Tag: DFS daily fantasy football picks best bets sleeper and bargain plays

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 1

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 1 DFS fantasy football

Welcome back to another season of DFS Domination. For the new readers, we rank all of the realistic plays for the Main Slate Millionaire contests on DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD). We also offer a breakdown of suggested plays for the Primetime Slate. Our charts are color-ranked. Players in RED will struggle to reach 2.5x value. Players in BLACK will likely achieve 2.5x value but are not guaranteed additional success. Players in GREEN are likely to exceed 3x value.

I also provide the top four scorers at each position regardless of salary and a pair of discount sleepers at each position. Plus, you can find my favorite lineups for DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanball (FB).

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

Tom Brady (QB2) looked gaunt at a recent press conference. Perhaps age is finally turning the page on his career. I’m more concerned about his season-long well-being playing behind an offensive line filled out with third-stringers.

Dak Prescott (QB3) is probably the best option here as his ownership will be the lowest among the three playable options. Tampa Bay’s defense is no joke, but I prefer Dallas’ ability to throw against them much more than to run against the Bucs.

Despite their offensive line woes, Leonard Fournette (RB2) is a solid play this week. Lenny’s top backup is now an unproven rookie whose best attribute (receiving) is one that Fournette is also very good at. I will not be using Rachaad White (RB7) outside of Showdown contests until we see his actual usage.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB4) is not recommended this week. He will have a resurgence this year, just not this week. Tampa is elite up the middle against the run. This means ignoring Tony Pollard (RB6) as well. Of course, if I need to roster a third RB this week, Pollard’s price might put him in play.

Mike Evans (WR1) is the strongest play this week. Dallas has ballhawks in their secondary, but they also often overplay the ball. Chris Godwin (WR6) will be an OK play in a pass-heavy offense if he is cleared to go (still a big if). Julio Jones (WR7) will finish as high as WR4 if Godwin doesn’t play. Either way, he makes a nice WR3/flex play this week. Provided his hamstring allows him to play, Russell Gage (WR8) will also see a boost if Godwin misses the game. I like him as the third leg in a Brady-Evans triple stack.

CeeDee Lamb (WR2) was underwhelming last season when left to fend for himself. His supporting cast is even more suspect this year. So, unless you are playing Dak, fade him here. Jalen Tolbert (WR10) looked mediocre this preseason, but he will need to provide an immediate impact with Michael Gallup (knee) out. With no other options, Tolbert could be a sneaky play these first few weeks. Noah Brown (WR12) has experience with Dak, but don’t play him outside of Showdown contests.

Cameron Brate (TE3) and Kyle Rudolph (TE5) are looking to replace Rob Gronkowski’s production. Both are red-zone threats. If Godwin is out, Brate will definitely score.

Dalton Schultz (TE1) is the best option on this slate. Dak will need to establish an Option B in the passing game and Schultz will be it.

Monday Night

It will be an immediate revenge game for Russell Wilson (QB1). Against the weakest defense on the slate (including multiple injuries in their secondary), Wilson should lead the slate. Of course, the game script could minimize Wilson’s pass attempts in the second half.

With a strong defense facing Geno Smith (QB4), this will get ugly. The only reason to consider him here is as a pure punt play or as part of a run-it-back stack in superflex contests.

The two-headed Broncos’ backfield is back. Fortunately, Melvin Gordon (RB5) admits that he is the backup now. Javonte Williams (RB1) will move the ball at will against this defense. An early lead should provide both backs enough touches to be fantasy-relevant. The only way Williams fails to be the top back this week is if Denver decides to use them in a true 50-50 split. Neither back was a huge pass-catcher last year, but Seattle was abysmal against that role. Don’t be surprised if Williams hauls in five+ passes.

With Kenneth Walker III (groin) doubtful to play, Rashaad Penny (RB3) will need to pick up where he left off last season as the primary ball carrier for this run-first offense. Based on volume alone, you should consider him for RB2/flex. Travis Homer (RB8) could be considered in Showdown contests only.

We still do not know if Jerry Jeudy (WR4) or Courtland Sutton (WR3) will be Russell Wilson’s favorite receiver this season. I’m starting the year with my money on Sutton (the bigger body) being Option A, but they should both be viable as WR2 this week. KJ Hamler (WR11) could be a sneaky WR3/flex option here as his speed could translate into the Tyler Lockett role if he is fully recovered from his 2021 ACL injury.

If DK Metcalf (WR5) wasn’t DK Metcalf, he would barely have a pulse this week. Denver has a strong defensive backfield, which will frustrate Metcalf nearly as much as Geno’s lame duck throws will. Still, DK is a physical freak and by sheer volume, I expect he will sneak in a score. Tyler Lockett (WR9) is even less likely to make an impact this week. I want no part of him until Drew Lock takes over at QB. Dee Eskridge (WR13) can be used in Showdown contests only.

Injuries to rookie Greg Dulcich secure that Albert Okwuegbunam (TE2) will be the primary pass-catching TE to start the year. Seattle is solid at safety, but I still like Big Albert here on the small slate, especially if you use a double-TE lineup.

Noah Fant (TE4) also gets a revenge game right away. Unfortunately, he has not been in rhythm with Smith this preseason. It has been so bad that he is listed as the TE 1b behind Will Dissly (TE6) as 1a on the official depth chart. The Seahawks will use a lot of two-TE sets this season, and Smith will be forced to check down often making one playable. My money is on Fant since he has more natural talent.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

At DK: $5.5k for Matt Ryan. $5.2k for Chase Edmonds. $7.6k for Alvin Kamara. $5.9k for Amari Cooper. $5.5k for Michael Pittman.$5.2k for JuJu Smith-Schuster. $4.9k for T.J. Hockenson. $6.8k for D’Andre Swift at flex. $3.4k for the Carolina Panthers defense.

At FD: $6.9k for Ryan. $8.5k for Kamara. $7.6k for D’Andre Swift. $6.8k for Antonio Gibson at flex. $7.2k for Pittman. $6.6k for Mike Williams. $6.4k for Smith-Schuster. $5.3k for Pat Freiermuth. $4.7k for the Carolina Panthers defense.

At Fanball (double-flex – includes Sunday night): Jared Goff, Kamara, and Edmonds, Gibson at flex, Christian McCaffrey at second flex. Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn, DJ Chark, and Hayden Hurst.

Quarterbacks DraftKings FanDuel
Patrick Mahomes $7,700 $8,700
Justin Herbert $7,600 $8,400
Lamar Jackson $7,300 $8,500
Kyler Murray $7,200 $8,200
Aaron Rodgers $7,000 $7,800
Jalen Hurts $6,800 $8,000
Joe Burrow $6,400 $7,700
Kirk Cousins $6,100 $7,300
Trey Lance $6,000 $7,500
Derek Carr $5,900 $7,400
Ryan Tannehill $5,700 $7,100
Tua Tagovailoa $5,700 $7,000
Justin Fields $5,600 $6,900
Trevor Lawrence $5,600 $7,000
Carson Wentz $5,500 $6,800
Matt Ryan $5,500 $6,900
Jared Goff $5,400 $6,800
Mac Jones $5,400 $6,600
Baker Mayfield $5,300 $6,600
Davis Mills $5,300 $6,500
Jameis Winston $5,300 $6,700
Jacoby Brissett $5,200 $6,300
Marcus Mariota $5,200 $6,500
Daniel Jones $5,000 $7,100
Mitch Trubisky $5,000 $6,400
Joe Flacco $4,800 $6,200

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – There are two high-scoring matchups right away as Justin Herbert faces Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes faces Kyler Murray. Also consider Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts as run-based alternatives. Still, I suggest going cheap this week with Matt Ryan, Jared Goff, Jameis Winston, or Davis Mills.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. LVR
($7,600 DK, $8,400 FD)
This contest features a revenge game narrative for Herbert and the Chargers coming off being knocked out of the playoffs last year by Vegas. Plus, this game has the second-highest combined points so expect a shootout. Herbert has faced Vegas four times in his career averaging 311 yards and 2.75 TD per game. 300-3 sounds right here. Roll out the Herbert-Mike Williams stack this week.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ NYJ ($7,300 DK, $8,500 FD) Jackson will likely be without his top RB this week. This means he will do even more running than usual. From a DFS standpoint, that is like manna from heaven. Feel free to stack Jackson with both Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ ARI
($7,700 DK, $8,700 FD) OK, we finally get to see a KC offense without Tyreek Hill. Mahomes still has myriad weapons to throw to, and I love both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster this week as Arizona can be beaten on the outside. This game has the highest projected points and will be a shootout. This sets up for a nice roll-it-back lineup with Marquise Brown included, too.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. KC
($7,200 DK, $8,200 FD) Murray also will be without his top weapon from last season. Fortunately, the Cardinals acquired Marquise Brown to fill in for him. KC has completely retooled its secondary this offseason. The newcomers are young and talented, but they may not be ready to face an Arizona Air Raid offense. Bump up Murray’s projections if Zach Ertz is cleared to play; otherwise, expect 280-3.

DFS Sleepers

Matt Ryan, Colts @ HOU
($5,500 DK, $6,900 FD) Houston is young and improving, but they aren’t there yet. After last season’s shorthanded WR room in Atlanta, Ryan should be licking his chops to have Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Parris Campbell to throw at. Ryan’s price makes him a great value option, especially paired with the equally discounted Pittman.

Jared Goff, Lions vs. PHI
($5,400 DK, $6,800 FD)
Motownphilly is back again this week. Last year, Goff’s final line against Philly was more boy than man. In his defense, his WR room had three total catches. His top three receiving options were a TE, his starting RB, and another RB who is out of the league. This year, he has Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds, and Quintez Cephus to choose from — plus all of his auxiliary tools. Give him the manly 250-2 here on the discount.

Running backs DraftKings FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor $9,100 $10,200
Derrick Henry $8,600 $9,700
Christian McCaffrey $8,500 $9,500
Austin Ekeler $8,200 $9,400
Dalvin Cook
 $7,900 $8,400
Alvin Kamara $7,600 $8,500
Joe Mixon $7,100 $8,300
James Conner $7,000 $7,700
D’Andre Swift $6,800 $7,600
Aaron Jones $6,700 $7,400
Nick Chubb $6,500 $7,800
Najee Harris $6,400 $8,200
Josh Jacobs $6,300 $7,000
Saquon Barkley $6,100 $6,800
David Montgomery $6,000 $6,600
Antonio Gibson $5,800 $6,800
Cordarrelle Patterson $5,800 $6,600
Damien Harris $5,700 $6,300
Kareem Hunt $5,700 $6,300
J.K. Dobbins $5,600 $6,900
James Robinson $5,600 $6,200
Travis Etienne $5,600 $6,200
Breece Hall $5,500 $6,400
Rhamondre Stevenson $5,500 $5,600
Clyde Edwards-Helaire $5,400 $5,800
Eli Mitchell $5,400 $6,700
Miles Sanders $5,400 $6,500
AJ Dillon $5,300 $6,100
Chase Edmonds $5,200 $5,800
Jamaal Williams $5,200 $5,700
Ronald Jones $5,200 $5,500
J.D. McKissic $5,100 $5,200
Jeff Wilson $5,100 $5,500
Michael Carter $5,100 $5,200
Nyheim Hines $5,100 $5,400
Kenyan Drake $5,000 $5,700
Rex Burkhead $4,900 $5,100
Dameon Pierce $4,800 $5,400
Zamir White $4,700 $4,900
Kenneth Gainwell $4,600 $5,300
Boston Scott $4,500 $4,900
Myles Gaskin $4,500 $4,900
Tyler Allgeier $4,500 $4,800
Mike Davis $4,400 $5,600
Eno Benjamin $4,200 $4,900
Jerick McKinnon $4,200 $5,200

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Each of the top-six priced options on both sites would make a great RB1 this week. The issue is fitting two of them under the cap. If I had to choose from among them, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara would be my first two picks. D’Andre Swift and Antonio Gibson would be my less expensive pivots. You could even pair two of that foursome. Even cheaper yet are likely lead options Chase Edmonds and Dameon Pierce. Just know that Pierce is going to have ridiculous ownership numbers, so you may want to fade him. If you want to punt RB2 without using Pierce, consider using Nyheim Hines or Kenyan Drake.

Fantasy Four-pack

Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ HOU
($9,100 DK, $10,200 FD)
Houston allowed the second-most rushing yards last year, including 288 to Taylor. Jonathan also added four rushing TDs in those two games. In those games, Taylor did nothing through the air. If he even catches a pittance of passes here, he is a lock for 3x (even with that high FD price).

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. CLE
($8,500 DK, $9,500 FD) Both DFS sites have McCaffrey priced below $10k. You will not get this discount all season. You may not even get this discount next week. Use it while you can. Cleveland is decent against the run, but CMC will do enough across the board to be a top-five overall scorer this week.

Alvin Kamara, Saints @ ATL
($7,600 DK, $8,500 FD) Atlanta’s defense is better against the pass than the run. It won’t matter here because Kamara will beat them both ways. Anything short of 150 combo yards and a score would be disappointing. In fact, the only way he doesn’t reach that figure is if he is suspended over the weekend.

Derrick Henry, Titans vs. NYG
($8,600 DK, $9,700 FD) The Giants improved their defense this offseason. Unfortunately, they still will have no answer for King Henry. Tennessee is devoid of receiving talent coming into this season, so they will have to lean even more than ever on their hoss RB. We may even see Henry pick up where he left off last season by developing into a semi-functioning pass-catcher, too.

DFS Sleepers

Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. JAX
($5,800 DK, $6,800 FD) You need to feel bad for Brian Robinson. Now, Washington will be forced to feed Gibson the ball. Despite being dissed by his coaching staff this preseason, he actually proved over the last couple of seasons that he is an incredibly talented RB. Jacksonville broke the bank to shore up their offense this offseason, but that defensive front is very young and unproven at this level. If J.D. McKissic (groin) is limited this week, bump Gibson’s value up even more.

Chase Edmonds, Dolphins vs. NE
($5,200 DK, $5,800 FD)
The release of Sony Michel left Edmonds as the early-down favorite in Miami. There are many weapons in this offense this year, but you know that Bill Belichick will be plotting to shut down both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. This should leave Edmonds free to overachieve this week. This time next week, his salary will be much higher.

Wide receivers DraftKings FanDuel
Davante Adams $8,100 $8,500
Justin Jefferson $7,800 $8,100
Deebo Samuel $7,400 $8,400
Ja’Marr Chase $7,100 $8,200
Keenan Allen $7,000 $7,400
Tyreek Hill $6,800 $7,700
Mike Williams $6,600 $6,600
Terry McLaurin $6,500 $7,000
A.J. Brown $6,400 $7,100
Jaylen Waddle $6,400 $6,800
Brandin Cooks $6,300 $6,600
Marquise Brown $6,200 $6,900
Amon-Ra St. Brown $6,100 $6,500
Tee Higgins $6,100 $7,000
Diontae Johnson $6,000 $6,700
DJ Moore $6,000 $6,400
Amari Cooper $5,900 $6,300
Hunter Renfrow $5,800 $5,900
Darnell Mooney $5,700 $6,200
Michael Thomas $5,700 $6,200
Allen Lazard $5,600 $6,500
Robert Woods $5,600 $5,600
DeVonta Smith $5,500 $6,100
Michael Pittman $5,500 $7,200
Adam Thielen $5,400 $6,100
Rashod Bateman $5,300 $6,100
Brandon Aiyuk $5,200 $5,600
JuJu Smith-Schuster $5,100 $6,400
Christian Kirk $5,100 $5,800
Christian Watson $5,100 $5,200
Elijah Moore $5,100 $6,000
Chase Claypool $5,000 $5,800
Drake London $5,000 $5,500
Jarvis Landry $5,000 $5,700
Treylon Burks $5,000 $5,900
Corey Davis $4,900 $5,400
K.J. Osborn $4,900 $5,200
Sterling Shepard $4,900 $5,500
DeVante Parker $4,800 $5,700
DJ Chark $4,800 $5,300
Kenny Golladay $4,800 $5,600
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,800 $5,100
Robbie Anderson $4,800 $5,300
Tyler Boyd $4,800 $5,700
Garrett Wilson $4,700 $5,300
Marquez Valdes-Scantling $4,700 $5,500
Sammy Watkins $4,700 $5,500
A.J. Green $4,600 $5,700
Mecole Hardman $4,600 $5,400
Chris Olave $4,500 $5,000
Byron Pringle $4,400 $5,300
Donovan Peoples-Jones $4,400 $5,400
Marvin Jones $4,400 $5,000
Jakobi Meyers $4,300 $5,500
Bryan Edwards $4,200 $5,100
Curtis Samuel $4,200 $5,100
Darius Slayton $4,200 $5,100
Kendrick Bourne $4,200 $5,100
Nico Collins $4,200 $5,200
George Pickens $4,100 $5,200
Kadarius Toney $4,100 $5,300
Zay Jones $4,100 $5,100
Olamide Zaccheaus $4,000 $5,000
Rondale Moore $4,000 $5,500
Alec Pierce $3,900 $4,900
Cedrick Wilson $3,900 $5,100
Devin Duvernay $3,800 $5,000
Joshua Palmer $3,800 $4,900
Skyy Moore $3,800 $4,600
David Bell $3,600 $5,000
Jahan Dotson $3,400 $4,900
Nelson Agholor $3,400 $4,900
Quez Watkins $3,400 $5,200
Randall Cobb $3,400 $5,100
Parris Campbell $3,300 $5,200
Quintez Cephus $3,000 $4,800
Romeo Doubs $3,000 $5,000

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Davante Adams gets to show off his connection with Derek Carr immediately. He and Justin Jefferson are the two best options up top. Either Chargers wide receiver would be a slightly cheaper pivot (I prefer Mike Williams). Also, consider going cheaper this week with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquise Brown, or volume options like Amari Cooper, Darnell Mooney, Michael Pittman, and Rashod Bateman at WR1 and WR2. I also like Allen Lazard (ankle) in this range, if he gets a clean bill of health. The WR corps of Jacksonville, Detroit, and whoever suits up for the New York Giants each make WR3 sense based on their opponents. Still, my top punt options this week are K.J. Osborn, Sammy Watkins, Nico Collins, and the depth WRs for Arizona.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. GB
($7,800 DK, $8,100 FD)
The word on the street is that Minnesota is going to throw the ball considerably more this season. Green Bay has a pair of studly cornerbacks, but Jefferson is in a class of his own. I’m not expecting a ceiling game here, but 8-110-1 is in play.

Davante Adams, Raiders @ LAC
($8,100 DK, $8,500 FD)
The Chargers are also set at cornerback, but this will be a huge test in Week 1. Adams and Derek Carr make a great stack, and I love to run it back with Mike Williams here. Just know that will leave you penny-pinching elsewhere.

Mike Williams, Chargers vs. LVR
($6,600 DK, $6,600 FD)
Anytime the FD price is the same or lower than the DK price, you have to use the player there. The Raiders lack anyone at cornerback to body up with the tall and physical Williams. This feels like a 6-100 game with a long TD.

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. PIT
($7,100 DK, $8,200 FD) Mark me concerned about rust from Joe Burrow after missing the preseason with appendix surgery. I’m also concerned about the number of weapons that Cincy has. Still, Pittsburgh cannot double-team all of them. Expect a floor of 6-70-1 with considerably higher upside if Burrow isn’t limited.

DFS Sleepers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs @ ARI
($5,200 DK, $6,400 FD)
Patrick Mahomes’ top (and most-proven) WR in a shootout matchup with Arizona, Sign me up! Throw in the reduced price and it is a mortal lock at WR1 or WR2. Consider using Kyler Murray at QB and then stacking Marquise Brown and running it back with Smith-Schuster.

Rashod Bateman, Ravens @ NYJ
($5,300 DK, $6,100 FD)
Bateman is now the true WR1 in Baltimore. Unfortunately, the team is still run-first and Mark Andrews is the real No. 1 target. The Jets have improved at every level on defense, but volume alone puts Bateman in play for 7-70-1.

Tight ends DraftKings FanDuel
Mark Andrews $6,800 $7,900
Travis Kelce $6,600 $8,000
George Kittle $5,900 $6,100
Kyle Pitts $5,700 $6,000
Darren Waller $5,400 $7,000
T.J. Hockenson $4,900 $5,700
Mike Gesicki $4,800 $5,500
Dallas Goedert $4,500 $5,700
Zach Ertz $4,400 $5,600
Pat Freiermuth $4,200 $5,300
David Njoku $3,900 $5,000
Robert Tonyan $3,900 $5,100
Gerald Everett $3,800 $5,200
Hunter Henry $3,800 $5,400
Austin Hooper $3,700 $4,800
Cole Kmet $3,700 $5,000
C.J. Uzomah $3,600 $4,800
Evan Engram $3,500 $4,900
Tyler Conklin $3,500 $5,000
Irv Smith $3,400 $5,100
Mo Alie-Cox $3,400 $4,800
Hayden Hurst $3,300 $4,900
Logan Thomas $3,200 $5,500
Adam Trautman $3,100 $4,700
Brevin Jordan $3,100 $4,800
John Bates $3,100 $4,700
Harrison Bryant $2,900 $4,600
Dan Arnold $2,800 $4,400
Donald Parham $2,800 $4,500
Jonnu Smith $2,800 $4,700
Ryan Griffin $2,700 $4,100
Daniel Bellinger $2,500 $4,100
Isaiah Likely $2,500 $4,100

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Feel free to pay up for Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, or Kyle Pitts. Pitts on FD is almost free money compared to those other two. For lesser ownership, consider T.J. Hockenson and Pat Freiermuth. If you decide to punt the position (I wouldn’t this week), Austin Hooper, Cole Kmet, and Hayden Hurst are decent dice rolls.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ ARI
($6,600 DK, $8,000 FD)
Patrick Mahomes went on record saying it would be a different target each week for fantasy purposes. I’ll believe that when I see it. Kelce was option 1a last year, and he will repeat that role here. That said, I don’t love the FD price considering how cheap some others are and since Arizona’s best DBs are in the middle.

Mark Andrews, Ravens @ NYJ
($6,800 DK, $7,900 FD)
There wasn’t a more reliable TE than Andrews last season. With Marquise Brown out of town, Andrews and Rashod Bateman will need to step up even further. Stack both of them with Lamar Jackson against a still learning-on-the-job Jets defense. The threesome should combine for four total scores.

Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. NO
($5,700 DK, $6,000 FD)
The only thing missing from Pitts’ rookie season was TDs. Reverse TD-regression is assured this season, starting this week. I mean someone has to catch the ball in Atlanta. Lock him in for 8-90-1 here as Atlanta is forced to throw the ball to stay in this one.

T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. PHI
($4,900 DK, $5,700 FD)
This may be my favorite TE play of the week. Detroit has more weapons to choose from, but Hockenson has the familiarity with Jared Goff from last season. This is the cheap stack to use so that you can go massive at RB.

DFS Sleepers

Cole Kmet, Bears vs. SF
($3,700 DK, $5,000 FD)
Kmet is the unquestioned number two option for Chicago. This means he will see close to 10 targets per week. If he can reel in 5-50 that puts him at 3x on DK already.

Austin Hooper, Titans vs. NYG
($3,700 DK, $4,900 FD)
The Titans are seriously lacking in reliable passing-game options. That is why Hooper should be in for a big start to the year until Treylon Burks gets more NFL-ready. Tennessee has effectively used their TEs in the red zone before. A short score seems imminent to go along with 5-50.

DFS Fantasy Football: Favorite Pro Plays – Week 18

WinDailySports’ CEO Jason Mezrahi checks in with his top Week 18 DFS fantasy football for FanDuel and DraftKings

Top-ranked daily fantasy sports pro Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite DFS plays at various salary ranges for Week 18 of the NFL season. We are back for another year of DFS domination and we have some new tools to take advantage of from my team over at WinDailySports.com.

Our projection model, lineup optimizer, and data tools have been revamped and back tested to start the season off right. So what I will do in this article is list some of our highest projected players based off raw points and our highest point-per-dollar plays based on DraftKings.com pricing.
These are some of the players Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel for this weekend’s slate.

Quarterbacks

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

$8,100 DRAFTKINGS
$8,800 FANDUEL

We finally made it to Week 18, and just like the start of the year, we are scrambling to find the right plays. In Week 17, we had a great week over at WinDailySports.com where we had $50,000, $10,000, $5,000, and a ton of big takedowns from our community. Let us hope to find the right plays this week as well, and it starts with Josh Allen. A lot of the elite quarterbacks may be taking the week off, but Allen has to show up and win this week and that will be the key to picking winners. Find players with something to play for is the starting point of every decision. Allen is in line for a big day against a weak Jets defense with all his weapons on the field. The Bills are projected to score 22-plus points, and I see a ceiling game for Allen here.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

$6,200 DRAFTKINGS
$7,700 FANDUEL

The sneaky play of the week may be Hill. He was the shiny toy everyone wanted to play in his first two weeks as the starter, but after a couple of down games, he’s now the forgotten man in town. The Saints need a win and some help, so Taysom will do whatever he can in this one to help his team win. The price is right, the running upside is always there, and a matchup versus the Falcons brings in a potential ceiling game. Let’s hope for a big running ame from Hill and some rushing touchdowns to help him exceed value on Sunday.

Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

$9,300 DRAFTKINGS
$10,200 FANDUEL

Taylor should be the highest-scoring player of the entire slate. Barring any kind of injury, I am guaranteeing one touchdown. I’m pretty sure he gets two and won’t be surprised if he gets three-plus. This is a must-win spot for Taylor and the Colts, and they will not take their foot off the gas until the game is over. We saw what the Patriots did to this Jaguars defense last while putting up 50 and securing four rushing touchdowns on 181 yards rushing. Give me Taylor for 150 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday, and I will get different in other spots.

[lawrence-related id=463497]

Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams

$6,000 DRAFTKINGS
$7,700 FANDUEL

Michel is another player in a must-win game. The Rams need this victory, and we should see some fireworks in what should be one of the higher scoring spots of the week if the Niners can keep the pace up. Michel has been locked for touches and targets over the past five weeks, and that shouldn’t change this week. The volume will be there for Michel, and the goal-line touches are the path to value for him. With the Rams projected to win this game and score 24.5, the hope is that Michel finds the end zone once or twice and secures a victory for the Rams while eclipsing 100 yards rushing on Sunday.

Wide receivers

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

$9,700 DRAFTKINGS
$10,000 FANDUEL

I’m not sure I can afford Kupp along with Taylor, and I will lean Taylor if I had to choose only one, but Kupp is in a great spot again this week. Same story repeats itself … find great players who are in meaningful games, and that’s the situation for Kupp. Averaging 27.7 points on the year, I’m pretty confident he will want to finish the season with a exclamation point and a big win. Earlier in the season, Kupp went for 11 receptions and 122 yards receiving in a poor overall team performance on the road in San Fran, where the Rams lost by 21 points. I think we see the same Kupp with some touchdowns added and a better overall performance by Matthew Stafford in the Rams. The upside and consistency is always there with Kupp, so try your best to get him in your lineups.

Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers

$5,100 DRAFTKINGS
$5,800 FANDUEL

The chances are slim, but the Steelers need the win and a lot of help to get into the playoffs. We have Claypool in a must-win spot, and he may be without the target monster Diontae Johnson (COVID) beside him. This should lead to a massive target bump to Claypool, and as long as the weather is not to terrible in Baltimore, I love the value he presents. Baltimore ranks 30th against wide receivers and are giving up a league-worst 281.7 passing yards per game. Claypool should go over 100 yards receiving and have a big game on Sunday as the alpha dog for the Steelers.

Tight ends

Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals

$5,300 DRAFTKINGS
$5,600 FANDUEL

There is no safer tight end on the slate to hit value than Ertz on Sunday. He has been a target monster ever since DeAndre Hopkins got hurt, and that will continue to be the trend on Sunday. You can lock in 10-plus fantasy points and not have to pay the premium as you would with Mark Andrews, George Kittle, and Rob Gronkowski. Combine that with the fact you get one of the best matchups on the board against Seattle, and it’s a near lock for me. Another bonus about playing Ertz is he has a controlled environment in a dome, so we don’t need to factor in any weather. The Seahawks are giving up the 31st-most passing yards per game, this is meaningful game for the Cardinals, the price is right, and the upside is there. I will be locking in Ertz in almost all my lineups on Sunday and will be betting some of his props now that New York is finally legalized to bet online.

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

$3,400 DRAFTKINGS
$4,900 FANDUEL

If you need value, look to Kmet in a matchup in a dome versus the Vikings who have been getting carved up by opposing passing offenses. The Bears have nothing to play for, but Kmet is young and still trying to prove himself out on the field each week. So, while the team has nothing to play for, Kmet should be out there showcasing his talent. I believe this game has some sneaky upside to shoot over the total. Like I said above, I will be locking Ertz into almost all my lineups, but for the ones I can’t afford him, I may make the pivot down to Kmet.

Good luck in Week 18, and if you ever have any questions, please hit me up on Twitter!

Jason Mezrahi has been a professional, top-ranked Daily Fantasy Player on FanDuel and DraftKings for more than eight years. He has won FanDuel’s $155,555 King of the Diamond competition and placed second in DraftKings’ Fantasy Basketball World Championship, earning him $300,000. He owns and operates WinDailySports.com, which supports the DFS and Sports Betting community with resources such as tools, projection models, expert chat, in-depth written analysis and podcasts, plus much more.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 18

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 18 DFS fantasy football

Week 18 is here. That feels so weird to say. Some season-long records will be set, assumedly with an asterisk, but even as we segue out of the regular season, know that the Dominator will roll on through the playoffs.

When putting together the picks this week we attempt to take into account the players who may or may not play a whole game based on what they have to play for.

DFS: The Saturday Slate

Patrick Mahomes has a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos on Saturday. As always, he is the highest-ceiling QB on the slate, just know that the ceiling isn’t that high here. You will feel great if he finishes with 325-3, but don’t count on that.

Drew Lock will get at least one more start for Denver. His performances so far this year do not instill a ton of confidence. Pairing that with a mostly elite KC pass defense (yes, they were burned last week by an elite passing offense), I will easily rank him at QB4 on the slate. If all of his weapons can come off the COVID list this week, he may have some garbage-time appeal, but that is about it.

Darrel Williams will be a safe RB2 on this slate with Clyde Edwards-Helaire out. Derrick Gore will only have minimal value as a change of pace. That said, you can use him out as a bargain play in Showdown contests.

It is safe to say that either Melvin Gordon or Javonte Williams by themselves would be the RB1 on the slate. Unfortunately, they continue to evenly split the workload. Even in the timeshare, I like them as the RB3-RB4 range here. The strategy is to make multiple lineups each featuring one of the Dallas RBs and one of the Denver RBs.

Tyreek Hill is going to have a tough matchup here. That said, there aren’t many reliable options at WR with a good matchup on this slate. I’ll probably end up choosing to use either Hill or Travis Kelce, but not both. Byron Pringle may be the solution to getting additional exposure to KC’s offense here. He has been the primary WR2 for the Chiefs in recent weeks and definitely could be a WR3 here. Mecole Hardman has been less utilized of late, but he has enough potential explosion to his game that he could be considered as a punt WR3. Josh Gordon just isn’t being used enough to consider as anything other than a Showdown dart throw.

Denver should get back their entire WR room that was absent last week due to COVID. Jerry Jeudy is the top option in this offense. He is the fourth-best WR on the board, but I’d rank him at no higher than WR5. That is because I like Tim Patrick better based on the matchup and price. Courtland Sutton led the WRs last week as the last man standing; here, he will revert to the sixth-option in this offense. That makes him no better than a desperation punt WR3. Kendall Hinton is once again off the radar.

Travis Kelce is the best TE on a loaded slate at the position. Despite the talent level, I actually have him ranked at TE2 here. That said, with four great players to choose from, this is the slate to run double-TE, triple-TE, or even the ridiculous quadruple-TE strategy. Just know that you really need one of either Kelce or Tyreek Hill on every roster.

Seldom will Noah Fant be the TE4 on a small slate. I still love the play and could see tag-teaming him with at least one other TE as Drew Lock obviously loves throwing to him. Albert Okwuegbunam is in play on Showdown contests, but I just don’t see a role for him in main tourneys.

The KC defense should be the top choice this week. That means that if you want to be contrarian, I’d play one of the D’s in the other game. Denver has a very good defense, but I am not channeling them against Mahomes.

Dak Prescott looks like the obvious safe play at QB if you don’t use Mahomes. He survived and thrived earlier this season, despite the absence of Michael Gallup. I feel he will once again do that here. Philly actually doesn’t have a rotten secondary, despite what might be perceived based on the eye test. Still, I like Dak to throw for close to 300 yards and a pair of scores.

I’ll admit to being wrong about Jalen Hurts this year. I really did not think he’d last as the starter all year long. His legs have carried him where his arm cannot. Here he gets the nominal QB3 slot. Although, his value will be better than what you’d normally perceive from a QB3.

Philly is easier to run on than pass against. This is why I am going to go ahead and label Ezekiel Elliott the RB1 here. None of the RBs on this slate are sure things, so you might as well play the most talented of them. Tony Pollard is either the RB4 or RB5 here. He will see enough value to be a punt RB2 or FLEX play (though presume my FLEX will be a tight end).

We don’t know who will be able to play at RB for Philly this week. Miles Sanders is out. Both Boston Scott and Jordan Howard are on the COVID list, and their chances at clearing protocol by Saturday are slim. At this point, it looks like Kenneth Gainwell will be the starter this week. The matchup is awful, but based on volume alone he could be an RB2 option. Whoever starts will be no better than RB5 here. I at least have some faith in Scott if he can play … the others are all shots in the dark.

CeeDee Lamb will see a healthy dose of Darius Slay. This isn’t the death knell that it once was, but it doesn’t inspire confidence, either. By default, he will remain the WR3 here, but I wouldn’t make him my WR1. Amari Cooper is the safer play. He will be my WR2 behind Hill. That said, the best play among the Cowboys is Cedrick Wilson. His price dictates that he has to be your WR3. Noah Brown is slated to return from the IR for this game. He might have some value with Gallup out, but I’d leave him for Showdown contests. The same goes for Malik Turner.

DeVonta Smith is a highly talented WR. This week he will face off with Trevon Diggs. This is both a blessing and a curse. Hurts may be afraid to throw his way, because Diggs might pick him off. Of course, Diggs has also been burned more often than chocolate chip cookies in the employee break room microwave. He can be considered a WR3 option, but not a great one. Jalen Reagor had a great opportunity last week and failed to capitalize. I cannot trust him here, despite the fact that he actually led the Eagles in their earlier meeting with Dallas. I’d rather take a roll of the dice on Quez Watkins or Greg Ward. Although, truthfully, I’d rather avoid this WR room completely.

The pass-catcher from Philly that you want is Dallas Goedert. He has been a beast since Zach Ertz was traded. Most weeks, he would be the TE1 here. Unfortunately, he is only the TE3 here. Have I mentioned double-TE yet?

Speaking of double-TE, have I mentioned triple-TE? Dalton Schultz may be only the third-most talented TE on this slate, but he has the easiest matchup of any of them. This is why he is my TE1 here. Philly has been maligned by the position all season, and I see no reason to expect them to be any better here. Throw in the absence of Michael Gallup and that should equate to more targets for Schultz. The only thing that may ding Dalton here is if Blake Jarwin returns from the IR. If they both play, each may score. If it is just Schultz, expect a floor of 7-70-1.

With everyone using KC’s defense, consider either of these two teams as a pivot. They may give up a few points, but both are capable of special teams scoring, and both have guys who can pull off a Pick 6. The presence of Trevon Diggs gives Dallas a slight bump in my opinion.

The Main Slate: My recommended DFS lineups

At DK: $6.7k for Matthew Stafford. $6k for Devin Singletary. $5.7k for D’Onta Foreman. $9.7k for Cooper Kupp. $6.3k for Brandin Cooks. $4.1k for Antoine Wesley. $3.1k for Cameron Brate. $6k for Eli Mitchell. $2.4k for the Detroit Lions defense.

At FD: $6.3k for Case Keenum. $10.2k for Jonathan Taylor. $6.9k for Foreman. $10k for Kupp. $6k for Jarvis Landry. $5.4k for Wesley. $5.2k for Pat Freiermuth. $6.7k for Singletary at FLEX. $3.2k for the Detroit defense.

At Fanball (SuperFlex – includes Sun Night): Keenum, Stafford at SF, Taylor, and Austin Ekeler, Chase Edmonds (If he plays, otherwise use Singletary) at FLEX, Kupp, Christian Kirk, Hayden Hurst (If Kyle Pitts doesn’t play, otherwise Kristian Wilkerson), and Brate at TE.

DraftKings FanDuel
Josh Allen $8,100 $8,800
Aaron Rodgers $7,800 $8,200
Tom Brady $7,500 $8,100
Kyler Murray $7,400 $8,400
Lamar Jackson $7,000 $7,800
Matthew Stafford $6,700 $7,400
Russell Wilson $6,300 $7,500
Taysom Hill $6,200 $7,700
Kirk Cousins $6,100 $7,200
Ryan Tannehill $6,000 $7,300
Carson Wentz $5,800 $7,200
Tyler Huntley $5,700 $7,000
Jimmy Garoppolo $5,500 $7,000
Jordan Love $5,500 $6,700
Trey Lance $5,500 $7,000
Ben Roethlisberger $5,400 $6,700
Jared Goff $5,400 $6,800
Justin Fields $5,400 $7,100
Mac Jones $5,400 $7,000
Justin Fields $5,500 $7,000
Jared Goff $5,400 $6,700
Zach Wilson $5,400 $6,500
Mac Jones $5,300 $6,800
Taylor Heinicke $5,400 $6,900
Andy Dalton $5,300 $6,300
Davis Mills $5,300 $6,400
Tua Tagovailoa $5,300 $6,500
Matt Ryan $5,200 $6,400
Zach Wilson $5,200 $6,500
Brandon Allen $5,100 $6,400
Trevor Lawrence $5,100 $6,500
Sam Darnold $5,000 $6,600
Tim Boyle $4,900 $6,800
Case Keenum $4,800 $6,300
Jake Fromm $4,800 $6,200

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – All of the positions have players not playing the whole game. We hope to have updates prior to Friday, since backups pressed into starting roles potentially could produce solid volume numbers. Josh Allen should play the full game, so he, Kyler Murray, and Matthew Stafford would be the safest high-dollar plays. Tayson Hill and Carson Wentz are the top pivots as both are also assumed to play the whole game. Ben Roethlisberger has a good matchup as does Jared Goff. Either would be a decent punt option (although keep an eye on Goff’s injury status). Davis Mills could also be a punt option. Brandon Allen and Case Keenum have already been named replacement starters, and it is speculated Jordan Love may start for Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers says he is not resting, so keep an eye on it. Of that threesome, only Keenum will be in play for me. I actually really like him.

Fantasy Four-pack

Josh Allen, Bills vs. NYJ
($8,100 DK, $8,800 FD)
Devin Singletary has begun to run more for the Bills recently. He is the one concern I have with Allen this week. Fortunately, Allen can still produce enough yards on the ground and through the air versus a subpar Jets defense to make him a strong play here. Plus, with the division title and a possible home playoff game at stake, Buffalo will be going all out here.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. SEA
($7,400 DK, $8,400 FD)
Murray may actually be a safer floor play than Allen (especially if James Conner remains out with his heel injury). Seattle hasn’t faced many quality QBs this season. They still are among the worst in the league against the pass. Their lack of success includes allowing Colt McCoy to throw for 328-2 in Week 11. They also just allowed Tim Boyle to look like an All-Pro. I love the stack this week with either Zach Ertz or Antoine Wesley.

Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. SF
($6,700 DK, $7,400 FD)
We know that Cooper Kupp has season-long records in his sights. This means the Rams will do everything in their power to get him to those marks. San Francisco is softer against the pass than the run, so Stafford should be good for two or three passing scores and nearly 300 yards.

Taysom Hill, Saints @ ATL
($6,200 DK, $7,700 FD)
A game in Atlanta ensures that weather will not be a factor. We also know that the Saints need to win to have any shot at making the playoffs. Atlanta has allowed the fourth-most passing TDs and the third-most QB rushing yards (plus 4 QB rushing scores). Hill never can be counted on for huge passing numbers, but he is always in play for a TD or two on the ground.

DFS Sleepers

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers @ BAL
($5,400 DK, $6,700 FD)
Big Ben looked washed on Monday, but this matchup is considerably easier on paper. Plus, Pittsburgh is still mathematically alive for the postseason, and Roethlisberger is playing for the chance to extend his career. Either way, the Steelers are going all out and then some here. It helps that Baltimore is abysmal against the pass, allowing the most aerial yards and the second-most passing TDs on the year. I particularly like the stack with either Pat Freiermuth or Diontae Johnson (if he clears the COVID protocol). If Diontae remains out, consider James Washington or Ray-Ray McCloud.

Case Keenum, Browns vs. CIN
($4,800 DK, $6,300 FD)
Considering Baker Mayfield played half of the season with a major shoulder injury, Keenum may prove to be a better fantasy play than Baker would’ve been here. Cincy has allowed the sixth-most passing yards this year and may be resting some of their defensive starters here. Cincinnati has been particularly rotten against opposing TEs, so I love the stack of Keenum with one of the Cleveland tight ends.

DraftKings FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor $9,300 $10,200
Alvin Kamara $8,300 $9,000
Nick Chubb $7,900 $8,200
Dalvin Cook $7,800 $8,700
Aaron Jones $7,300 $7,300
Najee Harris $7,200 $8,500
Derrick Henry $7,100 $5,000
Alexander Mattison $6,900 $7,500
David Montgomery $6,800 $7,600
Damien Harris $6,700 $7,400
Rashaad Penny $6,500 $7,800
Cordarrelle Patterson $6,400 $6,200
James Conner $6,300 $7,000
AJ Dillon $6,200 $7,300
Ronald Jones $6,100 $6,500
Saquon Barkley $6,100 $6,400
Devin Singletary $6,000 $6,700
Eli Mitchell $6,000 $8,000
Sony Michel $6,000 $7,700
D’Andre Swift $5,900 $7,000
Rhamondre Stevenson $5,900 $6,500
Antonio Gibson $5,800 $6,800
Chase Edmonds $5,800 $6,600
D’Onta Foreman $5,700 $6,900
Kareem Hunt $5,600 $6,800
Nyheim Hines $5,500 $5,100
Mark Ingram $5,400 $5,500
Jaret Patterson $5,300 $6,600
Ke’Shawn Vaughn $5,300 $5,900
Samaje Perine $5,300 $6,500
Dare Ogunbowale $5,200 $5,600
Devonta Freeman $5,200 $5,600
Dontrell Hilliard $5,200 $5,600
Rex Burkhead $5,200 $5,600
Chuba Hubbard $5,100 $5,700
Duke Johnson $5,000 $5,600
Le’Veon Bell $5,000 $5,200
Michael Carter $5,000 $5,800
Mike Davis $5,000 $5,600
D’Ernest Johnson $4,800 $6,200
Jamaal Williams $4,800 $6,000
Myles Gaskin $4,800 $5,400
Ameer Abdullah $4,700 $5,100
Cam Akers $4,700 $5,500
Latavius Murray $4,400 $5,100
Giovani Bernard $4,000 $5,000

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Jonathan Taylor will be given as much work as he can handle here in a win-and-in scenario for Indy. Both Alvin Kamara and Nick Chubb could be suitable pivots for a few dollars of savings. If Damien Harris plays he is a solid option, but part of me wants him to sit out so I can use Rhamondre Stevenson at a bargain-basement price. Devin Singletary is unreliable, but he has a cake matchup. Chase Edmonds (if he plays) and D’Onta Foreman also both have easy matchups, but both could see their touches gouged by veterans returning from injuries. Watch the statuses of James Conner and Derrick Henry leading up to these respective games. If either or both are out, then Foreman and Edmonds make great discount plays. Jaret Patterson could have some value if Antonio Gibson remains out. Jamaal Williams is in the same boat if D’Andre Swift remains a decoy. Still, if I am going to punt the obvious choices are Samaje Perine and Michael Carter.

Fantasy Four-pack

Jonathan Taylor, Colts@ JAX
($9,300 DK, $10,200 FD)
It is win-and-in for Indy, so expect Taylor to get the rock as many times as his body can stand. Jacksonville is better against the pass than the run, but they aren’t great versus either. With everything on the line, Taylor could have a 200-2 type of game, and his floor is astronomical.

Alvin Kamara, Saints @ ATL
($8,300 DK, $9,000 FD)
Taysom Hill is always a threat to vulture scores from Kamara. That said, Kamara remains the best rusher and the most reliable pass-catcher on this offense. New Orleans needs this win to have a shot at the postseason, so it would make sense for them to feature Kamara this week. Atlanta is equally bad against RBs on the ground and through the air, so opportunities should be abundant.

Nick Chubb, Browns vs. CIN
($7,900 DK, $8,200 FD)
Chubb’s Week 17 usage was limited due to a rib issue. This week, we hope he is capable of being the featured back that we have come to expect from him. As I mentioned above, Cincy will likely rest some defensive starters. This should make an already positive matchup even sweeter.

AJ Dillon, Packers @ DET
($6,200 DK, $7,300 FD)
Aaron Jones may sit this one out, which would leave Dillon as the lead back – at least until the team ices him as well. Detroit has allowed the second-most total TDs to opposing RBs. This includes allowing four scores to Jones back in Week 2. The only thing that will hold back Dillon here is when he is pulled from this game. Hopefully, he scores twice before then.

DFS Sleepers

Devin Singletary, Bills vs. NYJ
($6,000 DK, $6,700 FD)
Singletary has scored four times in the last three weeks as Buffalo has finally committed to him as a featured RB. Now, can we really trust him? Not so much that I won’t use him exclusively (especially consider pivoting to Rhamondre Stevenson if Damien Harris is out). Still, no team has allowed more total RB scores than the Jets. So, if Singletary is the real deal, he should be a real steal here.

Samaje Perine, Bengals @ CLE ($5,300 DK, $6,500 FD)
Joe Mixon has already been ruled out for this contest. This means we should get Samaje as the lead back against a Cleveland defense that just got throttled by Najee Harris. Brandon Allen is not going to win this game on his own, expect the backup QB to dump the ball off a lot to both Perine and the TEs.

DraftKings FanDuel
Cooper Kupp $9,700 $10,000
Davante Adams $9,400 $8,800
Deebo Samuel $8,500 $8,800
Ja’Marr Chase $8,300 $8,000
Justin Jefferson $8,100 $8,500
Stefon Diggs $7,800 $7,700
Diontae Johnson $7,600 $7,600
Tee Higgins $7,200 $6,800
Mike Evans $7,100 $7,800
A.J. Brown $7,000 $7,400
DK Metcalf $6,900 $7,200
Amon-Ra St. Brown $6,800 $7,500
Tyler Lockett $6,400 $6,900
Brandin Cooks $6,300 $7,100
Jaylen Waddle $6,300 $6,800
Terry McLaurin $6,200 $6,700
Christian Kirk $6,000 $6,200
Darnell Mooney $5,900 $6,300
Marquise Brown $5,900 $6,200
Michael Pittman $5,900 $6,600
DJ Moore $5,800 $6,100
Odell Beckham $5,800 $6,500
Brandon Aiyuk $5,600 $6,000
Russell Gage $5,600 $5,700
Tyler Boyd $5,600 $6,100
K.J. Osborn $5,500 $6,400
A.J. Green $5,400 $5,700
Jarvis Landry $5,400 $6,000
Jakobi Meyers $5,200 $6,000
Chase Claypool $5,100 $5,800
Kenny Golladay $5,100 $5,300
Van Jefferson $5,100 $5,800
Breshad Perriman $5,000 $4,900
Julio Jones $5,000 $5,700
Kendrick Bourne $5,000 $5,600
Marquez Callaway $5,000 $5,900
Braxton Berrios $4,900 $5,900
DeVante Parker $4,900 $5,600
Gabriel Davis $4,900 $5,200
Rashod Bateman $4,900 $5,700
Cole Beasley $4,800 $5,500
Elijah Moore $4,700 $6,000
T.Y. Hilton $4,700 $5,400
Allen Lazard $4,600 $5,500
Jamison Crowder $4,600 $5,500
Kadarius Toney $4,500 $5,200
Marquez Valdes-Scantling $4,500 $5,700
Robby Anderson $4,500 $5,500
Cyril Grayson $4,400 $5,600
Laquan Treadwell $4,400 $5,300
Tre’Quan Smith $4,400 $5,300
Donovan Peoples-Jones $4,300 $5,500
Josh Reynolds $4,300 $5,100
Marvin Jones $4,300 $5,400
Tyler Johnson $4,200 $5,500
Antoine Wesley $4,100 $5,400
Emmanuel Sanders $4,100 $5,400
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,100 $5,100
Allen Robinson $4,000 $5,500
Scotty Miller $4,000 $5,200
Isaiah McKenzie $3,900 $5,000
Nico Collins $3,900 $5,100
Sammy Watkins $3,900 $5,100
Cam Sims $3,800 $5,200
Darius Slayton $3,800 $5,000
Ray-Ray McCloud $3,800 $4,900
Adam Humphries $3,700 $5,000
James Washington $3,700 $5,000
Kalif Raymond $3,700 $5,000
Laviska Shenault $3,700 $5,200
Olamide Zaccheaus $3,600 $5,000
Chris Conley $3,500 $4,900
Lil’Jordan Humphrey $3,500 $4,900
Damiere Byrd $3,400 $4,800
DeAndre Carter $3,400 $4,900
Chester Rogers $3,300 $4,900
Dee Eskridge $3,300 $4,600
Kristian Wilkerson $3,300 $5,300
Zach Pascal $3,300 $5,200
Albert Wilson $3,200 $4,700
Deonte Harris $3,200 $5,200
Amari Rodgers $3,000 $4,600
Equanimeous St. Brown $3,000 $4,900

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Cooper Kupp doesn’t have the easy matchup he had last week. Still, he is looking to establish some season-long records, so just play him and save money elsewhere. Stefon Diggs, Diontae Johnson (if he plays), and A.J. Brown are the WR1 pivots. Brandin Cooks, Terry McLaurin, and Christian Kirk are my favorite WR2 options. DJ Moore, Jarvis Landry, and Marquez Callaway could be discount WR2 options. If you choose to use them consider stacking them with their QBs. Braxton Berrios and Cole Beasley, plus any of the Buccaneers, can be considered there, too. My WR3 will likely be Antoine Wesley. If I don’t use him, I could choose to use Josh Reynolds, one of the Texans, or the new Patriots’ toy, Kristian Wilkerson. 

