Let us leave our discussion of last week with the following thoughts: Arguably, the two best defenses in the NFC faced off and gave up a combined 94 points. Sometimes, studying stats and trends doesn’t matter, we are just going to see some team(s) go gonzo. If you rostered Drew Brees or Jimmy Garoppolo congrats, just know that that was not the optimal play.
The Primetime Slate:
This is going to be a tricky week, as Indy is the only team on the docket that has a questionable defense. Sunday, Buffalo and Pittsburgh lock horns. Pittsburgh has held seven of the last ten QBs to under 200 passing yards, but they have given up a few TDs to the position. Making this even a shadier play for Josh Allen, only three teams all season have topped 10 rushing yards with their QBs against Pittsburgh. The only QB to have any success on the ground was Lamar Jackson and even he did lesser than his standard numbers. If you take Jackson’s rushing stats away, the Steelers are giving up six QB rushing yards per game. This doesn’t bode well for Allen, who needs those rushing numbers to boost him from mediocre QB2 level-play to 1QB-league playability. These trends should leave him on your bench. Devlin Hodges isn’t a great play either as Buffalo has held 10 of 13 teams to one or fewer passing scores. With Jaylen Samuels dinged up, expect James Conner to get a full complement of snaps in his first game Assuming that Conner can go, he moves into strong consideration as RB2 despite any potential rust. Mainly, because most of the other options on this slate are gross. Samuels, if he plays would be RB3 or RB4. Devin Singletary also needs to be strongly considered at RB2. Pittsburgh can be beaten on the ground, and with some rough options here, pairing Devin with Alvin Kamara is probably the safest pairing. Since I don’t like either QB, odds are that I won’t like their receivers either. Pittsburgh has given up two WR scores total over their last five games. That said, over that same stretch they have given up solid statistical days to WR1s. So, John Brown could post a reasonable line and might be a WR2 option. I’ll probably still fade him, but consider using Cole Beasley at WR2. There won’t be enough passing numbers to go around to make Robert Foster or Isaiah McKenzie anything more than a Showdown Slate lottery ticket. JuJu Smith-Schuster was on target to play this week, then he left practice early on Thursday and put him back on the wrong side of questionable. If he does play, he will look across the field and see Tre’Davious White smiling back at him. This is not optimal for Smith-Schuster. Even if White doesn’t get ahold of the Steelers’ play sheet, he might make it look like he has it. Plus, James Washington and Diontae Johnson would get better matchups. Still, neither screams play me. Diontae could be a sneaky WR3 here. If JuJu doesn’t play, then Johnson becomes an even stronger option based on volume, but Washington would be shadowed by White making him even less appealing. Arizona finally figured out how to stop a TE, concuss him. Vance McDonald is not likely to be ready for this one and Nick Vannett is just a guy. It is too bad, since Buffalo has actually allowed back-to-back strong games to opposing TEs. The Steelers have struggled against upper-echelon TEs all season. Dawson Knox is on the up-and-up, but he is not upper-echelon. I’ll place him at TE3 on this slate, with a chance at TE2 status, if Jared Cook cannot play. Choose one of these two teams as your defense. I am leaning Pittsburgh.
