If the Thanksgiving games were any indication, it’s the week of superstar Wide Receivers. The top pass catching options: Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant, Alshon Jeffery, Jeremy Maclin, and Jordan Matthews all gave fantasy backers another reason to give thanks (and boast their fantasy acumen to relatives).
Several enticing matchups suggest more of the same heading into the weekend, and numerous breakout candidates actually have very reasonable price tags on FanDuel. Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, and Kenny Stills are the most noteworthy options, and you’ll see each of them featured in this week’s “Must Plays” column below.
Editor’s Note: Rotoworld’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-week $1.75 Million Fantasy Football league for Week 13’s games. It’s only $25 to join and first prize is $175,000. Starts Sunday, November 30th at 1pm ET. Here’s the link.
PLATINUM ($10,000-$8,500)
Top-dollar options who will justify their hefty price tag.
MUST PLAY: Andrew Luck (QB) – IND - $10,100
Simply put, he’s the top fantasy QB taking on a Washington team that has given up the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing QB’s. It’s no secret that Indianapolis loves to air it out (61% of plays), and I’m expecting them to attack Washington’s secondary in the vertical passing game. The Redskins have given up 250+ pass yards in five of their last six games, and I can’t envision a scenario where Luck falls short of that number.
MUST PLAY: Josh Gordon (WR) – CLE - $8,100
I’m upgrading Josh Gordon to the “platinum” range, even though he’s in the “gold” salary category. In other words, he’s a top-tier option priced like a second-rate fantasy commodity. The Bills stifling run defense could force Cleveland to the air, creating more opportunities for Gordon to break a big play. His 8-120 line (16 targets) last week inspires confidence in a return to his league-leading form of 2013.
GOLD $8,500-$7,000
Players priced in the “second-tier”, but could easily boast top flight numbers.
MUST PLAY: C. J. Anderson (RB) – DEN - $7,800
This may seem like a hefty price tag for a one-time 4th string running back, but remember: it’s all about supply! Anderson toted the ball 27 times last game, piling up 167 yards and 28 fantasy points. That was against a formidable Miami run defense. This Sunday, Anderson gets a juicy matchup against Kansas City, who ranks dead last in yards per carry allowed (5.0).
MUST PLAY: Rob Gronkowski (TE) – NE - $7,700
The matchup appears middling on paper, but I really like Gronkowski in this spot. The Patriots are playing in one of the highest projected scoring games of the day, and there’s a good chance a shootout could ensue. On top of that, I haven’t really noticed any inspiring TE plays at a cheaper price point. For that reason, I feel strongly that Gronk should be in majority of your 50/50 and H2H style contests on FanDuel.
SILVER $7,000-$6,000
Mid-range picks with favorable prices and situations.
BORDERLINE: Rashad Jennings (RB) – NYG - $7,100
Jennings was a borderline recommendation last week, and the price is friendly enough to consider him again. Any time a workhorse running back takes on Jacksonville, no matter who it is, they should be on your radar. The Jaguars have fallen to 28th at limiting opposing RB’s; plus, the combination of opportunity, matchup, gameflow, and salary makes Jennings a “green light” play.
BORDERLINE: Jarvis Landry (WR) – MIA - $6,900
Daily fantasy players have been picking on the Jets’ secondary habitually this season, translating to regular success. This week is no different, as the Dolphins rejuvenated passing attack could easily carve them up on Monday night. Leading the way on the receiving end is Landry, pacing the team in targets, receptions, yards, and TD’s since breaking onto the scene last month.
BRONZE $6,000-BELOW
The best of the bargain bin.
BORDERLINE: Kenny Stills (WR) – NO - $5,100
Stills has been the primary wide-out for New Orleans over the past several weeks, exemplified by a nice 8 reception 98 yard performance last week. Despite that solid output, his price actually dropped significantly into “super-bargain” territory. Savvy daily fantasy players will jump all over that, especially considering an unimposing matchup against Pittsburgh.
BORDERLINE: Delanie Walker (TE) – TEN - $5,700
I mentioned earlier how this is a week to “pay up” at TE, but Delaine Walker makes for a decent (albeit somewhat risky) alternative. His performances were pretty mundane leading up to last week’s season-high 155 yards. The matchup against Houston isn’t great, but Walker should see plenty of looks as an essential safety valve for the young Zach Mettenberger.
PARTICIPATION RIBBONS
Kicker, Defense, and a few honorable mentions.
KICKER: Chandler Catanzaro – ARI - $4,600
The Cardinals have had tough matchups in recent weeks, resulting in fewer opportunities for Catanzaro. That’s about to change against an Atlanta team that ranks dead last in total defense, and kicking in a dome never hurts.
DEFENSE: St. Louis Rams - $5,200
As you’re probably aware of by now, Oakland is definitely a target to stream fantasy defenses. The Rams have actually held their own in recent weeks, and they check in as home favorites against the turnover-prone Raiders.
BEST OF THE REST: Le’Veon Bell (RB) – PIT … A.J. Green (WR) – CIN … Ben Roethlisberger (QB) – PIT … Julio Jones (WR) - ATL … Justin Forsett (RB) – BAL … Tre Mason (RB) – STL … New York Giants (DEF)
