Quarterback
Much like last week, I think there are three or four completely viable Quarterback options for cash games in Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson and Andrew Luck. Newton is who I expect to be the highest owned at this position, and it is promising that he ran for 60+ yards last week after two weeks of no running whatsoever. The matchup with the Buccaneers doesn’t get better, but this is the second game against them this season and historically second divisional games are lower scoring and I would really like to save $500+ by dropping down to Jackson or Luck. As for Jackson, if we know that he is starting and will be the guy 100% I absolutely love him in this matchup on the turf in Atlanta. He easily crushed value last week without even running the ball in the first half, and if Flacco is healthy yet Jackson still starts they should be set to unleash him against Atlanta. Luck is who I keep coming back to, who is just way too cheap at under $6,000 on DraftKings. The volume of pass attempts he sees is truly insane, and he has tossed 3+ touchdown passes in EIGHT straight games…factor that in with Jalen Ramsey set to miss this game, and with the 300 yard bonus on DK and you should be able to see why I am so interested in Luck this week…even though he as well is in a second divisional game.
UPDATE: With the value opened up at running back, I’m elevating Patrick Mahomes to my cash game pool and am strongly considering him.
Running Back
Top Tier: Christian McCaffrey- Certainly Todd Gurley is in play weekly, but McCaffrey was my cover boy last week and I’m going right back to the well in this money matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have been a sieve to opposing running backs all season, and CMC has one of the highest floors at this position given his involvement in the passing game. He’s an absolute lock for me in cash, and right now I’m looking to pair him with Kareem Hunt at the high end.
Mid Tier: Phillip Lindsay- Lindsay is coming off 14-110-1 line against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and has now racked up 15+ touches in five straight games. This matchup with the Bengals cannot be understated, they have crumbled in recent weeks due to injuries and they allowed Nick Chubb to post a monster 25+ point fantasy day last week beating them in the run game and in the passing game. Lindsay has taken control of this backfield, and Royce Freeman is an afterthought at this point. At his price, Lindsay is an appealing play in all formats.
Low Tier: Carlos Hyde- This is kind of the question of the slate with Leonard Fournette out due to a suspension. We still have TJ Yeldon in the mix, but at $3,300 on DraftKings Hyde is set-up for monster ownership on Sunday. I don’t think he is a great play, but it’s tough to hurt you at that price tag and it may end up being the smart move to just jam in the savings…because if he does score once or twice as chalk and you don’t have him you are going to be a ways behind the field, and if he duds it won’t matter *as much* given the ownership.
UPDATE: With Kareem Hunt released, I’m bumping Spencer Ware OVER Carlos Hyde, and right now I have Ware/Lindsay/McCaffrey on my cash game team.
Wide Receiver
Top Tier: Robert Woods- This is an Anthony special this week, and I have no issues with Woods because I am one of his biggest fans. He provides even more value now that he has moved into the slot in place of Cooper Kupp. Bales did a great job covering his individual matchup in the slot in his article this week, and by using Woods you can get exposure to the massive Rams implied total without spending all the way up for Todd Gurley.
Mid Tier: Emmanuel Sanders- If we ultimately can’t get to Lindsay due to the presence of Hyde, I love getting some Denver exposure at receiver through Sanders, because I think the Broncos are going to smash them this Sunday. Sanders has been extremely consistent this season outside of the last few weeks, and he’s coming off a 12 target game against the Steelers. He did pop up on the injury report this week, so monitor this situation throughout the weekend, but if he is active I would love to use him in cash games.
Low Tier: Adam Humphries- This is my favorite value play of the week at this position with Humphries priced at just $4,200 on DraftKings. Attacking the Panthers in the slot has been one of our mainstays all season, and Humphries has quietly scored four times in his last four games. He’s coming off a six target, six catch game and I think he is too cheap for this matchup.
UPDATE: With DeSean Jackson OUT, I’m bumping up Chris Godwin OVER Adam Humphries for cash games, and now that we have this added value, I’m comfortable listing Kenny Golladay OVER Emmanuel Sanders in the mid tier.
Tight End
Tight end is a nightmare in Week 13, as we are set up for Eric Ebron chalk week with no Jack Doyle for the Colts. This fits perfectly for me, since I’m planning on playing Luck anyways, but it never feels good to roster Ebron as chalk. You can pivot to guys like Cam Brate or Matt LaCosse if you want, but if Ebron is active he should be the lock for cash, and you can look to pivot in tournaments.
D/ST Options: Seattle, Chicago, Kansas City, Green Bay, Denver
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