Unlike what they showed last week, the Saints’ defense is actually talented. They are stiff against both the pass and the run. Indianapolis is short-handed in their passing game. Still, Jacoby Brissett is the QB2 on this sloppy slate. Of course, you shouldn’t have to use him, because Drew Brees is far-and-away the best choice on this docket. The Colts are actually stingy against the run, but they do give up a ton of receptions to opposing RBs. This makes me feel comfortable trotting out Alvin Kamara despite his recent struggles. Latavius Murray is not used often in the passing game, but he still should produce enough in parallel usage alongside Kamara, to stay FLEX-worthy. Raheem Mostert, Christian McCaffrey and Leonard Fournette are the only RBs to top 100 total yards against the Saints this season. Marlon Mack returned and scored last week. This week he feels TD-dependent as well. He is RB3 at best on this slate, and if Jaylen Samuels and/or James Conner are active, he may fall all the way to RB5. Considering his price, I’m likely to fade Mack, but I may consider Nyheim Hines as a cheap FLEX. Marshon Lattimore will shut down Zach Pascal leaving Marcus Johnson as the only consideration outside for the Colts’ passing game. Johnson actually had a pretty good game last week. I think you seriously have to consider using him at WR3 here. T.Y. Hilton is questionable at best, and I wouldn’t trust him unless I see him fully practice on Friday or Saturday. If he plays, he would likely have to deal with Lattimore, making him unusable anyways. The only upside would be that Pascal would get a boost in value to WR2 consideration. Michael Thomas is the obvious WR1 on the slate. Don’t get cute, just play him. Ted Ginn and Tre’Quan Smith both get some potential FLEX love, although I hate playing two WRs from the same team. I don’t have any reservations about stacking a QB-WR-TE though, so, if Jared Cook plays, I’ll use him as TE2 and possible Double-TE FLEX on this slate. Jack Doyle is actually my TE1, especially if Hilton doesn’t play. Also, if Cook doesn’t play, consider Josh Hill as a possible FLEX, and he makes a great Showdown slate play. This game should have more points, so avoid both these defenses.
The Main Slate:
Jameis Winston is the far-and-away best option this week (but he is also questionable). If he cannot go, there are several decent pivots including: Russell Wilson, Pat Mahomes, Ryan Tannehill and Deshaun Watson. One of those things is not like the others. Tannehill could be the slate-winner, if you are ballsy enough to play him instead of one of the bigger names despite the similar price tags. Tom Brady at a reduced price is a possible value play, as are both QBs in the MIA-NYG tilt. That said, if I choose to punt, it will likely be with Gardner Minshew or Kyler Murray. Winston and the other top four all will run you right around 14%. Gardner, Murray and Eli Manning will run between 11% and 11.5% if you go that route.
Christian McCaffrey should be back in play against the Seahawks. It also helps that his price has finally dipped a bit. He is still five-figures, but he is usable. That said, I don’t think I need to use him this week. There are three amazing matchups with high-dollar backs: Chris Carson, Dalvin Cook and Derrick Henry. My plan is simple, start two of them – perhaps even try to squeeze all three in. I’m most likely going to use two and then FLEX in from this list: Phillip Lindsay, James White, David Montgomery, Raheem Mostert and DeAndre Washington (my favorite assuming that Josh Jacobs doesn’t play). If Jacobs does play, then he joins the top three in RB1 consideration). If you need to save money, punt options could include: Adrian Peterson, Duke Johnson, Patrick Laird, Matt Breida and Chris Thompson. Two of the big three will run you 35% on DK and 30% on FD. Try to keep your FLEX under 10% here.
Kenny Golladay, Julian Edelman and Chris Godwin are my favorite top-dollar plays. Spending up at RB will limit me to just one of those three at WR. Edelman may be the wise choice because you can pivot to Danny Amendola, Breshad Perriman, or Justin Watson to get exposure to the other two offenses at a cheaper price at WR3. Even if I use Godwin or Golladay, I still may use the other’s mate at WR3. The other options that I like in that spot are: Dede Westbrook, Mike Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Mohamed Sanu and perhaps one of the Eagles. WR2 is harder. I will choose one of the Niners, one of the Giants, A.J. Brown, Christian Kirk or Allen Hurns. Choosing one from each of those tiers should cost you no more than 41% on DK and 35% on FD. The 41% won’t work easily, so you are probably going to be forced to use two WR3 level choices on DK putting you at roughly 33%.
Spending so much at RB, I’ll likely pay less at TE. The only high-dollar TE that I love this week anyways is Zach Ertz. David Njoku and Dallas Goedert could be cheaper pivots if you choose to spend up here. I’m just not going to be spending big here when I can get so many good options on the cheap. Tyler Higbee is woefully underpriced on DK, but his FD price is just about right. Other bargains are: Jonnu Smith, Kaden Smith, Jason Witten, Darren Fells, O.J. Howard and Ian Thomas. There are even three potential punts: Logan Thomas, Jesse James and J.P. Holtz. Try to keep your DK cost under 7% and keep FD under 10%.
