The fantasy football landscape shifts each week, bringing fresh opportunities and unexpected challenges that separate the prepared from the pretenders. Savvy managers know that last week’s performance tells only part of the story, and diving deeper into the underlying metrics reveals the accurate picture.
This week presents some intriguing decisions. Here’s insight about key Dallas Cowboys players heading into their matchup with the Washington Commanders to help you craft a winning lineup.
Dak Prescott, QB
So, I guess all we had to do was get that pesky CeeDee Lamb guy off the field to unlock fantasy MVP status for Dak Prescott?
I’m kidding, but he has at least three touchdown passes and zero interceptions in all three games in which his WR1 has been sidelined. On Sunday in Carolina, Prescott completed 8-of-11 passes with three touchdowns when throwing beyond the sticks, numbers that you’d assume would be at risk with Lamb out.
He is Joe Burrow from last season, and that means you’re starting him with the utmost confidence every week. Last season, he threw for 610 yards and eight scores against the Commanders across two games, and in six of his past eight games playing opposite the Washington franchise, he’s cleared 25 fantasy points.
Would I prefer Lamb return? Of course. Do I need it? The past data says no, not at all.
Jaydon Blue, RB
With Miles Sanders (ankle) done for the season, loaded fantasy teams can bring Jaydon Blue on board as a luxury add, but it’s nothing more than a low-end contingent play.
Javonte Williams continues to thrive in the bellcow role and held a 45-5 snap edge over the talented rookie in Week 6’s loss in Carolina. Blue has picked up seven yards on his seven carries this season and has yet to earn a target.
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The 149th overall pick in this past draft might turn into something with time, and who knows, maybe he’d succeed if given the opportunity this season: he’s just not going to get that opportunity barring an injury.
George Pickens, WR
Five straight games with a touchdown, four this season with 9+ targets, three with 120+ air yards, two with over 3.0 yards per route, and a hurdle to make the season-ending highlight reel.
George Pickens is a confidence-driven receiver who is currently convinced that he is the best player in the world.
I’m not ready to go quite that far, but for him to function at the peak of his powers, he needs to believe it. Lamb could return this week, and that’ll likely dent the production, but the vertical role is pretty clearly a role he’s comfortable in and one that Prescott approves of.
If Lamb returns, maybe Pickens falls from WR9 to WR17 in our rankings, but in the scheme of things, that doesn’t matter. You’re playing him and loving the profit you’re getting from your strong value selection this summer.
MORE: Free Fantasy Waiver Wire Tool
Jake Ferguson, TE
Sometimes it’s less about quantity and more about quality.
Jake Ferguson saw just three targets, but he caught them all in the red zone and scored for a third consecutive week. Fantasy TE1 has run at least 28 routes in five of six games (the Week 5 blowout of the Jets being the lone exception), and that sample includes a stretch of time in which Lamb was healthy.
The star receiver could return to this high-flying attack this week, and it shouldn’t impact your usage of Ferguson in a season-long setting at all. You could argue that he becomes less attractive in a DFS setting, but even then, I’d take the other side: if you can get a low-owned elite at the position in a strong matchup, I think you do it.
I couldn’t be less concerned with the low target count from last week. Ferguson is a key member of this pass game, and with the defense showing no signs of improvement, there will continue to be targets to be earned in Big D.
