The NFL continues racing along, as we reach the one-third distance of the season after this week concludes. With just the two teams on bye (Texans, Vikings), we see a 10-game slate on Monday morning, with seven early window games and just three in the late window.
The early window has four games totalled at 46 or higher, with the main games to target being Cowboys @ Panthers and Cardinals @ Colts. The late window is highlighted by a massive NFC clash between the Buccaneers and 49ers, a game that could carry playoff seeding implications down the line. Meanwhile, the Bengals visit the Packers as huge 14-point underdogs, and the Titans head to the Raiders in a matchup between two of the worst teams in football.
Draftstars is again running a $30,000 guaranteed contest with $3,000 up top, alongside qualifiers, high-rollers, and casual contests. With ownership condensing around obvious spots this week, finding leverage and smart pivots will be crucial.
NFL 2025-26 Daily Fantasy Tips: Week 6 Monday
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford — $15,010
Stafford draws a dream matchup against a Ravens defence that has been shredded by opposing passers. He’s in form too, with back-to-back scores of 30.4 and 28.6 Draftstars points. With a full complement of weapons — Nacua, Adams, and Williams — Stafford is a strong cash and GPP option alike. Expect 20+ points as a realistic floor and a ceiling that can challenge anyone on the slate.
Mac Jones — $12,750
Jones remains undervalued and offers one of the best salary-saving options at quarterback. With Brock Purdy expected to miss again, Jones should start for San Francisco against a Buccaneers defence that has been a sieve through the air. A natural stack with Christian McCaffrey or contrarian pairing with TE Jake Tonges both make sense. If he delivers a clean game, Jones could return elite value in a soft matchup.
Slate Strategy (QBs):
This week’s quarterback landscape is wide open. Stafford will carry heavy ownership as the premium stack option, while Jones offers strong savings and salary flexibility. For large-field tournaments, consider contrarian pivots like Jordan Love or Drake Maye, who have favourable matchups and low projected ownership. Prioritise QBs in high-total environments — namely Colts/Cardinals and Rams/Ravens — and focus on correlation with top pass catchers to maximise stacking upside.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor — $18,600
The top-priced RB on the slate and for good reason. Taylor has topped 90 yards rushing in every game this season and found the end zone seven times in five weeks. He’s matchup-proof, and even against an improved Cardinals front, he should find plenty of success in what’s expected to be a high-scoring game. Lock in the volume and touchdown equity.
Rico Dowdle — $10,730
Dowdle’s price jumped after his breakout last week, but he’s still underpriced for his projected workload. With Chuba Hubbard questionable, Dowdle is once again in position to handle the bulk of the Panthers’ backfield touches. Add in revenge-game motivation against the team that let him walk, and you’ve got a strong mid-range play with multi-touchdown potential.
Hassan Haskins — $8,550
A value play with legitimate opportunity, Haskins should take over lead duties for the Chargers following Omarion Hampton’s injury. Harbaugh’s run-heavy tendencies will work in his favour, and though he may split some work, Haskins can easily deliver 12–15 carries and goal-line usage at a bargain price.
Slate Strategy (RBs):
Running back strategy this week revolves around anchoring with Taylor or pivoting to balanced builds that feature two mid-priced options. Taylor and Achane-type studs will soak up ownership, so diversifying with value backs like Haskins or Dowdle can separate lineups. RB scoring has been volatile this season, so prioritise touches and red zone roles over matchup concerns. Pairing a premium RB with two low-cost FLEX options creates strong roster flexibility for high-upside WR stacks.
Wide Receivers
Davante Adams — $13,220
Adams remains the most affordable way to gain premium exposure to the Rams passing attack. With a soft matchup against a Ravens secondary that can’t cover anyone, Adams carries major red-zone and deep-threat potential. The chemistry with Stafford is building, and a two-touchdown game feels well within reach.
Stefon Diggs — $12,630
Diggs looks fully rejuvenated after returning from injury, averaging 9.5 targets, 8 catches, and 123 yards over the past two weeks. The Patriots have been funnelling volume his way, and against a shaky Saints secondary, Diggs could easily post another 100-yard outing with a score. At this price, he’s one of the slate’s strongest WR1 plays.
Matthew Golden — $8,830
Golden profiles as a potential slate-breaker. Facing a Bengals defence that sits near the bottom in explosive plays allowed, the rookie leads the Packers in target share, yards per route run, and first-read looks against two-high coverages. Coming off the bye, this feels like the perfect breakout spot. Great leverage off the more popular Packers skill players.
Slate Strategy (WRs):
Wide receiver is deep this week, with strong plays across every pricing tier. The Rams and Colts receivers will dominate ownership, so mixing in pivots from lower-owned games — like Patriots/Saints or Packers/Bengals — can create differentiation. Prioritise correlation with your QB where possible, but don’t be afraid to use one-off WRs in high-total matchups. Cheap breakout candidates like Golden offer the flexibility to pay up for studs like Taylor or McCaffrey elsewhere.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft — $10,740
Kraft is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward play. He draws the best matchup possible against a Bengals defence ranked dead last versus tight ends. If the Packers air it out early, Kraft could easily deliver a top-3 positional score. He’s volatile but an excellent tournament pivot off the chalkier Ferguson builds.
Jake Tonges — $8,160
Tonges has quietly become a reliable target for Mac Jones in San Francisco. With multiple receivers still sidelined, Tonges could see 6–8 targets and has touchdown upside in a plus matchup. He’ll be underowned and fits perfectly in salary-saving stacks with Jones.
Slate Strategy (TEs):
Tight end is deep but fragile this week. Ferguson will again lead ownership, but that creates leverage spots for players like Kraft or Tonges, who both offer clear paths to double-digit fantasy scores. In GPPs, don’t chase safety — prioritise red-zone usage and target volume. Cheap TEs correlated with their QBs (like Tonges or Kraft) can unlock premium plays elsewhere.
D/ST
Pittsburgh Steelers — $6,570
Fresh off the bye, the Steelers face a rookie quarterback behind one of the worst pass-blocking units in football. With their elite pass rush and home-field advantage, Pittsburgh should generate sacks and turnovers in bunches.
Los Angeles Rams — $6,480
The Rams have quietly become one of the most balanced defences in the league, ranking top-6 in pass rush, tackling, and coverage. Against a Ravens offense in disarray, they could easily replicate last week’s three-turnover outing. Strong pivot off the Steelers in tournaments.
Slate Strategy & Construction
This slate offers flexibility across all positions, but roster construction will come down to whether you pay up for Jonathan Taylor or fade him for balance. Quarterback ownership will condense around Stafford stacks, so building around lower-owned combinations like Jones + McCaffrey/Tonges or Love + Packers receivers provides tournament leverage.
Mid-range WRs like Adams and Diggs are strong anchors, while value options such as Golden or Haskins make it easier to jam in studs elsewhere. Defence is straightforward — Steelers in cash, Rams for leverage. Overall, this slate sets up well for stars-and-scrubs builds, where cheap breakout candidates unlock premium ceilings.
Final Thoughts
Week 6 presents one of the more balanced slates of the season. The chalk builds are clear — Stafford stacks, Taylor at RB, and Ferguson at TE — but each of those spots has viable contrarian pivots that can separate your lineup from the field. Target high-total games, lean into correlation, and embrace volatility at tight end and RB2/FLEX spots.
With ownership converging on the same handful of plays, winning lineups this week will likely come from creative game stacking and late-window flexibility. As always, stay mindful of injury updates, monitor late swap opportunities, and don’t be afraid to take stands — the edges are thinner when everyone plays the same game script.
Suggested NFL Draftstars Lineup