I’m still squished up against it trying to fit all the required positions under the cap. This means that I need to go super cheap at defense. If money wasn’t a factor, I’d go with the Patriots. I’d even be cool with the Vikings or the Buccaneers. In reality, I’ll be choosing from the Jaguars, Bears, Lions, Chargers and Cardinals. You will be probably forced to spend around 5% on DK and 6.5% on FD, and even then, you might not fit it all in. If you cannot get even the cheapest options in, cut slightly at FLEX, or WR2.
Here are my recommended lineups.
At DK: $6.9K for Jameis Winston (or Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson). $16K for Derrick Henry and Chris Carson. $4.7K for DeAndre Washington (if Josh Jacobs doesn’t play), otherwise $5.2K for Raheem Mostert. $7.1K for Julian Edelman. Two of: Dede Westbrook, Allen Hurns, Mike Williams, Darius Slayton, Justin Watson, Breshad Perriman and Danny Amendola for a combined $8.6K or less. $3.9K for Tyler Higbee. $2.3K for the Lions’ defense (yes, against my QB).
At FD: $8.2K for Jameis Winston (or Wilson or Watson). $25.3K total for Dalvin Cook, Henry and Carson. $7.7K for Julian Edelman. $9.9K total for Watson and Amendola. $5K or less for TE (leaning Jonnu Smith, Kaden Smith, J.P. Holtz or one of the Lions). $3.8K for the Buccaneers’ defense.
At Fanball (classic – includes Sun Night): Winston (or Watson), Cook, Henry, Carson, Watson, Amendola, Slayton, Higbee, and the Bills’ defense.
At Fanball (SuperFlex – includes Sun Night): Jimmy Garoppolo, Eli Manning at SF, Henry, Carson, Chris Godwin, Slayton, Deebo Samuel, Ian Thomas, and D. Washington (or Mostert or James White) at FLEX.
At Fantasy Draft (includes Sun Night): Garoppolo, Henry, Cook, Samuel, Amendola, I. Thomas, Carson, D. Washington, and the Buccaneers’ defense.
Quarterback
| DraftKings | FanDuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | $7,100 | $8,300 |
| Russell Wilson | $7,000 | $8,100 |
| Jameis Winston | $6,900 | $8,200 |
| Deshaun Watson | $6,800 | $8,200 |
| Ryan Tannehill | $6,500 | $7,600 |
| Baker Mayfield | $6,400 | $7,700 |
| Aaron Rodgers | $6,300 | $8,000 |
| Dak Prescott | $6,300 | $7,800 |
| Carson Wentz | $6,200 | $7,700 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | $6,200 | $7,300 |
| Jared Goff | $6,100 | $7,800 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | $6,100 | $8,400 |
| Kirk Cousins | $6,000 | $7,900 |
| Mitchell Trubisky | $6,000 | $7,500 |
| Tom Brady | $6,000 | $7,600 |
| Matt Ryan | $5,900 | $7,600 |
| Matthew Stafford | $5,800 | $7,500 |
| Drew Lock | $5,700 | $7,400 |
| Daniel Jones | $5,600 | $7,300 |
| Derek Carr | $5,600 | $7,300 |
| Kyler Murray | $5,600 | $7,600 |
| Philip Rivers | $5,600 | $7,400 |
| Gardner Minshew II | $5,500 | $6,900 |
| Kyle Allen | $5,400 | $7,000 |
| David Blough | $5,300 | $7,300 |
| Eli Manning | $5,200 | $6,800 |
| Andy Dalton | $4,900 | $6,500 |
| Dwayne Haskins Jr. | $4,600 | $6,600 |
Weekly strategy – If Jameis Winston plays, I will do everything I can to fit him in my lineup. That said, I know with the RBs that I want, I may have to spend down here. That means I will probably end up using: Eli Manning, Kyler Murray or Gardner Minshew. Then comes the concern about Winston’s injury. If I can afford him, but he doesn’t play, then I could pivot to Pat Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson or even Ryan Tannehill. Know that if I use Murray, Manning or Minshew, I will stack their top WR with them.
