Fan Duel Strategy Week 14: 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 FanDuel that will let you splurge elsewhere. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here is FanDuel’s scoring system.
The bargains are listed in the order I like them.
Quarterbacks
Eli Manning, Giants ($6,000): The last time we saw Eli Manning, it was Week 2, and he had thrown for 250 yards and a touchdown (two interceptions) in a 28-14 loss to Buffalo. Daniel Jones has been downgraded to “Doubtful” this week, so Manning re-enters the fray at a pure backup price, against a Philly defense that currently ranks as one of the worst pass defenses in football. The numbers are misleading, as the Eagles were regularly torched earlier this year, and have improved dramatically. Still, in Eli’s two games this year he averaged nearly 45 pass attempts. That kind of volume is hard to beat at a price tag that’s $500 cheaper than Dwayne Haskins. I’m honestly not afraid to fire up the old vet in this spot.
Running Backs
Sony Michel, Patriots ($6,600): Michel has had his struggles this year. He has not scored since Week 7 (when he scored three touchdowns), while his volume has fluctuated from middling to excellent. Due to his complete non-involvement in the offense as a receiver, Michel needs touchdowns to be useful. This week marks a rare opportunity where he might be able to deliver value without a score, but he’s also got a great chance to score multiple TDs. Kansas City enters play ranked 30th vs. the run, and sixth against the pass. This lines up well, as New England’s passing game has sputtered most of the season. The Chiefs have allowed a rushing touchdown in seven of their 12 games this year, and allowed multiple rushing touchdowns three times. If Michel can’t do damage in this one, it’s alarming for his future.
Devonta Freeman, Falcons ($6,000): Freeman has the best matchup in the NFL for running backs in the Panthers, so even though he hasn’t seen 20 carries in any game this year, I’m here for 15ish in this lovely matchup. He’s far and away the leader of the Atlanta backfield, and the Panthers are actually strong against the pass. Look for Freeman to finally score his first rushing TD of the year.
Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown, Titans ($5,400): Brown is one of the most feast or famine WRs in fantasy right now, but I’m encouraged by two things in Week 14. First, he has a golden matchup with the Raiders, who don’t have a prayer of matchup up with his physicality. The Titans don’t throw a ton, so Derrick Henry might be the biggest factor in limiting Brown’s output, but I’ll take my chances with the 28th-ranked pass defense per Football Outsiders. Second, his snap percentage is rising; he’s seen 90% or more of Tennessee’s offensive snaps in two of the last three games, drastically increasing his opportunity gash this secondary.
D.J. Chark, Jaguars ($6,200): DJ Chark fans rejoice! Gardner Minshew has returned! Chark has posted back-to-back duds with Nick Foles under center, but should return to being hyper targeted and effective with Minshew back. Chark is a matchup nightmare because of his size and speed, and he has a soft matchup with the Chargers this week. Chark has literal WR1 overall upside, so for $6,200 with Minshew back this is a steal.
Mike Williams, Chargers ($5,900): Williams’ bizarre inability to score a touchdown this year is obscuring the fact that he’s pretty much the same guy as last year, if not better. Williams has totaled 55 yards or more in each of his last five games, eclipsing 110 yards twice in that span. He’s seen his targets tick upward over the last two games (13 combined), and most importantly, the Jaguars he’ll face rank 23rd vs. No. 2 receivers. This game has sneaky shootout potential, and Williams is long overdue for some positive touchdown regression
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper, Falcons ($6,600): Keep an eye on Atlanta’s injury updates to make sure Hooper is active, but this is a killer bargain if he’s in. He was the top TE in fantasy before going down, and he had scored in four consecutive games. This week shouldn’t be any different against the Panthers, who have been a strong pass defense but rank very poorly against opposing TEs.
Hunter Henry, Chargers ($6,400): Henry is arguably a better play even if Hooper is healthy. Henry’s been heavily targeted all season long, and his current price is an overreaction to one dreadful game last week. He has struggled to find the end zone this year, but Jacksonville ranks 25th vs. the TE, so that might correct itself in a big way.