Draft Kings Strategy Week 10: 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 DraftKings that will let you splurge elsewhere. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here is DraftKings’ scoring system.
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers, Chargers ($5,500): It’s certainly been a down year for Rivers, formerly one of the steadiest QBs in fantasy. Still, Rivers is averaging 289.9 yards per game; it’s a lack of touchdown passes that has held him back. That shouldn’t be an issue against the Raiders secondary, which came into Week 9 ranked 29th vs. the pass per Football Outsiders and proceeded to surrender 406 yards and three touchdowns to Matthew Stafford. Rivers is about to have his first blowup game since Week 1 vs. the Colts.
Baker Mayfield, Browns ($5,000): Mayfield has been among the biggest flops in fantasy, failing to throw for more than one touchdown in a single game so far. Despite having Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry and Nick Chubb at his disposal, Mayfield has averaged just 245 yards per game. That’s why his price has dropped to a borderline backup cost. Mayfield doesn’t even have a good matchup this week, as Buffalo is a Top 10 defense in the NFL. Still, Mayfield’s weaponry and his natural talent give him upside at QB that you’ll rarely find for such a low price tag so if you want to really load up on some high-end talent at the skill spots Mayfield has the potential to blow up in really any matchup.
Running Backs
Ronald Jones, Buccaneers ($4,300): Jones received 18 carries last week, and some confirmation of the obvious—Jones should be receiving the lion’s share of Tampa’s rushing work, and Peyton Barber is being relegated to change-of-pace status. It’s a move that we’ve been dying for as fantasy owners/DFS players, and it’s happening at a fantastic time, just ahead of a date with the Cardinals’ awful defense. Expect Jones to flirt with 20 touches, and he’ll probably score a touchdown. His upside is somewhat limited because he’s unlikely to get involved in the passing game at all, but rushing work will suffice against Arizona.
Kalen Ballage, Dolphins ($4,500): Mark Walton, predictably, has gotten himself suspended leaving Kalen Ballage as the sole survivor of Miami’s three-headed backfield. Ballage stinks, but he does have big play capability, and he could see around 25 touches in this game against a Colts defense that is quietly bad against the run. This is 90% a volume play, and 10% a cross your fingers Ballage finds a seam play. Either way, he only costs $4,500 so he’s going to free up budget to throw Michael Thomas at WR, or a player of that caliber at RB1. For instance, if you want to pay the exorbitant $10,500 cost for Christian McCaffery, you can feel very confident Ballage isn’t going to goose you.
Wide Receivers
Marquise Brown, Ravens ($5,100): Brown is an explosive talent, but he hasn’t quite been as good as the perception. After two strong weeks to start the season, Brown hasn’t gotten to 50 yards again (he missed Weeks 5-8). Brown has shown the ability to be more than just a field-stretcher, however, and Lamar Jackson has proven to be far more capable as a passer than expected. Brown is clearly Baltimore’s top wide receiver, and with the Bengals on the slate this week it’s a safe bet that he’ll easily surpass the 50-yard mark, and probably be closer to 100 with major TD upside to go along with it. Brown is quite possibly my favorite DraftKings play of the week, although Rivers gives him a run for his money.
Calvin Ridley, Falcons ($5,400): Ridley is a sneak play, because Atlanta is horrible and the Saints defense has a deservedly good reputation this year. They’ve been vulnerable to No. 2 receivers though – 24th entering Week 9 per Football Outsiders – and Ridley’s solidified that spot in the offense after Mohamed Sanu was shipped to New England. He hasn’t become the fantasy beast I expected in Year 2, but he’s remained a heavily targeted option in one of the most high-volume passing offenses in football so any plus matchup makes him worthwhile.
Jamison Crowder, Jets ($5,000): Crowder was not a victim of Sam Darnold’s regression last week, catching eight passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. He has a clear rapport with Darnold, and this week he faces the Giants, who entered Monday night as the NFL’s worst-ranked defense vs. the slot. Crowder is in for another game of heavy targets, and should shine in the PPR format, especially since the Giants can’t get after opposing QBs.
Robby Anderson, Jets ($4,700): Anderson is another fine play, as the Giants’ secondary, quite simply, sucks. Anderson had a huge game against Dallas, and while he carries much bigger risk than Crowder, he’s cheaper with the same upside. Anderson will get free several times on Sunday and his success will depend on whether Darnold is kept upright long enough to deliver the ball. Against the G-Men, I’m guess they’ll connect at least once.
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry, Chargers ($5,500): Henry has been fantastic since returning from injury, seeing steady targets from Rivers and consistently piling up 85-100 yards in most weeks. The end zone has been elusive for him, and for the Chargers passing game in general, but this week represents a get-right opportunity at Oakland. This is a wonderful stack opportunity, especially since you know the targets are going to be there. Henry is in the mix as well for my favorite DraftKings play, even if you don’t want to rely on Rivers.
Austin Hooper, Falcons ($5,500): Hooper’s matchup is better than you think. The Saints rank just 19th against the TE this year, and Hooper is the breakout TE of 2019. He’s scored in each of his last three games, and he’s the No. 1 fantasy TE on the season. There are juicier matchups for sure, but Hooper is tops at the position for a bargain price. Hard to go wrong.
Irv Smith Jr., Vikings ($2,700): Smith Jr. is an extremely high-risk play, because there’s very serious potential for a doughnut. Still, he’s an athletic player for the position a la Evan Engram, and he’s seen six targets in two of the last three games. The Vikings are making an effort to get him the ball in creative fashion, and he could be emphasized more with Adam Thielen set to miss more time. The Cowboys are the second-worst defense in the league against the TE, so if Smith Jr. is going to have a coming out party, this is the matchup.