Your Fantasy Four Pack:
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers @ DET ($6900 DK, $8200 FD)
This is the ultimate injury watch. If Jameis Winston plays, he has the highest ceiling on the slate. With nine of his last eleven games over 300 yards passing (and two over 400 yards), Winston gets to face a very burnable Detroit defense. Dwayne Haskins is the only QB that has none posted a strong game against this secondary. 350-3 with 3 INTs is always the sweet spot for Winston.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks @ CAR ($7000 DK, $8100 FD)
Carolina has allowed six of their last nine opponents to throw for more than 300 yards. They haven’t allowed as many passing TDs, because teams just run the ball in against them with zero opposition. Wilson may be in play as a vulture for some rushing yards and possible scores, especially if Chris Carson’s fumblitis returns.
Pat Mahomes, Chiefs vs. DEN ($7100 DK, $8300 FD)
Denver’s defense has quietly fallen on hard times. Over their last four games, they have given up ten total TDs to opposing quarterbacks. Pat Mahomes’ numbers have been pedestrian since returning from injury, but at home versus a tilting secondary, he should be locked in for 300-3.
Deshaun Watson, Texans @ TEN ($6800 DK, $8200 FD)
Even when Deshaun Watson has a bad game, he still finishes out with a good fantasy line. He has especially fared well against Tennessee. In three career meetings, Watson has 803 passing yards, 138 rushing yards, and ten total TDs. Those numbers make him a great pivot play if Winston is unable to go. I’d feel even better if Will Fuller is able to go. If not feel free to stack Watson with DeAndre Hopkins, Kenny Stills and/or Darren Fells.
Sleepers:
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars @ OAK ($5500 DK, $6900 FD)
When two rotten defenses face off, points can come in bunches. Gardner Minshew didn’t set the world on fire last week, but he was facing an elite pass defense. This week he faces a putrid pass defense. In fact, they are so bad, I feel dirty using the word “Defense”. If you ignore Ryan Finley’s ugly Week 11 performance in a windstorm, Oakland has allowed 27 total QB touchdowns over their other nine most recent games. At this price, Minshew is a great GPP play, and he makes an even better pair in SuperFlex.
Eli Manning, Giants vs. MIA ($5200 DK, $6800 FD)
This shapes as another game featuring two horrible defenses. Eli Manning looked spry last week, let us see if the veteran can continue to lobby for another contract next season. Only twice this year has Miami not allowed multiple passing TDs, and six different times they allowed three or more total QB scores. Eli has a safe floor of 250-2, but he could easily exceed that number if this turns into a battle of who is worse in coverage.
Running Back
| DraftKings | FanDuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | $10,000 | $10,400 |
| Dalvin Cook | $8,900 | $8,500 |
| Derrick Henry | $8,500 | $9,400 |
| Nick Chubb | $7,900 | $8,000 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | $7,800 | $8,500 |
| Saquon Barkley | $7,700 | $8,300 |
| Leonard Fournette | $7,600 | $7,700 |
| Chris Carson | $7,500 | $7,400 |
| Aaron Jones | $7,300 | $7,800 |
| Josh Jacobs | $7,000 | $7,700 |
| Austin Ekeler | $6,700 | $7,200 |
| Melvin Gordon III | $6,500 | $7,400 |
| Kareem Hunt | $6,300 | $6,700 |
| Joe Mixon | $6,100 | $6,700 |
| Todd Gurley II | $6,000 | $7,600 |
| Miles Sanders | $5,900 | $6,800 |
| Devonta Freeman | $5,800 | $6,100 |
| Phillip Lindsay | $5,600 | $6,400 |
| David Montgomery | $5,500 | $6,400 |
| James White | $5,400 | $6,800 |
| Raheem Mostert | $5,200 | $7,500 |
| Sony Michel | $5,100 | $6,100 |
| Kenyan Drake | $5,000 | $6,200 |
| Jordan Howard | $4,900 | $6,900 |
| Damien Williams | $4,800 | $6,000 |
| Tarik Cohen | $4,800 | $5,700 |
| DeAndre Washington | $4,700 | $6,300 |
| Ronald Jones II | $4,600 | $5,800 |
| Carlos Hyde | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| David Johnson | $4,500 | $5,400 |
| Patrick Laird | $4,500 | $5,500 |
| Adrian Peterson | $4,400 | $6,300 |
