DRAFT Daily Fantasy Football Helper: Week 11

Just because the NFL season is underway doesn't mean you can't enjoy fantasy football drafts.

Over at DRAFT.com, you can get the experience of a fantasy draft while building your daily fantasy rosters, and the format is quite simple.

You roster one quarterback, two running backs, and two wide receiver/tight ends, while drafting against opponents in real-time. That means the typical "value" aspect of daily fantasy is different, as you're not worrying about salary cap and instead just playing your opponents for your preferred picks of the week.

What stands out for Week 11's main slate?

Running Backs

When considering running backs in the DRAFT format, you are required to draft two, but the difference between the top options and the next grouping can be a big drop-off.

Our projections have only two running backs projected for 22.8 points or more, while the third running back is projected for 19.8 fantasy points. This might not seem massive, but in fantasy football or DFS, every point matters. In your head-to-head matches, you will 100% be grabbing at least one of these top running backs, but as you move on to 4-person, 6-person, and 10-person DRAFTS, things can change dramatically.

Let's take a look at a few players by tiers, so you can get a clear picture of where you should be targeting each player.

Tier 1

1. Christian McCaffrey (RB1) - It's no surprise that McCaffrey is up at the top of the running back rankings again. He will continue his strong season against the Atlanta Falcons this week, as they are allowing 20.6 FanDuel points per game to running backs. He is almost two full points higher in projection than the next player, per our models.

2. Dalvin Cook (RB2) - That next player is Cook, who is projected to score 22.8 FanDuel points this week against the Denver Broncos, a defense right around the league average in terms of points allowed per game to running backs. Cook has over 20 rushing attempts in four straight games and four rushing touchdowns in that time.

Tier 2

3. Ezekiel Elliott (RB3) - The Detroit Lions are allowing the second-most FanDuel points per game -- 27.9 -- to running backs this season, putting Zeke in the ideal matchup. With Matthew Stafford out and the Dallas Cowboys favored, Zeke should get fed in this matchup.

4. Josh Jacobs (RB4) - Over his last five games, Jacobs has 20 carries or more three times, more than 100 yards three times, and five total rushing touchdowns. He is making his case as an elite running back and is now up against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are allowing the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to running backs this season.

5. Alvin Kamara (RB5) - There is plenty of talk this week about the New Orleans Saints passing game -- and they are a great option. But Kamara is also a part of that passing game, with seven or more targets in three straight. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense is good versus the run, but they struggle in the passing game.

6. Leonard Fournette (RB6) - Fournette saw his fewest carries of the season last week -- 11 -- but prior to that, he had 19 carries or more in five straight games. His overall volume and involvement in the passing game gets him into the second tier, but a tougher matchup on the road keeps him from the top tier.

Tier 3

7. Le'Veon Bell (RB7) - Bell has 47 total touches over the past two weeks, 13 of which have come from the passing game. If the New York Jets are trailing, he will get looks in the passing game. If they are leading, he will see work in the rushing game. He is a game-script proof running back, but their offense is bad.

8. Brian Hill (RB8) - With an over/under of 49.5, this Atlanta Falcons-Carolina Panthers game is a clear spot to target for fantasy production. The Falcons have a list of injuries at running back, which means Hill should be the starting back against the Panthers, who are allowing the third-most FanDuel points per game to running backs.

Receivers

Tier 1

1. Michael Thomas (WR1) - The Saints' offense fell flat last week, but with an implied team total sitting at 27.00, we want to trust them against the Buccaneers, who are the worst team in the league against wide receivers. I say the worst with no exaggeration as they are allowing 40.3 FanDuel points per game to wideouts, dead last in the league.

2. DeAndre Hopkins (WR2) - Hopkins has double-digit targets in four straight games, at least 100 yards in two of those games, and two touchdowns. On the road versus the Baltimore Ravens isn't the easiest spot, but we have an over/under of 51.5 -- the highest on the slate -- so this game is all about the offense.

3. Julio Jones (WR3) - If the Buccaneers are the worst versus wide receivers, the Panthers aren't far behind -- allowing 30.3 FanDuel points per game. Jones is our third-highest projected receiver this week in total points, third-highest in targets, and second-highest in receiving yards.

