Draft Kings Week 16: 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
Dak Prescott, Cowboys ($5,900): There aren’t a ton of fantastic QB options this week on the cheap side, so Prescott is my favorite that looks underpriced. With the Giants forcing Dallas to keep minding their P’s and Q’s, Prescott figures to do well against the Lions’ weak – albeit improving – pass defense. Last week Prescott was a ridiculous 32-of-36 vs. a solid Tampa Bay defense, and if he repeats that vs. Detroit it will include touchdowns.
Marcus Mariota, Titans ($6,000): Like Prescott, Mariota isn’t “cheap,” but he does offer Top 5 upside. Jacksonville’s season is done, and Tennessee is still in a dogfight for a playoff berth, so Mariota will be fired up. Sometimes he’s mediocre, and other times he is absolutely brilliant; there’s rarely an in-between. Really, Mariota is at his best when he is running and when it comes to the Jaguars, all manner of opponent explosions are in play.
Bryce Petty, Jets ($5,000): Petty is checking in again as a backup-priced starter against a Patriots pass defense that has been less than stellar. Bill Belichick may completely ruin Petty this week with his schemes, or Petty might put forth a decent game for a price that’s really golden.
Running Backs
Jay Ajayi, Dolphins ($5,600): Ajayi, like some of the running backs, is a smidge more expensive than typical bargains. But he has some matchup! The Bills surprisingly have the third-worst run defense in the NFL, and the Dolphins are going to be dialing up Ajayi like crazy with QB Ryan Tannehill injured. Ajayi’s price has dropped after a few subpar performances, but the attempts are there, and he’s struggled against the Ravens, Cardinals and Jets, all stout run defenses. The Bills are more pliable, and Ajayi is a sneaky great play.
Frank Gore, Colts ($4,800): Gore is remarkably consistent in terms of touches, having seen double-digit carries in all but one of Indianapolis’ games this year. He piled up 100+ yards last week vs. a normally tough Vikings D, and this week he’s up against the softer Raiders front. Oakland makes plays, and they absolutely get after the quarterback, but it’s hard to envision them holding Gore to production that isn’t useful for daily fantasy. At this price he’s a phenomenal RB2, and an acceptable RB1 if you like to shave dollars here and splurge at WR.
James White, Patriots ($3,800): White continues to see about as much work as Dion Lewis, while remaining cheaper to roster. The Jets are a dumpster fire, and their pass defense is dead last in the NFL. White is a threat to score a long TD, and even if he doesn’t, the Jets are exactly the type of team to use him against.
Wide Receivers
Robby Anderson, Jets ($4,800): This is easy. Since Petty has been playing meaningful snaps, Anderson has averaged five catches, 80 yards and a touchdown. He’s seen 25 targets in the last three games, and 68 total. As long as Petty is the QB, Anderson is a MUST play at this price, even if you correctly view the Jets as a garbage offense.
J.J. Nelson, Cardinals ($4,400): The Cardinals’ season is sunk, and they’re up against one of the toughest defenses in the league in the Seahawks. And yet, I kinda love Nelson this week. Believe it or not, the Seahawks are ranked 25th against No. 2 receivers, and that’s where Nelson clearly slots with Michael Floyd gone and John Brown a non-factor. Nelson has scored in three consecutive games, and last week he drew 11 targets. His targets are a bit worrisome overall, but hey, if they weren’t, he wouldn’t be available for $4,400.
Chris Hogan, Patriots ($4,200): Hogan has the potential to absolutely light up the Jets’ putrid secondary, especially with Rob Gronkowski done and Darrelle Revis likely to focus on Julian Edelman. When Hogan is targeted enough, he can do serious damage. There isn’t a more perfect matchup than Gang Green.
Tight Ends
Zach Ertz, Eagles ($5,300): The Giants’ pass defense has been untouchable lately thanks to their fine cornerbacks, but their Kryptonite has been tight ends. Zach Ertz is the Eagles’ best target in the passing game, and this is the team for him to rack up numbers against. Ertz’s targets have shot up over the last five games – 11, 6, 15, 13, 8 – and if he gets that work vs. Big Blue he’ll get up over 100 yards.
Cameron Brate, Buccaneers ($3,900): At this point it’s a stunner if Brate goes for fewer than 45 yards, which really ain’t all that bad at the TE position. Aside from Mike Evans, he’s easily Jameis Winston’s best and favorite target, and he’s scored in two of his last four. New Orleans doesn’t stop anyone, but they’re ranked 25th against TEs. Expect at least one TD from Brate.
Hunter Henry, Chargers ($3,500): Cleveland is literally the worst defense in football vs. TEs, and Henry has scored in four of his last five games despite failing to top five targets in any of those games.