Draft Kings Strategy Week 6: Best Bargains at Each Position
The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Due to budget restraints, however, fantasy players must sacrifice other positions to nab the stars they want.
Here, you'll find the top bargains at each position on Draft Kings that will let you splurge elsewhere. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here is Draft Kings’ scoring system.
The bargains are listed in the order I like them.
Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota, Titans ($6,100): Marcus Mariota saw the light last week and began running. That’s absolutely a smart move by the Titans to get him involved in the ground game, and open up avenues for scoring. Tennessee scored their most points of the season with Mariota presenting himself as a two-way threat, and if that continues, he should have no issues carving the Browns’ defense to pieces. Mariota is risky, but he’s capable of throwing up 35+ points.
Alex Smith, Chiefs ($5,700): Running QBs are kind of my thing on Draft Kings, especially when I’m hunting for cheap QBs. Smith is fresh off a bye week, and has a juicy matchup against Oakland’s leaky defense. Smith has barely run since Week 1, but that will change against the Raiders, especially if Khalil Mack is forcing him to scramble. Smith and Jamaal Charles will keep the Raiders honest and I wouldn’t be surprised if Smith gets in the end zone on the ground.
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers ($5,000): Completing the trifecta of running QBs is the NFL’s No. 2 kneeler, Colin Kaepernick. Chip Kelly awoke from his slumber and realized he has a super fast, cannon-armed quarterback on his bench, rotting, while he trots out Blaine Gabbert, maybe the worst regular starting QB of the last decade. Kaepernick should thrive with a new-QB bump (that’s something I made up, but believe in), and an offense that is literally built for players like him. Enjoy him for backup money.
Running Backs
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs ($5,100): Charles came back last week and did basically nothing. That’s great, because after a bye week, he’s going to be full speed ahead this week and you can snap him up for pennies. Charles, at his best, could easily be the most expensive RB in daily fantasy, so enjoy this price for now, especially against Oakland’s awful defense.
Tevin Coleman, Falcons ($4,800): Yes, Coleman and the Falcons are up against the NFL’s top-ranked defense in Seattle. Look closely though, and you’ll find Seattle is weak against RBs in the passing game. That might seem to favor Devonta Freeman, but I like Coleman here because he’s cheaper and more likely to break off a huge play or two. High risk, high reward.
T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars ($4,400): Yeldon is clearly the leader in Jacksonville’s backfield for touches, so even if Chris Ivory gets goal line carries, Yeldon’s volume makes him the better play. He receives RB1-level work at an RB3 price. Pair that with a matchup against the Bears, and you’ve got a useful Draft Kings play.
Wide Receivers
Victor Cruz, Giants ($4,200): Are you looking for a low-priced receiver nobody will think of using? How about Cruz, who threw up a fat-ass zero last week and is in an offense being criticized as much as any of late? Cruz has a matchup with Baltimore that’s surprisingly good, considering the Ravens are ranked 30th in the NFL vs. slot receivers. This is a really clever matchup play I think you’ll be glad you made.
Torrey Smith, 49ers ($3,300): This is speculation, and at this price it’s harmless. Torrey Smith remains a premier deep threat, and he’s now going to be running streaks for Kaepernick, who has plenty of arm strength to get him the pigskin down the field. I expect a 50+-yard touchdown for Smith this week, and I think it happens early.
Robert Woods, Bills ($4,200): Woods is the de facto WR1 in Buffalo, and while Tyrod Taylor isn’t Jim Kelly, he should be able to connect with Woods repeatedly vs. San Francisco’s pass defense which ranks DEAD LAST against No. 1 receivers.
Tight Ends
Richard Rodgers, Packers ($2,900): Aaron Rodgers is a sight to behold when he plays at Lambeau Field, and this week he’s up against a Cowboys squad that’s due for a let down, and also struggles mightily vs. tight ends. Richard Rodgers won’t have a HUGE game, but he’s a cheap TD or two.
Jason Witten, Cowboys ($4,200): Sticking with the same game, Green Bay is almost as bad vs. tight ends, and Witten is an even surer bet than Rodgers for targets. Witten, however, isn’t quite as adept at receiving his targets in the painted area.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Texans ($2,500): This could backfire, but it also may be your favorite play of the week. The Colts rank second-to-last vs. tight ends in 2016, and Fiedorowicz has seen five and eight targets, respectively, in each of his last two games.