Draft Kings Strategy Week 15: 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
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars ($5,500): Minshew is a matchup play above all else. While he’s flashed the ability to have blowup games, the truth is he’s a flawed rookie, and he’s going to be without his best receiver, D.J. Chark, for this game. Still, anytime a QB gets to face Oakland, he’s likely to at least flirt with QB1 production in that game, especially when he can scoot like Minshew. Do I love it? No. But if there are a few high-priced skill players you just need to have, Minshew should be fine.
Eli Manning, Giants ($5,200): Eli Manning had us seeing visions of him in his prime on Monday, tossing beauties to rookie Darius Slayton in a snowy/rainy first half in Philadelphia. He had 179 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, but then finished with 203 yards and those same ass two touchdowns. There will be no Manning revival. But if that first half showed us anything, it’s that Eli might be able to be fantasy relevant with enough volume in a good matchup. Philadelphia’s season-long defensive numbers are butt, but they’ve improved as 2019 has gone along. This week Eli faces a Dolphins defense that’s just terrible. If he slings it 40 times like he did in Weeks 1 and 2, he will flirt with 300 yards and if he mixes in just two touchdowns you’re a happy DFS player.
Running Backs
James White, Patriots ($5,400): White’s season has been a far cry from his breakout 2018 campaign, but as the Patriots’ offense has sputtered, his target numbers are returning. In the last two games White has been targeted 18 times. Against Houston, White caught eight passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns AND carried the ball 14 times for 79 yards. He was less successful vs. the Chiefs, catching five passes for 27 yards but he did see six carries. New England is clearly pivoting to White because their other skill players haven’t been touched by Tom Brady magic of old. After two losses, it’s fair to assume an angry Patriots team is going to open up a humongous can on the hapless Bengals, and I expect White to lead the way.
Raheem Mostert, 49ers ($5,200): I recommend Mostert with a warning. Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida are alive, and because of that they may inexplicably return to prominence in the 49ers backfield at any given time. With that said, Mostert has been beastly for three straight weeks and if his usage keeps up this is easily the best bargain of the week at any position in DFS. He’s scored in three straight games, completely obliterated Baltimore two weeks ago for 146 yards and a touchdown, and then knifed the Saints, in New Orleans, for 109 yards from scrimmage and two scores. He gets Atlanta this week, so the only thing standing in Mostert’s way is usage.
Adrian Peterson, Redskins ($4,400): I hate the matchup for Peterson, as Philadelphia is a Top 10 run defense per Football Outsiders and they desperately need every win. However, Peterson is apparently ageless, and has run on good defenses this season as long as volume is there. Washington’s passing game is anemic, so the intent will be to grind out possessions on Peterson’s back, but he could suffer if Philly boatraces them out of the gate. The Eagles’ offense has been sloppy lately and they’re without Alshon Jeffery again, making a closer game possible. He’s not my favorite play, but there’s high-end RB2 upside here at a price tag that reflects a low-end FLEX.
Wide Receivers
Darius Slayton, Giants ($4,700): While I still worry about Slayton due to the ineffectiveness of his QBs and the Giants’ offensive line, week after week he gets targets and makes the most of them. He’s seen seven or more for four straight games, caught four touchdowns in those games, and topped 120 yards twice. In a matchup against Miami, I’m comfortable starting any Giants pass-catcher; Slayton happens to be the cheapest, and he’s arguably the best. Therefore, he’s my favorite option of the bunch.
Cole Beasley, Bills ($5,700): Beasley is in the midst of his second three-game touchdown streak, and I’m willing to remain in the warm core of this storm against the Steelers. While Pittsburgh has deservedly earned a strong reputation defensively, numbers do not lie. They rank 30th in the NFL against slot receivers, which is where Beasley does most of his damage from. Josh Allen has become underrated as a passer, and John Brown’s ability to take the top off a defense keeps secondaries from focusing on Beasley. Enjoy the touchdown on the cheap.
Tight Ends
Darren Waller, Raiders ($5,500): Everyone’s feel-good breakout TE hasn’t found the end zone since Week 8, but that’s about to change. Waller’s targets and yardage have remained consistent, and now he gets a date with the Jaguars, who rank 30th against the position. Waller’s price is weird; if it was a Vegas line it’s so good I’d be suspicious. But no…it’s just a sick value. Use him.
David Njoku, Browns ($4,200): Njoku’s back, and while he carries major risk because of how long he’s been out, and how inconsistent Cleveland’s offense has been, his matchup with the Cardinals is an A+. They have essentially been an automatic one-week TE1 pass, and while the rust was noticeable last week, he also has legitimate TE1 upside even without a soft matchup. I’d say that he has doughnut potential in just about any other matchup, but against Arizona it’d be criminal to not force feed him. I can’t predict where he’ll finish this week at the position, but I’m confident he won’t goose you.