Fantasy Four-pack

Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. SF
($9,700 DK, $10,000 FD)
Kupp remains the safest play week-to-week to rely on for upwards of 30 points. This week, he is looking to rewrite the record books (technically with an asterisk), so he will get as many targets as he can handle. The matchup isn’t elite, but Sean McVay will do everything necessary to ensure he gets those records. 

Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. NYJ
($7,800 DK, $7,700 FD)
This game script could limit some of Diggs’s productivity. Still, he is the alpha WR on an offense looking to seal up a division title facing a bad New York defense. It would be glorious if he could repeat his Week 10 line of 8-162-1. 

A.J. Brown, Titans @ HOU
($7,000 DK, $7,400 FD)
Unless we see a return of Derrick Henry this week, Brown will be counted on as the primary weapon for Tennessee versus the Texans. Houston is decent against the pass, but Brown has destroyed them in his brief career. He exited week 11 early with an injury limiting his final stats there, but in his four prior games, he totaled 27-447-5 against them. 

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. CHI
($8,100 DK, $8,500 FD)
For no obvious reason other than Mike Zimmer doesn’t care anymore, Minnesota will plan on trotting out their starters for this useless game. Fortunately, the players still care, even if the coach doesn’t. Jefferson is an elite talent and Minnesota will be without their other top WR, Adam Thielen, so I expect him to have a decent day here based on volume alone. Plus, Jefferson has an outside shot at besting one of Randy Moss’ season-long records.

DFS Sleepers

Jarvis Landry, Browns vs. CIN
($5,400 DK, $6,000 FD)
If I choose to use Case Keenum, it would behoove me to pair him with his PPR beast WR, Landry. Jarvis doesn’t score enough to make me love him week-to-week, but against a so-so Bengals defense that may rest some starters, I feel better using him (possibly stacked with one of the TEs).

Antoine Wesley, Cardinals vs. SEA
($4,100 DK, $5,400 FD)
Seattle has struggled mightily against the pass all season. Meanwhile, Wesley has stepped into the red-zone threat role vacated by DeAndre Hopkins, scoring three times in the last two weeks. Arizona is all-in for this week, so I will have maximum exposure to either Wesley or Christian Kirk.

DraftKings FanDuel
Mark Andrews $7,500 $8,500
George Kittle $6,700 $6,900
Rob Gronkowski $6,300 $7,400
Kyle Pitts $5,700 $5,800
Dawson Knox $5,400 $6,000
Zach Ertz $5,300 $5,600
Mike Gesicki $5,100 $5,700
Pat Freiermuth $4,600 $5,200
Tyler Conklin $4,200 $5,300
Hunter Henry $4,000 $5,600
Tyler Higbee $4,000 $5,500
Gerald Everett $3,700 $4,900
Austin Hooper $3,600 $5,100
C.J. Uzomah $3,500 $5,100
Cole Kmet $3,400 $4,900
Evan Engram $3,300 $4,900
Geoff Swaim $3,300 $4,700
David Njoku $3,200 $4,900
Hayden Hurst $3,200 $4,800
James O’Shaughnessy $3,200 $5,000
Anthony Firkser $3,100 $4,800
Cameron Brate $3,100 $4,900
John Bates $3,000 $4,600
Mo Alie-Cox $3,000 $4,600
Josiah Deguara $2,900 $4,600
Jimmy Graham $2,800 $4,500
Juwan Johnson $2,800 $4,200
Marcedes Lewis $2,800 $4,400
O.J. Howard $2,800 $4,300
Ricky Seals-Jones $2,800 $4,500
Brevin Jordan $2,700 $4,600
Jack Doyle $2,700 $4,600
Harrison Bryant $2,600 $4,700
Adam Trautman $2,500 $4,300
Dan Arnold $2,500 $5,000

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Mark Andrews has an awfully tough matchup. He is still so white-hot right now, it will be hard to fade him (especially with a weak upper tier to choose from). George Kittle was underutilized by Trey Lance. If Jimmy Garoppolo plays, bump Kittle’s value up significantly. Kyle Pitts is questionable with an injury, and Rob Gronkowski might not play the whole game. This leaves Dawson Knox, Zach Ertz, and Pat Freiermuth as my favorite plays. With a lot of money spent at WR, I may pay down here for one of the Browns, Hayden Hurst, James O’Shaughnessy (if he plays), one of the Packers, or Cameron Brate.

Fantasy Four-pack

Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. PIT
($7,500 DK, $8,500 FD)
This is the roughest matchup that Andrews has had in quite some time. Pittsburgh is elite against opposing TEs but Andrews has been screaming white-hot over the last two months. I’m probably not going to pay this much for him, but throwing out a lineup with him and whoever his QB is this week isn’t a crazy idea. On a weak week for TEs, he may still finish with the most points.

Dawson Knox, Bills vs. NYJ
($5,400 DK, $6,000 FD)
The player with the best chance to pass Andrews in points this week is Knox. He has been very quiet the last two weeks, which should keep his ownership down. That is the best time to strike, especially against a pathetic Jets team that can be bested at every position.

George Kittle, Niners @ LAR
($6,700 DK, $6,900 FD)
We cannot be overly happy about Kittle’s usage with Trey Lance under center last week. Fortunately, Jimmy Garoppolo may return this week. If Lance starts, I’d probably refrain from using Kittle at this price. That said if Jimmy G. starts, use Kittle and watch the money come rolling in. It should be pointed out that it is easier to throw to TEs against LA than to throw at their cornerbacks covering WRs.

Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. SEA
($5,300 DK, $5,600 FD) Seattle has allowed the fourth-most TE scores this season. Ertz hasn’t scored since Week 11 but does have 40 targets over the last four weeks. With no DeAndre Hopkins, both Ertz and Antoine Wesley make a great stack with Kyler Murray.

DFS Sleepers

Cameron Brate, Buccaneers vs. CAR
($3,100 DK, $4,900 FD)
With all of the injuries and the recent release of Antonio Brown, Tampa needs their remaining weapons to step it up. This week, we don’t know how much the remaining starters will play. That means we may see a lot of second-teamers, including both Brate and O.J. Howard. Carolina is middle-of-the-pack against the position, but someone will have to catch the ball here, and Tom Brady and Bruce Arians definitely trust him.

Josiah Deguara, Packers @ DET
($2,900 DK, $4,600 FD)
Green Bay has nothing to play for. This means that most of their premium weapons likely will play minimal snaps if any. This means once again the responsibility of providing scoring opportunities for Jordan Love will fall on the lesser Packers. Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, Amari Rodgers, and Equanimeous St. Brown will be the primary beneficiaries of this. Only three teams have allowed more TE receiving yards than Detroit. Lewis and Deguara should catch several passes here once the starters retire to the bench.

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 17

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 17 DFS fantasy football

We have reached the second-to-the-last regular-season slate of the year. There are no byes. There are no Saturday or Tuesday or Thursday games. All we have are Sunday and then the Primetime slate. Next week, we don’t even get the Primetime games, so enjoy one more week without the entire NFL player pool in the main slate.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Kirk Cousins travels to Green Bay where he has back-to-back one-TD performances. Injuries and absences due to COVID will press Cousins to do more with less in this game. Fortunately, he will be forced to play uptempo to keep up with the Green Bay Packers. This should lock him into the QB2 slot safely.

The top slot goes to Aaron Rodgers. He is the best QB playing, and he has the best matchup. The only thing that could slow him down would be the dreaded “C word.” The only thing you should worry about is how chalky he will be.

Thanks to the changing protocols, Dalvin Cook will be allowed to play despite being unvaxxed and falling on the COVID protocol last week. Originally, he would be forced to miss both last week and this week. He gets the RB2 nod this week. Alexander Mattison returns to backup status. He might have a thin FLEX value. I’ll list him at RB7.

Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon continue to run a split backfield. Jones is out-touching Dillon slightly, so he gets the RB4 slot, and Dillon gets to be the RB5. Jones has missed two of the last three games against Minnesota, but in other recent matchups with them, he has obliterated the Vikes. If Dillon was out for this game, for whatever reason, I would consider bumping Jones to RB3.

Adam Thielen returned last week and almost immediately pulled a Grampa Simpson and re-exited, tweaking his injury. He now finds himself on season-ending IR due to this reinjury. Justin Jefferson will be forced to step up his play, and he is no worse than the WR3 here. It should be noted that JJ has struggled in two of his three career starts against Green Bay. K.J. Osborn will get another start. He has seen 26 targets and three scores over the last four weeks. With no Thielen, Osborn is in the WR5/6 territory, and he makes a great run-it-back play.

Davante Adams locks in at WR1 here. Don’t overthink this. Adams owns the Vikings. Marquez Valdes-Scantling missed last week with COVID. Prior to that, he was thriving as the field-stretcher for the Pack. Assuming he returns, MVS steps right back into your WR3 consideration on double-GB stacks. You could also use Allen Lazard in that role. He has been solid all year regardless of MVS’ status. I prefer Valdes-Scantling, but could use either of them.

Tyler Conklin has played well this season, but his production has been more pedestrian since his two-TD game in Week 10. He is still the third-best TE (assuming Pat Freiermuth plays) on this slate and has the second-best matchup. I think he makes a decent pivot from the rookie — just know that he doesn’t have a huge ceiling.

Green Bay has two TEs to consider in Josiah Deguara and Marcedes Lewis. Unfortunately, both are used sporadically, at best. Neither is better than TE5 on this slate. I’ll probably save them for Showdown contests.

The Packers should be a popular defense play here. Personally, I’d rather use one of the teams on MNF. The Vikes should be avoided in this spot.

Monday, Baker Mayfield travels to Pittsburgh. He has struggled mightily against the Steelers of late. In his last four meetings against them, he has thrown for a total of three TDs. Pittsburgh has seen their defense fall on hard times of late, but I just don’t feel Cleveland has enough weapons to take advantage of it. Consider Baker your QB4, with a short ceiling.

Ben Roethlisberger has had a rotten last two weeks. Prior to that, he was actually on a bit of a hot streak. I feel the loss of the safety valve, Pat Freiermuth, has hurt the most. Big Ben still has a ton of quality options around him, so he will finish no worse than QB3 this week. If Freiermuth returns, Ben may even outperform Kirk Cousins.

Kareem Hunt was already battling an ankle injury when he went on the COVID list last week. He has cleared the protocol, but we do not know if his ankle will allow him to play. If he makes it out there, I’ll give him the RB6 nod. Otherwise, that RB6 slot will go to D’Ernest Johnson. Johnson could be used at FLEX, but there feels like better options for that role. You may have noticed that I’ve skipped over the discussion of Nick Chubb until this point. Regardless of who else plays, he is the RB1 here. Just know that his numbers may take a slight ding if Hunt is active.

For Pittsburgh, the RB corps is Najee Harris and no one else. He ranks as my RB3 this week. Cleveland is very good against the run, but Najee actually broke 100 total yards and scored in their earlier meeting. Give him a slight value bump if Freiermuth remains out.

Jarvis Landry returned last week and had a middling game against Green Bay. This week should be easier for him. Based on his PPR usage, he will finish as either WR4 or WR5 on this docket. Donovan Peoples-Jones has some punt WR3 appeal since he can score from anywhere on the field. I just prefer to use him in Showdown contests. Rashard Higgins has seen a boost in usage the last two weeks. This shouldn’t be written off in a good matchup like this. That said, his ceiling is capped by Baker Mayfield’s low ceiling.

Despite starting to get the dropsies again, Diontae Johnson has been so heavily involved in the offense for Pittsburgh that he can not be ignored. On this short slate, he should be no worse than the WR3 overall. I prefer him on DK where he gets the full PPR, but don’t ignore him on FD. Chase Claypool has made a few boneheaded plays in recent weeks. This has led him to fall behind Ray-Ray McCloud in targets. Claypool is more talented than McCloud, so I don’t mind using him at WR3. That said, he is probably WR7 or WR8 overall here. McCloud could be a punt WR3, but I’d prefer to save him for Showdown contests. The same goes for James Washington.

Austin Hooper is the safest TE play on the Browns. He is also no worse than the TE2 overall on this slate. Pittsburgh is elite against the position, but Cleveland uses so many two and three-TE sets, that Hooper basically becomes the equivalent of their slot WR. David Njoku was silenced last week, but he is also arguably more talented than any TEs on this slate not named Hooper and Freiermuth. I’ll list him at no worse than TE4 here. Harrison Bryant scored for a second straight week. He also has all of three catches over those two games. He is clearly TD-dependent, but at that price, he could be a nice dart throw at TE6/7. He also becomes a must-start in Showdown.

If he returns from his concussion, Pat Freiermuth instantly becomes the TE1 on this slate. Prior to his injury, Pat had scored six times in his last eight games. Meanwhile, Cleveland has allowed the fifth-most TE scores. If Freiermuth remains out, Zach Gentry will get another start. Gentry had a very blase first run with the first team. At best, he may compete with the Packers’ pair for the TE5 slot.

Both of these teams will be popular defense choices. I like both of them, but don’t have a clear favorite between them.

The Main Slate: My recommended DFS lineups

At DK: $7.1k for Matthew Stafford. $6.5k for David Montgomery. $4.9k for Boston Scott. $9.5k for Cooper Kupp. $6.7k for Jaylen Waddle. $3.3k for Jalen Reagor. $3.8k for Foster Moreau. $5k for Rex Burkhead. $3.2k for the Chicago Bears defense.

At FD: $7.6k for Stafford. $7.2k for Montgomery. $6.2k for Darrel Williams (if Clyde Edwards-Helaire doesn’t play) (or $6k for Scott). $10.2k for Cooper Kupp. $6.1k for DeVonta Smith. $5.6k for Cole Beasley. $5.2k for Moreau. $7k for Ronald Jones at FLEX. $4.8k for the Bears defense.

At Fanball (SuperFlex – includes Sun Night): Jalen Hurts, Stafford at SF, Montgomery, and Scott, Burkhead at FLEX, Kupp, Davante Adams, Dallas Goedert, and Moreau at TE.

DraftKings FanDuel
Josh Allen $8,000 $8,800
Patrick Mahomes $7,800 $8,500
Tom Brady $7,600 $8,300
Kyler Murray $7,300 $8,200
Matthew Stafford $7,100 $7,600
Lamar Jackson $7,000 $7,800
Joe Burrow $6,900 $7,700
Justin Herbert $6,800 $8,200
Dak Prescott $6,700 $7,400
Jalen Hurts $6,600 $7,900
Russell Wilson $6,200 $7,300
Taysom Hill $6,000 $7,700
Ryan Tannehill $5,900 $7,300
Derek Carr $5,800 $6,900
Tua Tagovailoa $5,800 $6,700
Carson Wentz $5,700 $7,000
Jimmy Garoppolo $5,700 $7,100
Tyler Huntley $5,600 $7,500
Davis Mills $5,500 $6,400
Justin Fields $5,500 $7,000
Jared Goff $5,400 $6,700
Zach Wilson $5,400 $6,500
Mac Jones $5,300 $6,800
Matt Ryan $5,300 $6,600
Taylor Heinicke $5,300 $6,900
Andy Dalton $5,200 $6,300
Drew Lock $5,100 $6,500
Josh Johnson $5,000 $6,500
Mike Glennon $5,000 $6,200
Sam Darnold $5,000 $6,600
Trevor Lawrence $5,000 $6,500
Jake Fromm $4,800 $6,200
Nick Foles $4,800 $6,300
Trey Lance $4,800 $6,400
Trevor Siemian $4,600 $6,700
Sam Ehlinger $4,500 $6,000

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – After a week of schlock at QB, we get a healthy dose of great matchups for the expensive studs up top. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, and Dak Prescott are all in play near the top price range. In the midtier, I like Jalen Hurts and Russell Wilson. Then for the bargain hunters, I like Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, and whoever starts for Chicago. The biggest value might be Trey Lance.

Fantasy Four-pack

Josh Allen, Bills vs. ATL
($8,000 DK, $8,800 FD)
Allen was able to succeed last week versus the Patriots. This week will be much easier. Atlanta is one of the worst teams in the league against the pass and they have also struggled with rushing QBs this season. Allen should be able to take advantage of them both ways.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ CIN
($7,800 DK, $8,500 FD)
Earlier this season there were questions about if the league had figured out Mahomes. Now he is beating the opposition with Byron Pringle and Blake Bell leading the charge. Saint Patrick gets both Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill back this week. He will need all of his tools at his disposal since Cincinnati can actually keep up with KC in a track meet. I like this game to approach 65 combined points. That should mean at least three passing scores for Mahomes.

Matthew Stafford, Rams @ BAL
($7,100 DK, $7,600 FD)
If this game was in LA, Stafford might reach 5x value here. As it sits, I will still expect no less than 3x against a Baltimore defense that is embarrassing at this point. They did get back Jimmy Smith, but he can’t cover Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham, and Van Jefferson. He can’t even cover just Kupp. three passing TDs is Stafford’s floor. My only concerns are if weather comes into play or if Stafford is pulled at halftime.

Tom Brady, Buccaneers @ NYJ
($7,600 DK, $8,300 FD)
Thirty-eight career games played against the New York Jets. Brady knows what it means to step into the bright lights of New York. This will be his first game with the Bucs against the Jets, but even without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, he still has enough weapons to succeed. The Bucs coaches may choose to lean a little more on their running game this week, but we all know that Brady won’t have any of that. In a cake matchup, he will take his share, then share a little of the remainder with the backfield.

DFS Sleepers

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ TEN
($5,800 DK, $6,700 FD)
I still feel uncomfortable watching Tua throw the ball. Part of it is because he is left-handed. Part of it is because it appears that he releases the ball at such a low trajectory. Still, he has a full complement of extremely talented receivers to throw to. When you have that many quality options, he can have a poor throw and still have it be caught. Tennessee is near the bottom of the league in yards allowed to the position, and they have given up a league-high five QB rushing TDs. I expect Tua to score both ways this week.

Jared Goff, Lions @ SEA
($5,400 DK, $6,700 FD)
I wanted to use Goff last week. Then he got COVID and Tim Boyle actually fared well in his place. This matchup is even better. Only one team has allowed more passing yards than Seattle and Goff is among the passing TD leaders since his return to the starting role. Josh Reynolds is on the COVID list right now, but both he and Amon-Ra St. Brown make great stack options with Goff in what I believe may be a Detroit upset.

DraftKings FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor $9,000 $10,000
Austin Ekeler $8,200 $9,000
Alvin Kamara $7,900 $9,200
Joe Mixon $7,500 $8,500
Ezekiel Elliott $7,100 $7,500
Cordarrelle Patterson $6,900 $6,700
Damien Harris $6,600 $7,400
David Montgomery $6,500 $7,200
Javonte Williams $6,400 $6,100
Ronald Jones $6,300 $7,000
Josh Jacobs $6,200 $6,600
Melvin Gordon $6,200 $6,100
James Conner $6,100 $6,700
Rashaad Penny $6,100 $6,900
D’Andre Swift $6,000 $7,700
Eli Mitchell $6,000 $7,800
Justin Jackson $6,000 $6,500
Saquon Barkley $6,000 $6,600
Antonio Gibson $5,900 $6,800
Clyde Edwards-Helaire $5,900 $6,200
Tony Pollard $5,900 $6,200
Darrel Williams $5,800 $6,200
Sony Michel $5,800 $7,100
Chase Edmonds $5,700 $6,500
Jeff Wilson $5,600 $6,700
Mark Ingram $5,500 $5,800
Devin Singletary $5,400 $6,000
D’Onta Foreman $5,300 $5,800
Rhamondre Stevenson $5,300 $5,700
Jordan Howard $5,200 $6,000
Ke’Shawn Vaughn $5,200 $5,600
Dare Ogunbowale $5,100 $5,500
Derrick Gore $5,100 $5,500
Devonta Freeman $5,100 $5,700
Jamaal Williams $5,100 $6,000
Michael Carter $5,100 $5,700
Mike Davis $5,100 $5,400
Myles Gaskin $5,100 $5,900
Chuba Hubbard $5,000 $5,400
Duke Johnson $5,000 $5,800
Kenneth Gainwell $5,000 $5,400
Rex Burkhead $5,000 $5,600
Boston Scott $4,900 $6,000
Dontrell Hilliard $4,900 $5,300
Jaret Patterson $4,800 $5,400
Craig Reynolds $4,700 $5,400
Ameer Abdullah $4,600 $5,000
David Johnson $4,600 $5,100
Jeremy McNichols $4,500 $5,100
Le’Veon Bell $4,500 $4,500
Latavius Murray $4,400 $5,100
Carlos Hyde $4,000 $5,700

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Last week was all about the cheap injury replacements at RB. This week we don’t get that obvious boost. Jonathan Taylor has a great matchup and a McCaffreyian price tag. Joe Mixon could do some serious damage through the air against KC. Damien Harris and David Montgomery have easy matchups at a slight discount. Then everything gets shaky. Rashaad Penny has an easy matchup, but his price has finally caught up with his lead-back role. The bargain options worth considering are Dare Ogunbowale, Ke’Shawn,  Vaughn, Rex Burkhead, and whoever starts for Philadelphia. That is not a lot to choose from. Maybe we will get lucky and Eli Mitchell will miss another game leaving Jeff Wilson in play.

Fantasy Four-pack

Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. LV
($9,000 DK, $10,000 FD)
I’m confounded at how the Raiders managed to hold Denver’s backfield in check last week. Vegas has shown no other signs of effort on defense since Jon Gruden was replaced. Perhaps, they are starting to play better, or maybe they just decided to stack the box and try to force Drew Lock to beat them. The potential absence of Carson Wentz could produce a similar result this week, but Taylor has more talent than the Denver Duo. If Wentz doesn’t play I will likely limit my exposure to Taylor, but I won’t completely ignore him.

Damien Harris, Patriots vs. JAX
($6,600 DK, $7,400 FD)
The biggest worry that Harris has to face is the proclivity of Bill Belichick to get cute with his RB room. Jacksonville. Only five teams have allowed more running back rushing TDs this season and Harris is coming off of a three-TD performance. This gives him 11 in his last nine games. Harris is a complete afterthought in the passing game, but he shouldn’t need any of that to reach 3x value here.

David Montgomery, Bears vs. NYG
($6,500 DK, $7,200 FD)
Montgomery faces a New York defense that is bottom-six in yards allowed to RBs both on the ground and through the air. Fortunately, David can take advantage of that on both sides. I would feel best if Justin Fields can play this week, but any of the Bears’ QBs should be able to drive this offense against the motley Giants. This should open the door for Montgomery to top 125 total yards and score at least once.

Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. KC
($7,500 DK, $8,500 FD)
Mixon has done well even in bad matchups this year. This has led to him being tied for the third-most total scores for an RB this season. KC isn’t exactly tough to run against, but teams usually are forced to abandon the run to hang with them. Cincy won’t have to because they have the weapons to stay in stride. Plus, KC can be beaten by pass-catching backs. Mixon is multi-purpose. He can achieve both on the ground and through the air. I can see him topping 100 total yards with five catches and a single score. That will make him a safer play on DK than FD.

DFS Sleepers

Rashaad Penny, Seahawks vs. DET
($6,100 DK, $6,900 FD)
Only one team has allowed more total RB touchdowns than Detroit. Meanwhile, Penny has taken over as the lead back in Seattle. Since taking over in Week 13, he has more total opportunities than all the other Seahawk backs combined. In two of those four games, Penny struggled against great defenses. In the other two contests (against bad defenses) he went crazy. Detroit qualifies as a bad defense.

Rex Burkhead, Texans @ SF
($5,000 DK, $5,600 FD)
I hate chasing points, but Burkhead’s performance last week does not feel like an outlier. This offense is finally starting to gel behind QB Davis Mills. San Fran is no cakewalk, but they may actually be playing from behind with Trey Lance forced to start for them. This could put Houston in the position to run the ball more frequently.

