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It’s become commonplace in DFS now and it’s a term that’s frequently thrown around. “Stack” or “Stacking” is heavily referenced whenever you hear “experts” talking about winning in DFS. Let me make one thing clear. First of all, I’m no expert and second of all stacking isn’t the only way to win. Stacking is a very boom or bust proposition more often than not but it isn’t the end all be all. There needs to be a purpose when stacking. We’re not just going into contests and blindly stacking teams for unrealistic, farfetched potential correlation plays, they have to make sense.

This is the first of a regular series of articles I’ll produce every week of the NFL season and it will break down what stacks I’m looking to build around in GPP contests for that particular week. Some weeks I’ll dive into four or five stacks but others there could only be two or three I have my eye on. Remember, there’s no sense in stacking just because you heard it repeated 87 times on the radio.

Stacks That I Have My Eye On

Below I’ll break down the particular stacks I’m interested and delve into it based on matchup, ability, predicted game script, and collective salary while picking an opposing player or two to run that stack back with if appropriate.

*Note: All pricing is DraftKings focused

Atlanta Falcons

QB Matt Ryan, WR Calvin Ridley, TE Kyle Pitts

This matchup features two teams that aren’t expected to play much of any defense all season. The Eagles and Falcons game has a ton of shootout potential which screams fantasy goodness for us. Matt Ryan ($6,000) is one of the better values at the position this week and could find himself as a top 10 scoring quarterback as the 12th-highest priced on DraftKings. Kyle Pitts ($4,400) was one of the highest sought out draft prospects coming into the league this season and he looks to be every bit of the next top tight end in the league. The Eagles don’t appear to have an answer for him and that will be the case for most teams all year. In his first three seasons, Calvin Ridley ($7,900) has had a nose for the end zone with 10, seven, and nine scores in his first three seasons. Last year, though he looked to put it all together with the yardage (1,374) and receptions (90) he compiled, both of which were career-highs. Like Pitts, the Eagles aren’t expected to have an answer against Ridley.

Run it Back: WR DeVonta Smith

The Eagles’ first-round pick, like the Falcons, is a dynamic playmaker. DeVonta Smith, however, won the Heisman Trophy after an incredible year at Alabama. Priced at $4,500 and likely Jalen Hurts’ go-to receiver moving forward we could see Smith involved early and often if this game goes back and forth on the scoreboard like I think it will.

Carolina Panthers

QB Sam Darnold, WR Robby Anderson, RB Christian McCaffrey

Yes, wouldn’t you know that Sam Darnold’s ($5,000) first game after leaving the Jets is, in fact, against the Jets? He takes over under center for the Panthers, a team that has a lot more weaponry available at Sam’s disposal. One of those weapons is also a former Jet in Robby Anderson ($5,700). Anderson set a career-high with 95 catches for 1,096 yards but hauled in just three touchdowns. The former Temple Owl should see some positive touchdown regression this season as he was heavily targeted in the red zone last season. The Jets’ secondary is piss poor and they should get burned all season long. There isn’t much to discuss with CMC ($9,500). He’s clearly involved in the passing game and if the game gets out of hand, and by if I mean when he should get plenty of carries as the clock runs down.

Run it Back: WR Corey Davis

Davis ($4,900) is a nice value considering that he’s really the main receiver worth rostering on the outside. Elijah Moore ($3,000) is intriguing but he’s still a bit raw and needs some reps in my opinion. Jameson Crowder ($4,600) might be out due to COVID and he operates out of the slot anyway. There isn’t much big-play ability with Crowder like there is with Davis who had his coming-out party last season with the Titans. Was that just playing up in a contract year? Probably but he’ll be the focal point of this offense.

Green Bay Packers

QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, WR Allen Lazard

In what looks to be one of the games of the week the Packers and New Orleans Saints will be playing at a neutral site in Jacksonville due to Hurricane Ida. The connection that Rodgers ($6,800) and Davante Adams ($8,300) have is obvious and needs no breakdown. Adams saw 148 targets for 115 receptions and 18 touchdowns last season, the fourth-most targets in the league and a 33.2 percent target share. Allen Lazard ($4,000) flashed a bit last season as a receiver for Rodgers and the Packers including a big game against the Saints that resulted in six catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. This is a game that has shootout appeal and regardless of the score is Rodgers sees a weakness he’ll continue to throw as that weakness looks to be in the Saints secondary.

Run it Back: WR Marquez Callaway

The obvious pick here would be Alvin Kamara but to get off the beaten path I’ll look to Callaway ($3,400) here, the preseason darling and presumed top wide receiver for the time being. It’s no secret that Jameis Winston isn’t afraid to sling the ball around. Look for him to be the most targeted Saint not named Alvin Kamara.

GOOD LUCK!!