Quarterback
Josh Allen- Much like last week, quarterback is very direct to me and there are really only two options I’m considering. The O/U in this Bills game is not what we want to attack in DFS, and Josh Allen doesn’t possess the type of floor that we normally want to target in DFS. That being said, while he won’t continue to rush for as many yards as he has been, he leads the NFL in aDOT for quarterbacks right now, and literally only wants to throw the ball deep or take off and run. At home, as a favorite, he’s in play again for me this week.
Lamar Jackson- If you aren’t comfortable with Allen, Lamar Jackson is the next choice, at home against the Buccaneers. My only concern here is that even though Harbaugh has assured that Jackson is the starter, the Ravens are well in the playoff mix so if he does struggle out of the gates could we see Flacco come in? The Bucs pass defense has been much improved over the last few weeks, but we really want the rushing floor with Lamar anyways. I would be shocked if one of these two aren’t in my cash game lineup come Sunday.
Running Back
Ezekiel Elliott/Saquon Barkley- This week reminds me of the last few years of NFL DFS. We have two workhorse backs, and we are going to be spending under $6,000 at Quarterback in an attempt to fit them both in. If I was only picking one, it would be Zeke coming off a monster 40 touch game, but even though the matchup is tough for Barkley you can make the case that he is the best running back in the NFL right now. I don’t think you will have any issues fitting them both in should you want, and that’s the route I am looking to go in Week 15.
Joe Mixon- Things are going to get really weird when I tell you I’m attempting to fit in Zeke, Barkley and Mixon this week for cash games. Then when you realize Mixon is only $6,100, at home, against the Raiders, it will all make sense. Mixon is the lock of this slate for me, and I think he should be 100% owned in cash games…but he won’t be. Basically there are two types of builds you can go with this week: all $5,000 and less WR’s with Zeke/Barkley/Mixon or you can take just Zeke and Mixon (+ Cook) and get up to one high-priced receiver.
Dalvin Cook- As I mentioned, if you feel like you need one top WR this week Dalvin Cook makes a lot of sense as a cheaper running back play. He’s racked up 17 targets over the last two weeks, and that type of passing game usage raises the safety a ton with Cook. He is also a pretty big home favorite, in a matchup with the Dolphins that I have picked on all season. Sony Michel let me down in this matchup last week, but he was also on the road and has nowhere near the pass catching floor of Cook.
UPDATE: It looks like Conner is officially “unlikely” to play. That gives a big bump to Jaylen Samuels, and he can now be placed above Cook in the cash game pool.
Wide Receiver
Julian Edelman- This is one of my favorite overall plays on the entire slate, and I’m kind of bummed it looks like he’s going to be pretty chalky. Edelman is quietly top-six in the NFL in targets within the 10 yard line, and this is someone that hasn’t played the whole season. His price isn’t too much to stomach for cash games, but think about it, would you rather pay $7,000+ for Edelman or save $1,000 and drop to Mixon…
Tyler Boyd- Tyler Boyd has been affected more negatively than positively from the absence of AJ Green, but that doesn’t warrant a $5,700 price tag against the Oakland Raiders. He has a fantastic individual matchup, and while the Bengals have been extremely run-heavy since Jeff Driskel took over the offense, he has still seen target totals of 8.8 and 6 over the last three games.
Kenny Stills- It’s not normal that we are targeting players against Minnesota in cash games, but Stills is coming off an 8-135-1 line and he stills owns over 20% of the teams total targets with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback.
Sterling Shepard- Shepard saved fantasy owners with a touchdown last week after catching just two balls for 17 yards, but Odell is out again and he has seen 6 targets in three straight games. At his price, he’s a great value play on a week where we desperately need WR value.
Tight End
Eric Ebron- This is the clear top tight end play this week, as Ebron has target totals of 7, 16, 8 the last three weeks. He’s also scored three touchdowns over that stretch, and his volume + red zone role has Ebron as a now “safe”option under Frank Reich. His price reflects his usage, but it’s worth it if you have the money.
Vernon Davis- I really don’t feel good about this, but he’s $3,200 on DraftKings, Jordan Reed is out, and he allows you to fit in all three of Zeke/Barkley/Mixon. Ebron fits in with the Cook build, Davis with the three RB build.
D/ST Options: Ravens, Bears, Bills, Falcons
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