DraftKings FanDuel
Cooper Kupp $9,500 $10,200
Deebo Samuel $8,700 $9,000
Tyreek Hill $8,300 $8,200
Stefon Diggs $7,900 $8,000
Ja’Marr Chase $7,600 $7,600
Keenan Allen $7,500 $7,300
A.J. Brown $7,200 $7,500
CeeDee Lamb $7,100 $7,200
Mike Evans $7,000 $7,700
Tee Higgins $6,900 $7,000
Jaylen Waddle $6,700 $7,000
Amari Cooper $6,600 $6,700
DK Metcalf $6,500 $6,600
Hunter Renfrow $6,500 $6,900
Tyler Lockett $6,400 $7,100
DeVonta Smith $6,300 $6,100
Terry McLaurin $6,200 $7,000
Antonio Brown $6,100 $8,500
Amon-Ra St. Brown $6,000 $6,900
Brandin Cooks $6,000 $6,500
Mike Williams $6,000 $6,600
Brandon Aiyuk $5,900 $5,900
Marquise Brown $5,900 $6,300
Christian Kirk $5,800 $6,400
Michael Pittman $5,800 $6,500
Odell Beckham $5,700 $6,500
DJ Moore $5,600 $6,400
Russell Gage $5,600 $6,100
Darnell Mooney $5,500 $6,000
Tyler Boyd $5,400 $6,200
A.J. Green $5,300 $5,600
Van Jefferson $5,300 $6,000
DeVante Parker $5,200 $5,900
Elijah Moore $5,200 $6,000
Jakobi Meyers $5,100 $5,800
Jerry Jeudy $5,100 $5,700
Kenny Golladay $5,100 $5,500
Gabriel Davis $5,000 $5,300
Julio Jones $5,000 $5,600
Kendrick Bourne $5,000 $5,500
Jamison Crowder $4,900 $5,600
Robby Anderson $4,900 $5,700
Michael Gallup $4,800 $5,800
Rashod Bateman $4,800 $5,700
Kadarius Toney $4,600 $5,300
Marquez Callaway $4,600 $5,700
Courtland Sutton $4,500 $5,300
Josh Reynolds $4,500 $5,200
T.Y. Hilton $4,500 $5,600
Tre’Quan Smith $4,500 $5,400
Marvin Jones $4,400 $5,700
Tim Patrick $4,400 $5,400
Breshad Perriman $4,300 $4,700
Isaiah McKenzie $4,300 $5,200
Emmanuel Sanders $4,200 $5,500
Byron Pringle $4,100 $5,600
Rondale Moore $4,100 $5,200
Laquan Treadwell $4,000 $5,200
Mecole Hardman $4,000 $5,400
Nico Collins $4,000 $5,200
Chris Conley $3,900 $5,100
Darius Slayton $3,900 $5,000
Quez Watkins $3,900 $5,300
Sammy Watkins $3,900 $5,200
Zay Jones $3,900 $5,100
Adam Humphries $3,800 $5,200
DeSean Jackson $3,800 $5,200
Kalif Raymond $3,800 $5,000
Laviska Shenault $3,800 $5,300
Tyler Johnson $3,800 $5,200
Braxton Berrios $3,700 $5,300
DeAndre Carter $3,700 $5,100
Jalen Guyton $3,700 $5,300
Antoine Wesley $3,600 $5,100
Curtis Samuel $3,600 $4,800
Joshua Palmer $3,600 $5,200
Olamide Zaccheaus $3,600 $5,100
Marquise Goodwin $3,500 $5,000
Nelson Agholor $3,500 $5,200
Scotty Miller $3,500 $5,000
Zach Pascal $3,500 $5,200
Damiere Byrd $3,400 $4,900
Albert Wilson $3,300 $4,900
Bryan Edwards $3,300 $5,300
Jalen Reagor $3,300 $5,000
Josh Gordon $3,000 $4,700

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Cooper Kupp is the clear WR1 this week against a futile Baltimore pass defense. If you don’t use him make sure you use one of his running mates at WR2. The other high-priced options I like are Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, and Jaylen Waddle. I don’t dislike any of the Bengals in a shootout with KC, but it is just too hard to choose between them this week. Tyler Boyd might be the right answer among them since he comes at a lesser cost. Other WR2 that I Like are Hunter Renfrow, Antonio Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Michael Pittman, and the aforementioned Rams. Michael Gallup and Rashod Bateman are both woefully underpriced (especially on DK). I love either of them at WR3. If Cole Beasley or Gabriel Davis returns and you don’t play Diggs, you could start one of them at WR3. If they are both out again, give me one more huge game from Isaiah McKenzie. Braxton Berrios gets another chance to shine if Jamison Crowder and Elijah Moore remain out for the Jets. My deep punts at WR3 include Antoine Wesley and Jalen Reagor.

Fantasy Four-pack

Cooper Kupp, Rams @ BAL
($9,500 DK, $10,200 FD)
Kupp continues to post a weekly floor of 10-125-1. That right there almost guarantees a 30-point performance. Line him up against this sorry excuse for a secondary and we could see a 200-2 sort of game as Matthew Stafford tries to get him the league yardage record over the next two weeks.

Tyreek Hill, Chiefs @ CIN
($8,300 DK, $8,200 FD)
With the healthy return of Travis Kelce, Cincy will not be able to triple-team Tyreek Hill. It seemed clear that Hill was limited in his return from COVID last week. As long as that does not linger into this weekend, he should return to 10-100-1 range in a shootout game.

Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. ATL
($7,900 DK, $8,000 FD)
Diggs’ price is considerably less than that of Cooper Kupp. That said, he has the best chance of any of the receivers on the board replicating Kupp’s final line. Atlanta has allowed the fifth-most receptions and the third-most TDs to opposing WRs.

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins @ TEN
($6,700 DK, $7,000 FD)
No team has allowed more receiving yards to opposing WRs this season. Plus, Waddle is chasing some rookie receiving records. Since Week 6, only Cooper Kupp has more receptions among WRs and Waddle ranks eighth in receiving yards.

DFS Sleepers

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ SEA
($6,000 DK, $6,900 FD)
Even with Tim Boyle under center last week, St. Brown had another huge game. This week, Josh Reynolds finds himself on the COVID list, so if he doesn’t clear by Sunday, Amon-Ra will see even more targets. Over the last four weeks, only Cooper Kupp leads him in receptions and he is fourth in receiving yards. Seattle is middle-of-the-pack at best against the position, they will certainly struggle with the young stud here.

Michael Gallup, Cowboys vs. ARI
($4,800 DK, $5,800 FD)
This is a glitch in the pricing algorithm. Arizona has allowed the most WR touchdowns this year, including eight over the last four games. CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper are also solid plays in this game, but Gallup’s price is so far below theirs on DK that this should be a set-it-and-forget-it WR3. Gallup is coming off of a pair of duds which should hold his ownership numbers down but don’t let that dissuade you. He has been targeted five times or more in every game that he has played this year.

DraftKings FanDuel
Mark Andrews $7,400 $8,700
Travis Kelce $7,300 $8,200
George Kittle $7,100 $7,300
Darren Waller $6,300 $6,500
Rob Gronkowski $6,200 $6,700
Kyle Pitts $5,900 $6,000
Dawson Knox $5,500 $6,200
Mike Gesicki $5,300 $5,900
Zach Ertz $5,200 $5,500
Dallas Goedert $5,100 $5,800
Dalton Schultz $5,000 $5,900
Noah Fant $4,400 $5,300
Hunter Henry $4,200 $5,700
Gerald Everett $4,100 $5,200
Tyler Higbee $4,000 $5,400
Foster Moreau $3,800 $5,200
Jared Cook $3,700 $4,900
Evan Engram $3,500 $5,100
Cole Kmet $3,400 $5,000
C.J. Uzomah $3,300 $5,100
Ricky Seals-Jones $3,300 $5,000
James O’Shaughnessy $3,200 $5,100
Jimmy Graham $3,100 $4,600
Albert Okwuegbunam $3,000 $4,500
Cameron Brate $2,900 $4,700
Hayden Hurst $2,900 $4,800
John Bates $2,900 $4,600
Brevin Jordan $2,800 $4,800
Mo Alie-Cox $2,800 $4,600
Jack Doyle $2,700 $4,700
Anthony Firkser $2,600 $4,600
Adam Trautman $2,500 $4,300
Dan Arnold $2,500 $4,900

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Mark Andrews has been a stud regardless of who has started at QB for Baltimore. The matchup is neutral, but if I am paying up, I’ll consider him. Both George Kittle and Travis Kelce have sweet matchups. I can see a legit argument for going double-TE this week with expensive TEs. Should Darren Waller play, his matchup is also juicy. This means that since Waller is likely out, Foster Moreau is in a monster spot to score big. Rob Gronkowski also looks primed for a big game. Even the second-tier is packed with Dawson Knox, Mike Gesicki, Dallas Goedert, and Noah Fant all in play. Hunter Henry and the aforementioned Moreau will be my cheaper pivots. You can also use one of the WFT tight ends or Mo Alie-Cox as a punt.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ CIN
($7,300 DK, $8,200 FD)
Kelce is back off of the COVID list and he immediately gets to face an easy opponent. Cincy is fifth-worst in terms of receptions allowed and second-worst in terms of yards allowed to the position. Over the last four weeks, they rank dead last in both of those categories. Kelce went absolutely berzerk in his last game as he rounds himself into playoff form. This game will be higher-scoring meaning start everyone that you can afford.

Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. LAR
($7,400 DK, $8,700 FD)
Andrews now has now posted 29-376-4 over the last three games. None of those games featured his top QB. Lamar Jackson may make his return this week, which shouldn’t hurt Andrews’s production. The Rams have allowed more than a quarter of their passing TDs to go to the position. So, the odds are better of him scoring than Marquise Brown or Rashod Bateman.

Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers @ NYJ
($6,200 DK, $6,700 FD)
Gronkowski now has back-to-back duds as teams have surrounded him with both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out. The Jets are eighth in TDs allowed and seventh in yards allowed to the position. This is definitely an easier matchup than those last two games. Plus, Gronk has scored nine times in 16 career games versus the Jets.

George Kittle, 49ers vs. HOU
($7,100 DK, $7,300 FD) We don’t know what we have with Trey Lance. He could be the next Lamar Jackson or he could be the next Colin Kapernick or he could end up being just the next Josh Rosen. What we do know is that historically young QBs lean on their TEs. Kittle is a beast when given the target share requisite. He should see many passes against a Houston defense that has struggled with every quality TE they have faced.

DFS Sleepers

Foster Moreau, Raiders @ IND
($3,800 DK, $5,200 FD)
This all comes down to whether or not Darren Waller plays. Right now, Waller looks doubtful. This means that Moreau gets to assault an Indy defense that has fallen behind even the rotten Philly TE defense. Over the last four weeks, Moreau is eighth among TEs in yardage and twelfth in both receptions and targets. This is a must-win game for Vegas, so Waller might force himself to go. If he starts, then disregard this recommendation outside of Showdown contests.

Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. JAX
($4,200 DK, $5,700 FD)
Jacksonville has allowed middling production to the position this year. That said, they have only faced three TEs that would be considered on par or better than Henry. All three had big games against this defense. Henry had a down game last week, but he was targeted six times. The prior week, versus Indy, he had eight targets and two scores. His range of outcomes is wide, but this smells like a positive spot for him.

DFS Fantasy Football: Favorite Pro Plays – Week 17

WinDailySports’ CEO Jason Mezrahi checks in with his top Week 17 DFS fantasy football for FanDuel and DraftKings

Top-ranked daily fantasy sports pro Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite DFS plays at various salary ranges for Week 17 of the NFL season. We are back for another year of DFS domination and we have some new tools to take advantage of from my team over at WinDailySports.com.

Our projection model, lineup optimizer, and data tools have been revamped and back tested to start the season off right. So what I will do in this article is list some of our highest projected players based off raw points and our highest point-per-dollar plays based on DraftKings.com pricing. Special Huddle Member Discount: If you would like to give our membership at Win Daily a try, take advantage of a FREE 2-week promotion where you will gain an all access gold pass to our DFS package. Use promo code “thehuddle” at checkout for 2 weeks FREE for our DFS Gold Package. Sign up now.
These are some of the players Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel for this weekend’s slate.

Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

$7,800 DRAFTKINGS
$8,500 FANDUEL

It took all the way to 2022 to put some respect back on his name, but the public once again believes in Mahomes and the Chiefs. Shocking to say this out loud but Patrick is still good at football. Throughout all the ups and downs of the season he has still averaged 23.1 points per game. Now he faces off against an offense that can put up a lot of points as well. I have a feeling the public will choose Burrow over Mahomes because of last week and the cheaper price tag, but I will take Mahomes all day. At this point of the season the Bengals defense has more weaknesses than the Chiefs and I will take the upside here with Mahomes. I believe we see ceiling games from everyone involved in this game, so don’t be hesitant to game stack Mahomes with some pass catchers from both sides on Sunday.

Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

$4,800 DRAFTKINGS
$6,400 FANDUEL

Lance is more of a DraftKings only play for me due to his value price tag when compared to FanDuel. We saw it last week with Josh Johnson that you don’t need much to hit value when you carry a $4800 price tag. In 2 starts earlier this season versus tougher opponents than what he’s facing on Sunday, he racked up 15.6 and 20.4 points which would be a great floor for Sunday. Lance provides running upside and the matchup versus Houston is a good one. Due to the fact that the 49ers are coming off a tough loss, in a must win, and their defense has been scored on, I think we see an aggressive game plan for a full 4 quarters from Lance and the coaching staff. There are some studs to pay up for this week so use Lance as your free square on DraftKings.

Running Backs

Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

$6,300 DRAFTKINGS
$7,000 FANDUEL

Boy was I scared when I saw Vaughn score the first touchdown for Tampa Bay last week. But Jones followed it up with a touchdown of his own with 20 carries for 65 yards in a somewhat tough matchup against a stingy Panther defense. This week should be all systems go with Jones as he faces off against the worst run defense in the league in the New York Jets. This is a great spot for Ronald as the Jets are allowing 141 yards rushing per game and the game script should lean heavy in his favor. I expect a breakout performance in this one and I’m predicting a 100+ yard game with 2 touchdowns so play Jones in both cash games and tournaments.

Damien Harris, New England Patriots

$6,600 DRAFTKINGS
$7,400 FANDUEL

The rule to not draft New England running backs in season long and DFS was broken this year with the emergence of Harris. He won at least one person I noticed last week a million dollars with his 3 touchdown performance versus Buffalo and while I cant expect that again, I still see massive upside at his price in a matchup versus the Jaguars. The Jaguars are just bad and the Patriots really don’t need to expose Mac Jones to much passing as they can literally run for four quarters straight and win this game with ease. Harris is a touchdown machine. So I expect his floor to be around 60 yards and 1 touchdown with my goal being to double both stat categories on Sunday.

Wide receivers

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

$9,500 DRAFTKINGS
$10,200 FANDUEL

Cooper needs 231 yards and 18 catches to break single-season receiving records and while I don’t see it happening this week, I also wouldn’t be surprised in the very least. Kupp has been an unstoppable force this year and what he has done is truly remarkable. They say don’t look at the box scores when doing your research but I simply can’t resist. He is on auto pilot and he is the McCaffrey of recent years where matchups and price tags truly don’t matter. Take your 25-35 points and simply get different at a different spot. If you want other motivation than his track record and possible record breaking incentive you can also toss in the matchup against the worst ranked passing defense in the league. If you still want to fade him please go look at what Burrow and the Bengals did to the Ravens last week. Enough said play Cooper Kupp!

Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

$6,100 DRAFTKINGS
$8,500 FANDUEL

While Cooper will be motivated by breaking records, Antonio will receive $333,000 if he eclipses each of these stat lines. He needs 11 more receptions, 281 more yards, and 2 more touchdowns to make a cool $999,000. The 11 receptions are a lock and could happen this week. The yards and touchdowns will come down to how generous his friend Tom Brady is. Brown went for 10 receptions and 101 yards in his first game back and would have gone for more but this game was over quickly as the Bucs blew out the Panthers 32-6. The Jets defense is not terrible but they will be scored on. As long as Brown is healthy (non-participant on Thursday) I like his chances for a repeat performance and some touchdowns to help him reach his bonuses.

Tight ends

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

$7,300 DRAFTKINGS
$8,200 FANDUEL

Kelce, as mentioned above with Mahomes, is still good at football. After a couple of rough weeks he came back with a vengeance with a 10 catch 191 yard 2 touchdown walk off performance versus the Chargers. The Bengals have real trouble defending the tight end (check Mark Andrews box score from last week) and defending the pass in general as they rank 29th in the league. One of the great parts about this matchup is that the Bengals can trade punches as their offense is also one of the best in the league. With no run game from the Chiefs and an over which keeps pushing higher (currently at 51) I want stacks in this game and I think the highest scoring pairing will be a Mahomes/Kelce stack.

Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

$5,100 DRAFTKINGS
$5,800 FANDUEL

Goedert has quietly turned around his season with 2 great performances in his last 3 games. Goedert has become Hurts most trusted receiver alongside Smith and a matchup versus Washington should be a nice landing spot for him to post another strong game. Washington has been getting gashed through the air all season allowing the 30th most passing yards per game at 269. In a week 15 matchup versus Washington he caught 7 balls for 135 yards and I would love to lock that stat line in again this Sunday.

Good luck in Week 17, and if you ever have any questions, please hit me up on Twitter!

Jason Mezrahi has been a professional, top-ranked Daily Fantasy Player on FanDuel and DraftKings for more than eight years. He has won FanDuel’s $155,555 King of the Diamond competition and placed second in DraftKings’ Fantasy Basketball World Championship, earning him $300,000. He owns and operates WinDailySports.com, which supports the DFS and Sports Betting community with resources such as tools, projection models, expert chat, in-depth written analysis and podcasts, plus much more.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 16

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 16 DFS fantasy football

The NFL has completely unhinged their COVID protocols after last week’s schedule debacle. At this point, we are not expecting any more rescheduling tumult, but if we do, trust that I will update the DFS info to give you the best chance to dominate. Let’s make this weekend a Merry Christmas for all!

DFS: The X-Mas Sleigh-t

With all of the other reindeer battling COVID, Cleveland is hoping Baker Mayfield will be able to return and guide the coursers into Lambeau Field. Baker Claus may be coming to town, but we know that he won’t be gifting Alice Cooper’s boots to any of the Pack. I’m more concerned about him leaving points off the board than gifts under the tree this time. With three more reliable offenses on this slate, I cannot rank Baker higher than QB4. Case Keenum also missed Monday’s game and Nick Mullens got the start. Neither is as reliable as Mayfield, so if either was forced to start it wouldn’t help their cause.

Aaron Rodgers will face a very solid Cleveland defense that will definitely be bringing their sack to this holiday party. Unfortunately for them, when you sack Rodgers, the candy cane striped elves usually whistle for a penalty. Even in a less than jolly matchup, Rodgers is the top QB on this board.

Coming on a short week, I doubt that Cleveland will get Kareem Hunt back for this game. That should mean all aboard the Nick Chubb Express. Certainly, D’Ernest Johnson will see some work in the passing game. His value could be higher than expected if the game script derails the Chubb train. Chubb is the likely RB2 on this slate and Johnson can be the RB5/6. If Hunt plays, he could move into RB5 consideration as well.

Aaron Jones is such an effective RB that it pains me that Green Bay still feels the need to use AJ Dillon frequently in his stead. I’m taking nothing away from Dillon, who is built like the abominable snowman. I just would prefer to see the Packers feature one of them and not just mix and match. Multi-dimensional backs have had the most success against Cleveland this season. Jones has been more active in the passing game than Dillon, so I give him the RB3 nod and Dillon no higher than RB5.

Jarvis Landry should be back for this game. I’m not sure that I would recommend him here since Green Bay may have all three of their top CBs ready for this game. He would be my WR5 at best. Donovan Peoples-Jones is also in the hard-to-trust category here. One of these two will score. My money is on DPJ on a deep pass as Cleveland plays from behind. Don’t reach for any depth WRs here.

Unless you have been living in the North Pole for the last half-decade, you know that Davante Adams is one of the best WRs in football. He is easily the top WR on this slate. Just know that since early in the season, Cleveland had allowed more WR2s to have big games than WR1s. So expect points from Adams, but temper your ceiling. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was back physically healthy, then he caught COVID. If he plays, he should be a solid WR3 option for you this week. That is especially so, if you want to avoid the 100 percent ownership of Adams. Allen Lazard is also back active for Green Bay. If they both play, Lazard will have more receptions than MVS but fewer yards.

David Njoku and Austin Hooper are both in the TE2 consideration this week. Green Bay is just so-so against the position (especially Darnell Savage – who stunk up the joint last week), and this slate is lacking in reliable targets. I prefer Hooper (but he will need to clear COVID protocols on the short week), but either can be used comfortably since Cleveland throws to their TEs almost as much as their WRs. Harrison Bryant returned last week. If Hooper is out, I could see using Bryant in Showdown contests.

Josiah Deguara has struggled every time that I have gone to bat for him. So for his sake, I will say “don’t play him”. Cleveland has been run through by superstar TEs this season. Deguara is not a superstar, nor a star, heck he isn’t even a meteor. He is more like a lump of coal in your stocking. Now that I have said this, I am sure that he will go for 6-70-2. NOT! I forgot how physically large Mercedes Lewis is. There was a time with Jacksonville where he was a prototypical red-zone threat akin to someone like Jimmy Graham. Now he is just a depth piece. He can be ignored outside of Showdown contests.

I can see using Green Bay at defense this week, especially if Cleveland remains shorthanded by COVID cases. I don’t love any of the other defenses on this docket, so they are probably the safest play.

Instead of demanding figgy pudding on Christmas night, I am demanding Frank Reich let Carson Wentz throw the ball some more. Arizona has been reliably mediocre against the pass this season. Plus, they are coming off a game in which Jared Goff lit them up like a Clark Griswold Christmas light display. Wentz is still the QB3 on this slate, but I don’t mind pivoting to him here.

Kyler Murray delivered a big bah humbug to everyone who started him in Week 15. Indy has allowed only five passing TDs over their last five games despite facing both Josh Allen and Tom Brady in that string. I’m still ranking Murray a hair above Wentz because of his rushing potential. That said, the season-long loss of DeAndre Hopkins (and an ankle injury for Rondale Moore as well) is not going to help Murray’s potential.

Jonathan Taylor is the fantasy gift that keeps on giving. As I go to bed Friday night, visions of Taylor TDs will be dancing in my head. Every elite RB to face Arizona has dominated them. Taylor is a lock for RB1 here and should top 125 total yards and score at least once. Nyheim Hines vultured Taylor last week. It was also his only opportunity of the game. I’m not concerned about him being a factor here.

Both Chase Edmonds and James Conner played last week versus Detroit. Surprisingly, Conner, on a bad ankle, had more targets in the passing game than Edmonds. Even more surprisingly, neither scored against the Lions. With them back into a split workload, it is hard to rely on either of them. Conner as the goal-line threat gets the nominal RB4 slot here and Edmonds RB6 at best. That said, Conner hasn’t practiced as of Thursday, so there is a chance he misses this game. If he sits out, Edmonds is safe to roll out as RB4.

Michael Pittman made the referee’s naughty list last week by having his helmet ripped off of his head by an unruly defender. Maybe the ref should have checked the list twice before this questionable call. On this slate, I have Pittman as the WR2 as long as no one from Arizona attempts to rip his helmet off, too. Zach Pascal can be considered as a possible WR3 since non-WR1s have scored in four of the last five games against Arizona. This matchup isn’t strong enough to deploy T.Y. Hilton. You can use him in Showdown just not here in the main tourney. Ashton Dulin is also a fun Showdown play. He doesn’t get many touches, but when he does touch the ball, he is a threat to score.

As predicted, the absence of DeAndre Hopkins led to another big game by Christian Kirk. He is my WR3 here and I will have a lot of exposure to him. A.J. Green also had a solid game, and he can be considered in the WR5/6 range, especially if Rondale Moore misses this game with an ankle injury. If Moore plays, slide Green’s value down slightly. As for Moore, I’d be concerned about reinjury. So, he will not be in any of my lineups. Some undrafted WR named Antoine Wesley had eight targets last week. This was his third eye-raising performance of the season (all in games without Nuk). I might swing him out as a punt WR3 or Showdown captain just to see what happens. His value could be sneaky good if Moore is out.

Jack Doyle is my TE3 here. The matchup is not good, and he hasn’t done jack in the last two games. Remember when Mo Alie-Cox was a thing? He has had four catches on twelve targets since Week 7. That is not Mo Alie-Cox, that is LESS Alie-Cox.

With the injuries to the Arizona WR corps, Zach Ertz finished second in receptions, yardage, and targets last week. He has been heavily involved in this offense ever since the Cards acquired him from Philly. Meanwhile, Indy has gone pear-shaped against TEs allowing an average of 7-78 with four TDs over their last seven contests. Start Zach with confidence as the top TE on this slate.

Either of these defenses could be used as a pivot from Green Bay. That said, neither of them is that great. Kyler Murray has been a wee bit more loosey-goosey with the ball recently. So, if I was to pick one of these two, I would go with Indy.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Garrett Gilbert got the start Tuesday evening against Philly. This wasn’t by choice as both Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen missed the game due to COVID. Heinicke was activated and will start this game. Dallas has an imposing real-life defense. That said, they allow some fantasy points. Heinicke will battle for the QB2/3 slot with Tua Tagovailoa.

Dak Prescott is the most talented QB on this slate. He also has the best matchup on the slate, the best WR corps on the slate, arguably the best TE on the slate, and the second-best backfield on the slate. Starting someone other than him is purely looking to be contrarian.

J.D. McKissic was put on IR. Antonio Gibson … running the ball against Dallas is hard. Having said that, know that Gibson averaged over six YPC and scored four times versus Dallas in 2020. Of course, that was also pre-Micah Parsons. Gibson is the RB3 here, provided a toe injury from last week’s game doesn’t prove costly. Backup Jaret Patterson is the RB6, at best, if Gibson is active.

Ezekiel Elliott continues to split opportunities with Tony Pollard despite Pollard’s torn plantar fascia. Washington is elite against the run but biblically bad against pass-catching backs. Zeke has a nearly 3-2 target lead over Pollard on the season. So he is a clear choice here. I’ll rank Zeke as RB2 on this board and give Pollard the RB4 nod at best.