| LeSean McCoy | $4,400 | $6,100 |
| Peyton Barber | $4,400 | $5,700 |
| Jamaal Williams | $4,200 | $5,400 |
| Malcolm Brown | $4,200 | $4,900 |
| Darwin Thompson | $4,100 | $5,400 |
| Duke Johnson | $4,100 | $5,700 |
| Matt Breida | $4,100 | $5,600 |
| Bo Scarbrough | $4,000 | $5,900 |
| Royce Freeman | $4,000 | $5,300 |
| Tevin Coleman | $4,000 | $5,200 |
| Chris Thompson | $3,900 | $5,200 |
| J.D. McKissic | $3,300 | $4,900 |
| Ty Johnson | $3,000 | $4,900 |
Weekly strategy – There are three obvious plays this week: Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry and Chris Carson. I will do everything I can to get two (if not all three of them) into my lineup card. In addition, if Josh Jacobs returns, he becomes a stud play too. If Jacobs doesn’t play, then DeAndre Washington makes the obvious cheaper alternative at FLEX. In reality, I will have some combo of these five players. The only other players that I will likely have any exposure to are: Phillip Lindsay, James White and Raheem Mostert. If you are desperate to save money consider one of the Redskins’ backs, Patrick Laird or Duke Johnson.
Your Fantasy Four Pack:
Dalvin Cook, Vikings @ LAC ($8900 DK, $8500 FD)
The Chargers aren’t awful against opposing RBs carrying the ball. What they have serious problems with, is stopping opposing RBs through the air. In six of their last eight games, Los Angeles has given up seven or more running back receptions. Dalvin Cook is already Christian McCaffrey-Lite when it comes to pass-catching skills. Against this defense, double-digit receptions are definitely in play, and any rushing yards and scores are just gravy.
Chris Carson, Seahawks @ CAR ($7500 DK, $7400 FD)
Carolina has given up an unbelievable 19 total RB scores over the last 8 games. Five of those have come just in the last two weeks. They’ve also given up 427 total yards to opposing backs over the last two. Chris Carson has no more Rashaad Penny looking over his shoulder. The only threat to Carson not posting a floor of 150-2, is the looming Russell Wilson vulture.
Derrick Henry, Titans vs. HOU ($8500 DK, $9400 FD)
Derrick Henry is nursing a minor hamstring injury which has me slightly concerned. That said, he has come out and declared himself ready to go for this weekend. With nine scores over his last five games, Henry needs to be in any lineup. I hope that the injury actually depresses his ownership numbers some. In their last four games, Houston has given up 781 total yards and eight total scores to opposing RBs. If Henry sits out, Dion Lewis could be fantasy gold at a very bargain basement price.
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. SEA ($10000 DK, $10400 FD)
Christian McCaffrey is always a good play no matter the matchup. Seattle has allowed six different teams to notch seven or more RB receptions, and four different teams have recorded multiple rushing TDs against them. McCaffrey should be active on the ground and through the air, and as usual he should approach 30 DFS points.
Sleepers:
DeAndre Washington, Raiders vs. JAX ($4700 DK, $6300 FD)
This comes down to whether Josh Jacobs plays. If Jacobs plays, he is a top-5 option this week. If Jacobs sits, DeAndre Washington gets to abuse the Jokes-on-ville run defense. Over their last five games, opposing RBs are averaging 229 total yards and two total TDs against these fixed house cats. My Siamese is fiercer at attacking my feet at night than Jacksonville is at stopping the run.
Raheem Mostert, Niners vs. ATL ($5200 DK, $7500 FD)
Raheem Mostert got the dreaded “he has earned it” vote of confidence from Kyle Shanahan. I hope this doesn’t mean Shanahanigans are in play. Raheem Mostert gets a great matchup with Atlanta this week, but also know this is a revenge game for Tevin Coleman. In Mostert’s defense, Coleman has done zip and pip the last two weeks, so the revenge game factor is the only thing working in his favor. Matt Breida could also eat into Mostert’s looks, but it ultimately comes down to who gets the targets this week. Atlanta has given up double-digit RB receptions in three of their last five games.
