Sometimes things do not go your way in life. One can do all the planning in the world (albeit a good process) and still come up short. That is exactly what Week 10 DFS was in a nutshell. From what I witnessed, this may have been the lowest-scoring week in a while. Several DFS players struggled to score over 100 DK points in contests. Some plays I highlighted worked out (Brock Purdy, Austin Ekeler, George Pickens, George Kittle) and other suggestions in good spots did not (Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley, Justin Jefferson, Dalton Kincaid). The good news is Week 11 NFL DFS presents an opportunity to start anew. On tap is an amazing 11-game slate. I have done the research to identify my top three cash and GPP plays at the skilled positions, top positional fade, and top stacks to help YOU win big. Without further ado, let’s get into the Week 11 NFL DraftKings picks for the main slate.
Week 11 NFL DFS Picks for the DK Main Slate
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff (QB – DET): DK $6,300 vs. JAC (Cash)
Up until last week Jared Goff was playing at an MVP level leading the NFL in completion percentage, QBR, and touchdowns/incompletion ratio. On Sunday night football Goff played his worst game in years throwing five picks. Yet he found a way to will his team to victory. A date with Jacksonville gives Goff the opportunity to right his wrong. The Jaguars played better last week against Minnesota, but their defense still allows the third most DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). Detroit has the highest implied team total this week with (30) and are (-13.5) point home favorites. Many are expecting a blowout, but if that happens, Goff will be a big reason why.
Russell Wilson (QB – PIT): DK $5,900 vs. BAL (Cash)
Pittsburgh’s momentum keeps building after an impressive 28-27 win last week in Washington. Thanks to Russell Wilson’s three touchdown performance, the Steelers lead the AFC North with division rival Baltimore coming to town. This will not happen often but Pittsburgh are (+3.5) point home dogs. It is not in Mike Tomlin’s DNA to throw a lot, but Wilson will have to do just that to keep this matchup close. The Ravens are a plus matchup allowing the second most DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). Wilson will be popular but there is no reason to get cute. Eat the chalk.
Drake Maye (QB – NE): DK $5,600 vs. LAR (GPP)
Ever since Week 6 Drake Maye has scored double-digit DK points averaging 17.26 per game. Coming off a win at Chicago last week, it would be really sweet to start a winning streak versus a Los Angeles Rams team that is traveling close to 3,000 miles for this matchup. On paper, this is not a good spot for Maye. The Rams concede the 13th fewest DK points to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). With a low O/U of 43.5, this game will get overlooked. New England’s offensive pieces provide a lot of value this week. Do not be surprised to see Maye win this game, but also be in the winning DK milly maker lineup.
Jordan Love (QB – GB): DK $7,000 at CHI (Fade)
Green Bay returns from a bye after losing to Detroit back in Week 9. Next up is a date with another division rival Chicago Bears. Jordan Love has been up and down this season with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions (leads NFL). Unfortunately for Love, this Bears matchup is less than ideal. Chicago’s defense is the stingiest against opposing QBs with only 12 points allowed per game (per Pro Football Reference). With Chicago’s recent struggles, I expect GB to lean heavily on their rushing attack.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF): DK $8,300 vs. SEA (Cash)
Welcome back Christian McCaffrey. In his first game back since Super Bowl LVII, McCaffrey looked pretty good. McCaffrey was the RB10 playing 88% of snaps, with 13 carries for 39 yards, and six catches for 68 yards off of seven targets. McCaffrey is set to make his home debut against Seattle. McCaffrey has had 97 carries for 579 yards and has scored seven touchdowns in five games against the Seahawks in his career (per statmuse.com). The Seahawks give up the 13th most DK points to RBs with 25 per game (per Pro Football Reference). San Francisco are (-6.5) point home favorites so this could very well be the first of several spike weeks on tap for McCaffrey. Wheels up.
David Montgomery (RB – DET): DK $6,500 vs. JAC (Cash)
It is truly amazing that despite sharing the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs David Montgomery has finished outside the top 24 once this season (Week 7). Montgomery’s usage in the last two weeks has also trended down with 56% and 40% of snaps played. Throw everything out the window this week as the Jaguars defense is a gift that keeps on giving. Jacksonville, schedule adjusted are allowing the third most DK points to RBs with 27.8 per game (per Pro Football Reference). With Detroit being heavy favorites I can envision Montgomery finding pay dirt twice en route to a top 12 finish on the week.
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE): DK $6,000 at NO (GPP)
The NFL is so much better with Nick Chubb back playing again. In Chubb’s three games since returning from that devastating ACL/MCL injury he is playing 44% of snaps and averaging 14 touches per game. Cleveland returns from bye as a (-1) point road favorite at New Orleans. This matchup is juicy for Chubb. The Saints defense gives up the fourth most DK points to RBs with 27.6 per game (per Pro Football Reference). I am curious to see how many people will roster Chubb as he has been ramping up. The Browns defense is going to show up and in return so will Chubb. Do not miss out.
