Week 7 DFS Cheapskate Plays is here to spotlight a few budget-friendly players who can help you stretch your salary cap without sinking your lineup.
We’re not chasing the “studs”. If I don’t mention the slate’s most expensive QB, it’s not because I think he’s a bad play; it’s because you don’t need me to tell you they will score the most points. The real purpose here is to dig for value, the affordable (cheap) options that make it possible to fit those high-priced studs into your build.
Of course, these picks come with more risk, and they don’t have the same floor as the proven stars. But when they hit, the payoff is huge. DFS is ultimately a game of points per dollar: a $4K player scoring 20 points (5x value) actually outperforms an $8K player scoring 24 points (only 3x). That’s why we hunt for these gems. They give you a better return on investment, even if they whiff more often.
Player prices are referenced from DraftKings, but the concept applies across all major DFS platforms.
Week 7 Cheapskate Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett $4,500, ARI vs Packers
Jacoby Brissett makes for a compelling pivot in Week 7 thanks to his command of the Cardinals offense and a favorable vertical mismatch over Kyler Murray (he’s short). In Week 6 vs. the Colts, Brissett completed 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, while tacking on 19 rushing yards on 3 carries. That stat line ranked among the top passing performances of the week. His veteran experience gives him the confidence to make checks and adjustments at the line more cleanly than a less seasoned backup (or the previous starter) might.
As for the height edge, Brissett stands 6′ 4″ tall, whereas Kyler Murray is listed around 5′ 10″. That’s about a 6-inch height differential in Brissett’s favor, helping with field vision, high-throw leverage, and pocket presence. If we want to reach the ceiling, go with the guy who can, you know, reach the ceiling. Just make sure to check the injury reports in the event Murray upgrades from working with the practice squad to the 1’s.
Week 7 Cheapskate Running Back
Tyjae Spears $4,900, TEN vs Patriots
Tyjae Spears has sneaky DFS upside in Week 7 if the matchup and usage fall his way. In Week 6, he put up 5 carries for 31 rushing yards (6.2 yards per carry) plus 4 receptions for 19 yards, a solid dual-threat showing in limited volume.
What bolsters his appeal is how he finished 2024. In the fantasy playoff stretch, he exploded: rushing 20 times for 95 yards in Week 17, and in Weeks 15-16, he combined for multiple touchdowns while seeing significant snap share and route involvement. In that span, he ranked among the top running backs in fantasy scoring.
Meanwhile, Tony Pollard’s 2025 numbers have looked lackluster relative to expectations. He’s carried a heavy load, but his efficiency and explosiveness have lagged, and Spears provides the more dynamic option. The Titans need a jumpstart, and giving Spears more touches could be the catalyst.
Week 7 Cheapskate Wide Receivers
Luther Burden III $4,300, CHI vs Saints
As they say, one man’s testicular torsion is another man’s gain, or something like that. Luther Burden might be the cure for the Bears’ collective groin strain heading into Week 7. With DJ Moore nursing a tender lower-body situation, Burden looks ready to step in and loosen things up. His 101-yard and a touchdown explosion against Dallas showed exactly how much juice this rookie brings when given room to stretch his… never mind.
Burden’s yards-after-catch ability is explosive, his release quick, and his confidence… let’s just say it’s not lacking. He’s averaging over 16 yards per reception on the year and leads the team in targets over the middle, which could expand even more if Moore’s health drops the ball.
Matthew Golden $4,700, GB vs Bengals
Here’s what I wrote last week…
“Matthew Golden is starting to flash a legitimate DFS appeal heading into Week 6. The rookie wideout is coming off his best performance of the season, hauling in 5 catches for 58 yards in Week 4, showing both improved chemistry with Jordan Love and an ability to create after the catch. With Jayden Reed sidelined and Christian Watson still ramping up from injury, Golden has steadily earned more snaps and targets in Green Bay’s evolving offense.”
And then he dropped 82 yards, his most on the season. Somehow, the powers that be said, “drop his price $300.” Don’t overthink it, go right back to the well and bet on an ascending FIRST ROUND rookie wide receiver.
Rashid Shaheed $4,500, NO at Bears
I don’t care what anyone says, Rashid Shaheed is the best receiver on the Saints. Shaheed could be a sneaky “boom or bust” target this week, especially when matched against Chicago’s leaky aerial defense and riding momentum from Spencer Rattler’s ascent. Shaheed has totaled 26 receptions for 316 yards and 2 touchdowns through six games (12.2 yards per catch) this season. It’s not elite volume, but he brings deep speed and big-play ability.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s defense has struggled to contain passing games. Their pass-rush win rate sits around 28% (30th in the NFL), making it easier for quarterbacks to sit back and let receivers roam downfield. Compounding that mismatch: Rattler has taken a clear leap forward as a passer in 2025. In six starts, he’s completing 68.5% of his throws (139/203) for 1,217 yards, six touchdowns, and a single interception.
When you marry Rattler’s growth and Chicago’s defensive weakness with Shaheed’s speed and downfield appeal, it makes him a compelling lotto ticket in a plus matchup.
Week 7 Cheapskate Tight End
Chig Okonkwo $3,300, TEN vs Patriots
Chig Okonkwo is quietly carving out a consistent safety valve role for the Titans, and in Week 7, he could be an underappreciated DFS asset. He’s seen six targets in multiple games already, catching 6-of-6 targets for 46 yards last week against the Raiders. That kind of volume for a tight end in a modest passing offense suggests a cash game floor.
Over the season, he’s totaled 30 targets, catching 23 passes for 218 yards so far. He hasn’t yet turned that usage into touchdowns, but the target share (~16 % of team targets) and catch rate (~76%) lend him reliability in favorable matchups.
Now, there’s intrigue around a possible “one-week bump” with the firing of Brian Callahan. Interim leadership often brings schematic tweaks, and tight ends are natural beneficiaries. In a game script where the Titans may lean into safer reads or shorter passes, Okonkwo could see an uptick in looks. He’s worth a look…as a cheapskate option this week.
Week 7 Cheapskate Defense
New York Giants $2,200, NYG at Broncos
The New York Giants DST is a DFS “dart play” to watch in Week 7, especially with the shifting team dynamics under rookie QB Jaxson Dart and the defense’s punishing showing against Philadelphia. When Dart took over, it injected life into the listless corpse of the G-Men. Last week vs. the Eagles, the Giants’ defense delivered a statement: they held Philly to just 73 rushing yards. More critically, they sealed it with a game-turning interception from Cordale Flott. Clutch turnover upside is exactly what DFS managers covet.
On the other sideline, Denver’s offense has been middling through six games. They rank 25th in passing yards per game (around 206.8) while relying more on the run game to sustain drives. Their passing attack is limited in vertical explosiveness and has struggled to convert on third downs in recent weeks. Compounding it, their offensive line has durability and depth issues, which raises the risk of pressure and sack opportunities for New York. Given the matchup and the shifting team dynamics, the Giants DST offers solid value plus upside via takeaways if Denver’s passing attack continues to sputter.
For help filling out the rest of your lineup, check out the FSAN Rankings Page.
Check out Dan Mader and Chase Thornton‘s Week 7 Sit & Start & DFS Cocktail Hour video on the FSAN YouTube Channel on this week’s Operation Domination.