FanDuel Bargains: Week Nine
Although the drop by Ted Ginn Jr. on Monday night was a back breaker, week eight was another good one for bargains on FanDuel and this week looks just as promising. Let’s highlight some of the best deals this week – where the pickings are a tad thin as there are six teams on a bye.
Keep in mind that these suggestions are made for GPP (Guaranteed Prize Pool) tournaments where players are looking for bargains to fill out their lineups after already inserting their “studs” for the week. Many of them are risky plays and shouldn’t necessarily be considered in head to head or 50/50 games.
Quarterback
Eli Manning, QB NYG
Manning ($7,800) was my favorite bargain under center last week and he came through big time with six touchdown passes and 38 fantasy points for those that could look past the two stinkers he had in weeks six and seven. While it would be unreasonable for daily players to expect the same kind of output this week, he’s certainly in a position to have another big game in Tampa Bay on Sunday.
The Bucs’ defense ranks among the worst in the league in touchdown passes allowed (17) as well as fantasy points given up to opposing quarterbacks. In their last three games, they’ve allowed an average of 26.8 fantasy points to the likes of Blake Bortles, Kirk Cousins and Matt Ryan. At the tenth highest salary among quarterbacks, Manning is once again my favorite bargain at the position.
Marcus Mariota, QB TEN
Because he’s missed the last two weeks due to injury, Mariota ($7,100) will be off the radar for many daily players. That presents an opportunity for those looking for a bargain at quarterback.
A matchup against the struggling Saints’ pass defense coming off a game where they allowed Eli Manning to carve them up for 350 yards and a half dozen touchdowns now awaits Mariota. New Orleans has given up an average of 312 passing yards and a total of 16 touchdown passes over the last six weeks.
With what should be a very low ownership percentage, Mariota presents a high risk, high reward option under center in week nine.
Other Options: Jay Cutler ($7,100), Derek Carr ($7,000) and Bryce Petty ($4,800) at an unbelievably low price if he happens to get the start against Jacksonville.
Running Back
Eddie Lacy, RB GB
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but much like in week six Lacy ($6,700) is one of my favorite bargains of the week in the backfield. Although it didn’t work out well that time, I’m not afraid to once again go back to the talented Packers’ tailback. And now, he’s even $600 cheaper than he was back then.
His numbers weren’t especially great last week against the Broncos (11 carries, 38 yards and a touchdown) but he looked healthier than he has all year and now will face the Panthers who despite having a strong defense, have struggled against opposing running backs for much of the season.
Splitting touches with James Starks ($5,800) has been maddening to fantasy owners, but this should be the week that Lacy starts to get back on track.
DeAngelo Williams, RB PIT
Williams ($6,500) will likely be highly owned this week but he absolutely needs to be listed here nonetheless.
In weeks one and two, while Le’Veon Bell was sidelined due to suspension, Williams filled in as the every down back and posted 42.9 fantasy points. He should pick up where he left off as a full time runner. The Raiders’ run defense has improved from years past but Williams should get a lot of touches in a great offense. He’s a good choice as an RB2 on FanDuel this week.
Jeremy Langford, RB CHI
Although Langford ($6,400) has averaged just 2.96 yards per carry in relief of Matt Forte so far in his rookie year, he now finds himself in prime position to take over lead back duties in Chicago. And now, the Bears just happen to have the worst defense at stopping opposing running backs up next on their schedule, the Chargers.
San Diego is giving up a whopping 28.73 fantasy points per game to running backs. Outside of a decent showing a week ago against Baltimore, they’ve been truly putrid all year. Although Langford carries big risk due to what an unknown he is, he also has the potential to outscore his salary a few times over.
Ronnie Hillman, RB DEN
Hillman ($6,400) was listed here a week ago and despite a big game against the Packers on Sunday night where he ripped off 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns in route to an 18 point performance on FanDuel, his salary only increased by $300.
This week Hillman and the Broncos will face the Colts, who have given up good games to Arian Foster (16.3 fantasy points), LeGarrette Blount (22.9), Saints pair Mark Ingram (21.8) and Khiry Robinson (15.6), and Jonathan Stewart (12.8) in the last four weeks.
Hillman will likely continue to share carries with C.J. Anderson ($6,000) but it’s apparent he’ll get the first opportunity to make plays in the Denver offense. His burst has sparked the Broncos’ running game and should continue to do so against Indianapolis this week.
Other Options: Jeremy Hill ($6,800), Jonathan Stewart ($6,600) and Danny Woodhead ($6,000)
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Wide Receiver
Rishard Matthews, WR MIA
With the exception of a stinker against the Jets back in week four, Matthews ($6,500) has consistently been a big part of the Dolphins’ game plan. Although he’s had only one truly big game, it happened to come against the Bills in week three where he caught six passes for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns which translated to 26.3 fantasy points.
The Bills have been ripped of late through the air. Although some may like the contrarian play of going with Kenny Stills ($4,500) who is slowly getting more playing time, Matthews is in a prime position to have another nice game against Buffalo.
Malcom Floyd, WR SD
Now that Keenan Allen is on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney, the San Diego offense will be looking for a number one wide out. Whether that will be Floyd ($6,100) or Stevie Johnson ($5,400) is yet to be seen, but in week eight, it was certainly Floyd.
Catching four passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens on Sunday, he was the preferred deep threat of Philip Rivers. That will likely continue this week against a Chicago defense that has given up more touchdowns to wide receivers than any other defense in the league. He’s certainly a risky play, but Floyd carries a high ceiling, which makes him a GPP target.
Travis Benjamin, WR CLE
If you recall the last time Johnny Manziel was under center for the Browns, Benjamin ($6,000) was burning the Jets’ and Titans’ defenses for long touchdowns in week one and two. Over those first two weeks, he piled up 204 receiving yards and three touchdowns with Manziel pulling the trigger.
Manziel proved in the first two games of the year that he’s far more willing than Josh McCown to air it out and give the speedy Benjamin a chance to run under it. That should come in handy this week against the Bengals.
If you’re looking for a Thursday night bargain, Benjamin is your best bet to get your FanDuel weekend off on the right foot.
DeSean Jackson, WR WAS
Out of sight, out of mind.
Jackson ($5,600) hasn’t seen the field since week one when he pulled a hamstring against the Dolphins, but all indications are that he’s ready to suit up this week against the Patriots. Most daily players will avoid the Washington speedster and wait for him to prove he’s healthy but the savvy ones will have him on their list of high-upside bargains.
Most likely, the Redskins will be playing from behind for much of the afternoon on Sunday, so Kirk Cousins will be forced to push the ball downfield. With a bottom of the barrel price tag, all it will take is for Jackson to get loose once for him to pay off in spades.
Other Options: Amari Cooper ($7,300), Donte Moncrief ($6,400), Kendall Wright ($5,700) and Brandon LaFell ($5,200)
Tight End
Heath Miller, TE PIT
Miller ($5,800) finally got back on track last week with Ben Roethlisberger under center, catching ten passes for 105 yards against the Bengals. I’d expect the ball to continue to come his way this week against the Raiders, who give up the most fantasy points to tight ends (16.59) and have allowed touchdowns to the position in six of their seven games.
All signs point to Miller having a big game in week nine. Big Ben being back, a great matchup, and his modest price tag make it easy to see why he’s my favorite tight end for those looking to fade Rob Gronkowski.
Other options: Jordan Reed ($5,700)
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