Wide Receiver
| DraftKings | FanDuel | |
|---|---|---|
| DeAndre Hopkins | $8,000 | $8,600 |
| Chris Godwin | $7,700 | $8,400 |
| Davante Adams | $7,600 | $7,800 |
| Tyreek Hill | $7,500 | $7,900 |
| Stefon Diggs | $7,300 | $7,700 |
| Kenny Golladay | $7,200 | $7,900 |
| Julian Edelman | $7,100 | $7,700 |
| Julio Jones | $7,000 | $7,500 |
| Tyler Lockett | $6,900 | $6,900 |
| Allen Robinson II | $6,800 | $8,000 |
| Jarvis Landry | $6,700 | $7,400 |
| DJ Moore | $6,600 | $6,900 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | $6,600 | $6,900 |
| Amari Cooper | $6,500 | $7,700 |
| Cooper Kupp | $6,500 | $7,600 |
| DeVante Parker | $6,400 | $6,900 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | $6,400 | $7,200 |
| Adam Thielen | $6,300 | $7,300 |
| Keenan Allen | $6,300 | $6,800 |
| DJ Chark Jr. | $6,200 | $6,300 |
| Robert Woods | $6,200 | $7,500 |
| DK Metcalf | $6,100 | $6,300 |
| A.J. Brown | $6,000 | $6,200 |
| Courtland Sutton | $5,900 | $7,000 |
| Golden Tate | $5,900 | $6,300 |
| A.J. Green | $5,800 | $6,600 |
| Deebo Samuel | $5,800 | $6,500 |
| Michael Gallup | $5,700 | $6,800 |
| Will Fuller V | $5,600 | $6,600 |
| Christian Kirk | $5,500 | $6,100 |
| Tyler Boyd | $5,500 | $6,300 |
| Sterling Shepard | $5,400 | $5,900 |
| Terry McLaurin | $5,300 | $6,000 |
| Anthony Miller | $5,100 | $6,300 |
| Russell Gage | $5,000 | $5,400 |
| Sammy Watkins | $4,900 | $5,400 |
| Tyrell Williams | $4,800 | $5,600 |
| Allen Hurns | $4,700 | $5,800 |
| Darius Slayton | $4,700 | $6,300 |
| Dede Westbrook | $4,600 | $6,000 |
| Mike Williams | $4,600 | $6,200 |
| Brandin Cooks | $4,500 | $6,300 |
| Breshad Perriman | $4,500 | $6,400 |
| Curtis Samuel | $4,400 | $5,600 |
| Randall Cobb | $4,400 | $5,400 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | $4,300 | $5,700 |
| Mohamed Sanu | $4,300 | $5,800 |
| Taylor Gabriel | $4,200 | $5,400 |
| Danny Amendola | $4,100 | $5,400 |
| Kenny Stills | $4,100 | $5,000 |
| Hunter Renfrow | $4,000 | $5,500 |
| Kendrick Bourne | $4,000 | $5,400 |
| Mecole Hardman | $4,000 | $5,600 |
| Nelson Agholor | $4,000 | $5,200 |
| John Ross III | $3,900 | $4,900 |
| Paul Richardson Jr. | $3,900 | $5,000 |
| Allen Lazard | $3,800 | $5,300 |
| Corey Davis | $3,800 | $5,000 |
| Olabisi Johnson | $3,800 | $5,200 |
| Adam Humphries | $3,700 | $5,400 |
| Josh Gordon | $3,700 | $4,800 |
| Justin Watson | $3,700 | $4,500 |
| Phillip Dorsett II | $3,700 | $5,200 |
| Albert Wilson | $3,500 | $4,600 |
| N’Keal Harry | $3,500 | $5,300 |
| Geronimo Allison | $3,400 | $4,600 |
| Keke Coutee | $3,400 | $5,400 |
| Jakobi Meyers | $3,300 | $5,100 |
| JJ Arcega-Whiteside | $3,300 | $5,500 |
| Greg Ward | $3,000 | $4,900 |
Weekly strategy – Chris Godwin could be in a big-money spot if Jameis Winston can suit up. Still, you have to worry a bit about Jameis’ injury and the presence of Darius Slay. I might get access to this game with Breshad Perriman or Justin Watson instead. They both make great WR3 options. I also could run it back with Kenny Golladay or Danny Amendola. The other big-dollar player I will have a lot of shares of is, Julian Edelman. Edelman paired with Watson and Amendola gets me maximum exposure and saves me money too. That will be my favorite threesome. The only other WR1 options I will consider are Emmanuel Sanders or Davante Parker (if he plays). If I roster Gardner Minshew or Eli Manning, I would likely pair them with D.J. Chark (if he plays), Dede Westbrook, Darius Slayton or Golden Tate at WR2. You can also possibly save some money using one of the backup Dolphins, one of the Cardinals, or one of the Texans backups in the WR3 range.
