Like any healthy market, price fluctuations are expected for players in daily fantasy football (NFL DFS). Exploring those fluctuations can often reveal bargain players to target after down weeks or players that are rising too high in price above future expectations.
Each week, we will analyze one player at each position that has notably increased and decreased in price.
Notable NFL DFS Price Increases
Lamar Jackson, QB (Baltimore Ravens) Week 7 DraftKings Price $7,600; Week 8 DraftKings Price $8,100
The Ravens demolished the first-place Lions on Sunday with 28 points scored before Detroit earned a first down. Lamar Jackson looked like his former MVP self with 357 passing yards and three touchdown tosses to go with another rushing score.
The offensive weapons surrounding Jackson look a lot more imposing this season with the additions of rookie Zay Flowers and veteran Odell Beckham Jr. On Sunday, Jackson had his highest yards/attempt (13.2) in a game since Week 1 of 2019.
Running quarterbacks are cheat codes in fantasy football with upside potential, and Jackson continues to produce on the ground with an average of 51.8 rushing yards per game and five rushing scores on the season. The price hike is certainly warranted for this top-end quarterback option.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB (Jacksonville Jaguars) Week 7 DraftKings Price $6,400; Week 8 DraftKings Price $7,200
The Jaguars’ young running back continues to be a rare workhorse option for fantasy players. Travis Etienne Jr. is currently third in PPR fantasy points amongst running backs, with an average of 21.6 touches per game.
Etienne Jr. has finished in the top-4 PPR running backs each of the last three weeks with two rushing touchdowns in all three games. He has at least three catches in all but one game this season to raise his floor.
The upside could be even higher for Etienne Jr. if he can increase his yards per carry. Last season, he averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry and sits at just 4.0 this season. If he can get back toward his 2022 rate with this many opportunities, Etienne Jr. could be a monster fantasy option down the stretch.
A.J. Brown, WR (Philadelphia Eagles) Week 7 DraftKings Price $7,000; Week 8 DraftKings Price $8,000
After some early-season unhappiness in Philly, A.J. Brown has elevated himself to the clear-cut No. 1 option for the Eagles and a top-5 fantasy wide receiver on a weekly basis.
Over the last five weeks, Brown has tallied at least 127 receiving yards in every game, with an average of 11.8 targets per game and three total touchdowns. He is currently sixth in the NFL in targets per game and third in total PPR wide receiver points.
The Commanders have allowed the fifth most passing yards per game this season and third most total points. Jalen Hurts’ athleticism allows him to evade pass rushers and find Brown down the field. A $1,000 price jump is in line with his recent production, but at some point, DeVonta Smith should begin to take some target share back.
Mark Andrews, TE (Baltimore Ravens) Week 7 DraftKings Price $5,700; Week 8 DraftKings Price $6,400
Attempting to cement himself back as the tight end No. 2, Mark Andrews has been incredibly consistent in 2023, with four to six catches each week and 60-80 receiving yards in each of the last four games.
Touchdowns often separate fantasy production at the tight end position, and Andrews is no different. He has caught five touchdowns on the year, including two multi-score games. In those three weeks he’s scored, Andrews has finished in the top three at the position. In the other three weeks, he has finished no better than ninth.
Even with a strong game in Week 7 and Lamar Jackson looking like an MVP candidate, it’s difficult to pay up for any tight end other than Travis Kelce due to touchdown dependence.
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Notable NFL DFS Price Decreases
Joe Burrow, QB (Cincinnati Bengals) Week 6 DraftKings Price $6,300; Week 8 DraftKings Price $6,000
With Joe Burrow resting his injured calf over the bye week, hopes are high for him to return to high-end fantasy production this week in San Francisco. On the season, Burrow has struggled to get the Bengals’ offense going and sits an incredible 29th in fantasy points per game at the quarterback position.
The 49ers defense has looked mortal over the last two weeks, especially on Monday night, with Kirk Cousins carving them up for 378 passing yards. Joe Mixon and the Cincinnati running game have yet to get on track and the weakness in the San Francisco defense is certainly in the backend.
This could be the low salary point for Burrow on the season in a sneaky decent matchup. Expect him to utilize Ja’Marr Chase early and often this week if his line can hold up against a talented, angry pass rush that underperformed last week.
Bijan Robinson, RB (Atlanta Falcons) Week 7 DraftKings Price $7,300; Week 8 DraftKings Price $6,000
In one of the most confusing fantasy results of the season, the all-world talent Bijan Robinson was non-existent in the Falcons backfield on Sunday due to an illness that was not reported prior to the start of the game. The rookie finished the game with just one carry for three yards.
Even with Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson earning significant snaps for the Falcons, Robinson has still averaged over 17 touches through the first six weeks. He’s looked electric carrying the ball with 5.0 yards/carry and has seen at least five targets in five of the first six games. His two total touchdowns are a sign of the larger offensive issues for the Desmond Ridder-led Falcons, but boom games should come eventually.
The DraftKings salary for Robinson dropped an incredible $1,300 this week. Assuming the illness is a one-week illusion, this seems like an obvious buy opportunity with his talent and potential.
Christian Watson, WR (Green Bay Packers) Week 7 DraftKings Price $5,600; Week 8 DraftKings Price $5,100
The Jordan Love experience has had highs and lows so far this season in Green Bay. The first-year starting quarterback has completed just 57.5% of his passes with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. As a result, the Packers’ offense has surpassed the 20-point threshold just once so far on the season.
The passing weapons for Love have struggled with the inconsistent quarterback play. Christian Watson still remains the top deep threat on the team but has caught just eight total passes in the three games he has played since returning from injury.
His 17.9 yards per catch have bailed fantasy owners out, including a 77-yard catch in Week 5, but he has yet to show consistent production with Love behind center. A breakout performance is always on the table with Watson’s speed and ability, but there’s no telling when or if that will take place in 2023.
Tyler Higbee, TE (Los Angeles Rams) Week 7 DraftKings Price $3,700; Week 8 DraftKings Price $3,300
Hopes were relatively high for Tyler Higbee to be in the mid-end pack at the tight end position this season, but that has yet to come to fruition. He has seen three targets each of the last three games, with 45 total receiving yards in that span.
The Rams’ passing offense is consolidated through rookie standout Puka Nacua and veteran superstar Cooper Kupp. Until defenses can find a way to stop those two top options, it’s unlikely the tight end role for Los Angeles will provide fantasy value.
