Week 6 of the NFL season is upon us and with it the DraftKings Millionaire contest. This $20 slate has a prize pool of $4 million, with a cool million going to the winner. We take a look at the best value plays on the slate, offering salary flexibility to go for the big prize:
Quarterback
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions ($6,300):
I almost included Burrow in the value article last week, and after that crazy, overtime drama, I probably should have. With Tee Higgins back in the fold and Joe Mixon a little dinged up, the Bengals are likely to lean on the passing game yet again and Burrow has been up to the challenge thus far. His price remains affordable in a matchup where he should excel.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals ($5,900):
A bit of game theory here: I’m guessing a lot of folks are going to click on Taylor Heinicke this week against the weak Chiefs secondary. This might be a trap, as the WFT are really bereft of pass-catchers, and even Terry McLaurin is banged up. I’d rather pay the extra $100 and go up to Mayfield, who might be leaned on a bit more this week with Nick Chubb ruled out. Kareem Hunt is a capable RB replacement, but he does catch a lot of passes, so Mayfield should benefit considerably by a shift in game planning.
Mac Jones, New England Patriots vs. Dallas Cowboys ($5,200):
I loved Danny Dimes last week. I still think that was a good call, but you can’t predict injuries. The Patriots should also be in throw mode more than they normally are in a faster-paced game, and with a running back situation that’s muddled, at best. Damien Harris is not engendering much confidence right now, which likely translates to a high volume of pass attempts. Oh, and Trevon Diggs is a game-time decision. If he misses, that’s another boost for Jones.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals ($6,200):
Nick Chubb is out, and that frees Hunt to have a monster game against the fast-paced Cardinals. Hunt was already crushing it with Chubb in the lineup. And with just Demetric Felton likely to see work as the backup, the door is wide open for Hunt to keep crushing. Surely his ownership will rise on the Chubb news, but this is truly good chalk.
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers ($4,600):
There are a lot of featured backs not playing this week, and we’re hoping that the likes of Hunt, Darrell Williams and Devontae Booker will keep Herbert well below the radar. Damien Williams has already been ruled out, so Herbert figures to be the primary ball-carrier here. Last week, with Williams playing, Herbert dominated the game with 18 carries, picking up 75 yards. He’s not going to get you passing-game stats, as he hasn’t been targeted once this season, but that’s the only negative on his resume.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. Minnesota Vikings ($5,900):
Christian McCaffrey’s return is on hold for another week, so Hubbard gets another chance to declare his DFS relevance. Hubbard was terrific last week against the Eagles, rushing 24 times for 101 yards and catching 5 of 6 targets. Pretty McCaffrey-esque, and he should be just as active this week against a middling Vikings run defense.
Wide Receiver
Marqiuse Brown, Baltimore Ravens vs. Los Angeles Chargers ($5,900):
The beauty of DraftKings is that they set the next week’s salaries well before the Monday night game is played. That’s how Brown was able to erupt against the Colts and see his salary actually come down $100 for Week 6. Brown put up 36.5 DraftKings points on Monday night, and we’ve seen the Chargers play shootout enough times to expect Brown to have another monster game.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans ($5,500):
Pittman found the end zone for the first time in 2021 on Monday night, but he’s been a steady pass-catcher all season long, with six receptions in each of the past three games and 26 total over the past four. It may not be pretty, but he’s been effective and a strong value at his price. The Texans should afford Pittman a great chance to put up a big number this week.
Adam Humphries, Washington Football Team vs. Kansas City Chiefs, ($3,400):
The Football Team’s receiving corps is decimated with injuries, and even Terry McLaurin is playing hurt. This is a terrific spot for the pass-catchers that remain, and Humphries stepped up last week, catching 5 passes for 73 yards. The ball has to go somewhere, so Humphries is a viable near-minimum option that could smash If he finds the end zone.
Tight End
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Dallas Cowboys ($3,900):
Henry is healthy and he is dominating the target share over Jonnu Smith, who was the preseason favorite to be the main man at tight end in Foxboro. Now, it’s Henry who is Mac Jones’ preferred target and if the Patriots throw more than usual this week, which seems likely in an up-tempo game, Henry has a chance to bust out. The Cowboys have been one of the most generous defenses to opposing tight ends this season.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team vs. Kansas City Chiefs ($3,000):
As mentioned above, the number of viable pass-catchers for Washington has dwindled to a tiny few, and Seals-Jones is arguably the No. 2 man in the passing game this week. The Hyphen had nine targets last week and the Chiefs are allowing the second-most tight-end points in the league.
Donald Parham Jr., Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens ($2,900):
All Parham does is catch touchdowns. He has a score in each of the past two games, despite being the No. 2 tight end on the roster. If Parham is going to continue to be a focal point at the goal line, he has value, but understand he is as touchdown-dependent as any player in the league.
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