Top DFS Game Stacks and Leverage Plays for DraftKings

In this article, I'm going to take a deeper dive into game stacks and leverage options. Let's first take a look at what injuries could affect the 10-game main slate.

Visit RotoWire's DFS Top Plays page to see our recommended targets!

*Windy and wet conditions expected for Dolphins at Browns. Heavy winds in Saints at Bears contest. Moderate winds for Patriots at Titans. Proceed accordingly!

Injuries to Monitor

Josh Jacobs : Jacobs was a full participant in Friday's practice but the Packers elevated Pierre Strong from the practice squad to their active roster. The 4:25 p.m. EST start time adds some uncertainty for fantasy managers. Emanuel Wilson would be the next man up in a favorable matchup against the Cardinals. 

Zach Ertz : The Commanders are banged up with star receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel both out. It feels like Ertz will be pushed to play as a result, but the late start complicates things. Either way, Luke McCaffrey and Chris Moore are set for increased roles in the offense.

Stefon Diggs : Following a big game on SNF, Diggs was held in check by the Saints while Kayshon Boutte went off. He'd be the go-to option if he's unable to go and DeMario Douglas would get a boost as well. With that said, Diggs practiced fully Friday and looks to be closer to the probable side of things.

Jakobi Meyers : Brock Bowers is listed as doubtful, and Geno Smith could be without his top two options if Meyers misses the game after being absent at Wednesday and Thursday's practices before being limited Friday. Tre Tucker and Michael Mayer could be in line for a massive target share.

Analyzing Game Stack Rankings for Maximum DFS Impact

Here is how each game ranks in implied points, projected pace/plays per game and how popular we expect each game stack to be in GPPs:

There are a lot of different ways you can form a game stack, with my primary option being a QB with two pass catchers (due to correlation) and one player from the other team (commonly referred to as a bring-back). QB-WR-WR and bringing back a WR is the most popular, but I'm fine going with a TE as one of the pass catchers or an RB from the opposing team. Last week's Milly Maker winner had Drake Maye with a low-rostered Kayshon Boutte and no bring back.

My preferred stacks

WAS/DAL: Jayden Daniels, Chris Moore and Zach Ertz with CeeDee Lamb

KC/LV: Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce with Michael Mayer

LAC/IND: Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey with Tyler Warren

GB/ARI: Jordan Love, Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs with Trey McBride

I'm going to turn to the Packers for my under-the-radar team stack this week. We saw Love and Doubs each put up 30+ DK points in Week 4 and Green Bay may to rely more on the passing game with Jacobs less than 100 percent and potentially out. The Packers have the fourth highest implied point total, we don't have to worry about weather and the Cardinals rank 27th in passing yards allowed per game. This is an inexpensive stack as well.

Key Leverage Plays for GPP DFS Success

In this section, I'll briefly discuss 10 players that we project to be rostered by less than 10 percent of lineups in GPPs. These can be used as contrarian plays to differentiate yourself from the competition.

RB Rico Dowdle ($6,800) at NYJ: Chuba Hubbard returns from a two-game absence and Dowdle's salary has been pushed up to $6,800. That will keep his rostership low, but the Panthers have been coy about the workload split. Dowdle may have earned the right to be the featured back going forward.

RB Jordan Mason ($6,200) vs. PHI: Plenty to like here with Mason as Aaron Jones remains out and the Vikings had extra time to prepare and rest up coming off a bye. We saw Cam Skattebo have a career-game with three rushing TDs against the Eagles last week, too. 

RB J.K. Dobbins ($5,600) vs. NYG: The Broncos have been fairly run heavy this season and that should be the case even more so as a seven-point home favorite. Dobbins has been the clear lead back with double digit carries every game while RJ Harvey only saw two carries last week.

RB Isiah Pacheco ($5,000) vs. LV: The Chiefs running game is far from exciting so it's easy to bypass Pacheco, but we have a starter at only $5k as the largest favorite on the slate. Pacheco could easily see a season-high in carries in what favors a more run-heavy game script.

WR Xavier Worthy ($6,100) vs. LV: Staying with the same game, Rice's return will have DFS players overlooking Worthy but there's plenty to go around considering the Chiefs lead the league in pass rate over expectation. 

WR Keenan Allen ($5,500) vs. IND: The 33-year-old continues to produce and has been a favorite of Justin Herbert's as Allen ranks eight in targets among WRs and fourth in red zone targets. 

WR Wan'Dale Robinson ($5,400) at DEN: The difficult matchup will have most DFS players looking elsewhere, but who else is Jaxson Dart going to throw to with Darius Slayton out for a second straight game? Robinson posted a 6-84-1 line in Slayton's absence last week.

WR Michael Pittman ($5,100) at LAC: Josh Downs will miss his first game of the season and that's notable considering he's seen 15 targets over the last two games. Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren make it easy to forget about Pittman, who has been efficient when targeted.

WR Matthew Golden ($4,700) at ARI: I talked about the Packers earlier and Golden would slide into that stack if Wicks (questionable) doesn't play. The first-round rookie is coming off his first game with over 100 total yards and over a 20 percent target share.

WR Jerry Jeudy ($4,400) vs. MIA: Rookie Dillon Gabriel was locked onto Jeudy last week, peppering him with 13 targets. It's hard to imagine that changes considering David Njoku is out and the Cleveland WR corps lacks much outside of the veteran. 

For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, head to RotoWire's Fantasy Football News & Latest NFL Updates or follow @RotoWireNFL on X.