Daily Fantasy Football 2023 Week 15: Best Plays And Bargains On FanDuel and DraftKings
The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Here, you'll find the best plays and top bargains at each position on FanDuel and DraftKings. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here are Fanduel’s and DraftKings’ scoring systems.
For each position I’ll provide the best big name, the best mid range value, and the best low-price bargain. At the end, I’ll also list a big name to avoid at each position.
Quarterback
Best Big Name
Jalen Hurts, Eagles ($8,800/$8,100): Hurts has been the most consistently great QB in the NFL this season, so after five straight tough matchups, and finally a total fantasy dud on Sunday night vs. the Cowboys, he’s due for an explosion. The Seattle defense isn’t exactly a cupcake, but it’s a big step down from what the Eagles have faced of late. Expect big plays through the air, and of course, remember that no QB in NFL history has had the rushing floor of Jalen Hurts.
Mid Range Value
Matthew Stafford, Rams ($7,200/$6,000): While it’s hard to say anyone is a better play than Hurts most weeks, Stafford has a case based on his price. After playing really well for much of the season but not seeing the results borne out in TD passes, Stafford has been on a recent tear. He’s thrown 10 touchdown passes in his last three games, and 3+ in each of them. He’s done it with big yards – 279+ in the last two games – and efficiently, 229 yards with four TD passes vs. Arizona. Now he gets the Commanders, a team that has been manna from heaven for opposing QBs and purposely traded away their entire pass rush at the trade deadline. Smash, smash, smash play.
Thrift Store
Geno Smith, Seahawks ($6,500/$5,900): Smith might not be available, so there’s high risk because a late pivot to Drew Lock isn’t fun. But Smith’s upside if he plays at this price is great. Philadelphia’s got big names on D, but they haven’t been a good defense for several weeks, and they’ve promoted passing production all year long. If the offense is as pissed off as I expect, the Seahawks will have to throw, and Geno, if he’s suited up, should put up numbers.
Running Back
Best Big Name
Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($8,600/$6,800): The light bulb’s finally gone off in Atlanta, and Bijan Robinson is seeing the workload we all expected when he was taken in the Top 10. He’s a monstrous talent, he’s scored four times in the last three games, and he gets the worst run defense in the NFL this week (Carolina). Add that to his uptick in receiving work, and this has the makings of a blowup game of mammoth proportions.
Mid Range Value
Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots ($6,500/$5,800): Elliott used to look like Bijan once upon a time, but he proved last week that while his explosiveness has been sapped, he can still produce when given enough work. He turned 22 carries and eight targets into 140 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown vs. the Steelers. Rhamondre Stevenson is likely out again, and New England isn’t concerned with preserving Elliott for the future. He’s going to get a boatload of work again, and the Chiefs have turned into a dismal run defense. The risk here is New England can’t score, but that level of volume should ensure a high floor.
Thrift Store
Antonio Gibson, Commanders ($5,600/$5,200): Gibson’s case loses steam if Brian Robinson Jr. plays, but even still Gibson at least has big play potential. If Robinson is out, Gibson is the primary back, and while he’ll share work with Chris Rodriguez, 12-15 opportunities should be enough for him to do some damage against the Rams.
Wide Receivers
Best Big Name
Puka Nacua, Rams ($8,000/$7,300): Nacua has just been one of the best stories in the NFL, and after a bit of a lull he’s blown up again in a big way the last two games. That should continue vs. Washington; he makes for a sweet stack with Stafford this week, and could be heavily targeted after Cooper Kupp got a lot of love from Stafford vs. Baltimore.
Mid Range Value
DeAndre Hopkins, Titans ($7,400/$6,200): Revenge game! Hopkins has been up and down this year, as has the Titans’ pass attack, but he’s been way up the last two weeks as Will Levis has begun getting comfortable as the starter. Hopkins has seen 12 targets in back-to-back games, scored in both of them, and been over 75 yards. Tennessee is still fighting for the postseason, and while the identity is still Derrick Henry, they’ve become more confident in taking shots to D-Hop. This price point is perfect, because he can deliver a WR1 performance and offer insane value on it.
Thrift Store
Rashee Rice, Chiefs ($6,500/$6,100): New England has a good defense, but they’re allowing the fifth-most yards per game (55.5) to the slot, where Rice plys his trade for the most part. Rice is clearly Kansas City’s best wide receiver, and they’re no doubt going to figure out how to funnel the ball to Travis Kelce and Rice as much as possible moving forward. His explosiveness after the catch gives him a higher ceiling than usual in this matchup.
Tight End
Best Big Name
Sam LaPorta, Lions ($6,800/$6,000): LaPorta had a brutal game last week as the entire Lions offense straight up browned the bed. Nothing changes of my perception or confidence in him, and he has an elite matchup in Denver this week. With Detroit at home, Jared Goff should have his wits about him and make it up to his talented skill guys, primarily LaPorta.
Mid Range Value
Logan Thomas, Commanders ($5,100/$3,700): There aren’t a ton of great TE matchups in Week 15, but Thomas stands out. The Rams are pretty friendly to opposing TEs, and even though Thomas disappears from the Washington passing game at times, the Rams could boat race them early, which will lead to Sam Howell throwing the rock all day long. In that scenario, I like Thomas’ chances of getting a bunch of targets and hopefully lucking into a TD.
Thrift Store
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans ($5,000/$2,900): Okonkwo has seen 5+ targets in four of his last five games, and the improvements in the passing game are showing. He’s also been at 45 yards or more for three straight games, so I am treating him as the established second option for Levis. It’s not always going to amount to much, but it is nice to be able to cheap out at TE with a reliable floor.
Quarterback to Avoid: Justin Fields, Bears ($7,900/$7,000)
Running Back to Avoid: Joe Mixon, Bengals ($8,200/$6,600)
Wide Receiver to Avoid: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($9,200/$9,200)
Tight End to Avoid: George Kittle, 49ers ($6,800/$5,800)