The Football Team has played musical chairs behind Terry McLaurin at WR all season. Scary Terry will draw Trevon Diggs in coverage. This is both a blessing and a curse. Opposing QBs are afraid to throw it in his direction because he is such a ball hawk. That said, he has also been burnt like a batch of chestnuts left roasting in the fire overnight. Slot and possession receivers have also had success against Dallas this year. This puts a healthy Curtis Samuel into play. Of course, Samuel is not and has not been at any point this season HEALTHY. If he finds his way onto the field you can play him as a sneaky WR3. Otherwise, consider his understudy, Adam Humphries, as a WR3, too. Cam Sims actually had a big game versus Dallas in Week 14. That was predominantly because McLaurin got injured early and Sims filled his role in the offense. If Terry plays, you can mostly ignore Sims here. DeAndre Carter did some stuff earlier this year, as did Dyami Brown. I just don’t trust this passing offense enough to go that deep.

Dallas finally has their top three WRs all healthy at the same time. Now they get to face a rotten Washington secondary. Yes, please! CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup have been the top options for Dallas over the last month. Lamb gets the WR1 role this week, and Gallup is no worse than WR5. Amari Cooper is also in the WR5 range. The depth WRs for Dallas: Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown, and Malik Turner have all gone back to their complementary roles with the return to health of the starters. Any of them could be used in Showdown slates, but Wilson is the only one I’d consider punting with on the main tourney,

Ricky Seals-Jones has the second-best matchup among the TEs on this slate. That said, none of the matchups is elite. So, I will still rank him at TE3. RSJ has been battling a non-COVID illness, so if that limits him, consider John Bates as a deep punt play.

The Football team is actually decent against TEs. That said, Dalton Schultz is the second-most talented TE on this board, and it will be hard to fade him against a subpar secondary. I’m afraid he might be over-owned, so I think this is a good spot to pivot away.

Consider Dallas’ defense with Heinicke starting at QB for WFT. Do not consider the Washington defense in any circumstance.

Tua Tagovailoa gets a tough matchup against a defense that just shut down Tom Brady. New Orleans has allowed a fairly large number of passing yards this season, but only four teams have allowed fewer passing scores. I still think Tua is the QB2 here.

Both Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian find themselves on the COVID list as of Thursday. This means something called Ian Book will get the start. Frankly speaking, he won’t need much to look more competent than Hill and Siemian throwing the ball. Of course, the Saints lose Hill’s rushing ability, which should boost the value of their RBs. With the unread Book at QB, he is the clear QB4 on this slate.

So, Duke Johnson, huh? I didn’t have that one on my 2021 bingo card. The Saints are a beast to run on, but they struggle at times with pass-catching backs. Prior to this season, Duke’s primary role has been as a change-of-pace pass catcher. He still is no better than RB5 here, just know that he could be a sneaky play. Myles Gaskin got hosed by Duke last week. This week, I want nothing to do with Gaskin here. I have him ranked at RB7, and I see no reason whatsoever to play him. Gaskin’s value will be even lower if Phillip Lindsay returns this week.

Alvin Kamara is the RB1 here. Miami’s run defense may look stout on paper, but they have faced one above-average RB since Week 6. Prior to that, they were getting gouged by equally subpar talent. I’m not going to expect the world here, but he should outproduce the other RBs on the board (especially with Taysom Hill out). Mark Ingram returned from COVID last week but didn’t do much against a tough TB defense. I’m not sure there is enough potential equity here for Ingram to be a value. He is probably the RB6 on this board, but his value would only come if Kamara gets knocked out of the game.

Jaylen Waddle missed last week’s game with COVID. He will return this week. This week he will likely lock horns with Marshon Lattimore.  Normally this would be scary. Of course, Waddle has fared well all season even against elite corners. He is no worse than WR5 here. I love him at WR2 this week in my lineups because people might fade him based on the matchup. DeVante Parker gets the easier defensive matchup and the much cheaper price. He will fly under the radar as well, making him a great WR3 option. Albert Wilson has been a favorite of mine on DK where the full PPR gives him big value potential. His numbers may be down with both Parker and Waddle active, but he could be worth a punt WR3 dart throw. I wouldn’t go any deeper here, though.

The Saints’ passing offense is bad. This is partially due to Taysom Hill and partially due to a mediocre corps of receiving talent. As I mentioned above, Ian Book can’t be that much worse than Hill at throwing the ball. Marquez Callaway is the safest play and I will make him a WR3 this week against a bad Miami pass defense. Tre’Quan Smith wouldn’t even be in discussion against a decent defense. Against Miami, he could be a punt WR3. Somehow Lil’ Jordan Humphrey is higher on the Saints depth chart than Kenny Stills. Stills was a healthy scratch in Week 15. That is absurd. He is more talented than any active WR not named Callaway for New Orleans currently. His inactivity is mind-blowingly confusing. If Stills is allowed to play, this is a revenge game for him.

Mike Gesicki is the best TE on this slate. The matchup isn’t great, but none of the TE matchups are. Gesicki has seen the third-most targets and receptions among TEs and the fifth-most receiving yards. The one thing he has not seen is a bunch of scoring opportunities. Much like Dalton Schultz, he will be highly owned. I’m just not sure I can fade him here.

Adam Trautman returned from injury last week. He promptly did nothing. Miami has given up a ton of yardage to the TE position. I still have him ranked as TE4 on the slate, but he might be a sneaky pivot play, especially since young QBs like to lean on their TEs.

I don’t mind either of these defenses. That said, I still will probably go with the masses and use Dallas. Either of these teams feels like a pivot, at best. With Miami getting the inexperienced QB, they might have a high ownership figure, too. That could lure some of the players away from Dallas – I’d like that very much.

The Main Slate: My recommended DFS lineups

At DK: $5.9k for Joe Burrow. $5.9k for Josh Robinson. $6.7k for Cordarrelle Patterson. $7.1k for Ja’Marr Chase. $5.3k for Odell Beckham. $4.9k for Antonio Brown. $7k for Mark Andrews. $4.4k for Samaje Perine (if Joe Mixon does not play, or $4.2k for Justin Jackson if Austin Ekeler does not play, or $4.5k for Craig Reynolds) at FLEX. $2.6k for the Atlanta Falcons defense.

At FD: $7.1k for Burrow. $8.2k for Robinson. $5.8k for Michael Carter (or $5.9k for Rhamondre Stevenson if Damien Harris does not play, or $5.4k for Jackson if Ekeler doesn’t play). $9.8k for Cooper Kupp. $7.1k for Chase. $5.6k for Jamison Crowder. $5.9k for Dallas Goedert. $6.6k for David Montgomery at FLEX. $3.8k for the Falcons defense.

At Fanball (SuperFlex – includes Sun Night): Dak Prescott, Burrow at SF, Montgomery, and Robinson, No more than $5.4k for FLEX (Stevenson, J.Jackson, Reynolds, Perine, or Kyle Pitts), Chase, A.Brown, CeeDee Lamb, and Andrews at TE.

DraftKings FanDuel
Patrick Mahomes $7,700 $8,700
Josh Allen $7,500 $8,500
Tom Brady $7,400 $8,400
Justin Herbert $7,200 $8,400
Lamar Jackson $6,900 $7,800
Matthew Stafford $6,700 $7,900
Jalen Hurts $6,400 $7,700
Kirk Cousins $6,200 $7,300
Russell Wilson $6,100 $7,500
Tyler Huntley $6,000 $7,500
Joe Burrow $5,900 $7,100
Derek Carr $5,800 $7,000
Cam Newton $5,600 $7,200
Ben Roethlisberger $5,500 $6,800
Davis Mills $5,500 $6,600
Jared Goff $5,400 $7,100
Matt Ryan $5,400 $6,800
Mac Jones $5,300 $6,700
Zach Wilson $5,300 $6,600
Justin Fields $5,200 $7,000
Drew Lock $5,100 $6,600
Mike Glennon $5,100 $6,400
Jake Fromm $5,000 $6,400
Trevor Lawrence $5,000 $6,500
Sam Darnold $4,000 $6,200

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – It feels like the Grinch has stolen the QB room for this week. Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Jalen Hurts, and Joe Burrow are the only players I feel really confident in. If Jared Goff plays, I could see using him. I also don’t hate Justin Fields, Drew Lock, and Davis Mills.

Fantasy Four-pack

Matthew Stafford, Rams @ MIN
($6,700 DK, $7,900 FD)
Minnesota just cut one of their starting cornerbacks. Now they have to face the Rams offense. Not the best timing Vikings. Stafford should have little trouble throwing for three scores here.

Justin Herbert, Chargers @ HOU
($7,200 DK, $8,400 FD)
With questions circling Austin Ekeler’s status, Herbert may need to carry the load this week. Houston can be beaten through the air or on the ground so either way, LA will be successful. Heck, even if Ekeler plays, Herbert should still be a lock for 275-2 as his floor.

[lawrence-related id=463124]

Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. NYG
($6,400 DK, $7,700 FD)
I’ll be the first to admit that I did not buy into Hurts this season. Still, Philly has embraced his skills and limitations. He can run the ball with the best of them and he takes all of the TD carries. Including four games with multiple rushing scores and eight games with more than 50 rushing yards. They also have the perfect complement to his short-field passing accuracy in Dallas Goedert. Only seven teams have allowed more passing TDs than the Giants. Hurts will end up with three total scores here.

Joe Burrow, Bengals vs. BAL
($5,900 DK, $7,100 FD)
Burrow will likely have a limited version of his starting RB, so he will need to shoulder the load this week. Baltimore should make that easy on him. They have given up the second-worst eight passing scores over the last four weeks. Back in Week 7, Burrow threw for 416-3 against Baltimore. That was before Baltimore lost the rest of its secondary.

DFS Sleepers

Jared Goff, Lions @ ATL
($5,400 DK, $7,100 FD)
Goff is currently on the COVID list, but he is vaccinated and has no symptoms. It remains to be seen if he is allowed to play this weekend, but based on the announced changes in policy it seems like he should be allowed to. Atlanta has allowed the third-most passing TDs, so it would behoove Goff to clear protocol. Over the last four weeks, only three QBs have more passing TDs than him.

Drew Lock, Broncos @ LV
($5,100 DK, $6,600 FD)
Lock did nothing last week to drive confidence heading into this game. Still, the Raiders have gone so pear-shaped that I could step in and throw for 250-2 against them. Lock has a sleigh-load of weapons to work with and I particularly like the stack with Noah Fant this week.

DraftKings FanDuel
Austin Ekeler $8,100 $9,400
Najee Harris $7,400 $8,400
Joe Mixon $6,900 $7,500
Alexander Mattison $6,800 $5,500
Cordarrelle Patterson $6,700 $7,200
Saquon Barkley $6,500 $7,000
D’Andre Swift $6,300 $7,800
Javonte Williams $6,100 $6,300
Josh Jacobs $6,000 $6,800
James Robinson $5,900 $8,200
Clyde Edwards-Helaire $5,800 $6,500
Melvin Gordon $5,800 $6,300
Darrell Henderson $5,700 $6,900
David Montgomery $5,700 $6,600
Damien Harris $5,600 $6,600
Miles Sanders $5,600 $6,400
Rashaad Penny $5,500 $6,100
Sony Michel $5,500 $6,900
Chuba Hubbard $5,400 $5,500
Devonta Freeman $5,300 $5,600
Michael Carter $5,200 $5,800
Devin Singletary $5,100 $5,800
Ronald Jones $5,100 $5,400
Jamaal Williams $5,000 $6,700
Rhamondre Stevenson $5,000 $5,900
Mike Davis $4,900 $5,500
Tevin Coleman $4,800 $5,700
Darrel Williams $4,600 $5,700
Ameer Abdullah $4,500 $5,100
Craig Reynolds $4,500 $6,000
Rex Burkhead $4,500 $5,400
Ty Johnson $4,500 $4,900
David Johnson $4,400 $5,200
Ke’Shawn Vaughn $4,400 $4,700
Latavius Murray $4,400 $5,300
Samaje Perine $4,400 $6,200
Jordan Howard $4,300 $5,700
Brandon Bolden $4,200 $4,900
Justin Jackson $4,200 $5,400

Running Back

Weekly strategy – There are several discount RBs who could be in play as COVID and injuries shake out this week. If Austin Ekeler plays, he is set up to be a stud. If he doesn’t play, Justin Jackson would become a must-start. Joe Mixon is rumored to be ready to play despite his ankle injury. His matchup is considerably sketchier (as is his reinjury history). If he is limited or out, a full workload for Samaje Perine could prove volume valuable. Cordarrelle Patterson and James Robinson have the best matchups on paper. You will need to start one (if not both of them). Other midtier options that I like include both Broncos, David Montgomery, Alexander Mattison, and Miles Sanders. If Damien Harris misses another game, Rhamondre Stevenson will be a solid play. Of course, knowing Bill Belichick. He could choose to make Stevenson a healthy scratch and give all of the work to Brandon Bolden. I also like Ronald Jones and Michael Carter as discount pivots who should see sizeable volume. The legend of Craig Reynolds may slip into the rearview mirror as the Detroit backfield gets healthy. That said, if Jamaal Williams and/or D’Andre Swift miss this game, you might be able to squeeze one more start out of him.

Fantasy Four-pack

Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ HOU
($8,100 DK, $9,400 FD)
After two days of covert responses, Los Angeles finally admitted that Ekeler missed practice early this week due to COVID. To me, that sounds like tampering with the injury report. Of course, this ranking is based on him suiting up and playing. No team has allowed more total RB scores over the last four weeks. So Ekeler should have little trouble scoring here, too. If, by chance, Austin remains out Justin Jackson is a must-start.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons vs. DET
($6,700 DK, $7,200 FD)
Detroit is the perfect cure for a struggling rushing attack. The 22 total RB scores they have allowed are worsted by only the Jets. It also includes a league-worst eight RB receiving scores. Patterson has seen his usage drop off in recent weeks, but it is all coming back here. The only way he doesn’t reach 125 combo yards and score twice is if Mike Davis actually does something. Yeah, I don’t like those odds, either.

James Robinson, Jaguars @ NYJ
($5,900 DK, $8,200 FD)
This may be the biggest spread in salary I have ever witnessed between the two sites. Robinson will hit 3x on DK. He may even hit 4x. Still, he may struggle to reach 3x on FD. The Jets are bad enough against the run to at least make it interesting.

Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, Broncos @ LV
($5,800 DK, $6,300 FD & $6,100 DK, $6,300 FD)
Choosing between the Denver RBs is always tough. Against Vegas, it won’t matter which one you play, because they will both hit 3x as long as they don’t get hurt. Each is nursing an injury coming into this game, so check back on Friday and Saturday to confirm their practice statuses. If one should miss this game, the other could be the top scorer on the slate.

DFS Sleepers

David Montgomery, Bears @ SEA
($5,700 DK, $6,600 FD)
Seattle has allowed the most RB receptions and receiving yards. This is Montgomery’s forte (and ironically his predecessor in Chicago, Matt Forte’s forte as well). I guess Chicago likes dumping the ball off to their backs. Of course, part of it is that their QBs have not had the skill to get the ball downfield consistently. Over the last three weeks, he leads the league in RB receptions and targets. Seattle isn’t much better against rushers on the ground, so as long as the score doesn’t get out of hand, Monty should be a tournament casher this week.

Ronald Jones, Buccaneers @ CAR
($5,100 DK, $5,400 FD)
We all know how this is going to end. Jones is going to cough up a fumble in the first quarter and then ride pine the rest of the game. Still, if Santa brings Jones a bottle of Stick-Um for his hands, his volume this week could produce a Christmas miracle. The Panthers are middle-of-the-pack against the run, but they are much easier to run on than throw against. Plus, Tom Brady needs all the potential targets he can find right now.

DraftKings FanDuel
Cooper Kupp $9,100 $9,800
Tyreek Hill $8,400 $8,700
Justin Jefferson $8,100 $8,400
Keenan Allen $7,700 $7,700
Stefon Diggs $7,600 $7,500
Diontae Johnson $7,500 $7,400
Ja’Marr Chase $7,100 $7,100
Mike Evans $7,000 $7,600
Adam Thielen $6,900 $7,200
Hunter Renfrow $6,800 $7,100
Tyler Lockett $6,700 $7,300
DK Metcalf $6,400 $6,700
Brandin Cooks $6,300 $6,900
Tee Higgins $6,200 $6,500
Mike Williams $6,100 $6,600
DeVonta Smith $6,000 $5,900
Russell Gage $5,900 $6,700
Marquise Brown $5,800 $6,400
DJ Moore $5,700 $6,400
Amon-Ra St. Brown $5,600 $6,500
Van Jefferson $5,500 $6,300
Darnell Mooney $5,400 $6,100
Kenny Golladay $5,300 $5,500
Odell Beckham $5,300 $6,600
Chase Claypool $5,100 $5,900
Tyler Boyd $5,100 $6,200
Jamison Crowder $5,000 $5,600
Jerry Jeudy $5,000 $5,800
Kendrick Bourne $5,000 $5,600
Antonio Brown $4,900 $7,000
Jakobi Meyers $4,900 $5,700
Robby Anderson $4,900 $5,300
K.J. Osborn $4,800 $6,000
Gabriel Davis $4,700 $5,300
Josh Reynolds $4,600 $5,400
Rashod Bateman $4,500 $5,600
Tim Patrick $4,500 $5,600
Marvin Jones $4,400 $5,600
Breshad Perriman $4,200 $4,700
Courtland Sutton $4,200 $5,400
Darius Slayton $4,200 $5,200
Laviska Shenault $4,100 $5,400
Allen Robinson $4,000 $5,500
Emmanuel Sanders $4,000 $5,600
Jalen Guyton $3,900 $5,300
Kalif Raymond $3,900 $5,200
Sammy Watkins $3,900 $5,200
Tyler Johnson $3,900 $5,000
Kalif Raymond $3,900 $5,200
Sammy Watkins $3,900 $5,200
Tyler Johnson $3,900 $5,000
Kalif Raymond $3,900 $5,200
Sammy Watkins $3,900 $5,200
Tyler Johnson $3,900 $5,000
Olamide Zaccheaus $3,800 $5,100
Quez Watkins $3,800 $5,300
DeSean Jackson $3,700 $5,100
Jakeem Grant $3,700 $5,100
James Washington $3,700 $5,200
Nelson Agholor $3,600 $5,400
Scotty Miller $3,600 $4,900
Braxton Berrios $3,500 $5,300
Laquon Treadwell $3,500 $5,300
Mecole Hardman $3,500 $5,200
Zay Jones $3,500 $5,000
Freddie Swain $3,400 $4,800
Nico Collins $3,400 $5,200
Byron Pringle $3,300 $5,200
Chris Conley $3,300 $4,900
Damiere Byrd $3,300 $4,900
Bryan Edwards $3,200 $5,200
Josh Gordon $3,100 $4,800
Jaelon Darden $3,000 $4,600

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – I really like the idea of spending up at WR this week. With so many potential bargains at RB, it should be easy to do. Tyreek Hill dealing with COVID protocols is the only high-priced option who concerns me. Keenan Allen, Cooper Kupp, and Ja’Marr Chase are my three favorite plays. I will have at least one of that threesome in all of my lineups. If I don’t use Chase, either Tee Higgins or Tyler Boyd could be in at WR2. I also like DeVonta Smith, DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney, Russell Gage, both backup Rams, and both starters for Detroit (assuming Jared Goff plays). WR3 must be Antonio Brown on DK. His FD price is a little high so, you can weigh your options there. The other choices at WR3 are Jamison Crowder, both starters for the Patriots, every starter for Denver except Courtland Sutton, and any of the Jaguars. If I choose to punt at WR3, I could use Tyler Johnson or one of the KC backups if Hill and Travis Kelce miss this game.

Fantasy Four-pack

Cooper Kupp, Rams @ MIN
($9,100 DK, $9,800 FD)
The price is so darn high, but I still think that it is possible that Kupp hits 3x here. Minnesota is weak in their secondary, and unlike when they faced Chicago, they actually have other significant pass-catching threats to be aware of here. It is that sheer volume of weapons that is the only reason why I am not guaranteeing a two-TD game here. That said, I would not be surprised to see a final line of 12-140-2 here.

Keenan Allen, Chargers @ HOU
($7,700 DK, $7,700 FD)
Since Week 8, Allen is fourth in the league in targets and third in receptions, despite missing a game during that stretch. Meanwhile, Houston has struggled against stud possession receivers all season.

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. BAL
($7,100 DK, $7,100 FD)
Did you see what Chase did to Baltimore in Week 7? That was before Baltimore lost all of their secondary starters. Since that game, Chase has fizzled but the Ravens have fizzled more.

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. LAR
($8,100 DK, $8,400 FD)
Opposing WRs don’t produce much against Jalen Ramsey because most QBs are afraid to throw his direction. If Adam Thielen returns it may alter Minnesota’s strategy, but if not, Jefferson will see his standard double-digit targets. He also has scored and/or topped 80 yards in all but two games. Plus, only one WR has more yards this season and he (Cooper Kupp) is also playing in this game. Can you say “run-it-back game stack?”

DFS Sleepers

Jamison Crowder, Jets vs. JAX
($5,000 DK, $5,600 FD)
With Elijah Moore out, Crowder led the Jets in receiving last week. This week he faces a Jacksonville defense that has struggled with slot and possession receivers all season. Crowder did suffer a calf issue earlier this week, so if he is limited or out, Braxton Berrios will get to take advantage of this matchup. Either of these two will make a great play here.

Antonio Brown, Buccaneers @ CAR
($4,900 DK, $7,000 FD)
This is a combination of his price on DK and the fact that Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette, and likely Mike Evans will miss this game. Tom Brady has to throw the ball to someone. Carolina is good against the pass but volume alone puts Brown in play.

DraftKings FanDuel
Travis Kelce $7,300 $7,800
Mark Andrews $7,000 $8,000
Rob Gronkowski $6,200 $6,700
Darren Waller $6,000 $6,500
Kyle Pitts $5,800 $5,900
Dawson Knox $5,300 $6,100
Dallas Goedert $5,100 $5,900
Hunter Henry $4,700 $6,000
Noah Fant $4,400 $5,600
Pat Freiermuth $4,300 $5,100
Tyler Conklin $3,900 $5,200
Tyler Higbee $3,800 $5,500
Gerald Everett $3,700 $4,900
Foster Moreau $3,600 $5,200
Jared Cook $3,500 $5,100
Evan Engram $3,400 $5,000
Cole Kmet $3,300 $5,000
James O’Shaughnessy $3,200 $5,300
Albert Okwuegbunam $3,100 $4,900
C.J. Uzomah $3,000 $5,000
Dan Arnold $2,900 $5,000
Kyle Rudolph $2,700 $4,400
Kendall Blanton $2,600 $4,500
Pharoah Brown $2,600 $4,400
Tommy Tremble $2,600 $4,500
Blake Bell $2,500 $4,200
Brevin Jordan $2,500 $4,800
Brock Wright $2,500 $4,500
Cameron Brate $2,500 $4,500
Jonnu Smith $2,500 $4,600
Noah Gray $2,500 $4,100
Tyler Kroft $2,500 $4,400

Tight End

Weekly strategy – I will have a hard time choosing my TE this week. There are many that I like here and very few that I do not trust. Mark Andrews is the obvious pay-up choice. Rob Gronkowski has a tough matchup, but much like Antonio Brown, someone has to catch the ball there. Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert, and Noah Fant all have easy matchups. If I don’t use one of those five, I will likely punt with Jared Cook, James O’Shaugnessy, C.J. Uzomah, Cameron Brate, or one of the Giants.

Fantasy Four-pack

Mark Andrews, Ravens @ CIN
($7,000 DK, $8,000 FD)
Andrews has been white-hot regardless of who has been at QB. Meanwhile, over their last nine games, Cincy has allowed an average of 6.7-80 to the position with five TDs allowed.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. NYG
($5,100 DK, $5,900 FD)
Much like Andrews, Goedert has been on fire regardless of who starts at QB. Over the last four weeks, only two teams have allowed more receptions to the position. If you are starting Jalen Hurts (and you should), stack him with Goedert and possibly DeVonta Smith.

Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers @ CAR
($6,200 DK, $6,700 FD)
Carolina is middle-of-the-pack against the TE position. It might not matter against Gronk since he may be targeted 15-plus times this week. With all of the injuries last week, Gronk saw 11 targets but only caught two of them. He is too good to fail like that again.

Noah Fant, Broncos @ LV
($4,400 DK, $5,600 FD)
Vegas is fourth-worst in receptions versus the position. They are second-worst in TDs allowed and they have given up the fifth-most receiving yards to the position. Meanwhile, Fant leads all of Denver in receptions and is second on the team in targets and third in receiving yards. Plus, Drew Lock seemed to be in sync with him last week.

DFS Sleepers

James O’Shaughnessy, Jaguars @ NYJ
($3,200 DK, $5,300 FD)
Over the last four weeks, the Jets are bottom five in every significant category against the position. During this same time frame, O’Shaughnessy returned and has become one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets. Of course, Dan Arnold has been designated to return from IR, so keep an eye on his status to see if he is activated this week. An Arnold return will likely hurt O’Shaughnessy’s value. No team has scored fewer points than Jacksonville and no team has allowed more points than the Jets. Something has to give this week.

Jared Cook, Chargers @ HOU
($3,500 DK, $5,100 FD)
With Donald Parham assumedly out following his scary concussion last week, Cook will get to feast alone on the Houston defense. The Texans have faced only three upper-echelon TEs, all three had huge games. That said, Cook isn’t upper-echelon. I’d call him more “veteran-solid,” and his value should be heightened without Parham stealing red-zone looks. Only two teams are allowing more red-zone scoring visits per game, so Cook might steal a TD here (especially if Austin Ekeler is out).