James Cook (RB – BUF): DK $6,800 vs. KC (Fade)
This Sunday’s matchup between Kansas City and Buffalo has huge AFC ramifications. The Bills are (-2) point home favorites but will be without the services of Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid. If the Bills win this game, it will not be because of James Cook. Cook’s spot versus the Chiefs is as bad as it gets. Kansas City concedes the fewest DK points to RBs with 14 per game (per Pro Football Reference). While Cook has been a solid low-end RB1/high RB2 play this season, for $100 less DK I would rather play Kareem Hunt.
Wide Receivers
George Pickens (WR – PIT): DK $7,000 vs. BAL (Cash)
As stated earlier George Pickens was a play that worked out last week. For this matchup, I am staying in the flames and going right back to him. As potent as the Ravens are, their secondary remains a weakness. Here is how bad it is. Last week on Thursday night football Ja’Marr Chase was the WR1 with 11 receptions, 264 yards, and three touchdowns off of 17 targets. While I do not foresee Pickens doing that against Baltimore, he is easily a top-five play at the position. The chemistry between Wilson and Pickens is getting stronger by the week and that is not ending anytime soon.
Jameson Williams (WR – DET): DK $5,800 vs. JAC (GPP)
Last week on Sunday night football Jameson Williams returned from his two-game suspension (PES). Williams did not have his best game, but he did have five targets with 3 drive-sustaining catches, playing on 74% of snaps. The reason I have Williams here is that I am expecting Amon-Ra St. Brown to absorb heavy rostership. Jacksonville, schedule adjusted allows the fifth most DK points to WRs with 37.4 per game (per Pro Football Reference). On top of that Jacksonville gives up deep explosive plays at a high rate. Jamo to the moon.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR – KC): DK $5,700 at BUF (Cash)
Ever since DeAndre Hopkins was traded to Kansas City a few weeks ago, he has been rejuvenated. Over the last two weeks, Hopkins has played on 63% of snaps, averaging seven targets, and 71 yards per game. It is rare to see Kansas City an underdog, but they are in Buffalo at (+2). The Bills secondary has played solid this year, giving up the 10th fewest DK points to WRs (per Pro Football Reference). As the number one receiving option, Hopkins should get fed the ball often. Play him with confidence.
Drake London (WR – ATL): DK $6,700 at DEN (Fade)
I was a big fan of Drake London coming out of USC three years ago. Fast-forward three years later London is having a career year with better QB play. On the season, London is the WR4 with 58 receptions, 649 yards, and six touchdowns. With Atlanta facing Denver this week I caution rostering him. The Broncos defense has stifled opposing WRs, giving up the fifth fewest DK points to WRs, led by standout cornerback Pat Surtain (per Pro Football Reference). Better days are ahead for London.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson (TE – MIN): DK $4,700 at TEN (Cash)
Like Nick Chubb, it is so good seeing T.J. Hockenson playing football again. Since returning from his torn ACL injury, Hockenson has reassured his role on the team as the number two option behind Jefferson. Against Jacksonville last week Hockenson had eight catches for 72 yards off of nine targets. The matchup against Tennessee is not great so this is a volume play. The Titans give up the fifth fewest DK points to opposing TEs. With the amount of attention Jefferson will see, I do not mind paying up at TE to play Hockenson.
Hunter Henry (TE – NE): DK $3,900 vs. LAR (Cash)
Sometimes when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. That is the case when trying to find a good upper-tier TE to play this week. Hunter Henry is a nice value for the price, matchup, and opportunities this week. Los Angeles is a bit vulnerable to TEs, allowing the eight most DK points (per Pro Football Reference). Henry has averaged six targets and 35 yards in the last two weeks. Henry is a top-seven TE play with upside.
Tyler Conklin (TE – NYJ): DK $3,200 vs. IND (GPP)
With the New York Jets season in danger, they must win out to have any chance at a wild card spot. The Jets are (-4) point home favorites against Indianapolis. Tyler Conklin is one way to exploit the Colts secondary. Indy are allowing the fifth most DK points to TEs with 15.1 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Conklin will go overlooked because of the low O/U but he provides salary relief to pay up at other positions in lineup builds.
Evan Engram (TE – JAC): DK $5,200 at DET (Fade)
This game has the makings of Jacksonville getting boat raced and Doug Pederson losing his job. Trevor Lawrence is out and Mac Jones is starting in his place. If that is not enough to fade Evan Engram, check this out. On the season Detroit has been brutal for opposing TEs, surrendering the second-fewest DK points with 7.7 per game (per Pro Football Reference). I understand the appeal of Engram considering how vulnerable the Lions are inside the boundary, but for $300 more DK I prefer David Njoku in a better matchup.
Top Stacks
1. Lions-Jared Goff, David Montgomery, Jameson Williams
2. 49ers-Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings
3. Steelers-Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Mike Williams
4. Patriots-Drake Maye, Kayshon Boutte, Hunter Henry
5. Browns-Jameis Winston, Cedric Tillman, Jerry Jeudy
Make sure to check out all of our Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!