How to Land a Team of Fantasy Football Studs in Weekly Salary Cap Fantasy Football

On this page, we’re talking about how you can land studs at each position in salary cap fantasy football, the weekly edition. You know how this game often goes. You have a $50,000 salary cap, and you draft a quarterback, two running backs, three receivers, a flex, a tight end, and a defense.

You need your team to score as many points as possible to ace at least the top 20% to achieve a good payout. It’s often double the money you put down to play the game. So, let’s break down each position accordingly using examples of real-life players to show you how to put your best hand forward at online sportsbooks

1. QB: Double the Threat – Josh Allen/Buffalo Bills

Allen is the kind of quarterback you look for in weekly fantasy ball. He doesn’t break the bank and he’s an under-the-radar dual threat. Now, Allen is a mere example here, and you can insert other players with similar value, like Deshaun Watson or Gardner Minshew. The latter of whom is a better dual threat quarterback than you think.

The takeaway here is to always look for a dual threat, as they score the highest number of fantasy points. However, you don’t need Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Kyler Murray to go a long way.

2. RB1: The Second Dual Threat – Kareem Hunt/Cleveland Browns

Through two weeks in 2020, Hunt’s value is likely to increase. But it’s still limited from a dollar standpoint because he’s technically the RB2 behind Nick Chubb. However, Hunt is already establishing himself as a dual threat back. This is something he has done since his days with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Backs in Hunt’s category won’t break the bank because they’re often not the featured back, as Nick Chubb is in Cleveland. However, they also boast multiple ways to score you fantasy points. Backs like Austin Ekeler and Boston Scott are other good examples. Cheaper backs who won’t cost you a fortune. And they’re choices where you can later on pick up a complete back. Let’s move on.

3. RB2: Rooks Are Powerful Chess Pieces – J.K. Dobbins, Ravens

Like the RB1, rookies are in actuality RB2s with an outstanding skillset destined for fantasy greatness.

And you saw it on display with Dobbins, who logged 2 rushing touchdowns in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. Dobbins is part of what you see each year regarding rookie backs: Fresh legs who will make an impact even if they aren’t true RB1s.

With that said, Dobbins and even backs in their second season but are first-year starters are great fits here. Zack Moss (or Devin Singletary), Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift, and others in the same position are outstanding fantasy options in 2020.

Or they could be great options in 2021 if they become the RB1 but still come at a price tag low enough to where you can pick up decent players across the board.

4. WR1: Product of QB Greatness – Tyler Lockett/Seattle Seahawks

Lockett experienced a breakout season in 2019, and he looks like he’s picking up where he left off in 2019: 8 catches for 92 yards in that first game. Excellent display, right? Very.

And Lockett isn’t your best receiver from a talent standpoint. Heck, he probably isn’t a number one target on teams who boast mediocre quarterbacks. But one reason he’s so effective in the fantasy realm in Seattle is because of his chemistry with Russell Wilson.

With that said, look for receivers who boast a similar chemistry with their quarterbacks. Guys like Lockett (and teammate DK Metcalf) will always produce well because their quarterback gives them the opportunity to.

Over the next two sections, you’ll see a common denominator pan out.

5. WR2: Rising From Obscurity – Allen Lazard/Green Bay Packers

Heading into 2020, Lazard had just 36 career receptions. But now that teams are keying on Davante Adams, especially after that Week 1 performance, it opens things up for guys like Lazard and teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

One reason I placed Lazard and Valdes-Scantling in this category is because they play in an offense where one star receiver draws attention away from them. This allows for outstanding numbers from both players on any given week.

Look for players in the same category as Lazard and Valdes-Scantling. These are players who few fantasy owners would even think to pick up because they feel the stud receiver will get all the work. Nope. Outsmart the other owners and dig deep.

Better yet, these guys don’t break your bankroll either.

6. WR3: Slot Man, Step Up – CeeDee Lamb/Dallas Cowboys

As I write this, we don’t have a legit sample size on Lamb other than his one game against the Rams. Don’t give it too much thought, however, because Lamb is merely an example of a receiver who will produce from the slot. Often, your slot guys won’t break the bank and always seem to put up good numbers.

Just remember that they must play in pass-happy offenses, and they’re also players often overlooked. Guys like Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina’s Robby Anderson are easily overlooked. They’re good producers and their cost isn’t high. They’re definite good bets here.

7. FLEX: Spend Big – DeAndre Hopkins/Arizona Cardinals

Most of us try to build our weekly fantasy teams by spending big at quarterback, running back, or receiver. Not a good idea. In fact, this strategy often forces us to make amends elsewhere and the result often leads our fantasy teams to tank.

To avoid this predicament, it’s wise to start off small with your spending at the primary positions and look for players who produce well in the specific categories mentioned in the subheadings. You can use the players I’ve outlined, or you can find a dozen of other examples.

With that said, we’re saving our funds for the flex spot and picking up the best player we can afford. Often, this player will cost more than any of the others and it’s the guy I like to pick last. Since it’s salary capped and weekly, there’s no real draft.

You’re just picking players based on your cap. And guys like DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas, Zeke Elliott, Christian McCaffrey, and others in the same category should be our targets here after sensible spending early on.

8. TE: It’s the System – Jonnu Smith/Tennessee Titans

The Titans run the idea system concerning the tight end spot, and you can put a few others in this slot as well. In Week 2 before his knee injury, Bengals’ tight end CJ Uzomah epitomized this. But we’ll go with Smith based on the system he’s playing in.

With the Titans, Smith is the kind of player who thrives on the run-first, tight end-friendly system the Titans employ and that quarterback Ryan Tannehill craves playing in.

It’s no wonder he put up his best real-life and fantasy numbers when Tannehill stepped into the starting lineup. Guys like Smith are often forgotten. They quietly perform well. And it’s the system that makes them.

Others, like George Kittle, have become studs in fantasy football because of the system. Of course, Kittle and Mark Andrews will break your bank. But your obscure guys like Smith often won’t. And it’s wise you pick them up while they’re cheap.

9. DEF: Proven Commodities – Pittsburgh Steelers

Most of us look for defenses last and ones we can afford. But the common denominator with defenses is that they’re all cheap, so why not put yourself in prime position to succeed in this realm?

Simply put, go with the best defense. Looking back to 2019, the Steelers’ defense is that type, both for now and in the future, given the fact they almost always seem to be among the best the NFL has to offer.

Don’t be afraid to spend a little more when you pick up a team defense because, again, none of them will break your bankroll. And as with the other players or units in this article, the Steelers are just an example.

There are plenty of defenses out there who can also fit this mold like Baltimore’s or New England’s

Conclusion

Building a solid fantasy team of studs in the weekly realm is a possible feat. But oftentimes, we tend to break the bank by picking one or two studs and trying to surround them with the best we can afford.

So, pick players in a sensible manner, because the studs that you never think of are definitely out there. And most of the time, they don’t break the bank as you might think they would. What kind of strategies do you employ with picking fantasy football studs? Let us know in the comments.