DFS Fantasy Football: Favorite Pro Plays – Week 16

WinDailySports’ CEO Jason Mezrahi checks in with his top Week 16 DFS fantasy football for FanDuel and DraftKings

Top-ranked daily fantasy sports pro Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite DFS plays at various salary ranges for Week 16 of the NFL season. We are back for another year of DFS domination and we have some new tools to take advantage of from my team over at WinDailySports.com.

Our projection model, lineup optimizer, and data tools have been revamped and back tested to start the season off right. So what I will do in this article is list some of our highest projected players based off raw points and our highest point-per-dollar plays based on DraftKings.com pricing. Special Huddle Member Discount: If you would like to give our membership at Win Daily a try, take advantage of a FREE 2-week promotion where you will gain an all access gold pass to our DFS package. Use promo code “thehuddle” at checkout for 2 weeks FREE for our DFS Gold Package. Sign up now.
These are some of the players Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel for this weekend’s slate.

Quarterbacks

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

$7,200 DRAFTKINGS
$8,400 FANDUEL

Herbert has put the offense on his back and is showcasing elite quarterback skills at such a young age in the league. Averaging 25.2 points per game and 24-plus points in six of his last seven games, Herbert has become one of the best and most consistent quarterbacks in the league. He will most likely be without one of his weapons in Austin Ekeler, but that shouldn’t stop the passing attack too much in a juicy matchup versus the Houston Texans. The Texans are giving up the fifth-most points in the league, and Vegas has the Chargers scoring 28 points on Sunday, which is the highest total on the slate currently. Look for another 25-plus-point game from Herbert in Week 16.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

$6,700 DRAFTKINGS
$7,900 FANDUEL

Stafford has thrown for three touchdowns in three of the last four games and has averaged 22.9 points on the season. With all the value on this slate, I find myself paying up at quarterback and locking up points this weekend. The game versus the Minnesota Vikings should be a fireworks show with two potent offenses squaring off in Minnesota. Vegas has the total set for 49 with the Rams favored by three. The Vikings are involved in shootouts almost every week, thus leading to them ranking 31st against opposing quarterbacks and 29th in passing yards allowed. Stafford to Kupp should be a popular play in cash and tournaments, but there are other spots to get different in Week 16.

Running Backs

Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

$5,100 DRAFTKINGS
$5,400 FANDUEL

Running back is the spot to lock in value plays this week. With almost all the skilled players for the Buccaneers out due to injuries, this team will be a strong source of value at each position. Leonard Fournette and Chris Godwin are out, and Mike Evans is trending that way, so I will be focusing my attention to Jones, Antonio Brown (if he plays), Rob Gronkowski, and the value plays like Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller as well. At only $5,100 and $5,400 you won’t find a better game script than Jones and the Buccaneers favored by 10 going up against the Carolina Panthers. I’m not too worried about the signing of Le’Veon Bell, and I will be locking Jones in almost all my lines along with combinations of Brown and Gronkowski.

[lawrence-related id=463191]

Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers

$4,200 DRAFTKINGS
$5,400 FANDUEL

Another value spot to lock in is Jackson with Austin Ekeler landing on the COVID-19 list this week. There will be a lot of moving and shaking this week due to the spread of the virus, and there will be so much value here that we need to pick the right spots. Jackson does pose some risk with Joshua Kelly still in the mix for the Chargers. Once again, we do have the game script in his favor with the Chargers favored by 10 in a juicy matchup versus Houston. The Texans rank 27th against opposing running backs and are allowing a league-worst 145 yards per game. Most of my lineup builds will start with both Jones and Jackson at near minimum salaries at both sites.

Wide receivers

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

$9,800 DRAFTKINGS
$9,000 FANDUEL

With all the value on the slate, why not lock in the best wide receiver in the game in a plus-matchup? A lot of people will, but week in and week out people continue to fade Kupp for various reasons. I won’t be fading him versus the league’s worst defense at defending wide receivers. The Vikings are one of the worst defenses on the board, and it’s the reason why the Rams are projected to score 26 points in this game. Coming off back to back 30-plus-point games, I will be locking in Kupp in cash games and playing him a ton in tournaments as well.

Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

$4,900 DRAFTKINGS
$7,000 FANDUEL

Like I stated above with Jones and what I will repeat below with Gronkowski, Brown is in a marvelous spot this week at his price tag. To get a likely No. 1 receiver at $4,900 on DraftKings is just too much to pass up on. Brown is going to slide right back in and prove his worth this week with Tom Brady by his side. Expect all the targets he can handle, and at his DraftKings price tag and a full point PPR, he is going to be a tough fade for me. On FanDuel, I can see a way to fade and lock in Gronk and Jones instead. For most of my lineup builds, I will have two of the three Buccaneers listed in this article as cornerstones.

Tight ends

Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

$6,200 DRAFTKINGS
$6,700 FANDUEL

With Travis Kelce possibly out with COVID-19 and Kittle off the main slate, Gronkowski is lined up for a big day without possibly Evans and definitely Godwin on the field. Gronkowski had his first down game last week alongside Brady, so look for them both to bounce back after being shut out by the New Orleans Saints. For all the reasons listed above with Brown and Jones, lock in Gronkowski as your cash game tight end and make sure you get some shares in tournaments as well.

James O’Shaughnessy, Jacksonville Jaguars

$3,200 DRAFTKINGS
$5,300 FANDUEL

With all the value on this slate, I don’t think you need to creep down to value tight ends, but if you do, O’Shauhnessy is in a good spot. He is averaging five targets per game over the last four games, and his price is right. The matchup versus the New York Jets is one the Jaguars should take advantage of, but don’t expect more than 10 points in this one. Again, there is so much value with COVID that you don’t need to go cheap on tight end, but the Jets defense rank 25th against tight ends and giving up a league-worst 391 yards per game.

I hope each and everyone of you reading this has a happy holiday and safe and happy start to the New Year!

Good luck in Week 16, and if you ever have any questions, please hit me up on Twitter!

Jason Mezrahi has been a professional, top-ranked Daily Fantasy Player on FanDuel and DraftKings for more than eight years. He has won FanDuel’s $155,555 King of the Diamond competition and placed second in DraftKings’ Fantasy Basketball World Championship, earning him $300,000. He owns and operates WinDailySports.com, which supports the DFS and Sports Betting community with resources such as tools, projection models, expert chat, in-depth written analysis and podcasts, plus much more.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 15

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 15 DFS fantasy football

We have finally passed all of the bye week shenanigans and have firmly planted ourselves into league playoffs. We also have our first Saturday slate of the year. Between this bonus slate, Thursday, and the primetime slate there are 10 teams taken out of the main slate’s player pool. This includes great offenses like KC, Tampa, Indy, Minnesota, and the Los Angeles Chargers. We also lose the Cleveland backfield, Taysom Hill, Alvin Kamara, Hunter Renfrow, and the Chicago Bears (whom no one will really miss). Since we have a bonus slate of play, I will break that down in addition to the primetime slate, so that we can all make even more moolah for the holidays!

DFS: The Saturday Slate

Derek Carr has been slightly dysfunctional since the arrest of Henry Ruggs and the injury to Darren Waller. His bad loss to KC last week isn’t entirely on his shoulders, though. The Raiders were behind the 8-ball from the onset. Carr did swallow four sacks and threw a pick, so he can’t be completely ignored in the realm of responsibility, either. He also has one or zero TDs in five of his last six starts. Coming into this season, I would’ve ranked him as the top QB on this slate. In this current environment, he is no better than QB3, and quite probably QB4.

Thanks to a well-timed bye week, Baker Mayfield may be his physically healthiest of the entire season. Of course, then what happens, he tests positive for COVID. If he can stumble out of bed and down the hall to the locker room, and escape the COVID protocols, he gets a great matchup. The Raiders’ pass defense is still sustaining its ranking based on early-season success. Unfortunately, they have been a shell of themselves over the last month plus. They aren’t the worst defense on the board, but they are bad enough that Mayfield should be QB2 on this small slate if he goes. Baker’s backup, Case Keenum, also tested positive for COVID (on Thursday). So it seems that if Baker is forced to sit this one out, Nick Mullens will get the start and is a slight (not awful) drop-off in terms of talent.

Josh Jacobs should’ve had success last week, but Vegas fell so far behind so fast that he never got a chance to get started. With Kenyan Drake out for the year, he will be the three-down back for Vegas the rest of the way. This is a decent week for him as Cleveland has been struggling against running backs since Week 5 (especially dual-threat RBs). I have him as my RB3 on this board simply because the top-two options are more reliable. That said, feel free to use all three of them. Peyton Barber is filling in a backup role right now, and he doesn’t have enough value, even if Jacobs got hurt.

Kareem Hunt left last week’s game with an ankle injury. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski claimed after the game that Hunt wanted to re-enter, but he was held out as a precaution. An early week MRI has ruled Hunt out. With Hunt absent, Nick Chubb once again gets to carry a full load for Cleveland. The numbers weren’t great last week, but this was against the top-ranked Baltimore run defense. This week, he faces the 24th-ranked Raiders. This locks in Chubb as the RB2 on this slate. D’Ernest Johnson will fill the Hunt role and be RB6.

Hunter Renfrow will probably help some owners win their fantasy leagues this season. This isn’t a great slate for WRs, so even in a middling matchup, he is the WR2 (and possibly WR1 if Jarvis Landry is out). Zay Jones is second on the team over the last three weeks in targets. I could see using him as a punt WR3 at best. Bryan Edwards and DeSean Jackson are splitting sprint routes. I can’t see using either of them in this contest, but you could use one in a Showdown slate looking to capitalize on a long TD.

Jarvis Landry scored last week. He also led the team in targets and tied for the team lead in receptions. By sheer lack of other options, he should be the WR1 on this slate. That said, he needs to clear the COVID protocol before this weekend. Donovan Peoples-Jones finally had a breakout game. It was against a decimated secondary, so take that with a grain of salt. He won’t be higher than WR5 for me this week, unless Landry is out. The only other WR to register more than one catch since Week 10 is Ja’Marcus Bradley. I actually like his future potential, but the future is not now. Drop the value on all of these WRs a little if Nick Mullens is under center.

Darren Waller is again out. Foster Moreau gets another start he falls to no better than TE3. Cleveland has struggled against elite TEs. Waller is elite … Moreau, not so much.

Cleveland likes to use three-TE sets (in the DFS world I call it triple-TE). It works great in reality, not so much in fantasy. Unfortunately for them, two of their top three TEs were held out of Week 14 (David Njoku due to COVID and Harrison Bryant due to an ankle injury). Austin Hooper was the last man standing last week (and now he has tested positive for COVID). He scored last week as expected. If Bryant remains out, and Hooper suits up, he will finish no worse than TE2 on this slate. A now-healthy Njoku could also be used as a punt TE play or even a punt FLEX if you spend too much elsewhere. If Njoku plays and Hooper is out, Njoku instantly becomes a popular TE4/5 play. The TE value should be the same whether Mullens or Mayfield starts.

All four of these defenses are fairly even in regards to their match to the opposing offense. I feel most owners will be on the New England Patriots, so I like to pivot to Cleveland. Despite their dysfunction, you could even consider Vegas here with all the COVID cases on Cleveland’s offense.

Saturday night, Mac Jones travels to Indy. The Colts started the year as one of the worst pass defenses in the league. A series of games against mediocre to outright bad QBs have improved their stats allowed, but they are still touchable through the air. I’m not sure that Jones has the passing upside to take advantage of them for more than 270-2. This will likely put him at QB3/4 on this board in a dogfight with Derek Carr.

Carson Wentz faces the toughest pass defense on the board. Unfortunately, this is a rough slate for passing offenses, so he is the de facto QB1. I actually believe that I would prefer a COVID-free Baker Mayfield this week, but it is close.

Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson would each be in consideration for RB3 here if the other was out injured. With both of them active, they get the RB4 and RB5 slots, respectively. Harris is very good, and I like using him as my FLEX to save a little dough. Stevenson led the team in carries in the Week 12 Wind Bowl, but Harris was more efficient with his touches. Plus, Harris has scored in seven of his last eight games. Stevenson has scored in only two games all season and one of those Harris missed due to injury. Brandon Bolden is the “James White role” in this offense. He won’t need to play a huge role this week, but he can be used in Showdown contests as a TD dart throw.

So much for that split backfield. Jonathan Taylor has taken the featured back role and run away with it. Over his last 10 games, he has had 18 total scores. New England is much worse against the run than the pass. Anything less than 125-2 would seem like a failure for JT this week. Nyheim Hines has been relegated to mop-up duty. There won’t be any of that this week. His only path to value here would be a Taylor injury. I’m not going to wish nor predict such a thing. Keep that karma away from this game.

Kendrick Bourne has actually found himself in reliable WR territory recently. Every year some no-name guy emerges from obscurity to perform well for the Patriots. This year it is him. I have him as my WR4 on this slate, and I like the idea of using him if you need to save some money. Nelson Agholor could also be used in a positive matchup. As could be Jakobi Meyers, despite his noted lack of scoring. True WR1s have destroyed Indy this year, but I’m not sure any of them fits that category. This might be a situation where you make three different lineups with each of them as your WR3.

Michael Pittman is the most talented WR on this slate. That said, he has a tough matchup, so he has to battle with Renfrow and Landry (if available) for the top fantasy play. I can see using the stack of him with Wentz. T.Y. Hilton failed in Week 13 against the Houston Texans. I cannot trust him in any game that isn’t against the Texans. Zach Pascal may be an interesting punt WR3 as a way to get access to this game without paying Pittman’s price. If it means anything, Ashton Dulin has scored in back-to-back games. He also has exactly one catch in each of those two games. I’d leave him for Showdown where he is a must-start.

Hunter Henry was a TD machine earlier this year. Now, he is sharing targets with Jonnu Smith once again. Indy has been foul against the position over the last month-plus. If Jonnu wanted to take the week off, Henry would challenge for TE2 or better on this slate. As it sits, Henry is a TD-dependent TE3/4. Jonnu can be ignored this week, unless Henry ends up missing the game somehow.

Jack Doyle is your TE4 (at best) here. He has been doing well since Week 8. That said, New England neutralizes the TE position. This suggests that Mo-Alie Cox is even less likely to help you this week.

The Patriots will be the most-owned defense on this slate. They also face the best offense on the slate. I believe in pivoting away from them. Indy gets the rookie QB, they might be a sneaky play here.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

As a QB, Taysom Hill has been a solid running back. The lack of talent to throw to, along with the lack of throwing talent, leaves his legs as his only truly valuable asset. Tampa’s secondary has been laughable all year, but does New Orleans have anyone that can take advantage of this? I have to presume Hill will manage to throw at least one score (probably to Alvin Kamara). I also like him to add one on the ground. I still cannot see him finishing as better than QB2 on this board.

Tom Brady managed to turn a bad matchup last week into a solid fantasy line anyways. This matchup is better, but still not perfect for him. Still, this is Brady, so I have to name him as the QB1 here, since none of the others has a sure-thing matchup, either.

On paper, this matchup should seem scary for Alvin Kamara. Running against Tampa Bay is never recommended. Fortunately for Kamara, Tampa can be bested by pass-catching backs. They rank second worst in receptions allowed to the position. This advantage locks Alvin in at RB2 here. Mark Ingram missed last week due to COVID. He should return this week, but with Kamara healthy, he is nothing more than a change-of-pace option with no red-zone value due to Hill. Unless you are putting out a Kamara-gets-injured lineup, then he can be avoided. Tony Jones will fall back into a depth role, with zero value unless Ingram is out again. Even then, I wouldn’t consider him.

New Orleans is arguably tougher than Tampa to run on. They are also not as flimsy against pass-catching backs. That said, Leonard Fournette is in playoff mode already. He is stepping up and getting it done regardless of matchup. Unfortunately for Lenny, he is dealing with an ankle issue. Assuming he plays, Fournette is RB4 here due to the level of talent in play on this slate. He should be at least your FLEX in a fair share of your lineups. Fournette would get a boost in that Gio Bernard is out for this game. He also would get a boost in that Ronald Jones just isn’t very good. I’ll give Jones the courtesy RB5 nod, but I don’t really see myself using him unless Fournette is ruled out.

The Saints’ wide receiver room is pretty awful. Deonte Harris is suspended. This leaves the unholy trinity of Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (hamstring). Callaway has the most talent of that threesome, and Tre’Quan has seen the most targets recently. Against most teams, I’d leave them all on the bench, but Tampa is bad enough against the pass to consider one of those two as a punt WR3. Especially, if you are looking to run it back versus a Buccaneers-led game stack.

Antonio Brown is going to miss at least one more game due to suspension for creating a faux vax card. In his absence, it will be business as usual for Tampa as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin should dominate touches. It should be noted that Evans has posted only 7-114-2 across his last three matchups against New Orleans as he has seen the most top coverage. Compare that to Godwin, who has posted 17-260-1 over that same three-game stretch. Plus, Godwin has received an absurd target share recently with 32 looks over the last two weeks. Godwin is the WR2 here and Evans the WR4/5. Breshad Perriman has bypassed both Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller on the performance charts for Tampa. Johnson has more talent, but he just isn’t seeing as much usage as I’d like. Miller slipped so far he was actually inactive last week. Perriman is a vertical threat, so he could score any week, but his lack of targets makes him very TD-dependent. Personally, I would only consider Perriman or Johnson in Showdown slates.

Nick Vannett and Juwan Johnson aren’t going to scare anyone. Vannett has seen an uptick in usage since the injury to Adam Trautman, who this week was designated to return. Tampa is so-so versus the position while Minnesota is elite against it, so he might sneak into TE3 consideration over Cole Kmet. Johnson hasn’t seen many targets, but he is a big body and that could equate to a red-zone target or two since the New Orleans WRs aren’t anything to write home about, either.

The Saints are good against TEs, but Rob Gronkowski is such a TD threat that he gets the TE1 spot without any effort. The matchup is tough enough that I’m not going to use Cameron Brate, though.

I don’t see how you could use either of these defenses here with two better options on MNF.

Monday night, Kirk Cousins gets another primetime game. Haven’t the schedule makers learned their lesson yet? Cousins is 1-9 for his career on Monday nights and 9-17 overall in primetime. Plus, over five career games with Minnesota versus the Bears, Cousins has only thrown for seven total TDs. The Bears defense is not as strong as recent years, but still keep your Kirk expectations in check. He should be the QB2 here, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes at QB3.

Justin Fields showed off his assets last week. Unfortunately, it was in a losing effort. Meanwhile, both of the speedy running QBs to face the Vikings this year have dominated them. Justin doesn’t have the level of skill that Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray bring to the table, so I will leave him at QB4 here. Just know that his rushing yards won’t hurt his value this week.

Alexander Mattison will miss this game due to COVID, so Dalvin Cook will get all of the work. This should be great for Cook, since the Bears have suffered a fall-off against the position of late. Plus, Cook is coming off a decimation of Pittsburgh, and he posted a solid 271-1 against Chicago in two games last season. Lock Cook in at RB1 and expect another huge night from him. Kene Nwangwu will be the backup this week. With Dalvin just a pair of weeks removed from a severe shoulder injury, Kene could be forced into action with a reinjury. He should get the RB6 nod. Nwangwu will also have value in the return game, and if he and the Minnesota defense are stacked, you can get the double payday if he scores a return TD. The team also signed veteran Wayne Gallman off waivers this week. I doubt he will have any value unless both the other backs get hurt.

This is the David Montgomery show. He has value on the ground and through the air. Minnesota has both of their top two LBs back healthy to slow down Montgomery. Still, I like his chances to finish with 125 combo yards and a score. This should set him up as RB3 this week and no lower than RB4. Khalil Herbert has entered witness protection since Monty’s return. He was even out-touched by Damien Williams last week. They are both just complementary pieces now, so they can be ignored.

Adam Thielen missed last week’s game due to an ankle injury. His status for Week 15 also is in question. If he plays, he is no more than WR5. His propensity to score TDs always keeps him in play when he suits up. Regardless of Thielen’s status, Justin Jefferson is the WR1 on this slate. Davante Adams was the latest alpha WR1 to throttle the Bears last week. Something that many have already done this year. Jefferson posted 16-239 against Chicago last season and is white-hot right now. I don’t see any way that he doesn’t post 10-130-1 as a floor here. K.J. Osborn is the WR that will benefit most if Thielen is out. In the game plus that Adam has been out, Osborn has been targeted 16 times and has scored twice. I will rank him at WR6/7 on the board, and he is a perfect WR3 play this week. Dede Westbrook is the Vikings’ WR4, and he also has COVID. Even if he plays, he doesn’t have any legit value outside of Showdown.

Darnell Mooney is a very good young WR. It remains to be seen if the Vikings shadow him with Patrick Peterson, or if Peterson is assigned the task of guarding the veteran Allen Robinson. Peterson can occasionally be beaten in coverage, but the rest of the Vikings secondary can be beaten on every play. Mooney is safe to utilize as either the WR4/5 on this docket. Robinson is more of a question mark due to his season-long struggles. That said, Minnesota has allowed 20 different WRs to post double-digit PPR points. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if both fared well this week. I’ll assign Robinson the WR7 rank, but he is a decent dart-throw WR3 option. Jakeem Grant has scored as a WR in back-to-back games. He also added a return TD last week. As long as I have been watching football, Minnesota has always struggled with quality return men. With the threat of a return TD, he also makes a possible punt WR3 or FLEX play to save you money up top. Damiere Byrd has actually been more involved in the passing offense than Grant, but I have to give the value edge to the latter here.

Tyler Conklin is your TE2 on this board. Chicago has allowed 27-264-3 to the position over the last five games. Meanwhile, Conklin has 11 targets over the last week-plus without Thielen.

Cole Kmet would normally be your TE3 here. Unfortunately, he has been splitting usage with Jimmy Graham recently. Also, Minnesota has been elite against the TE position despite their recent foibles (3 TDs allowed in the last four games while battling injuries). I’d almost rather use Graham here, despite knowing that he is TD-dependent.

I will likely use one of these two defenses. Minnesota gets to face the rookie QB. They are probably the top choice. Especially since Chicago has allowed the second-most sacks and the fourth-most turnovers. The Vikings don’t make a ton of turnovers, but they have no one on their O-line that can contain Robert Quinn.

[lawrence-related id=462919]

 

The Main Slate: My recommended DFS lineups

At DK: $5.6k for Ben Roethlisberger. $7.3k for Ezekiel Elliott. $5.7k for Chuba Hubbard. $7.5k for Diontae Johnson. $6.3k for Brandon Aiyuk. $4.9k for Marquez Valdes-Scantling. $3.4K for Ricky Seals-Jones. $5.1k for Chase Edmonds (if he plays, or $4.9k for David Johnson) at FLEX. $3.7k for the Miami Dolphins defense.

At FD: $6.6k for Big Ben. $6.7k for Zeke. $6k for Hubbard. $7.8k for Diontae. $8.5k for Davante Adams. $9k for Cooper Kupp. $4.5k for Seals-Jones. $6.5k for Edmonds (or $6.9k for Antonio Gibson) at FLEX. $4.2k for the Los Angeles Rams defense.

At Fanball (SuperFlex – includes Sun Night): Aaron Rodgers, Big Ben at SF, Zeke, and James Robinson, Edmonds (or Hubbard or Myles Gaskin) at FLEX, Adams, Diontae, Chris Godwin, and Seals-Jones.

DraftKings FanDuel
Josh Allen $8,100 $8,700
Kyler Murray $7,900 $8,800
Aaron Rodgers $7,500 $7,600
Lamar Jackson $7,200 $7,700
Matthew Stafford $7,000 $7,700
Jalen Hurts $6,600 $7,800
Dak Prescott $6,500 $7,500
Russell Wilson $6,400 $7,200
Joe Burrow $6,100 $7,300
Ryan Tannehill $5,900 $7,000
Jimmy Garoppolo $5,800 $6,700
Tua Tagovailoa $5,700 $7,400
Ben Roethlisberger $5,600 $6,600
Taylor Heinicke $5,500 $6,900
Teddy Bridgewater $5,500 $6,600
Cam Newton $5,400 $6,900
Davis Mills $5,400 $6,800
Tyler Huntley $5,400 $6,400
Matt Ryan $5,300 $6,500
Gardner Minshew $5,200 $6,200
Mike Glennon $5,200 $6,700
Zach Wilson $5,200 $6,500
Jared Goff $5,100 $6,400
Trevor Lawrence $5,100 $6,500
P.J. Walker $5,000 $6,300
Mitchell Trubisky $4,700 $6,100

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – If Aaron Rodgers isn’t limited by his toe, he has a layup of a game. The safer plays will be Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott. Jimmy Garoppolo, Ben Roethlisberger, and Tua Tagovailoa are all solid plays at significant costs savings. If Gardner Minshew starts, he is almost a must-start punt option. If you want to take a deep flier, consider Trevor Lawrence and Davis Mills against each other.

Fantasy Four-pack

Dak Prescott, Cowboys @ NYG
($6,500 DK, $7,500 FD)
Dak faces a defense that has allowed the fourth-most passing scores over the last four weeks. For the year, New York finds itself in the bottom half against the position in every major category. Plus, Prescott has dominated New York recently. In his last four full games against the Giants (he was injured halfway through the Week 5 game last year), Dak has posted 1,351 yards and 14 TDs.

Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. SEA
($7,000 DK, $7,500 FD)
After a few shaky starts, Stafford appears to have turned things around. Seattle should accommodate further the repair to his season numbers. They have allowed the most total passing yards and the second-most completions this year. Keep an eye on Odell Beckham’s COVID status. I believe his presence has actually aided Stafford’s rebound. If Beckham is out, Van Jefferson will need to step it up, making him a great potential stack option.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers @ BAL
($7,500 DK, $7,600 FD)
The Ravens have lost all semblance of pass defense. That is arguably the worst thing that can happen with Rodgers coming to town. As long as his toe doesn’t fall off, Aaron will be doling out TDs like Oprah Winfrey doles out Christmas gifts. The Ravens have been especially rotten against the deep pass. This is why I am going to stack Marquez Valdes-Scantling as often as I can.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals @ DET
($7,900 DK, $8,800 FD)
James Conner is not 100 percent and he may end up missing the game. Chase Edmonds may or may not return this week. Eno Benjamin is nothing special. Still, this is a game against Detroit. That means that we should see three or four rushing TDs. There is a realistic world where all of those TDs go to Kyler. Anything he does through the air is gravy.

DFS Sleepers

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. TEN
($5,600 DK, $6,600 FD)
Big Ben has always fared better at home than on the road. It has helped that he has always had multiple quality WRs. Tennessee may appear to have righted their ship against opposing QBs allowing only four passing TDs over the last five weeks. Upon closer examination, however, this five-week stretch includes their bye week and games against Mac Jones, Tyrod Taylor, Trevor Siemian, and Trevor Lawrence. Even an aged Roethlisberger is a surer thing than anyone on that list.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers vs. ATL
($5,800 DK, $6,700 FD)
Garoppolo continues to have success despite having his top WR playing mostly running back. Atlanta’s pass defense also looks better than earlier this year thanks to a series of untalented opponents over the last month plus. Rest assured, they aren’t any better than they were earlier this year. If Eli Mitchell returns this week, then Garoppolo will get Deebo Samuel back as a WR. That is a scary thought.

DraftKings FanDuel
Najee Harris $7,800 $8,800
Ezekiel Elliott $7,300 $6,700
Joe Mixon $7,200 $8,300
Cordarrelle Patterson $6,900 $7,000
Aaron Jones
 $6,600 $7,500
Saquon Barkley $6,500 $7,300
James Conner $6,400 $8,000
D’Andre Swift $6,300 $7,300
Eli Mitchell $6,200 $7,800
Javonte Williams $6,100 $7,000
Antonio Gibson $6,000 $6,900
Darrell Henderson $5,900 $6,800
Melvin Gordon $5,900 $7,000
Miles Sanders $5,800 $6,500
Sony Michel $5,800 $6,800
Tony Pollard $5,800 $5,800
AJ Dillon $5,700 $7,500
Chuba Hubbard $5,700 $6,000
Myles Gaskin $5,600 $6,600
Devonta Freeman $5,500 $5,900
James Robinson $5,400 $6,300
Rashaad Penny $5,400 $6,100
Jamaal Williams $5,300 $6,000
D’Onta Foreman $5,200 $5,800
Chase Edmonds $5,100 $6,500
Mike Davis $5,100 $5,600
Devin Singletary $5,000 $5,400
J.D. McKissic $5,000 $5,300
Jeff Wilson $5,000 $5,800
Tevin Coleman $5,000 $5,500
David Johnson $4,900 $5,500
Dontrell Hilliard $4,900 $5,200
Matt Breida $4,800 $5,300
Ty Johnson $4,800 $5,400
Michael Carter $4,700 $5,900
Jeremy McNichols $4,600 $5,300
Latavius Murray $4,600 $5,100
Phillip Lindsay $4,600 $5,500
Craig Reynolds $4,300 $5,300
Jordan H0ward $4,300 $5,700
Boston Scott $4,200 $5,400

Running Back

Weekly strategy – The RB field this week is shaky thanks to several injuries and COVID absences. Ezekiel Elliott should be the best option on paper, but his season hasn’t inspired confidence. Whoever starts for Arizona is a must-start for you. My money is on Chase Edmonds getting the call. The same goes for whoever starts for Miami. In that case, I am hoping that Myles Gaskin is recovered in time to start. The only other options I feel truly solid with are Chuba Hubbard, Joe Mixon, Cordarrelle Patterson, Antonio Gibson, and James Robinson (au revoir Urban Meyer – don’t let the door kick ya on the way out!). If Eli Mitchell returns, you could also use him. On the other hand, if Mitchell doesn’t return, Jeff Wilson will have value for one more week. The punt options include whoever starts for the Jets, Eagles, and Titans.

Fantasy Four-pack

Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys @ NYG
($7,300 DK, $6,700 FD)
If we knew for certain that Tony Pollard would miss another game, then Zeke would be a lock for the top spot this week. The Giants are allowing 157 combo yards per game to opposing RBs. Pollard is nursing a torn plantar fascia,  so I don’t have a clue how he thinks he is going to play. Dallas should put him on ice (literally) until the playoffs.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons @ SF
($6,900 DK, $7,000 FD)
Patterson is a league winner in regular fantasy despite playing for an anemic offense. His receiving numbers have fizzled over the last month diminishing his value some. Coincidentally, this has come at the same time that he has picked up his scoring. San Fran has allowed some big RB receiving games recently, so perhaps CP gets his PPR-mojo back this week. The Falcons will need him here.

Najee Harris, Steelers vs. TEN
($7,800 DK, $8,800 FD)
This is a sign of how rough the RB board is this week. Harris has zero chance at 3x on FD, but (barring an amazing recovery by James Conner) Najee still will finish as one of the top three RBs this week. Tennessee looks dominant against the run if you just look at the stats. However, every decent or better RB they have faced has had their way with them. Their stats are being padded significantly by facing a who’s who of the worst backfields in football.

Joe Mixon, Bengals @ DEN
($7,200 DK, $8,300 FD)
Over their last nine games, Denver is allowing an average of 163 combo yards to the position. Meanwhile, Mixon has had two straight pedestrian efforts. Of course, he was playing through a non-COVID illness last week. Prior to this mini-slump, Mixon had scored 12 times in eight games. He should get back on track this week.

DFS Sleepers

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers @ BUF
($5,700 DK, $6,000 FD)
For some reason that escapes me, Buffalo’s run defense has gone south in correlation with the injury sustained by All-Pro cornerback, Tre’Davious White. Apparently, the rest of the defense is abandoning run-stoppage to fill White’s shoes in coverage? Seriously, though, this correlation doesn’t really make sense. All we can do is sit back and enjoy the results. Over their last four games, Buffalo has allowed 43 percent of their total RB allowed combo yards for the season (683/1,594). They have also given up seven of their 12 RB scores during this four-week span. Hubbard’s counting stats have been poor of late, but I expect Carolina to lean on him here.

Antonio Gibson, Football Team @ PHI
($6,000 DK, $6,900 FD)
Gibson had a tough go of it last week. Well, so did everyone on the Washington offense. Taylor Heinicke would have returned this week prior to his COVID diagnosis, so Garrett Gilbert draws the start. Philly is middle-of-the-pack against the run, but they have struggled with pass-catching backs. With J.D. McKissic appearing to be still sidelined by the concussion protocol, those vacated targets should go to Gibson.

DraftKings FanDuel
Cooper Kupp $9,000 $9,000
Davante Adams $8,900 $8,500
Deebo Samuel $8,200 $8,200
Stefon Diggs $7,700 $7,800
Diontae Johnson $7,500 $7,200
CeeDee Lamb $7,400 $7,400
Ja’Marr Chase $7,100 $7,500
Tyler Lockett $7,000 $7,300
Terry McLaurin $6,800 $6,900
Jaylen Waddle $6,600 $7,100
Tee Higgins $6,500 $6,800
Amari Cooper $6,400 $7,000
Brandon Aiyuk $6,300 $6,600
DK Metcalf $6,200 $6,800
DeVonta Smith $6,100 $5,900
DJ Moore $6,000 $6,600
Chase Claypool $5,900 $6,400
Marquise Brown $5,900 $6,700
Brandin Cooks $5,800 $6,900
Russell Gage $5,800 $6,000
Van Jefferson $5,600 $6,200
Michael Gallup $5,500 $5,900
Jerry Jeudy $5,400 $6,100
Odell Beckham $5,400 $6,000
Christian Kirk $5,300 $6,000
Kenny Golladay $5,300 $5,400
Amon-Ra St. Brown $5,200 $5,900
Kadarius Toney $5,100 $5,200
Jamison Crowder $5,000 $5,700
Rashod Bateman $5,000 $5,800
A.J. Green $4,900 $5,700
Cole Beasley $4,900 $5,800
Marquez Valdes-Scantling $4,900 $5,500
Tyler Boyd $4,900 $5,700
Robby Anderson $4,800 $5,800
Sterling Shepard $4,700 $5,600
Courtland Sutton $4,600 $5,600
Marvin Jones $4,600 $5,700
Darius Slayton $4,500 $5,000
Tim Patrick $4,500 $5,500
Kalif Raymond $4,400 $5,200
DeVante Parker $4,300 $5,800
Josh Reynolds $4,300 $5,100
Laviska Shenault $4,300 $5,400
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,200 $5,300
Sammy Watkins $4,100 $5,200
Allen Lazard $4,000 $5,300
Quez Watkins $3,900 $5,300
DeAndre Carter $3,800 $5,100
Curtis Samuel $3,700 $4,800
Gabriel Davis $3,700 $4,900
Cedrick Wilson $3,500 $4,900
James Washington $3,500 $5,100
Keelan Cole $3,500 $5,000
Nico Collins $3,500 $5,300
Olamide Zaccheaus $3,500 $5,000
Albert Wilson $3,400 $5,000
Laquon Treadwell $3,300 $5,100
Ray-Ray McCloud $3,300 $5,000
Jalen Reagor $3,200 $5,000

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – So, as much as I hate the RB class this week, I love the WR group. Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams each have a great matchup despite their huge salaries. I could see using one of them, but not both. I also really love Diontae Johnson, and CeeDee Lamb this week. I will have at least one of these four in all of my lineups. I like Brandon Aiyuk and DeVonta Smith as possible WR2s. Other possible plays there include Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, Jerry Jeudy, Odell Beckham (if he plays), and Van Jefferson. WR3 should be easy to fill as well. If you don’t use Adams, your WR3 must be Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Otherwise, I would consider Jamison Crowder, Rashod Bateman, Nico Collins, Albert Wilson, one of the Lions, or one of the Jaguars.

Fantasy Four-pack

Davante Adams, Packers @ BAL
($8,900 DK, $8,500 FD)
Baltimore has devolved into one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Now they have to face Aaron Rodgers and his weapons of PASS destruction. Adams leads this artillery in every category and it isn’t particularly close. As long as Rodgers isn’t hindered by his foot, this will be a Green Bay blowout.

Diontae Johnson, Steelers vs. TEN
($7,500 DK, $7,200 FD)
Since Week 8, Johnson leads the league in targets, he is third among WRs in receiving yards, and fourth in receptions. Now, he gets to face the team that has allowed the most receptions and receiving yards to the position, along with the fourth-most WR scores. Johnson is easily the surest 3x performer on this docket.

Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. SEA
($9,000 DK, $9,000 FD)
Kupp leads the league in every relevant WR category. He should be in the discussion for league MVP and is without a doubt the fantasy MVP this year. Week 5 versus Seattle was one of the very few times this year that Kupp didn’t score. He still posted 7-92. With Beckham in COVID protocol, Kupp may need to be even more involved this week. Of course, that also could mean more double coverage for him.

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ NYG
($7,400 DK, $7,400 FD)
The Giants have struggled against elite WRs all season. That said, they have been particularly bad of late allowing a league second-worst six WR touchdowns and fourth-worst 57 receptions over the last four games. Lamb has been Dak Prescott’s favorite target this season leading the Cowboys in every receiving category.

DFS Sleepers

Christian Kirk, Cardinals @ DET
($5,300 DK, $6,000 FD)
Earlier this year when DeAndre Hopkins was out, Kirk led the Cardinals in receiving yards. Nuk is now out until at least the playoffs, so some combination of Kirk, A.J. Green, and Rondale Moore will have to step it up once again. Detroit is not good against the pass or the run, so playing any of these guys is a great idea.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers @ BAL
($4,900 DK, $5,500 FD)
There is a legit argument for starting both Adams and MVS. Baltimore’s secondary is a total shambles right now. Plus, they have been abused by long TDs this year. So far this season, Baltimore has allowed 14 TD passes of 20 yards or more and eight TD passes of 40 yards or more. This is his specialty. He has had five scores of 40-plus yards since the start of 2020.

DraftKings FanDuel
George Kittle $7,500 $7,800
Mark Andrews $6,400 $7,400
Kyle Pitts $5,500 $5,800
Zach Ertz $5,400 $5,300
Dallas Goedert $5,300 $6,000
Dawson Knox $5,100 $6,500
Mike Gesicki $5,000 $6,200
Dalton Schultz $4,900 $5,600
Pat Freiermuth $4,500 $5,300
Noah Fant $4,400 $5,600
Tyler Higbee $4,000 $5,200
Gerald Everett $3,500 $4,900
Ricky Seals-Jones $3,400 $4,500
Albert Okwuegbunam $3,300 $5,200
James O’Shaughnessy $3,200 $4,600
C.J. Uzomah $3,100 $5,100
Evan Engram $3,100 $5,000
Geoff Swaim $3,000 $4,600
Pharaoh Brown $2,900 $4,400
Ryan Griffin $2,900 $4,600
Brevin Jordan $2,800 $4,900
Brock Wright $2,800 $4,500
Josiah Deguara $2,700 $4,600
Tommy Tremble $2,600 $4,600
Marcedes Lewis $2,500 $4,300

Tight End

Weekly strategy – This TE pool is thin this week. George Kittle should have another huge game if Eli Mitchell remains out. Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz are the safest pivots. I don’t dislike Dalton Schultz, Tyler Higbee, and Noah Fant, but each has a reason to make me hesitant. My recommendation is to play one of the top-three, or punt completely to Ricky Seals-Jones, Brevin Jordan, or James O’Shaughnessy.

Fantasy Four-pack

George Kittle, 49ers vs. ATL
($7,500 DK, $7,800 FD)
Kittle has been ridiculous since Deebo Samuel moved primarily to RB with the absence of Mitchell. In those two games, Kittle has posted 22-332-3. He has also scored six times in his last six games. If Samuel goes back to WR this week, Kittle might see a slip in targets, but not enough to ignore him here.

Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. GB
($6,400 DK, $7,400 FD)
Andrews did well with Tyler Huntley at the helm last week. I’d still feel better about him if we knew Lamar Jackson was going to play. It doesn’t help that Green Bay is actually above average against the position. Still, Andrews leads all TEs in receiving yards and receptions. So, don’t write him off completely.

Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ DET
($5,400 DK, $5,300 FD)
Hopkins’ absence should provide Ertz with some additional targets, especially in the red zone. Since joining the Cards in Week 7, Ertz leads the team in receiving TDs and receptions. He is also second in receiving yards and targets. Meanwhile, Detroit has allowed the fourth-most TE scores, the seventh-most TE receiving yards, and the eighth-most receptions to the position.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. WAS
($5,300 DK, $6,000 FD)
Not surprisingly, since Zach Ertz left the team in Week 7, Goedert leads the Eagles in receptions and receiving yards. He is also second in receiving TDs and targets. In Week 13, with Gardner Minshew at QB, Goedert had his best week of the season. If Jalen Hurts returns this week, bump Goedert down slightly. If Minshew gets another start, consider using them as a stack. Heck, this might be your first chance to feel comfortable doing a double-TE stack with both Goedert and Ertz.

DFS Sleepers

Ricky Seals-Jones, Football Team @ PHI
($3,400 DK, $4,500 FD)
Do you think that Philly spent their bye week attempting to learn how to guard the TE position? Yeah, I don’t think so, either. They rank dead last in all of the pertinent statistical categories against the TE position. RSJ didn’t do much in his first game back from injury. That said, he also didn’t play a full complement of snaps. One full week later, he should be ready to take on a full workload. Terry McLaurin remains questionable with a concussion. If he is out, Seals-Jones could even make more of an impact here.

Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. SEA
($4,000 DK, $5,200 FD)
Higbee was robbed of a start last week because of a false-positive COVID test. He should make up for that this week against a Seattle defense that has allowed an average of 7-88-1.25 to the position over the last four weeks. Higbee has been involved heavily in the offense, even since Beckham arrived. If Beckham misses this game due to COVID, Higbee might see an additional bump in his targets.

DFS Fantasy Football: Favorite Pro Plays – Week 14

WinDailySports’ CEO Jason Mezrahi checks in with his top Week 14 DFS fantasy football for FanDuel and DraftKings

Top-ranked daily fantasy sports pro Jason Mezrahi, founder and CEO of WinDailySports.com, breaks down his favorite DFS plays at various salary ranges for Week 14 of the NFL season. We are back for another year of DFS domination and we have some new tools to take advantage of from my team over at WinDailySports.com.

Our projection model, lineup optimizer, and data tools have been revamped and back tested to start the season off right. So what I will do in this article is list some of our highest projected players based off raw points and our highest point-per-dollar plays based on DraftKings.com pricing. Special Huddle Member Discount: If you would like to give our membership at Win Daily a try, take advantage of a FREE 2-week promotion where you will gain an all access gold pass to our DFS package. Use promo code “thehuddle” at checkout for 2 weeks FREE for our DFS Gold Package. Sign up now.
 
 
These are some of the players Jason will be locking in his lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel for this weekend’s slate.

Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

$6,700 DRAFTKINGS
$8,100 FANDUEL

Dak and the passing attack have had rough games in two of the last three weeks, but this should be a get-right spot. With a full complement of weapons now, he is set up for a big week at a nice discount in salary on DraftKings. On FanDuel, I will take the higher floor of Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but the DraftKings discount may be too big to pass up. The matchup is the best on the board as Washington ranks 32nd against opposing quarterbacks and are allowing the 30th-most passing yards. Vegas has the Cowboys projected to score 26, and Prescott has a passing prop of 287 yards. So if Dak can eclipse that passing prop and get us to 300 and three touchdowns, we should be in a great position in both cash games and tournaments.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

$5,600 DRAFTKINGS
$7,700 FANDUEL

I haven’t looked back and checked yet, but to score 27.7 DraftKings points while throwing four interceptions is a rare occurrence and pretty impressive. The rushing upside that Hill possesses is second to none other than Lamar Jackson, and he scored 27 last week without a rushing touchdown. With Mark Ingram on the shelf with COVID-19, combined with a matchup with the New York Jets, we can easily see a repeat performance out of Hill. Like with Prescott, the price is just too cheap on DraftKings to pass up. Similar to Dak on FanDuel, I may just pay up for Allen or Mahomes, but DraftKings has mistakenly kept his price too low. This is the last week to enjoy the discount, so get a full share of Taysom in both cash games and tournaments on DraftKings. 

Running Backs

Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

$8,300 DRAFTKINGS
$9,200 FANDUEL

The COVID bug is unfortunately spreading fast through NFL locker rooms, and the Chargers may be extremely short-handed with offensive skill players this week as Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both leaning on the wrong side of questionable right now. If they are both out, I will be loading up on Ekeler and the cheap receiver options. This slate has a ton of value, and Ekeler is one of the safer pay-up options. Ekeler has a nice matchup against the 25th-ranked rushing defense of the New York Giants. Game script will be in his favor as well with the Chargers favored by 10 and projected to put up 26.5 points as per Vegas. In lineups you want to fade the Taysom Hill chalk, you can play Alvin Kamara and fake Ekeler, but I will be loading up on both in cash games and my tournament lineups.  

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

$5,900 DRAFTKINGS
$6,700 FANDUEL

With Melvin Gordon on the shelf last week, Williams shined for a 32.8-point performance on DraftKings. The rookie was effective as the lead back rushing for 102 yards and hauling in six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. If Gordon is out again this week, Williams will be a lock in my lineups at his current price tag with a dream matchup versus the Detroit Lions. The Lions are ranked 30th against opposing running backs, and Vegas has the Broncos favored by nine with a projected point total of 25.5. All in all, this is a great spot for Williams if Gordon sits out, and still a good spot even if Gordon is in. 

Wide receivers

Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

$8,100 DRAFTKINGS
$8,200 FANDUEL

The Bills face off against the Super Bowl champs in Week 14, and we could see fireworks if Vegas has this 53.5-point total projected right. With the Bucs favored by 3.5, the game script should be in favor of the Bills’ passing attack. After one of the oddest games ever with high winds in Buffalo, the Bills need to bounce back and get this offense moving in the right direction if they want to make a serious playoff run. Diggs is the No. 1 option in this entire offense, and if the Bills can keep pace, Diggs should be in line for a monster game. With the Bucs ranked 19th against the pass and second against the run, everything points to a big game for Diggs. Without an effective run game to even lean on, I will be loading up on Diggs in both cash games and tournaments in Week 14.

Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers

$3,000 DRAFTKINGS
$4,700 FANDUEL

Like I stated above, the Chargers will most likely be without Allen and Williams, so Justin Herbert will be working with Palmer and Jalen Guyton. The passing attack won’t stop just because the No. 1 and 2 receivers may be out. Herbert will continue to air it out, and we have several cheap options to target. I will be taking shots on Palmer, Guyton, and TE Jared Cook in most of my lineups. Along with Ekeler, I will be looking to load up on a couple of other Chargers as well. If I had to choose only one receiver, I would lean on Palmer in the slot. Without much sample size with the two big dogs off the field, I will be splitting up my shares of the passing attack in Week 14 to play it on the safe side. 

Tight ends

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

$7,400 DRAFTKINGS
$7,500 FANDUEL

Kelce and the Chiefs put up a ton of points in Week 10 versus the Las Vegas Raiders, and we can expect more of the same this week. If I’m paying up for a tight end this week, Kelce is my go-to guy. My only worry with playing any of the Chiefs’ skilled players is whether or not the Raiders can keep pace in this one. It didn’t matter much in the 41-14 blowout a couple weeks back where Kelce went for eight receptions and 119 yards. If Deebo Samuel is out for San Fran, I would prefer George Kittle. So check back in as the week progresses and you can always check out our free live stream at WinDailySports.com Sunday morning at 11 am.

Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers

$3,200 DRAFTKINGS
$5,100 FANDUEL

Out of all the value plays in LA, Cook may be the safest option on the board. Cook already has an established connection with Herbert and his role is set. The play is simple and doesn’t need too much explanation. Presuming the big guns are out for LA, Cook is priced way too cheap, and we have a plus-matchup against the New York Giants. Long story short, the Chargers are the easiest value on the board, so pick wisely and get the right shares of this offense in Week 14. 

Good luck in Week 14, and if you ever have any questions, please hit me up on Twitter!

Jason Mezrahi has been a professional, top-ranked Daily Fantasy Player on FanDuel and DraftKings for more than eight years. He has won FanDuel’s $155,555 King of the Diamond competition and placed second in DraftKings’ Fantasy Basketball World Championship, earning him $300,000. He owns and operates WinDailySports.com, which supports the DFS and Sports Betting community with resources such as tools, projection models, expert chat, in-depth written analysis and podcasts, plus much more.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 14

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 14 DFS fantasy football

With redraft playoffs in sight, this week marks the final week of byes for the NFL. Of course, they saved one of the worst byes for when it mattered most as Jonathan Taylor will not be leading his owners this week.

For those teams that are toilet bowl bound or that have felt the drop of the guillotine, the hope of regular-season glory might be out the door already. Fortunately, DFS continues well into the fantasy playoffs and even the NFL playoffs as we always give you the best plays up until conference championship games.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Justin Fields is starting a divisional rivalry matchup with the Green Bay Packers in primetime in December (although early reports are that the weather will be better Sunday than the rest of the week). This is what none of us needed. If there wasn’t a long-standing history between these two franchises, this game would’ve probably been flexed. In a slate with three top-10 fantasy QBs, seeing Fields as the fourth option leaves me humming the old Sesame Street “one of these things is not like the others” ditty. I’m surprised that Chicago wants to throw the youngster into the fire coming off of an injury to his ribs. I know from personal experience that rib injuries feel worse in the cold.

We have two strong QBs on MNF, but they also both have very good defenses. This is why even if the weather is bad here, I have to choose Aaron Rodgers as the QB1.

David Montgomery (groin, glute, shoulder) came back from his injury and immediately returned to bell-cow status. He remains the most physically-gifted member of the Bears offense. He is also the safest RB on the board here. I like him as my RB1. Khalil Herbert has shrunk back into the woodwork, but he has the talent to succeed if Monty’s current bevy of injuries proven costly. You can throw him into a Showdown lineup as an injury-pivot, just don’t expect anything substantial without that injury absence.

Aaron Jones should be back healthy for this game after getting a one-week rest. If A.J. Dillon wasn’t also on this roster, I would make him the clear RB2 on this slate. Unfortunately, these two will likely split touches and that could shrink each of their values. This week there are questions to every backfield except Chicago, so Jones will still be no worse than RB3 on the board. Dillon can be used as a FLEX at RB5/6.

Darnell Mooney is the only Chicago receiver you should seriously concern yourself with. He is the WR4/5 on the slate and deserves consideration at WR2 or WR3 if you spend up at the position. Marquise Goodwin suffered a pair of injuries and ended up missing most of the last two weeks. In his absence, Jakeem Grant has stepped up as a solid WR2 for Chicago, but he and Goodwin (if he plays) are no better than punt options here. Damiere Byrd has also seen a bump in usage, but he would be the low-man on my Chicago punt WR list. Oh, yeah, I didn’t forget about Allen Robinson. I just wish I could. I have to believe that most of the Chicago faithful feel the same.

