DraftKings Optimal Lineup – Week 6

After an expected outcome in the Thursday night battle between the Giants and Patriots, fantasy pundits are now rethinking the defense/special teams position and its value. The Patriots defense is giving great return on where they are drafted and make you wonder about how long can it go. Similarly, the Patriots remain one of two undefeated teams in the NFL, along with the San Francisco 49ers.

There are plenty of storylines that could impact your fantasy roster in the coming weeks as well. The rumors continue to swirl in both Cincinnati and Minnesota as their respective star receivers, A.J. Green and Stefon Diggs, could be on the move.

Also, the firing of Jay Gruden in Washington could mean a different philosophy on offense for the Redskins. So going into week six, these are two great lineups to use in DraftKings this week that could win you some dollars in various modes.

DraftKings Optimal Lineup – Week 6

QB – Philip Rivers vs. Steelers – $5,800

Rivers and the Chargers offense could not establish any sort of rhythm against the Broncos last weekend. They had a plan, up until they were punched in the mouth. Now, this won’t faze the Chargers offense and Rivers gets the benefit of facing the Steelers on Sunday night. The Steelers are possibly starting their third-string quarterback, which means there is a likelihood that the defense will be tasked with more responsibility than usual. This could mean they’ll be on the field the majority of the game and this could lead to the Los Angeles offense having a nice offensive game.

Rivers was held to zero passing touchdowns and only 211 passing yards, while also throwing two interceptions. The Pittsburgh defense is nowhere near the elite level that they were in years past, so this is a great bounce-back situation to take advantage of in DraftKings.

Alternate option: Matt Ryan vs. Cardinals, $6,400

RB – Mark Ingram vs. Bengals – $6,600

Let’s keep this short and sweet. The Bengals are 0-5 and are bottom five in all rushing yards allowed, rushing touchdowns allowed, and rushing yards per attempt allowed. START INGRAM!

Alternate option: Austin Ekeler vs. Steelers, $6,400

RB – Tevin Coleman vs. Rams – $4,400

The 49ers are currently one of only three teams in the league that has rushed for 800 yards as a team. They are imposing their will on the defenses that they have faced and look to continue that trend in Los Angeles against the Rams. We all saw Matt Breida have a game against the Browns on Monday night, but Coleman will be the runner to insert in your lineup this week. While the defense will be keying in on Breida’s speed and containing his production, Coleman is a more physical runner and should be able to get things done on the ground more easily. Also, there is a strong possibility that every time that the 49ers are in the red zone, Coleman will have his number called more often than anyone else. For a very affordable price, you can get some excellent production from this former Hoosier.

Alternate option: Chris Carson vs. Browns, $6,000

WR – Amari Cooper vs. Jets – $7,000

The Cowboys are able to beat the easy opponents and lose to the tougher ones. Well, the Jets in week 6 give the Cowboys an easy opponent again after facing two straight weeks of tough teams. Dak Prescott looks to rebound and earn that huge payday coming in the offseason and Cooper will be the one that’ll get him closer to that. Even in a losing effort, Cooper had his best game of the season and is really the number one option in this passing offense. With the exception of the Saints game two weeks ago, Cooper has found the end zone every game this year and against the Jets, he should find paydirt at least once. Pay the premium here and reap the rewards.

Alternate option: Keenan Allen vs. Steelers, $7,000

WR – DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chiefs – $7,400

Arrowhead Stadium better have the Kansas City Fire Department on hand for this game against the Texans because it is sure to be a fire-fight. After being stifled by the Colts, Patrick Mahomes and the offense will be looking to rebound against the Texans. This also means that Deshaun Watson will bring his best as well against the weak Chiefs defense. Hopkins had a great game against the Falcons last week, but he clearly went under the radar compared to Will Fuller’s effort. Expect Kansas City to give some extra attention to Fuller after his outburst and this could reopen things for Hopkins to dismantle the Chiefs defense. Another higher-priced option this week, but the production will be there to warrant the cost.

Alternate option: Larry Fitzgerald vs. Falcons, $6,100

WR – Calvin Ridley vs. Cardinals – $5,700

While the Atlanta offense clearly flows through Julio Jones, Ridley has really come on in his second year and established himself in this offense. He’s becoming more of a 1A receiver instead of a #2 receiver. This game against the Cardinals should see both receivers shredding the defense. With the premium that we have paid for the other two receivers in Hopkins and Cooper, Ridley becomes a solid value option that should exceed expectations and return serious value.

Alternate option: Deebo Samuel vs. Rams, $4,300

TE – Austin Hooper vs. Cardinals – $5,000

While some of the elite tight ends in the NFL are suffering from inconsistencies, Hooper is quietly becoming one of the best and most reliable tight ends in the 2019 campaign. This has easily been his best start to a season since entering the NFL. He is currently leading the team in receptions and receiving yards and Matt Ryan has found a reliable safety net in this Falcons passing attack. While the Cardinals defense will need to deal with Jones and Ridley on the outside, Hooper should be able to carve them up with short routes and really use his big body to gain those yards after the catch. Also, it helps that the Cardinals have not defended the tight end well this year at all. They have given up a total of 461 yards and six touchdowns to tight ends this season. Expect Hooper to continue his hot start and have a good day at the office.

Alternate option: Will Dissly vs. Browns, $4,900

FLEX – Adrian Peterson vs. Dolphins – $4,500

While the outcome of this game is a bit up in the air, the production from Peterson will not be. Interim head coach, Bill Callahan has said in a press conference that the offense will establish more of a role for Peterson going forward. Peterson had a great season in 2018 and notched his eighth 1,000 yard rushing season. While the expectation for Peterson is a little murkier over the course of the season, he should be able to do some damage against the hapless Dolphins. Clearly in rebuilding mode, Miami will not be able to prevent Peterson from running all over them. This game could be high-scoring or it could be low scoring, hard to tell. One thing that won’t be hard to tell is that Peterson is a great value play this week.

Alternate option: Carlos Hyde vs. Chiefs, $4,400

DST- Seattle Seahawks vs. Browns – $3,400

The Seahawks defense hasn’t been as tough as in past seasons, but they are playing a Browns team that is going through some turmoil. After being embarrassed in primetime against the 49ers, Cleveland is facing a lot of questions as to whether this is a team that everyone predicted would make their first playoff appearance since 2002. The Seahawks should be able to capitalize on the inconsistent nature of the Browns offense right now and be able to provide you with a lot of points from the defense/special teams position. The Seahawks do possess one of the better run defenses in the league right now and stopping Nick Chubb will help make the Cleveland offense more one-dimensional. This is a great way to force Baker Mayfield to throw bad passes and allow Seattle to force some turnovers. Start the Seahawks defense, sit back, let the Browns offense implode again, and watch the points roll in.

Alternate option: Dallas Cowboys vs. Jets, $4,300