DraftKings Bargain Bin: Week 13
The purpose of this column is to feature players that are underpriced on DraftKings. In addition, I will be isolating players to target due to injury, and therefore are expected to receive an increase in usage. For additional cheap plays, check out Notorious’ Bargain Bin Ballers.
QUARTERBACKS
Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins, $6,900 – While the Jets are particularly stout against the run, they have had their issues in the secondary. In fact, according to the RotoGrinders Defense vs Position rankings, New York has given up the 3rd most DraftKings points to quarterbacks this season. Ryan, who has ten touchdowns in his last four games, has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season. Lastly, to stabilize Tannehill’s floor, he has the ability to run the ball, which few quarterbacks possess in their repertoire.
Drew Stanton, Arizona Cardinals, $5,000 – The salary cap is a bit tighter this week on DraftKings thus making a minimum salary quarterback cheapie a little more intriguing than in week’s past. The Falcons give up a league high 284 yards per game through the air while Pro Football Focus deems Atlanta to have the 3rd worst pass coverage in the league. Drew’s numbers haven’t been pretty as he is trying to do his best Kurt Warner impression, but taking a closer look, he’s faced some unideal opponents. The likes of Seattle, Denver, and San Francisco are much more imposing than the putird Falcons. Lastly, whenever you can roster a player in a dome, and away from the elements this time of year, consider it a nice little perk.
RUNNING BACKS
Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens, $6,300 – Its time I stop thinking of Justin as that guy who used to play for the Seahawks, and as the dude who is currently 5th in the entire NFL as far as rushing yards on the season. I know we don’t care about season long stats here, but that just speaks to his consistency. Players that are volatile can be so crushing to your DFS lineup (especially head to head contests), but thankfully Forsett has lacked this flaw. He has scored double digit DraftKings points every game this year but one, and he scored 9.5 in that contest. The Ravens running back doesn’t pile up receptions or red zones carries, which limits his ceiling somewhat, but that is factored into his price. As for the matchup, he’ll take on a middle of the road San Diego defense that will travel across the country for a 1PM EST start. This scenario generally doesn’t bode well for the road team.
Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams, $4,600 – Not too far back I wouldn’t dare roster a Rams running back, but here we are. The backfield is not nearly as cluttered as it used to be as since Week Nine Tre has 84 has handled the ball an intriguing 84 times (21 touches per game). That includes (just) seven receptions, which like Forsett, isn’t ideal, but again, its factored into the price. Oh, and if you are on the fence, Mason gets to take on the pedestrian Oakland Raiders who give up just under 127 yards per game on the ground.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers, $4,700 – After a bye week last week, and a stinker in his most recent game, its easy to forget how impressive his run was since getting an opportunity to play. Throw out the last game and you’ll see the Clemson rookie has really thrived in the previous three games where he converted 12 catches into 270 yards, and a ridiculous five touchdowns. No, he doesn’t rack up a ton of catches, but the 6’4 big play receiver has certainly made the most of them. All eyes will be on Antonio Brown (and for good reason) and he certainly can’t sustain such a silly reception to TD ratio, but Bryant is in a great spot to exploit a vulnerable New Orleans defense that is playing (and traveling) on a short week.
Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings, $4,000 – It wasn’t that long ago when Johnson was considered the #4 wide receiver on a Minnesota depth chart that is not exactly stacked with talent. Its safe to say that no longer appears to be the case as he was on the field for 67 of the Vikings 69 snaps last week. In fact, he has led the team in targets (18) in the Viking’s last two games and converted all the attention into 9 catches, 139 yards, and a score. Hey, its Teddy Bridgewater throwing the ball, so Johnson isn’t going to catch everything. Carolina’s defense (and secondary) is suspect at best and Charles unquestionably passes the eye test. Take advantage of this price and Johnson’s relative obsscurity while you can, as I don’t expect it to last much longer.
TIGHT END
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs, $4,300 – Lots of people were on Travis last week as the logic was that the man deemed “Baby Gronk” would be unleashed with the injury to Anthony Fasano. Anthony’s prospects of playing this week are looking questionable, and even if he does play, I suspect he’ll be somewhat limited. Travis wasn’t spectacular as he caught four of five passes thrown in his direction for 67 yards, but I feel like his ceiling is higher. The Broncos have been vulnerable to tight ends this year, and keeping up with the potent Denver offense is quite the task. Surely a team that has yet to have a wide receiver catch a touchdown (its Week 13!) will do its best to get the ball in the hands of its best offensive weapon (outside of stud running back Jamaal Charles).
DEFENSE
Miami Dolphins, $3,200 – I get that this article’s object is targeting value, but I don’t like to get too cute when selecting my defense. This is especially true when there is a minimal difference in salary from the cheapest to the most expensive option. Miami may not be the most expensive, but I feel like they are your best bet to rack up fantasy points via sacks, turnovers, and if we get really lucky, scores. In their weekly game of pick your poison it looks like the Jets are rolling with Geno Smith over Michael Vick. Either way, the solid Dolphins defense should disrupt the Jets offense enough to have the fickle New York crowd turn on the home team come Monday night.