Your Fantasy Four Pack:
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers @ DET ($7700 DK, $8400 FD)
Will Darius Slay be able to slow down Chris Godwin. Not having Mike Evans, may make this point moot. Godwin could be targeted 20 times this week, and based on volume alone he has the highest ceiling of any player this week. Of course, this all assumes that Jameis Winston plays. Considering his price, Godwin may be too expensive for me. At worst, I’ll take a flyer on Justin Watson or Breshad Perriman.
Kenny Golladay, Lions vs. TB ($7200 DK, $7900 FD)
David Blough is not a good QB. That said, he does have enough brains to know to throw the ball up to freakish WR, Kenny Golladay. Blough has connected with Golladay for TDs in back-to-back games. He is a lock to score again here against a Tampa defense that has been destroyed by larger WR1s all season. If you are really feeling ballsy consider stacking these two.
DeAndre Hopkins, Texans @ TEN ($8000 DK, $8600 FD)
DeAndre Hopkins did, what I said he would last week…burn Chris Harris. With Will Fuller out, Hopkins was the primary target of Deshaun Watson and he notched his seventh receiving TD. Fuller is questionable at best for this week, leaving Hopkins as a great option once again. Hopkins has seven career TDs against Tennessee over twelve games. Plus, he is averaging just under 100 yards per game against them.
Julian Edelman, Patriots @ CIN ($7100 DK, $7700 FD)
Tom Brady really only trusts Julian Edelman and James White in the passing game. Those two have nearly as many targets this year as the rest of the team combined. Edelman should be able to post another double-digit target, nearly double-digit reception game against a Bengals’ team that has struggled all year with inside receivers.
Sleepers:
Danny Amendola, Lions vs. TB ($4100 DK, $5400 FD)
Am I seriously recommending two David Blough pass-catchers??? Yes, Yes, I am. Tampa is that bad against the pass. Plus, they have been even worse against secondary receivers, than they have against WR1s. Nine of the last ten WR2s to face Tampa have scored TDs against them. Danny Amendola leads Detroit in targets over the last two weeks, and with no Marvin Jones, that number can only go up. The Blough-Golladay-Amendola triple stack could win a GPP.
Dede Westbrook, Jaguars @ OAK ($4600 DK, $6000 FD)
Dede Westbrook’s value this week is tied to whether D.J. Chark plays. Dede will be a top-10 WR (if Chark is out), or a top-20 WR (if Chark is in). Either way, he belongs in your lineup against an Oakland defense that is lacking in talent in the secondary. Westbrook has been bothered a bit by a shoulder injury, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a garbage time hero with Uncle Rico back at QB.
