With Week 7 NFL daily fantasy contests starting to fill up, our experts have scouted out the players they're locking into their DFS lineups first. From the star performers to the top values, here are our expert picks for this week in DFS football.
Star performers
Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
When excluding a game against the Cardinals in which he drew the unenviable matchup of cornerback Patrick Peterson, Bryant has averaged 11.5 targets per game. While the overall production has been decent so far -- he has three touchdowns but no 100-yard games -- he has a ripe matchup in Week 7 against the 49ers, a team that has struggled in pass defense (third-most yards allowed this season through the air). It's a rare positive matchup for Bryant, whose slow start can be attributed to a slew of unkind opponents (Denver, the Giants and Rams among them). This could be a monster day. -- Field Yates
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings
In the 2014 season, McKinnon ranked tied for fifth in my good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA) metric that measures how productive a running back is when given quality run blocking. McKinnon is on pace to top that performance this season with a 10.1 GBYPA. Add that to a matchup against a Baltimore rush defense that just allowed 231 rushing yards and it makes McKinnon one of the highest percentage upside plays in Week 7. -- KC Joyner
LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills
Nothing against Adrian Peterson, but if he can look that good against the Tampa Bay defense, then McCoy can do some nice things as well. McCoy isn't off to the best start, and he's failed to find the end zone, but his price is usually higher and there's nothing really wrong with him that a struggling defense can't fix. -- Eric Karabell
Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
Though his Week 6 stats weren't great, forgive him if he wasn't yet back to full strength after returning from a hamstring injury. With an additional week to heal and the best matchup a quarterback can get, Mariota is lined up for his strongest performance to date. In the past four weeks, Jacoby Brissett, Andy Dalton and Deshaun Watson have all managed at least 24 DraftKings points against the Cleveland Browns. -- Tristan H. Cockcroft
Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Play the high volume and the favorable matchup with Ertz on Monday night versus the Redskins. Ertz has already seen a whopping 54 targets from quarterback Carson Wentz this season and his route-running ability in the red zone is on par with any tight end's in the league. Ertz hauled in three touchdowns during the past two weeks and now he gets a Washington defense that ranks 29th versus opposing tight ends, giving up an average of 16.9 fantasy points per game. -- Matt Bowen
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Hunt may be unpopular this week due to his price compared to his limited efficiency lately (3.9 yards per carry with 0 TDs during his past three games) but, realistically, what is the downside? He was averaging nearly 23 touches per game prior to a weird Week 6 and the Chiefs will undoubtedly rely on him on this short week. His bell-cow role is rock solid and with Alex Smith once again ranking as the premier check-down QB, there may not be a player in football with a greater combination of skill and workload. A high floor is key when spending top dollar, but the first three weeks this season (538 total yards and 6 touchdowns) also prove that Hunt's production ceiling is as high as anyone's. -- Stephania Bell
Top values
C.J. Prosise, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Prosise is expected to return to the lineup this week after missing time because of an ankle injury. When on the field, he gives the Seahawks their best passing game option out of the backfield, which is the path that will lead him to being worth the modest investment. While he's played in just nine career games, he has three or more receptions in four of those games. With a recent injury to Chris Carson, Seattle is looking for something to inspire at the running back position. Prosise has a chance to provide that and he could be the safety valve Russell Wilson needs if he finds himself under duress against a standout Giants defensive line. -- Field Yates
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
In the Saints' first game without Peterson, Kamara carried the ball 10 times for 75 yards and added another 12 yards receiving on four grabs. And the rookie should expect to see that same level of volume moving forward (12-15 touches per game). Kamara has the ability to impact the passing game and his speed on the edge creates opportunities for big plays. With a matchup versus a Packers defense that is giving up an average of 24.5 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (19th), Kamara is a solid value play as a versatile threat in the Saints' offense. -- Matt Bowen
Jimmy Graham, TE, Seattle Seahawks
The Giants' defense has found it impossible to slow tight ends, as they have allowed at least one touchdown and 15.8 or more points per game to opponents' tight ends in every contest this year. Graham hasn't quite lived up to expectations, but he does rank second on the Seahawks in targets and should increase that number by a significant amount in this overwhelmingly favorable matchup. That makes him worth the third-highest price among tight ends this week.-- KC Joyner
Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Despite the presence of Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals give up a lot of production to opposing wide receivers, and only four teams are allowing more fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Jared Goff will have his fun but while Sammy Watkins deals with difficult coverage, Woods, who leads the team in targets and receiving yards, should thrive. -- Eric Karabell
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings
After failing to catch Case Keenum's eye early in the year -- which helped to lower his price -- Rudolph has back-to-back games with nine targets. Now Rudolph faces a Baltimore Ravens defense that has surrendered five touchdowns combined to Marcedes Lewis, Zach Miller and Dion Sims the past four weeks. -- Tristan H. Cockcroft
Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins
Doctson is a talented young player who is trending in the right direction after scoring in two of his last three games. I'm rostering him while the price is low, paying only for the limited involvement we've seen thus far, not the potential of him stepping into the larger role coach Jay Gruden forecasted earlier this week. With Rob Kelley banged up, Kirk Cousins should be throwing the ball plenty and Doctson only needs one big play to pay off his price tag. -- Stephania Bell