Draft Kings Strategy Week 4: 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
Case Keenum, Redskins ($4,900): Keenum won’t be a hot commodity after getting ravaged by the Bears defense, but prior to that brutal matchup Keenum has been a strong fantasy option. Keenum torched the Eagles for 380 yards and three touchdowns, and followed that up by throwing for 221 yards and two scores against a solid Dallas defense. This week, he will get the Giants’ 31st-ranked defense which is also ranked next-to-last against the pass. Keenum has proven so far this season, and in the past, that he’s capable of blowup games with favorable matchups. This matchup is the best possible through three weeks, outside of the Dolphins. Confidently fire up Keenum and load up on some high-end WRs and RBs.
Jacoby Brissett, Colts ($5,400): If you hate the volatility presented by Keenum, I get it. I have a higher-floor option ready made for you. Jacoby Brissett probably can’t hit the highs that are possible with Keenum based on the Colts’ offensive tendencies, but with a soft Raiders defense across from him in a home game, Brissett should toss two or three touchdown passes and showcase some of his rushing ability in the process. Brissett will be efficient, but he’s unlikely to offer you the kind of high yardage totals that really pad a fantasy day.
Running Backs
Kerryon Johnson, Lions ($5,400): Johnson has been a mild disappointment thus far, rushing for fewer than 50 yards in each of Detroit’s first three games. He has salvaged the past two weeks with production in the passing game, notching receiving touchdowns in each tilt. This week, Johnson is primed for a breakout game against a Chiefs defense that ranks dead last against the run per FootballOutsiders. Also, even if the Chiefs jump on the Lions early, Johnson can remain on the field in a pass-happy game script and keep eating, because he is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield too. Johnson is easily my favorite play of the week. He has Top 5 potential for the week.
Josh Jacobs, Raiders ($5,100): Indianapolis’ success without Andrew Luck has been impressive, and it’s masked the fact that their strong defense from a season ago hasn’t been the same in 2019. Per FootballOutsiders, they rank 30th in the NFL through three weeks, and represent a beautiful opportunity for Jacobs to have a get-right game. Jacobs succeeded through volume in Week 1, and was highly efficient in Week 2. He played through illness and possibly injury in Week 3, gaining just 44 yards and losing a lot of work on passing downs. It’s unclear if Jacobs’ reduced passing game role was because of his health, or if the Raiders don’t fully trust him yet (they should!) but regardless Jacobs should be around 100 yards on the ground against the Colts.
James White, Patriots ($4,900): White is primed for a big week against the Bills. Buffalo is 3-0 with a Top 6 defense through three weeks, but a peek under the hood reveals some vulnerability to the running back in the passing game. They rank 20th in that regard, and White happens to be one of the highest-volume receivers at the position. Need more?
New England has to revert to pre-Antonio Brown days, which means steadily peppering White with targets. White’s importance could grow even more once we learn about the severity of Julian Edelman’s chest injury. If the Pats are without Edelman, White will become Tom Brady’s go-to on third downs, and as a safety valve on most passing plays. In DraftKings’ reception-friendly format, it’s hard to look away from a favorable James White matchup.
Wide Receivers
Terry McLaurin, Redskins ($4,500): McLaurin is perfect if you’re looking to find a super cheap, high-ceiling stack. Keenum can have big games, and McLaurin is a clear WR1 for Keenum. McLaurin has seen at least seven targets in each of Washington’s first three games, and he’s scored a touchdown in every game. McLaurin should feast on the Giants’ horrific defense and be the primary benefactor of Keenum’s passing stats.
DJ Chark, Jaguars ($5,100): Chark costs a bit more than McLaurin, but he’s also scored a touchdown in all three games this year, and he’s working with a similar cast of unrenowned pass catchers. Denver’s pass defense has been quietly poor this year, and they’re particularly awful (29th) vs. No. 1 receivers. Chark has clearly established himself as such with Gardner Minshew under center, and so he will be a fine play.
Preston Williams, Dolphins ($3,900): Williams’ offense is an unmitigated disaster, but he’s seen plenty of targets. After being thrown to 11 times in the first two games, Josh Rosen looked Williams’ way 12 times in a Week 3 loss. Despite Miami scoring six points, Williams turned it into four catches and 68 yards. The Dolphins will continue to be horrendous, but Williams has a very high floor for a player who costs less than $4,000. He’s a nice WR3 if you want to spend big on guys like DeAndre Hopkins and Ezekiel Elliott elsewhere.
Tight Ends
Will Dissly, Seahawks ($3,600): You won’t be unique if you roll with Dissly, who has scored three touchdowns in the last two games and racked up 50 or more yards in back-to-back games. You will be happy though, since he’s becoming a favorite target of Russell Wilson, and he’s up against the Cardinals. Arizona’s defense is the worst in football against tight ends, so enjoy this matchup.
Eric Ebron, Colts ($4,000): Ebron is a more established name than Dissly, if that kind of thing matters to you, and the Raiders are nearly as bad at defending the TE position as the Cardinals. Ebron’s season so far is a long way from his breakout 2018 campaign, but with the right matchup he can still pop. This is that matchup.