Tight End
| DraftKings | FanDuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | $6,500 | $7,300 |
| George Kittle | $6,200 | $7,200 |
| Zach Ertz | $6,000 | $6,700 |
| Darren Waller | $5,500 | $6,200 |
| Hunter Henry | $5,200 | $6,400 |
| Austin Hooper | $5,000 | $6,200 |
| Evan Engram | $4,900 | $6,400 |
| Dallas Goedert | $4,300 | $5,700 |
| David Njoku | $4,200 | $5,500 |
| Noah Fant | $4,100 | $5,700 |
| Gerald Everett | $4,000 | $5,800 |
| Mike Gesicki | $4,000 | $5,200 |
| Greg Olsen | $3,900 | $4,900 |
| Tyler Higbee | $3,900 | $5,700 |
| Jacob Hollister | $3,800 | $5,700 |
| Kyle Rudolph | $3,800 | $4,700 |
| Jason Witten | $3,700 | $5,600 |
| Jimmy Graham | $3,600 | $5,400 |
| Kaden Smith | $3,600 | $4,700 |
| Jonnu Smith | $3,500 | $4,900 |
| O.J. Howard | $3,500 | $5,700 |
| Cameron Brate | $3,400 | $5,200 |
| Darren Fells | $3,200 | $4,700 |
| Ian Thomas | $3,100 | $5,300 |
| Tyler Eifert | $2,800 | $4,500 |
| Anthony Firkser | $2,700 | $5,000 |
| Logan Thomas | $2,600 | $4,700 |
| J.P. Holtz | $2,500 | $4,800 |
| Jesse James | $2,500 | $4,300 |
Weekly strategy – I really can’t afford to spend much here this week. Zach Ertz is the only expensive guy I like anyways. I love the idea of riding the hot hand in Tyler Higbee, but while his DK price is nice, his FD price may be more than I can afford. I will likely go dumpster diving for one of: Jonnu Smith, Kaden Smith, Darren Fells, Ian Thomas, one of the Lions or J.P. Holtz.
Your Fantasy Four Pack:
Zach Ertz, Eagles @ WAS ($6000 DK, $6700 FD)
Zach Ertz is the WR1 right now for Philadelphia. Last week, they were literally down to their last actual WR being healthy – AAF castoff Greg Ward. J.J. Ar”theee”ga-Whiteside may return this week, but Carson Wentz has zero faith in him to catch a pass. Ertz has nine or more catches and 90 or more yards in four of his last five games. He also has four TDs over that stretch. Meanwhile, Washington is back to their old ways of ignoring the TE position. Over their last four games, the Redskins have allowed a total of 21-272-4 to the position.
Darren Waller, Raiders vs. JAX ($5500 DK, $6200 FD)
Only two teams have given up more TE touchdowns than Jacksonville. This includes a pair last week versus the Chargers. Darren Waller no longer has Foster Moreau to steal his end zone looks. Waller’s numbers have been huge since Hunter Renfrow went down to injury. If Renfrow returns, it might ding Waller’s number slightly, but his price is still nice.
George Kittle, Niners vs. ATL ($6200 DK, $7200 FD)
Seven times this season Atlanta has allowed opposing TEs to top the 50-yard receiving mark. This includes 10-155-1 over the last two weeks. George Kittle channeled his inner Juggernaut last week and willed the Niners to a victory. This isn’t a bad matchup, I’m mainly afraid that he will be over-owned coming off that sick run. Plus, Atlanta can be beaten so many other ways too.
Tyler Higbee, Rams @ DAL ($3900 DK, $5700 FD)
Tyler Higbee has turned into in-his-prime Antonio Gates over the last couple weeks without Gerald Everett. Higbee has averaged 7-112 the last two weeks, and he scored in Week 13. Dallas has been destroyed by every quality TE they have faced this year. Of course, they even gave up 7-92 to the unholy duo of J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted last week. At DK, you can’t fade him at this price. The FD price is a little more appropriate, but still a deal.
Sleepers:
David Njoku, Browns @ ARI ($4200 DK, $5500 FD)
David Njoku gets the Arizona Free Space this week. Last week, Arizona finally figured out how to shut down an opposing TE…concuss him. As a Njoku dynasty league owner, I hope he can avoid a concussion this week. If he manages to accomplish this 5-50-1 is a lock.
Ian Thomas, Panthers vs. SEA ($3100 DK, $5300 FD)
Seattle is channeling their inner-Cardinals having given up 33-303-2 to opposing TEs over the last three weeks. With this recent run of futility, the Seahawks are up to seven games with seven or more receptions by opposing TEs on the year. Ian Thomas stepped in for Greg Olsen last week and posted a very strong 5-57-1. I expect a bigger line here.