This piece will identify some of my favorite DFS stacks of the weekend. Be sure to use our Stacking tool found within our Player Models to find the highest projected stacks, the stacks that figure to be chalky and more. Our Correlations page is also a great resource to find hidden edges in stacking positions and games.
Quarterback + Wide Receiver
- Jimmy Garoppolo ($5800 DraftKings, $7200 FanDuel)
- Marquise Goodwin ($4000 DraftKings, $5400 FanDuel)
Everything lines up for a big performance from this under-the-radar stack. The 49ers-Buccaneers game has the second-highest over/under total on the Week 1 Sunday slate. The Bales Model projects low ownership for both Garappolo (5-8%) and Goodwin (2-4%).
DFS players often shy away from feast-or-famine receiving options such as Goodwin, but in GPPs a low-owned player like Goodwin is the perfect play. His 4.27 speed is a huge weapon against a Tampa Bay defense that ranked 30th in pass defense DVOA per Football Outsiders. Goodwin ranked sixth among all qualified receivers with 17.2 yards per reception in 2018.
San Francisco will have a shallow receiving corps with Trent Taylor ruled out and both Jalen Hurd (back) and Dante Pettis (groin) battling injuries. Per Sports Info Solutions, the Buccaneers allowed a league-worst 53.8% completion rate last season on passes 15 yards or more.
Running Back + D/ST
- Mark Ingram ($5100 DraftKings, $6600 FanDuel)
- Baltimore Ravens ($3800 DraftKings, $5000 FanDuel)
The two best defensive plays for Sunday are the Ravens (at Miami) and the Eagles (hosting Washington). Given the uncertainty in the backfield touch distribution for Philadelphia, the play is stacking Mark Ingram with the Ravens Defense/Special Teams.
Miami appears to be in full tank mode, and their defense will struggle to contain the Ravens’ superior rushing attack. Last season, the Dolphins allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, while ranking 24th in run defense DVOA.
The Ravens defense will pressure a Miami offensive line that ranked dead last in the NFL even before trading away tackle Laremy Tunsil. When Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is under duress that pressure translates to turnovers. In his last 44 games, Fitzpatrick has thrown 47 interceptions.
Look for Mark Ingram to easily eclipse 100 total yards and a score, which will provide a huge DFS advantage at his 5-8% projected ownership.
Quarterback + Wide Receiver + Opposing Pass-Catcher
- Matthew Stafford ($5400 DraftKings, $6600 FanDuel)
- Kenny Golladay ($6300 DraftKings, $6900 FanDuel)
- Larry Fitzgerald ($4900 DraftKings, $5900 FanDuel)
The Cardinals defense is in shambles entering Week 1, providing a golden opportunity for Matthew Stafford and Kenny Golladay to be a top DFS QB-WR stack. Arizona will be without CB Robert Alford (leg injury), in addition to CB Patrick Peterson, who will miss the first six games due to a suspension. With Golden Tate now a member of the Giants, it is time for Golladay to ascend to the WR1 position. More opportunities have directly translated into more production for Golladay:
Kenny Golladay in 12 career games with more than five targets:
8-113-1
6-58-0
6-78-1
7-114-0
6-89-1
4-98-1
4-28-0
5-90-0
3-50-0
7-146-0
4-69-2
6-53-1Average PPR per game: 17.2 — would’ve ranked 13th among all wide receivers in 2018.
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 5, 2019
Last season, Golladay excelled in tight coverage, registering a 55.6% Contested Catch Rate (PlayerProfiler). Against a decimated Cardinals secondary, Golladay should safely produce a WR1 receiving line. His 9-12% projected ownership is a bargain, but he could be an even bigger value when stacked with Stafford (2-4%).
With a 46.5-point over/under, the Cardinals will need to score, as well. Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray will need a short-to-intermediate safety blanket, which is where future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald will operate. The 36-year-old Fitzgerald will not have the DFS appeal of younger and more athletic targets, but he is the most reliable pass-catcher in an explosive offense with an inexperienced quarterback.
The Lions ranked as the second-worst in pass defense DVOA last season, giving Fitzgerald the chance for a WR1 target share. Take advantage of his minuscule 2-4% ownership in this high-scoring battle in the desert.
Other Favorite Stack
Quarterback + Wide Receiver + Opposing Pass-Catcher
- Tom Brady ($6000 DraftKings, $7300 FanDuel)
- Julian Edelman ($6900 DraftKings, $7100 FanDuel)
- Vance McDonald ($4000 DraftKings, $5600 FanDuel)
This Sunday Night matchup has huge scoring potential when the Steelers travel to New England. The 48-point over/under is the fourth-highest on the full Sunday slate.
Pittsburgh always features a strong run defense, ranking eighth-best in the NFL last season. Rookie linebacker Devin Bush impressed early in the preseason with his run-stopping ability. However, the Steelers have been vulnerable against the pass, ranking 17th last season in pass defense DVOA per Football Outsiders.
Pittsburgh has displayed particular trouble stopping the New England offense in Foxboro — it’s a small sample size, but the Pats have averaged 41.5 points in their two home games vs. Pittsburgh since 2013. The Steelers have failed to contain PPR monster Julian Edelman, who has averaged 9.25 targets and seven receptions in his last four games against the Steelers with Tom Brady. At 42-years-old, Brady is at his best early in the season at home in a primetime matchup.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is a master of limiting the opposing team’s best-receiving option, which means trouble for wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Pivot to tight end Vance McDonald, who could see the second-most targets from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Last season, New England allowed eight touchdowns to opposing tight ends, the fourth-most in the NFL.
This stack is even more enticing on DraftKings, where Brady’s $6K price and McDonald’s $4K value offer latitude for expensive RB plays. Brady is only the 12th most expensive QB on DraftKings and McDonald is a great pivot away from the high-ownership projections of Travis Kelce (17-20%) and George Kittle (13-16%).
Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports.
Pictured: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9).
