By Donnie Dyce
Looking back on our plays from last week we didn't hit it out of the park, but we did at least get a decent showing from Zeke Elliot with 17.7 PPR points. Although his ownership percentage was a little higher than I expected, he was still able to get total 97 yards and an all-important touchdown. As for our stack, Jarvis Landry going down with a knee injury on the Browns first possession was a killer. As we all know, injuries are a part of the game and you just have to learn to roll with it and move on and trust your analysis . That being said, let's take a look at some DraftKings plays we are targeting for this weekend's main slate:
Cash Game Stack
Tom Brady ($6,800) / Rob Gronkowski ($5,500)
If one thing has become clear after watching the Tampa Bay Bucs' first two games, it's that Tom Brady is most certainly gunning for Peyton Manning's single-season TD pass record in this year's lengthened 17 game season. Tampa has scored a league-leading nine offensive touchdowns this season so far and all have come from Brady TD passes. Over the first two games of the season the Bucs have called passing plays 71.8% of the time, which ranks second in the league behind only the 0-2 (and often trailing) Jacksonville Jaguars. In those two games, only five teams have more pass attempts than the Bucs.
Put that together with the fact that Tampa has one of the top-rated defenses in the NFL, and it shows me that this team is determined to score through the air, which they've had absolutely no problem doing to start the 2021 season. This week Brady hits the road to play the Los Angeles Rams, and it's no secret as to how well the Rams' defense performs vs. the pass with Jalen Ramsey leading the way. That may get some people scared off of playing Brady and company on this week's main slate. With Ramsey expected to primarily cover Mike Evans and/or Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown out on COVID-19 protocol, I can see Gronk getting a healthy dose of targets again, especially in the red zone, with Brady record hunting.
The Rams have given up some production to the tight ends to begin the year and Gronk will be their biggest challenge yet after allowing big games to both Cole Kmet and Jack Doyle, respectively. The celling is phenomenal because of the touchdowns, as always, for Gronk. It's possible this stack could be relatively higher-owned than I usually tend to lean towards, which is why I recommend this as a cash game play and not the best combo for tournaments. The prices are very affordable compared to the potential ceiling here.
Value Running Back
Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($4,800)
C.E.H. hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in fantasy so far this season. He has in fact disappointed many owners who were expecting RB1 numbers out of him to start the 2021 campaign. That being said, I still believe his DK price this week to be far too low from a sheer volume standpoint. Helaire has basically no competition in this backfield and gets a matchup at home vs. the Los Angeles Chargers this week in what could be just what the doctor ordered for him to have a breakout game. The Chargers are giving up an NFL worst 143.5 yards per game to running backs and a 5th worst 21.5 fantasy PPG to RB's. The Chiefs, on the other hand, are seven-point favorites and figure to be ahead in this game, which could also lead to more of a run-heavy game script than we're used to seeing from Kansas City. At just $4,800 I see C.E.H. as one of the best values on the board in a likely low ownership situation. He makes for a great tournament play.