This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Last week supported the trend that using cheaper quarterbacks is the best route to go in daily fantasy. My pick of Dak Prescott led plenty of teams to the top, while others went with cheaper guys like Deshaun Watson, Brian Hoyer or Jacoby Brissett -- and they all produced more than Aaron Rodgers, who was a couple thousand more than every other quarterback. With yet another set of quarterbacks I like this week, let's try and find a guy that will produce more than Tom Brady, who leads the way at $15,700.
QUARTERBACK
Deshaun Watson, HOU vs. CLE ($12,600): Watson maybe isn't the cheapest quarterback, but he's still in a reasonable range. The Texans could have trouble running against what has surprisingly been one of the better rush defenses in the league, which means Watson will be forced to pass once again. His mobility keeps his floor high as he has at least 25 fantasy points in the last three weeks. With a couple more touchdowns against a bad secondary, Watson should have another solid fantasy performance. Cheaper options include Carson Palmer ($11,400), Trevor Siemian ($10,900) and Case Keenum ($10,000).
RUNNING BACK
Leonard Fournette, JAX vs. LAR ($15,000): I've used Fournette almost every week and he continues to produce so there's no reason to shy away now. In a game that's expected to be tight and lower scoring, Fournette should see 25 or so touches again as the Jags will keep feeding him unless they're down by a couple scores. That won't happen in this game against a Rams rush defense that ranks 18th per Football Outsiders' DVOA. The Jaguars are 31st, but I'd rather trust Fournette at home.
Javorius Allen, BAL vs. CHI ($10,100): This isn't my favorite play, but as the starting running back and the only one that's getting receptions out of the backfield for the Ravens, Allen's price is too low. This game could go similar to last week's if Baltimore gets a lead against Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears, in which event I'd anticipate Allen seeing 20-plus touches. Keeping him from being a bust, Allen has 20 receptions in the last four games.
WIDE RECEIVER
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. CLE ($15,300): Matching up with my quarterback, this is an easy play. Hopkins's career has been revived with the help of Watson and he already has 61 targets, only behind Antonio Brown. The Browns are the worst in the league against No. 1 wideouts per DVOA so there are few reasons to expect Hopkins not to reach 20 fantasy points for the third straight week.
Keenan Allen, LAC at OAK ($14,900): This may not be a popular play because Allen has shown little upside so far, but his floor remains high due to averaging 10 targets per game. Maybe he won't find the end zone, but he'll reach 10 fantasy points at a minimum against a Raiders defense that was carved apart by Joe Flacco last week.
TIGHT END
George Kittle, SF at WAS ($6,600): If I had the money, I'd go for Zach Ertz ($11,900) every week, but considering he still hasn't hit 20 fantasy points yet, he's not worth it. Kittle is still extremely cheap despite last week's breakout eight-catch performance, but I'm backing him because the one area the Washington defense has struggled has been against tight ends, ranking 31st against them in DVOA. Kittle probably won't reach 20 fantasy points again, but he'll be targeted and hopefully reach at least 10.
FLEX
Alvin Kamara, NO vs. DET ($8,800): A lot of Kamara owners are psyched that Adrian Peterson is gone, but I'm not in that boat, as not much will change for the rookie. Peterson played just six snaps in Week 4 if that says anything. I'm more so picking Kamara because the Lions are dealing with numerous linebacker injuries and this game has the highest over/under of the week. Kamara has at least three catches in every game this season and is in a contest that should be offense-heavy. His price is too good to pass up.
Ameer Abdullah, DET at NO ($9,800): I had Chris Thompson ($9,800) in this spot, but figured grabbing a starting running back instead of a guy that had seven touches last game was a better idea. Abdullah hasn't been explosive in a fantasy sense (or in real life) so he probably won't be a popular play. Yet, this will be by far his easiest matchup of the season and the Lions will undoubtedly want to establish the run with Drew Brees on the other side of the field. If the Lions go down early, that could hurt, but Abdullah should have much better numbers than a week ago and 15 touches is a good floor.
DEFENSE
Washington Redskins vs. SF ($6,700): I don't like any of the cheaper defenses so I had to go with a more expensive one for the first time this season. Washington is coming off a bye week, while the 49ers are coming off an overtime loss in Indy and now have another early game even closer to the East Coast. This is a terrible spot for the 49ers (outside of Kittle) with a blowout more than possible for the Redskins. I don't even have to mention the 12 sacks and four interceptions they have through four games.
