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 my breakdown as part 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
Los Angeles Rams (at Baltimore Ravens)
QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp, WR Odell Beckham, Jr.
The Rams should be licking their chops as far as the matchup for the passing goes against the Ravens, one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL over the last four weeks. L.A. underwhelmed last week as they seemed to be going through the motions but this spot sets up well against a team that allowed Joe Burrow to throw for 525 yards last week. With questions surrounding the Rams’ run game, I would expect Stafford to be throwing the ball regularly in this spot. With his main target obviously being Cooper Kupp, OBJ comes in at just $5,700 in what could be a monster effort. Beckham saw eight targets last week and go into the end zone for the fourth time in five games.
Run it Back: WR Rashaad Bateman
While Mark Andrews, the Ravens’ star tight end makes a ton of sense, he’s extremely expensive. Bateman positions himself to be in a situation where Huntley could look his way regularly. Bateman saw five targets last week and saw eight a couple of weeks ago and is just $4,800 in a game that I think could shoot out.
Dallas Cowboys (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, WR Michael Gallup
While Prescott is not a sneaky play, in fact, he should be one of the higher-owned quarterbacks on Sunday, his top receiver CeeDee Lamb could be going overlooked a bit. He’s extremely expensive but his 24 percent target share per route leads the team. I’m choosing to add Michael Gallup here as the second receiver at $4,800 over Amari Cooper ($6,600) because of the savings. Both are acceptable in my opinion as both offer some upside. Gallup has been targeted as a deep threat of late with his longest reception eclipsing 24 yards in three of his last four games and the Cardinals are susceptible to the deep pass.
Run it Back: TE Zach Ertz
Ertz has been revitalized since coming to the Cardinals and Kyler Murray has locked in on his with the absence of Deandre Hopkins. Ertz has seen 13 and 11 targets in his last two games and has eight, six, and five receptions in his last three contests, and has gone for 54 or more yards in three of his last five. This is another game that should see some scoring and you could really stack either side. I’ll be leaning on Dallas with Ertz as the bring-back, though.
Tampa By Buccaneers
QB Tom Brady, WR Antonio Brown, TE Rob Gronkowski
This could blow up in my face as Ronald Jones could just run for over 100 yards and score two touchdowns as Tampa routes the Jets. But, that’s what most are expecting and looking at in their roster builds – locking in Ronald Jones at a running back spot. Looking to the passing game with Brady, Gronk, and Brown offers some leverage in a spot the Brady should thrive. Over his career, as I’ve mentioned a couple of times this season when Brady is a heavy favorite his passing numbers are nuclear. It’s clear that this Tampa team has had its struggles on the road this season and because of that factor, among others, The defending Super Bowl champs could be overlooked somewhat as far as the passing game goes, and I think that’s a mistake.
Also consider:San Francisco 49ers: QB Trey Lance, TE George Kittle, WR Deebo Samuel
Miami Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR Jaylen Waddle, TE Mike Gesicki
Indianapolis Colts: RB Jonathan Taylor, Colts D/ST
GOOD LUCK!!
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While Prescott is not a sneaky play, in fact, he should be one of the higher-owned quarterbacks on Sunday, his top receiver CeeDee Lamb could be going overlooked a bit. He’s extremely expensive but his 24 percent target share per route leads the team. I’m choosing to add Michael Gallup here as the second receiver at $4,800 over Amari Cooper ($6,600) because of the savings. Both are acceptable in my opinion as both offer some upside. Gallup has been targeted as a deep threat of late with his longest reception eclipsing 24 yards in three of his last four games and the Cardinals are susceptible to the deep pass.
Run it Back: TE Zach Ertz
Ertz has been revitalized since coming to the Cardinals and Kyler Murray has locked in on his with the absence of Deandre Hopkins. Ertz has seen 13 and 11 targets in his last two games and has eight, six, and five receptions in his last three contests, and has gone for 54 or more yards in three of his last five. This is another game that should see some scoring and you could really stack either side. I’ll be leaning on Dallas with Ertz as the bring-back, though.