Davante Adams deserves the WR1 spot on this board. He will of course have to fend off Cooper Kupp, but Adams’ matchup is definitely the better of the two. Allen Lazard returned in Week 12 and finished third on the team in WR targets. If he can avoid catching the ‘VID, he should catch a few passes here. He is a very safe WR3 option if you want exposure to this game at a cheaper price. The same can be said for Marquez Valdes-Scantling. MVS actually has more targets than Adams over the last two games. He has both a higher ceiling and a lower floor than Lazard. Randall Cobb (core) is out indefinitely, which could open a few targets for the not-named-Adams receivers.

Chicago with Andy Dalton under center has provided a boost in value to both the veteran, Jimmy Graham, and the youngster, Cole Kmet. Both would’ve been TD threats if Dalton started. Since Fields gets the start, Kmet falls to TE3 and Graham can be ignored.

Can you name Green Bay’s starting TE(s)? It technically falls to either Josiah Deguara or Marcedes Lewis. Neither should be in your tourney lineup. Lewis can perhaps be used in Showdown contests but, even then, that would be a desperation reach.

Green Bay’s defense isn’t very good, but they face the easiest QB on the slate. I imagine their ownership percentage will be huge. I’ll probably diversify between the two teams on MNF instead. As for Chicago, the only way I would play them is if the winds are stronger than 40 mph with horizontal snow coming down.

Monday night, two great offenses hook up against two great defenses. In their earlier meeting, they still managed to score 57 combined points. Matthew Stafford finished that game with 280-2. Of course, Stafford has also struggled over the last month or so. I’ll rate him at QB3 on this board, but his absolute ceiling is probably 300-3 and this feels like a 275-2 type of game.

Kyler Murray returned from injury last week and had a big game. I didn’t expect him to blow up in his first game back, but he did. The Cardinals ran all over the Los Angeles Rams in their earlier contest. That was pre-Von Miller. His presence will put a slight dent in Murray’s rushing output, but I still feel that Kyler finishes at QB2 here.

Darrell Henderson was active last week. Unfortunately, he had the same number of touches as I did. Obviously, his was just an emergency activation. The fact that he was active at least suggests that he should play this week. Still, we should be concerned about his potential volume. I’d have less concern if Sony Michel didn’t show out last week. We need to remember, however, Michel’s performance came against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. I’ll put Henderson at RB4 and Michel at RB7 this week (unless Henderson has a setback).

Early reports suggest that Chase Edmonds will return this week. That is too bad, because James Conner was having a career resurgence. Conner will remain the TD threat (despite Murray’s presence). Edmonds blew up against Los Angeles earlier this year. Still, I cannot imagine him getting even a half share in his first game back. Conner will be my RB3 and Edmonds will be no higher than RB5 here, but either could be used at FLEX.

Cooper Kupp continues to wreak havoc on the league. Only once this season has he failed to top 90 receiving yards and/or score. Of course, that game was the one against Arizona. I slightly prefer Davante Adams’ matchup this week, but Kupp needs to be in WR1 consideration. I also see no reason to not use both of them. Odell Beckham has now scored in back-to-back games. I think he could make it three in a row here as he continues to, literally, demand targets. If you want access to this game but don’t think you can afford Kupp, use OBJ. Van Jefferson has also done well since Robert Woods’s injury. He has six or more targets in each of his last six games. In their earlier meeting, Jefferson had a big game playing third-wheel. He still has that role, so I like him as a WR3 or FLEX play. Ben Skowronek has a great name, but he is not a great play. Leave him for Showdown slates, at best.

DeAndre Hopkins returned last week and caught a TD, then didn’t do much else. It is good to see him return, but I’d like to see more action for him. His numbers may have been higher if the Cardinals needed to throw more last week. I still see him as the WR3/4 here. I just don’t think I feel comfortable paying this much for him knowing that he will have to deal with Jalen Ramsey. He finished Week 4 with only a pedestrian 4-67-0. In that game, A.J. Green tied Nuk for the most receiving yards and he scored a TD. Coming off a no-show game last week, Green should be cheap and have low ownership. He makes a sneaky good WR3 play. Christian Kirk has noticed his numbers drop off of late. In a better game, I might consider him. I’ll leave him to Showdown slates only. The same goes for Rondale Moore.

Tyler Higbee will be no better than my TE2 here, and I expect him to finish as TE3. He has received steady targets since Woods’ injury, but he hasn’t done much with them. This means that he has become somewhat TD-dependent. This isn’t good when the team you are facing has allowed the second-fewest TE scores.

Zach Ertz is your top TE choice this week. The Rams are just so-so against the position and Maxx Williams toasted them in their earlier matchup. Plus, Ertz has fared well of late, with the obvious exception being last week. Let’s hope that Hopkins’ return doesn’t continue to hinder Ertz’s production.

These two defenses are solid. I lean slightly towards the Rams. Either would be a good choice since everyone else will be using the Packers.

[lawrence-related id=462780]

The Main Slate: My recommended DFS lineups

At DK: $6.7k for Dak Prescott. $6k for Saquan Barkley. $5.9k for Javonte Williams. $8.1k for Stefon Diggs. $7.2k for CeeDee Lamb. $3.6k for Curtis Samuel. $3.5K for Evan Engram. $5.9k for Chuba Hubbard at FLEX. $3.1k for the Seattle Seahawks defense.

At FD: $8.1k for Prescott. $7.3k for Barkley. $7.1k for Josh Jacobs. $7.8k for Lamb. $8.2k for Diggs. $4.8k for Samuel. $5.7k for Dalton Schultz. $6.7k for Javonte at FLEX. $4.3k for the Los Angeles Chargers defense.

At Fanball (SuperFlex – includes Sun Night): Patrick Mahomes, Prescott at SF, Jacobs, and Javonte, David Montgomery at FLEX, Lamb, Jarvis Landry, Travis Kelce, and Brevin Jordan.

DraftKings FanDuel
Patrick Mahomes $8,000 $8,500
Josh Allen $7,800 $8,800
Tom Brady $7,600 $8,200
Lamar Jackson $7,400 $7,900
Justin Herbert $7,100 $8,400
Dak Prescott $6,700 $8,100
Russell Wilson $6,600 $7,500
Ryan Tannehill $6,400 $7,300
Joe Burrow $6,000 $7,100
Derek Carr $5,900 $7,200
Jimmy Garoppolo $5,800 $6,700
Teddy Bridgewater $5,700 $7,200
Taysom Hill $5,600 $7,700
Taylor Heinicke $5,500 $7,100
Cam Newton $5,400 $7,400
Matt Ryan $5,300 $6,800
Zach Wilson $5,300 $6,600
Baker Mayfield $5,200 $6,500
Trevor Siemian $5,200 $7,000
Jared Goff $5,100 $6,400
Trevor Lawrence $5,100 $6,300
Brandon Allen $5,000 $6,200
Davis Mills $5,000 $6,600
Mike Glennon $4,900 $6,200
Jake Fromm $4,800 $6,000

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – The board is ugly this week. You have to pay up for Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Dak Prescott. There is a whole bunch of chaff in the middle. None of it screams, “Play me.” You can take a flier on Baker Mayfield or maybe Trevor Lawrence. It wouldn’t be my choice to do so, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Fantasy Four-pack

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. LV
($8,000 DK, $8,500 FD)
The Las Vegas Raiders have watched their defense take a long walk off of a short pier recently. Cue up a rematch against Mahomes, who threw for 406-5 just a couple of weeks ago. It was Mahomes’ only decent start since Week 6, so take it with a grain of salt. Still, St. Patrick is one of the only sure things this week.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys @ WAS
($6,700 DK, $8,100 FD)
Locking Dak in against one of the worst pass defenses in football should be the easiest decision of the week. Every quality QB to face them (and many lower-quality options) has dusted this pansy defense. Considering the price difference, I actually feel better about Prescott hitting 3x than even Mahomes. Feel free to stack him with any of his starting WRs or Dalton Schultz.

Josh Allen, Bills @ TB
($7,800 DK, $8,800 FD) 
Tampa has allowed the seventh-most passing TDs. Meanwhile, Allen has multiple TDs in all but three games. I don’t love the FD price, but this game could be higher-scoring.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ CLE
($7,400 DK, $7,900 FD)
This isn’t the best matchup on paper, but Jackson has the physical tools to exploit even tough situations. Jackson had twelve TDs against Cleveland during 2019 and 2020, but he posted only one score back in Week 12 of this season. If he can throw for 200-1 and add 75-1 on the ground, I will be happy.

DFS Sleepers

Baker Mayfield, Browns vs. BAL
($5,200 DK, $6,500 FD)
Baker is back at home for a Week 12 rematch with Baltimore. His previous game line was pedestrian, but he was also dealing with roughly 183 injuries and a few bumps and bruises, too. He got a bye week to recover, Baltimore got into a dogfight against Pittsburgh, where they suffered many crucial injuries. One of which was to key CB Marlon Humphrey. I’m probably going to spend up this week at QB, but if I must slum it up, this is a safer risk than most.

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ TEN
($5,100 DK, $6,300 FD)
Trevor threw for 332-3 back in Week 1. Since then he has thrown for over 300 yards only once, and he has only six total passing TDs. Still, this is a battle of two rotten defenses facing two injury-decimated offenses. So, we could see some sneaky points scored here. Lawrence posted one of his better games of the season against Tennessee back in Week 5. It was 273-1  through the air, and he added 28 rushing yards and a score on the ground. A repeat of that performance would be much appreciated on this ugly slate.

DraftKings FanDuel
Austin Ekeler $8,300 $9,200
Alvin Kamara $7,900 $9,000
Joe Mixon $7,700 $8,500
Nick Chubb $7,600 $7,500
Leonard Fournette
 $7,400 $7,600
Ezekiel Elliott $7,300 $6,900
Cordarrelle Patterson $6,900 $7,800
Eli Mitchell $6,700 $7,400
D’Andre Swift $6,600 $7,000
Tony Pollard $6,400 $6,100
Josh Jacobs $6,200 $7,100
Clyde Edwards-Helaire $6,100 $6,500
Antonio Gibson $6,000 $7,400
Saquan Barkley $6,000 $7,300
Chuba Hubbard $5,900 $6,500
Javonte Williams $5,900 $6,700
James Robinson $5,800 $6,400
Mark Ingram $5,800 $7,200
Devonta Freeman $5,700 $6,300
Kareem Hunt $5,600 $6,500
Jamaal Williams $5,500 $6,200
Melvin Gordon $5,400 $6,700
Darrel Williams $5,300 $6,500
Dontrell Hilliard $5,300 $7,000
Matt Breida $5,300 $5,400
Alex Collins $5,200 $5,600
Jeremy McNichols $5,200 $5,300
David Johnson $5,100 $5,500
D’Onta Foreman $5,100 $5,900
J.D. McKissic $5,000 $5,300
Tevin Coleman $5,000 $5,400
Latavius Murray $4,900 $5,300
Mike Davis $4,900 $5,700
Adrian Peterson $4,700 $5,600
Devin Singletary $4,700 $5,500
Carlos Hyde $4,600 $5,800
Rex Burkhead $4,600 $5,300
Jeff Wilson $4,400 $4,900
Ty Johnson $4,400 $4,900
DeeJay Dallas $4,300 $4,800
Kyle Juszczyk $4,000 $4,500

Running Back

Weekly strategy – There are some injury concerns at the top of the RB price spectrum this week. Assuming Austin Ekeler and Alvin Kamara are good to go, they are the best plays of the week. Ekeler could see ridiculous volume with both of the Chargers’ starting WRs dealing with COVID. Leonard Fournette is the only high-priced pivot as throwing against Buffalo usually doesn’t work. I will have one of these three in many lineups. This week may be the one to go with some middle-tier RBs. Josh Jacobs, Antonio Gibson, Saquan Barkley, Chuba Hubbard, and Javonte Williams all could be your RB1 and RB2. Considering how thin the bottom tier is this week, you will need to roster at least one of them. Your dart throws include choosing which Titan will lead the way, which Seahawk will lead the way, or hoping that Eli Mitchell and/or D’Andre Swift is out so you can go for cheap volume with their backups. Generally speaking, though, this just seems like the week to not go dumpster diving here.

Fantasy Four-pack

Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. NYG
($8,300 DK, $9,200 FD)
As I mentioned above, Ekeler may be the top WR option for Los Angeles this week. Both, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are in the COVID protocol right now. These absences hurt Justin Herbert’s value slightly, but it should severely boost Ekeler’s value. He has scored in all but three games and will score here as well, but the reason to play him this week is the 12- to 15-catch ceiling he is looking at.

Alvin Kamara, Saints @ NYJ
($7,900 DK, $9,000 FD) 
Kamara returns from his injury as his backup, Mark Ingram, finds himself headed to the COVID list. I’m always concerned about a player’s workload returning from an injury, but you and I could each run for nearly 100 yards behind any professional offensive line against this defense. I’d also normally be concerned about Taysom Hill vulturing his touchdown opportunities, but both of them could score multiple times this week, and Hill won’t vulture any of Kamara’s receptions.

Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers vs. BUF
($7,400 DK, $7,600 FD)
Throwing against Buffalo is a fool’s game. Much like running against Tampa Bay. Tom Brady will likely struggle by his lofty standards this week. So, don’t be surprised if the Bucs lean heavily on Fournette once again. Buffalo just got trampled by the Patriots on Monday night, despite knowing that they were going to run on every down. I seriously have no idea how they will hold Fournette in check with the looming presence of Brady finding someone open in the back of their minds.

Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. SF
($7,700 DK, $8,500 FD)
Mixon has 13 TDs over his last nine games. This includes scoring at least one in every single one of those games. Meanwhile, only four teams have allowed more total RB scores than San Fran. I’d feel much more comfortable here if Mixon was feeling better. He did have a non-COVID illness this week and he tweaked his neck last Sunday. If his bill of health is fully cleared on Sunday he might be able to reach 3x value.

DFS Sleepers

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. ATL
($5,900 DK, $6,500 FD)
Carolina actually fired Joe Brady because he wouldn’t run the ball more. OK, let’s see what happens for Hubbard here. Chuba isn’t Christian McCaffrey, but he can be a reasonable dollar-store knockoff. It helps his cause that Atlanta has been futile against the run this year. Only twice have they not allowed at least one double-digit PPR performance this season. In those two games, they faced true “split” backfields, where they combined for a huge performance.

Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. DEN
($5,900 DK, $6,700 FD)
Speaking of split backfields, no team has seen a more even split of things than Denver. Plus, both Williams and Melvin Gordon have each looked great when they have been given the opportunity. Detroit trails only the New York Jets in terms of TDs allowed to the position. So, once again, they both could post absurdly good numbers this week. That said, Williams did his best Derrick Henry impersonation last week, so I don’t see how Denver doesn’t give him the advantage in touches this time around. One argument for playing Gordon is that Williams will have high ownership after last week’s line. Realistically, both could approach 100-1 this week.

DraftKings FanDuel
Tyreek Hill $8,500 $8,700
Stefon Diggs $8,100 $8,200
Deebo Samuel $8,000 $8,500
Keenan Allen $7,600 $7,600
CeeDee Lamb $7,200 $7,800
Chris Godwin $7,100 $7,700
Terry McLaurin $7,000 $7,100
Ja’Marr Chase $6,900 $7,200
Tyler Lockett $6,700 $7,300
Mike Evans $6,600 $7,200
DK Metcalf $6,500 $7,300
Tee Higgins $6,400 $6,800
Marquise Brown $6,300 $7,000
DJ Moore $6,200 $6,800
Hunter Renfrow $6,100 $6,700
Mike Williams $6,000 $6,900
Amari Cooper $5,900 $6,700
Elijah Moore $5,900 $6,300
Brandon Aiyuk $5,800 $6,400
Brandin Cooks $5,700 $6,500
Russell Gage $5,700 $6,200
Jerry Jeudy $5,600 $6,300
Michael Gallup $5,500 $6,100
Jarvis Landry $5,400 $6,400
Julio Jones $5,400 $6,500
Courtland Sutton $5,300 $6,000
Kadarius Toney $5,100 $5,300
Amon-Ra St. Brown $5,000 $5,800
Cole Beasley $5,000 $5,900
Tyler Boyd $5,000 $5,900
Emmanuel Sanders $4,900 $5,800
Kenny Golladay $4,800 $5,500
Tim Patrick $4,800 $5,700
Tre’Quan Smith $4,800 $5,600
Jamison Crowder $4,700 $5,500
Rashod Bateman $4,700 $5,400
Sammy Watkins $4,600 $5,300
Sterling Shepard $4,600 $5,700
Marvin Jones $4,500 $5,400
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,500 $5,700
Darius Slayton $4,400 $5,000
Laviska Shenault $4,300 $5,300
Marquez Callaway $4,300 $5,500
Robby Anderson $4,300 $5,500
Kalif Raymond $4,200 $5,000
Josh Reynolds $4,100 $5,300
DeSean Jackson $3,900 $5,100
Donovan Peoples-Jones $3,900 $5,200
Mecole Hardman $3,900 $5,300
Olamide Zaccheaus $3,800 $5,100
Curtis Samuel $3,600 $4,800
Tajae Sharpe $3,600 $4,800
Cedrick Wilson $3,500 $5,300
Gabriel Davis $3,500 $4,800
Chester Rogers $3,400 $5,200
DeAndre Carter $3,400 $5,200
Jalen Guyton $3,400 $5,200
Laquan Treadwell $3,400 $5,100
Bryan Edwards $3,300 $5,000
Jauan Jennings $3,300 $4,900
Joshua Palmer $3,000 $4,700
Nico Collins $3,000 $5,100
Scotty Miller $3,000 $4,700

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – This is a weird week for expensive WRs. Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, and CeeDee Lamb should all blow up. I’d love to have one of them at WR1. That said, I am already spending a lot at QB, so I may have to spend down here. Lamb is my favorite of that threesome. The best money-saving pivots are Keenan Allen (if he plays), DK Metcalf, and DJ Moore. Unfortunately, all three of them have a slight concern holding me back from using them. Mike Williams could also be in play if he clears the COVID protocol. WR2 will likely come from Amari Cooper (if I don’t use Lamb), Jerry Jeudy, or Jarvis Landry. WR3 offers a larger pool of values. I like all of the starters for New Orleans and Jacksonville. I also am high on Donovan Peoples-Jones, Curtis Samuel, Gabriel Davis, and Jalen Guyton. Not exactly a murderer’s row, but all capable of excelling this week.

Fantasy Four-pack

Stefon Diggs, Bills @ TB
($8,100 DK, $8,200 FD)
The windstorm neutered Diggs’ output last week. That won’t be an issue at Tampa. The Bucs have really struggled with WR coverage this year (mainly due to the fact that you cannot run against them). Diggs has six scores over his last seven games. I don’t see any chance of Tampa holding him out of the end zone here and 7-75-1 feels like his receiving floor.

Tyreek Hill, Chiefs vs. LV
($8,500 DK, $8,700 FD)
Over the last four weeks, Vegas has allowed the third-most receptions and the fourth-most receiving TDs to the WR position. Tyreek went for two scores against the Raiders earlier this year. Last season, he scored once in each of their two games. Throwing the big-money Chiefs stack of Hill, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce together will leave you cash-poor elsewhere, but it should still pay off well.

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ WAS
($7,200 DK, $7,800 FD)
Washington struggles against opponent’s top WRs, WR2s, slot WRs, random WRs signed off of the street, offensive linemen that report eligible at WR, etc. What I’m implying is that any WR active for Dallas will perform like a stud this week. Lamb has surpassed Amari Cooper as the lead dog here, so I have the highest degree of faith in him.

DJ Moore, Panthers vs. ATL
($6,200 DK, $6,800 FD)
Moore struggled in the Week 8 meeting between these two teams. That, of course, was with Sam Darnold being chased all over the field by ghosts. Cam Newton hasn’t exactly wowed since taking over, but at least he isn’t worse than Darnold. Moore should see an uptick in receptions with Christian McCaffrey out once again, now it is just a matter of Cam and DJ getting on the same page. Another week of practice between them certainly won’t hurt. On Atlanta’s behalf, no team has allowed more receptions to the WR position over the last four weeks.

DFS Sleepers

Jarvis Landry, Browns vs. BAL
($5,400 DK, $6,400 FD)
Landry had his best game of the season two weeks ago against Baltimore. That was before Baltimore lost their top CB for the season. In that game, Landry had more targets than the entire rest of the Cleveland WR room combined. It wasn’t the first time that Jarvis went off versus the Ravens. Since joining Cleveland, Landry has faced Baltimore seven times averaging 6-91 per game.

Jerry Jeudy, Broncos vs. DET
($5,600 DK, $6,300 FD)
While I will have massive exposure to the running attack of Denver, I will also have some exposure to this passing attack. Since returning from injury, Jeudy has paced the Broncos in every passing category except TDs. I like his chances of scoring here against a feeble Detroit defense that was just embarrassed by Justin Jefferson last week.

DraftKings FanDuel
Travis Kelce $7,400 $7,500
George Kittle $6,900 $7,100
Darren Waller $6,400 $6,600
Rob Gronkowski $6,000 $7,000
Mark Andrews $5,900 $6,900
Kyle Pitts $5,500 $5,900
Dalton Schultz $5,400 $5,700
T.J. Hockenson $5,300 $6,100
Dawson Knox $5,000 $6,000
Noah Fant $4,500 $5,800
Foster Moreau $4,000 $5,200
Ricky Seals-Jones $3,600 $4,500
Evan Engram $3,500 $5,300
Gerald Everett $3,500 $4,800
Austin Hooper $3,400 $5,000
David Njoku $3,400 $5,000
Jared Cook $3,200 $5,100
Albert Okwuegbunam $3,100 $4,700
Nick Vannett $3,100 $4,700
C.J. Uzomah $3,000 $5,100
John Bates $3,000 $4,600
Pharoah Brown $3,000 $4,600
James O’Shaughnessy $2,900 $4,500
Juwan Johnson $2,900 $4,400
Ryan Griffin $2,900 $4,700
Donald Parham $2,800 $4,600
Geoff Swaim $2,800 $4,500
Anthony Firkser $2,700 $4,900
Cameron Brate $2,700 $4,800
Tommy Tremble $2,600 $4,700
Brevin Jordan $2,500 $4,600

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Travis Kelce is a great play this week despite the price. I also like George Kittle (as long as Deebo Samuel remains out) and Mark Andrews. After that, Dalton Schultz and Noah Fant are the other higher-priced options in play. Still, it will be hard to fade Evan Engram (at his price), Jared Cook (if all the WRs are out), or Ricky Seals-Jones (if he returns from his injury). Brevin Jordan, one of the Saints, and James O’Shaughnessy are my only true punt options here.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. LV
($7,400 DK, $7,500 FD)
Vegas isn’t the worst team in the league versus TEs. Still, they are among the bottom four in every significant category against the position. Meanwhile, Kelce remains the gold standard at the position despite a sub-standard season. The typical Kelce season is so absurdly strong that this pretty damn impressive season is called out as just ‘aight. This feels like a week where Kelce reminds his detractors why he is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

George Kittle, Niners @ CIN
($6,900 DK, $7,100 FD)
Kittle had a monster Week 13 with Deebo Samuel out injured. As of now, we don’t know for certain if Samuel will play this weekend. If Deebo misses another game, don’t be surprised to see Kittle have a repeat performance. Cincy is not exactly a stiff defense against the position. They can hold mediocre or bad TEs in check, but they have been victimized by higher-end options like T.J. Hockenson, Pat Freiermuth, and Darren Waller. Kittle will be good for 7-70-1 if Samuel plays. If Deebo is out, expect closer to 11-120-1 or 2.

Mark Andrews, Ravens @ CLE
($5,900 DK, $6,900 FD)
Cleveland has apparently stopped covering opposing TEs. Since Week 8, the Browns have allowed an average of 6-62-0.8 to the position. That included a 4-65-1 by Andrews in Week 12. Including that game, Andrews now has posted 24-325-6 against Cleveland since the start of 2019.

Dalton Schultz, Cowboys @ WAS
($5,400 DK, $5,700 FD)
Washington is better against tight ends than wide receivers. That really isn’t saying much. Still, this game will feature enough scoring that Schultz has a great opportunity to give you access to this game script without breaking the bank. I particularly like the triple-stack with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.

DFS Sleepers

Evan Engram, Giants @ LAC
($3,600 DK, $4,500 FD)
With Phail-ly on bye, Las Vegas and the Chargers are the two easiest TE defenses to pick on. Vegas gets Kelce, so you know they are about to get stomped. The Chargers get Engram, which will fly considerably lower under the radar. The Eagles are the only team to allow more TE scores this year than the Chargers. Plus five of those scores have come in the last four weeks.

Jared Cook, Chargers vs. NYG
($3,200 DK, $5,100 FD)
Justin Herbert will approach his huddle Sunday and see Cook, Donald Parham, and a bunch of reserve WRs. It should be pretty obvious who will pick up much of the slack assuming that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams remain out with COVID. The Giants have already allowed nine different TEs to top 8 PPR points, and if Cook does that he is nearly at 3x on DK already. When you add on some additional targets his way, it seems inevitable.