DFS: NFL Week 6 Lineup Optimizer

Standing out isn't all you need to win a guaranteed prize pool (good players are important too!), but it is obviously important. Having low-ownership players go off is a necessity, and the Optimal Lineup this week for the NFL has some good candidates.

Oh, there are some obvious choices sprinkled in as well: Tyler Eifert, Julian Edelman and Dion Lewis are going to be very highly owned. And for good reason. What could make this lineup stand out is the presence of two slumping former stars, Eddie Lacy and Matthew Stafford. Both players probably look toxic to Fantasy players right now, which makes them perfect for FanDuel tournaments.

Maybe you don't believe those players are any good; that is a perfectly defensible viewpoint. Based on this season, it's hard to argue either player is worth your time. However, we have longer track records suggesting better days are on the way, and that might be more important. This isn't a lineup with a high floor, but if Stafford and Lacy revert to their career norms, the ceiling is immense.

Here is the Optimal Lineup for FanDuel's main NFL slate, as of Noon ET Thursday.

Note: The Optimizer will produce multiple lineups throughout the week based on news and other factors leading right up to kickoff. The lineup Chris spotlights in his column may be significantly different than the lineup you receive from the Optimizer later.

QB Matthew Stafford, Lions vs. Chicago $6,900
Key Stat: Hits price value in 80 percent of simulations

Stafford just got benched last week! This is insane, right? Probably. But he also has faced a tough run of defenses, from the Broncos in Week 3 through the Cardinals in Week 5. He still had multiple touchdowns in each of his first two games, and gets to take on a Bears defense that has allowed 11 passing touchdowns while snagging just two interceptions. If the Lions' passing game is going to break out of their malaise, this is the week for it to happen.

RB Eddie Lacy, Packers vs. San Diego $7,300
Key Stat:Scores 15+ FD points in 45 percent of simulations

Lacy has been a pretty big disappointment, topping double digits in FD scoring twice in five games. As a result, expect his ownership levels to be pretty low in tournaments, which makes him a great player to target this week. If you still believe in Lacy's skill set and role in this offense, you have to think a two-touchdown game is on the way; why not this week?

RB Dion Lewis, Patriots @ Indianapolis $7,200
Key Stat: Scores 15+ FD points in 41 percent of simulations

Lewis would obviously have less value in a scoring format that doesn't reward receptions, but that isn't the case here. Lewis' ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make plays has turned him into one of the most consistent running backs, even as he cedes playing time and touches in the running game to LeGarrette Blount. He continues to play a majority of the snaps and has scored at least 14 FD points in each game, His prospects look even better if Andrew Luck plays, because the Patriots will have to pass more to boost their scoring.

WR Brandon Marshall, Jets vs. Washington $8,000
Key Stat: Top projected score at position

There was some concern that leaving Chicago would have the same impact on Marshall's production that his first departure from Denver to Miami did. However, if Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn't been a perfect quarterback, he's been good enough for Marshall to remain a dynamic, game-changing receiver; only three receivers have averaged more FanDuel points than Marshall to this point. The Redskins have struggled against the pass at times this season, though they've actually done a decent job against opposing No. 1 receivers. I think that changes Sunday.

WR Julian Edelman, Patriots @ Indianapolis $7,900
Key Stat: Third-highest projected score at position

Edelman didn't post his typically huge catch totals in Week 5, but he made up for that by actually coming up with a few big plays, ending up with 120 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. That isn't who Edelman is as a receiver, but it's a pretty good sign for his chances of remaining Fantasy relevant no matter the game plan. In a .5-point PPR format like FanDuel's, Edelman is pretty close to an elite wide receiver in this offense, which makes him a great value as the ninth-most expensive receiver on the board.

WR James Jones, Packers vs. San Diego $6,600
Key Stat: Highest projected score under $7,000 at position

I've been reluctant to buy into Jones, because so much of his value is touchdown-dependent. Of course, the fact that he has five touchdowns in as many games makes it awfully tough to keep doubting. Still, he has four or fewer targets in three of his five games, which makes you wonder how long he can keep producing at this level. Leave those worries for another week -- perhaps Week 8 against the Broncos -- because the Chargers seem like a good enough matchup for him to remain worth this price.

TE Tyler Eifert, Bengals @ Buffalo $6,000
Key Stat: One of just two players projected for more than 12 FD points

Eifert has been the best tight end in football not named Rob Gronkowski, with just one game below 8 FD points so far. Even in that game, he had a touchdown ruled incomplete on a questionable call, which would put him right on Gronkowski's tier. This is a tough matchup for a Bengals' passing game that has been terrific so far, but Eifert still seems underpriced as the fifth-most expensive tight end.

K Mason Crosby, Packers vs. San Diego $4,900
Key Stat: Packers projected as top-scoring offense

The one thing you know with Crosby is he's going to get a lot of extra-point opportunities kicking for this offense. That hasn't led to huge production yet, but it always gives him a solid floor. With how random kicking is, that is valuable, especially with the Packers once again projected to score a solid amount this week.

DST Jets vs. Washington $4,800
Key Stat: Projected for 3+ forced turnovers

The Jets have forced 13 turnovers in four games; the Redskins have turned the ball over nine times. Any time you can pair up an opportunistic defense that hounds the quarterback with an erratic, mistake-prone quarterback like Kirk Cousins, you have to take advantage.