Draft Kings Strategy 2016 Week 3: 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 ($5,900): Mariota hasn’t been brilliant in 2016, but he’s gone up against two solid defenses (Vikings, Lions) and he hasn’t bombed. Mariota is capable of fantasy explosions, especially if he rips off a long run. The Raiders defense is the worst in the NFL through two weeks, and Oakland’s red-hot offense may force the Titans to throw a whole lot. There’s going to be lots of opportunity for Mariota this Sunday.
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers ($6,000): Slightly pricy for my “bargains,” but Winston is a Top 10 fantasy QB for me in 2016, and this isn’t what Top 10 QBs cost. He turned the ball over a disgusting five times last week, and the Rams are no cakewalk, but Winston is a star and stars respond to bad games. Without Doug Martin to run the rock, Winston will also be forced to pass more, even if its to RB Charles Sims.
Cody Kessler, Browns ($5,000): As you will typically find, I tend to have a soft spot for starting QBs for legit backup prices. Even if they’re terrible, they let you build such strong rosters at other positions. Kessler may be absolutely awful; he may also be serviceable. If he is simply decent, he’s well worth this purchase.
Running Backs
Isaiah Crowell, Browns ($4,700): It’s time to respect Crowell a little. He looks like “the guy” in the Cleveland backfield, he’s scored in back-to-back tilts, and he will be up against a Dolphins team that’s gassed up by a 10-point spread. The Browns represent the ideal trap game for Miami, and with Kessler under center don’t be shocked if Crowell gets 20+ carries/touches.
Jeremy Hill, Bengals ($3,700): Hill has been bad through two weeks, but he’s been up against the Jets and Steelers thus far. You may think the Broncos are the worst matchup yet, but you’d be wrong. Denver has been hell on opposing QBs, but VERY pliable against the ground attack. This is the week for Jeremy Hill to be the guy that no one else on Draft Kings has, but you nailed for a low price.
Terrance West, Ravens ($3,500): West is getting similar work to Justin Forsett, and this week they’re up against a soft, soft Jacksonville run defense. If he’s going to get a comparable workload, take the discount and leave Forsett on the shelf. You have almost equal odds of a touchdown, and West lets you pick up a better WR.
Wide Receivers
Doug Baldwin, Seahawks ($6,900): This is atypical for this article because $6,900 isn’t particularly cheap. But Baldwin is a legit No. 1 receiver for Seattle, and he’s against a 49ers defense Draft Kings players are going to overrate. The Niners have looked solid so far on that end, but per FootballOutsiders.com, they are dead last against No. 1 receivers. Baldwin is a heavily targeted No. 1 receiver against – literally – the best matchup. Go, go go!
Travis Benjamin, Chargers ($5,200): The Colts are looking like Swiss cheese on defense through two weeks, and there’s no reason to think it’s a fluke. They were expected to be horrible, and are currently dealing with a slew of injuries to their already-horrible secondary. Travis Benjamin is the No. 1 target for Philip Rivers, and so far he’s caught 15-of-16 targets. This dude should be in for a big, big game.
Taaje Sharpe, Titans ($4,700): Sharpe is not like most rookie receivers. He’s polished, and he’s the top receiving target (of WRs, not including TE Delanie Walker), and this week he’s up against the worst-rated defense in the NFL. Oakland has been particularly gnarly vs. No. 1 receivers. Sign up Sharpe as a WR2 or WR3 and enjoy the touchdown.
Tight Ends
Delanie Walker, Titans ($5,000): Walker is the most targeted player on the Titans, and he, like Sharpe, is against the worst defense in football. Walker is basically a WR2 in these situations, and you’re getting him for a WR3 price, as a tight end. He’s not the cheapest usable tight end, but when you account for his talent and usage he’s the best buy at the position in Week 3.
Dennis Pitta, Ravens ($3,400): The Jaguars are ranked 30th against tight ends through two weeks, and Pitta was targeted 12 times in Week 2. This is simple. If you’re scare by Delanie Walker’s questionable tag, hop on the Pitta train. He’s a shocking bargain and I LOVE it.
Vance McDonald, 49ers ($2,900): This is high-risk, high reward. Last week McDonald ripped off a 75-yard touchdown, and while you can’t count on plays like that regularly, he’s a playmaker. He has potential to throw up a doughnut, because he’s been targeted five times in two games. But if he catches the rock, he’s a threat to score.