Welcome to Week 13 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.
Cam Newton- Carolina Panthers- $7400
We’ll start with this week’s chalk play, Cam Newton. If you are playing in a 50/50 this week, Cam is going to be the highest owned QB, by a lot. I’m talking above 50% of people will be using him, and for good reason. With a safe floor because of his rushing ability, a high team total, and the fact he is facing the league’s worst passing defense, this matchup is fantastic for Cam. He’s extremely safe for you to target in your cash games. In a tournament however, there is merit to fading him. If he gets injured, has a bad game, or the Panthers end up with some defensive TD’s and Jonathan Stewart runs in the others, you could separate yourself from nearly half the field by fading him. Just something to ponder when constructing your lineup.
Eli Manning-New York Giants- $6500
Darrel Revis looks likely to be out, and the Jets secondary has been struggling before Revis left with an injury. This looks like a dream matchup for Eli without Revis, as the Jets have an excellent run defense, so the Giants will be forced to go to the air early and often. With a higher team total this week, look for Eli to sling the rock around MetLife stadium to the tune of 300+yards and multiple touchdowns.
Jay Cutler- Chicago Bears- $5100
If you are looking for a cheap QB this week, who’s got some upside, look no further than Jay Cutler. Cutler has been surprisingly good recently, and the 49ers, although playing respectable as of late, should provide little resistance this week. San Francisco is a completely different team on the road, as the least amount of points they have given up on the road is 25. Look for a healthy Jay Cutler to shred the San Francisco secondary this week.
Ben Roethlisberger- Pittsburgh Steelers- $6600
As long as Big Ben is cleared to play, which it looks like he is, he should definitely be on your radar. Ben is the driving force behind the Steelers offense, when he plays, they are a completely different team. After torching the Seahawks secondary last week, I’m inclined to think he will do the same if not more against a weak Colts secondary. With one of the highest team totals implied, Ben should easily pay off his salary.
RB
David Johnson- Arizona Cardinals- $3400
We’ll start off with the chalk again here at running back. Johnson could potentially be even higher owned than Cam this weekend. With Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson both injured, Johnson is going to see as many snaps as he can handle. Johnson is also an extremely effective pass catcher out of the backfield, so that will only add to his value on a PPR site like DraftKings. With a solid floor, and such a cheap price, lock him into your lineup this weekend.
Devonta Freeman- Atlanta Falcons- $8000
Freeman is due back from a concussion two weeks ago, and should step into a heavy workload immediately. Tevin Coleman did not impress in his audition while Freeman was out, and the Falcons are really struggling on offense. I expect Freeman to immediately see 20+ touches this week, and get any and all goal line work the Falcons have. If you want to pay up at running back, he’s my best bet.
Legarrette Blount-New England Patriots- $5100
We all know by now the Patriots have been decimated by injuries recently, leaving Tom Brady with very little to work with through the air. I expect the Patriots to rely heavily on their run game over the next few weeks, as the weather gets colder, and they wait for some of their weapons to heal. With that in mind, I expect Blount to be utilized heavily, smashing the defense in a ground and pound type game. I could easily see the Pats sprinting out to an early lead, and then crushing the clock with Blount in the second half.
Deangelo Williams- Pittsburgh Steelers- $5600
Deangelo is also in a nice spot this week. With good pass catching skills, he’s got a very high floor. In the games he has started this year, Deangelo has put up double digit fantasy points in all of them, making him one of the safest cash game running backs this year. With just a mid-tier price tag, and a high team total implied, Deangelo should be highly owned, and very safe.
WR
Odell Beckham Jr- New York Giants- $8900
As I mentioned in Eli’s write up above, Revis is expected to be out. Couple that with a solid Jets run defense, and a struggling secondary even before the Revis injury, this is a dream matchup for Odell. He’s seeing double digit targets each week, and in a game that could potentially become a shootout, I expect more of the same. He’s my favorite high priced WR this week by a large margin.
Alshon Jeffrey- Chicago Bears- $6900
Alshon has been a target magnet for Cutler in any game that he has played this year where he wasn’t hurt. He sees double digit targets every game, and this one should be no different, facing a weak 49er secondary, who struggles on the road. Alshon is very safe, and doesn’t cost quite as much as you would think this week.
Jarvis Landry- Miami Dolphins- $6700
I think Landry will be overlooked this week, making him an excellent tournament play. Although he doesn’t catch a ton of touchdowns, he is still a valuable player for us on DraftKings, as he is 5th in the league in receptions this year. With that kind of volume headed his way, Jarvis is a safe pick on a PPR site like DraftKings.
Michael Crabtree- Oakland Raiders- $6500
The Kansas City Chiefs defense looked a little shaky last week, and has been hit by the injury bug. With an improved Derek Carr at the helm, I look for Crabtree to have another nice week. Cooper is in play here as well, but Crabtree is getting many more targets in the redzone than Cooper this year, so I like him for his likelihood of scoring over Cooper.
TE
Scott Chandler- New England Patriots- $2500
Chandler will slide into the TE1 spot for Rob Gronkowski this week, and should see an uptick in production. Chandler already get a few looks per game from Brady, so should figure to be a larger part in the passing game this week. At $2500 he is a bargain, and should easily pay his salary off, while letting you spend extra at other positions. He’s my favorite play of the week at tight end.
Jacob Tamme- Atlanta Falcons- $3700
Tamme is almost never owned, and it just doesn’t make sense. Whenever Hankerson doesn’t play, Tamme is a near lock for 60-70 yards receiving, and is a consistent target in the red zone for Matt Ryan. He’s cheap, and under owned, so if Hankerson is out, feel free to use Tamme in your lineup.
Greg Olsen- Carolina Panthers- $6400
The chalk play at tight end this week will be Olsen paired up with Cam. I can’t say I hate it at all. Olsen has proven to be one of the best tight ends in the league, and is extremely consistent. If you have the money to pay up for him, he makes for a great play.