Tier 2

4. Amari Cooper (WR4) - Cooper pops up on the injury report every week, but that hasn't stopped him from posting more than 100 yards and two touchdowns in his last three weeks. It's easy to love the matchup versus the Lions, who are allowing 29.8 FanDuel points per game to wide receivers. It a big week for the Cowboys' offense.

5A/B. Mike Evans/Chris Godwin (WR5/6) - Option A or option B. Heads or Tails. That is what we are getting each week with the Buccaneers' two top receivers, and this week they are only 1.0 points apart in projected points. The high over/under of 49.5 points allow you to take either one you can grab.

6. D.J. Moore (WR7) - All offense and no defense is going to be the theme for a few games this week, one of which is the Panthers-Falcons matchup. Carolina comes in with the sixth-highest implied team total -- 26.75 points -- versus a Falcons team that is allowing a terrible 33.6 FanDuel points per game to wide receivers.

Tier 3

7. Christian Kirk (WR8) - Kirk went super saiyan last week with 10 targets, six receptions, three touchdowns, and 138 yards for a total of 34.8 FanDuel points. The matchup this week isn't great against the San Francisco 49ers but his 10.4 average depth of target is very interesting.

8. Julian Edelman (WR11) - It's not often we get a New England Patriots receiver in the mix, but they are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles, who are in the bottom-10 versus wide receivers this season. Edelman has double-digit targets in four straight games.

9. Stefon Diggs (WR10) - This is actually a very tough matchup for Diggs, but the Minnesota Vikings have ruled out Adam Thielen for this game, so extra targets should be flowing his direction.

Quarterbacks

We all know you should be prioritizing elite running backs and receivers over taking a quarterback in season-long fantasy, and that should be the same here. This week, there are six quarterbacks who we have projected to score from 19.0 to 23.8 FanDuel points, and another three projected at 18.2 to 18.9. At a certain point, it can be splitting hairs, and it essentially comes down to personal preference, but know that you will be in a good spot at quarterback this week.

Tier 1

1. Lamar Jackson (QB1) - Another week, another time Jackson is atop the quarterback projections. A 51.5 over/under versus the Houston Texans is something you want to embrace. Draft him if you can.

2. Deshaun Watson (QB2) - Watson is on the other side of Jackson this week and is 1.6 points behind him in terms of our projections. Watson doesn't have as high of a rushing floor, but the Texans should be trailing, causing them to pass the ball more.

3. Dak Prescott (QB3) - Dak the third and final quarterback who is projected for more than 20 FanDuel points, and that shouldn't be a surprise. The Lions have allowed two or more passing touchdowns in five straight games. I said it above -- it's a great week for the Dallas offense. Get on board.

Tier 2

4. Josh Allen (QB4) - Attacking the Miami Dolphins is nothing new this season, so why stop now? It's worked up to this point, and it should continue this week with Josh Allen. His legs raise both his floor and his ceiling every week.

5. Drew Brees (QB5) - It was a bad game from the Saints last week, but they now face the worst pass defense in the league. Yes, this game is on the road and outdoors, which has been an issue for Brees in the past, but if there is anyone passing on him, grab him against the Buccaneers, who are allowing 23.9 FanDuel points per game to quarterbacks.

6. Matt Ryan (QB6) - Ryan threw for another two touchdowns last week, a level of production which has become normal for him this season. We should expect the same from him this week against the Panthers in a game with a 49.5 over/under. Stack him with Julio if you can.

Tier 3

7. Jameis Winston (QB7) - The Buccaneers are at home but projected to be trailing in this game against the Saints. We know the Buccaneers have a weak rushing offense, which has led to Winston passing for more than 300 yards in four straight games.

8. Derek Carr (QB9) - The highest team total and largest spread on the slate belong to the Oakland Raiders, who are at home against the Bengals. Carr has multiple passing touchdowns in three of his last four games, and the Bengals are allowing the third-most FanDuel points per game to quarterbacks.

9. Kyle Allen (QB11) - If we are looking at a few Panthers and their 26.75 implied team total, why not roster Allen? We have him going for 16.7 FanDuel points, and he can be stacked with Moore.