In this weekly article, we’ll look at the cheaper options that should return good value to your NFL DFS lineups. The bargain threshold varies by site, and position, but generally we’ll aim for our bargain plays to take up about 8-10 percent of your salary cap, except for quarterbacks, which we’ll allow 11-12 percent. A great tool to find bargains is our DFS projection system, which gives a dollar per fantasy point projection for each player. I refer to it often!
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Quarterback
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore
Coming off the bye, people might overlook Chicago and Fields this weekend or at least forget that he headed into the bye coming off two very decent games from a fantasy perspective. Yahoo still has him priced at $21, the cheapest starter besides Joe Flacco. Fields will always have an attractive upside thanks to his rushing ability but really, it also sets his floor where – as long as he doesn’t throw a million picks – he’s usable in any DFS format. He ranks fourth in rushing yards among QBs, and is tied with Josh Allen at an efficient 5.5 YPC. Passing is still an issue, but he was more confident in Week 9, connecting on two long passes and averaging 10 yards per completion, and nearly hitting the 300-yard mark. There are a lot of ways to play Fields – pair him with David Montgomery for all the potential offensive touchdowns, go safer with Darnell Mooney, or consider saving with Allen Robinson or Cole Kmet. Baltimore is a pretty neutral defense, but has been most susceptible to opposing TEs. Hopefully the Bears used the week off to build on the rapport Fields was starting to show with Kmet and Robinson before the bye.
Also consider: Jimmy Garoppolo (Yahoo), Joe Flacco (GPP only!!)
Running Back
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins at NY Jets
Poor Gaskin has had the league’s worst offensive line and a struggling pass game with various QBs at the helm this season. If anything can get him a great fantasy stat line, it’s a matchup with the Jets. No one gives up more fantasy points to running backs and week after week we see even the improbable run games/running backs having success in this matchup.
D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans vs. Houston
I’d rather spend a bit more on the position than this, because I don’t think Foreman is exactly trustworthy. The Titans have three running backs that they aren’t afraid to use. Although Foreman appears to be getting the most opportunities, it’s anyone’s guess as to who might score. As we saw in Buffalo vs. the Jets last week, against a friendly opponent, it might be all three. Still, if you’re desperate to save, Foreman is my top choice from this backfield and he does get the good matchup with Houston’s poorly rated run defense.
Also consider: David Montgomery, Alex Collins
Wide Receiver
Elijah Moore, NY Jets vs. Miami
Moore has led the Jets’ receivers the past two weeks amidst some QB chaos. It was announced that Joe Flacco would be starting this week, which could be good or bad for Moore. He has the talent to succeed, and being able to post double-digit (PPR) fantasy lines four weeks in a row on this team proves it. Miami is an above average QB matchup and Flacco has traditionally favored his wide receivers over dump offs to the running backs, which Mike White was doing a lot of.
Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers vs. Washington
Could Anderson have life with Cam Newton as the Panthers’ QB? Week 10 was his most encouraging game in a while, and although it wasn’t amazing, he is still extremely affordable. I’d consider him a tournament only play at this point, and I will be watching to see what happens with the QB decision. Right now the Panthers are small home favorites, but after seeing Washington surprise Tampa Bay last weekend, I wouldn’t rule out a competitive and higher scoring game.
Also consider: De’Andre Carter, Jamal Agnew, Marcus Johnson
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Tight End
Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia
Trautman has at least six targets in each of his last three games, so although not much has come of them, it’s a solid opportunity at his cost. Philadelphia is the league’s best TE matchup (and they are very good against opposing WRs), which helps make the case for Trautman should Trevor Siemian start again this week.
Also consider: Cole Kmet, Geoff Swaim
Defense
Defenses are priced right this week. I don’t want to manufacture a bargain play I don’t believe in, so I can’t really recommend paying less than the salary of Cleveland (DraftKings), Tennessee, Miami or San Francisco (Yahoo). Sometimes it’s worth it to totally punt D/ST on DraftKings or FanDuel to fit the offense you want, and in that case I’d try Kansas City, Minnesota or Chicago this week.
