continues his solid play, which has resulted in 11 catches for 132 yards from 15 targets. If he wasn’t tackled on the goal line against the Packers last week, he would have a higher price. This game is the second-highest over/under of the week, set at 50.5. There will be plenty of points scored and plenty of opportunity for Sanu to find the end zone this week.

Devin Funchess, vs. NO

DraftKings: $4,200 | FanDuel: $4,800

The former tight end had a good game last week, hauling in four catches for 68 yards. Wait, former tight end? Funchess has been learning how to play wide receiver for a couple years, and he’s finally starting to look comfortable. But with Greg Olsen out due to injury, I would not be surprised to see him line up as a tight end a few times to create some mismatches. Even if he doesn’t, the Panthers lost one of their top weapons and are playing against an atrocious Saints defense. They are asking Funchess to step up this week, so get some exposure to him.

Rashard Higgins, at IND

DraftKings: $4,000 | FanDuel: $5,100

Sophomore receiver Corey Coleman broke his hand yet again, so in comes Rashard Higgins. Last week, he caught 7-of-11 targets for 95 yards, so we’ll see if he can do it again in a generous matchup.

Tight Ends

Jack Doyle, vs. CLE

DraftKings: $3,600 | FanDuel: $5,300

We used tight ends against the Browns in 2015, targeted them again in 2016, and we will do the same this season! This year, the Browns are looking to stop the run first and force teams to pass. With Brissett under center for the Colts, it will be true again Sunday. Brissett is not comfortable throwing the ball downfield, so that leaves him throwing it underneath to his security blanket, Jack Doyle, in a fantastic matchup. I’m not the only one on Doyle this week. Ben has an article out highlighting his favorite plays, and he has been killing it with his calls so far this season!

Evan Engram, at PHI

DraftKings: $3,200 | FanDuel: $5,100

The Eagles have given up the 8th-most points to tight ends so far this season. I also think the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. will help space the defense out to create a nice opening for the Giants to hit Engram on a couple seam routes up the middle, like they did on his touchdown last week. Having Odell out there simply helps the offense move the ball, so Engram should see more targets in scoring position.

Zach Miller, vs. PIT

DraftKings: $3,000 | FanDuel: $4,800

It is not a great matchup, but the Bears will need to throw the ball often if they hope to keep up with the Steelers. Glennon has 85 pass attempts in his first two games, which has resulted in 15 targets for Miller. With the limited vertical threats and pass-catchers in general, Miller will continue to see plenty of looks, which is exactly what we’re looking for from a guy at his price.