Welcome to Week 6 everyone, where we take a look at some top considerations for you to put in your lineups on DraftKings this weekend. As always, if you have any questions this weekend, you can find me on twitter @kevdudz and I’ll do my best to respond.
Andy Dalton- Cincinnati Bengals- $5700
Andy Dalton has been more on fire than his hair to start the year. Currently the #1 Fantasy quarterback this year, Dalton gets a road game against a stingy Buffalo Bills defense. However, when we dive deeper into the statistics, we realize the stinginess of the Bills defense is actually their run defense. Teams have been able to move the ball through the air against them, and do so at a heavy volume. Opposing teams are currently passing the ball a whopping 70% of offensive plays against the Bills. With an inexplicably low price tag this week, Dalton makes a safe cash game play, and a solid GPP stack with AJ Green or Tyler Eifert.
Tom Brady- New England Patriots- $8100
If you want to pay up for quarterback this week, Brady is the obvious way to go. With the highest predicted team total in Vegas, the Patriots are going to look to light up the scoreboard on Sunday night. Brady is safe, but I do have some potential reservations about him. Combined with the excellent value QB’s also available, there is a chance that the Patriots make this a Legarrette Blount game. Remember, last year in the playoffs the Patriots ran Blount down the Colts throat, as they did earlier in the regular season, when they had Jonas Gray rip off over 200 yards and 4 td’s out of nowhere. Brady should get his, but there is merit to being a little nervous at him paying off a high price tag, as the Pat’s may go run heavy.
Matt Stafford- Detroit Lions- $5300
I’m not recommending you start Stafford in your cash games, i.e. 50/50s and head-to-head matchups, but if you are looking for an under-owned QB in a GPP, look no further than Stafford. At only $300 over the bare minimum, Stafford gets to face a garbage Bears defense, at home, as a favorite. Coming off a game where he was benched, the public will see Stafford’s name and pass him by. That is why I think with his low price, public perception, and a great matchup vs a porous defense, Stafford could be a great under the radar play.
Colin Kaepernick- San Francisco 49ers- $5000
Coming in at the minimum price, as in priced with the third string quarterbacks, is Colin Kaepernick. How the mighty have fallen! But we need to look at this on a week to week basis, and not an entire season. Kaepernick keeps a semi-decent floor of fantasy points, as he averages around 45 yards per game on rushing yards alone. Coupled with the fact that he is in a matchup against the worst passing defense to date this year in the Ravens, I think Kaepernick is absolutely capable of giving you a solid score. Pairing him in a tournament with Anquan Boldin who just had a nice game against the Giants can really pay off, and with both being so cheap, could allow you to pay up for a few studs in your lineup.
RB
Adrian Peterson- Minnesota Vikings- $7600
Sure, it’s easy to recommend a stud like Peterson. But you also need to remember, you’re going to have a few studs in your lineup. You have to pick the right ones, otherwise your lineup will tank. Peterson looks to be as safe as they come this week. Facing a weak Kansas City run defense, in a game that expects the Vikings to have the lead at home, I fully expect Peterson to be used like the workhorse that he is. Expect 25-30 touches, and around 120 yards on the ground, with a td or two to boot. I’ll be peppering Peterson in most of my lineups this week.
Arian Foster- Houston Texans- $7000
This looks like the week to target Foster. The Texans finally get a game that they at least, SHOULDN’T be trailing by a ton. Foster proved last week that he has an extremely safe floor, as he was targeted ten times out of the backfield. On a PPR site like DraftKings, running backs that see this type of usage out of the backfield are extremely safe to play. I’m looking for Foster to be one of the top options of the day.
Carlos Hyde- San Francisco 49ers- $4600
One of the situations to monitor this weekend will be Carlos Hyde’s health. He left practice early on Thursday, and looks to be questionable for the contest vs the Ravens. However, if Hyde is a go, I do like his matchup, at a very favorable price. Reggie Bush is also questionable, so if Hyde is a go, he should see 20 touches. Versus a porous defense like Baltimore, 20 touches at this price is a steal.
Javorius Allen- Baltimore Ravens- $4300
The other situation to monitor in the backfield is Justin Forsett. Forsett hasn’t practiced as of Friday this week, and is listed as questionable. If he doesn’t play, you can absolutely look to Javorius Allen in your cash games, as he will see plenty of touches at an extremely reasonable price, versus a terrible 49ers defense. At the same token, TJ Yeldon is also questionable, and if he doesn’t play, Denard Robinson becomes a GREAT play at the bare minimum $3000. You should absolutely be paying attention to these injuries come Sunday morning.
WR
DeAndre Hopkins- Houston Texans- $7700
What is the world coming to? I’m recommending two Texans in the same week! They get the Jaguars, that is what’s happening. DeAndre, as proven last Thursday against the Colts, is an absolute target monster. He’s leading the league in targets, and it’s not even close. When you think safety at wide receiver, you should think Hopkins no matter the team he’s playing. Combine that with a plus matchup, and he’s a top option this week. (Side note, MOST of the time, it is not smart to play a #1 RB and #1 WR from the same team. They do not correlate well, as if one is getting points, the other is not. It’s up to you which one to choose, and trust me, it’s not easy!)
Dante Moncrief- Indianapolis Colts- $5000
Early in the season, Moncrief was a fantasy darling. Then Luck got hurt, and Moncrief’s production slowed down. With Luck expected back this week, and a reasonable price, I fully expect Moncrief to get back into very useful player again. With the Patriot’s having a history of forcing a shutdown of the opposing team’s top WR (TY Hilton) this should leave Moncrief with the opportunity for a big game. Coupled with the fact the Colts should be passing a lot as they are more than likely to be trailing, the game flow sets up nicely for Moncrief.
Jeremy Maclin-Kansas City Chiefs- $6500
Now that Jamaal Charles is done for the year, the Chiefs will have to rely on their best playmaker to help move the offense. In the past three games, Maclin has seen double digit targets in each of them, and I fully expect that number to be the same, if not higher this week. At an affordable $6500, I look for Maclin to reach the century mark in receiving yards.
Kamar Aiken- Baltimore Ravens- $4300
Dwayne Harris- New York Giants- $3100
Two more injury situations for you to monitor this week, where there is potential value. On the Ravens, Steve Smith is questionable with fractured bones in his back. If he’s unable to go, Aiken becomes the #1 target for Joe Flacco, and should easily pay off his price against a putrid 49ers defense. In New York, Odell Beckham and Reuben Randle are both questionable. If one or both of them sits, I really like Dwayne Harris a sneaky play. He’s seen a lot more time in the slot, and seems to be Eli Manning’s safety blanket over the past two weeks. He’s still usable as a punt play in tournaments if they both play, but becomes cash game worthy if one or both sit.
TE
Rob Gronkowski- New England Patriots- $7600
Not much to be said about Gronk. When he plays, he’s always considered the #1 tight end option.
Antonio Gates- San Diego Chargers- $4600
Gates looked great in his debut Monday night against the Steelers. In a game the Chargers should be trailing, Gates should again see all the targets he can handle, and get some looks in the red zone.
Tyler Eifert- Cincinnati Bengals- $4900
Pairing him with Andy Dalton is a nice possibility in tournaments, as Eifert has shown the ability to have a few big games, and be a reliable red zone target for the Red Rocket.
Derek Carrier- Washington Redskins- $2500
If you want to save a ton of money at tight end, look at Derek Carrier. Filling in for Jordan Reed last week, Carrier played 95% of the teams snaps, and got himself in the end zone. His value only goes up if Desean Jackson is unable to play.