Daily League Bargains: Week Two
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Week two of the NFL schedule is always a bit interesting for daily players. The prices were set for week one about a month before kickoff which creates some very nice deals for bargain hunters on the opening weekend of action. In week two, the prices tend to adjust quickly and we see some of the biggest hikes in price for the entire year.
Throughout the season (and into the post-season), I’ll be highlighting some of the best bargains that can be found on FanDuel. Keep in mind that these suggestions are made for GPP (Guaranteed Prize Pool) tournaments with more than 50 participants where players are looking for bargains to fill out their lineups after already inserting their “studs” for the week. They shouldn’t necessarily be considered in head to head or 50/50 games.
Last week, I had a few good calls when I mentioned Carlos Hyde, Zach Ertz, John Brown and Kelvin Benjamin who all scored. Let’s try to do it again in week two.
Quarterback
Jake Locker, QB TEN
Locker ($7,400 on FanDuel) played well in week one against Kansas City’s defense, throwing for 266 yards and two scores on 22-of-33 passing and not turning the ball over. This comes after also impressing in the preseason, connecting on 70% of his passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
[inlinead]On Sunday, Locker and the rest of the Titans offense have one of the best matchups of the week, hosting the Cowboys. Dallas’ defense allowed Colin Kaepernick to complete 16-of-23 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in week one. Those numbers could’ve possibly doubled had San Francisco not jumped out to a very early 21-3 lead. In the first half, Dallas’ defense couldn’t stop the 49ers’ passing attack, allowing Kaepernick to complete 11-of-13 passes for 157 yards and two scores before going into the half leading 28-3. Had he needed to put the ball in the air in the second half, the flood gates would have opened.
The point here is that the Dallas defense is awful. Any quarterback is capable of going off against them and one that has looked as improved as Locker has since training camp has begun could do some major damage. He’s the best value play under center on FanDuel this week.
Carson Palmer, QB ARI
If you’re not a believer in Locker and looking for another cheap option at the position, Palmer ($6,900) could be a consideration. Although he wasn’t particularly impressive until the fourth quarter of the late game on Monday night (he threw for 304 yards and a couple touchdowns) he draws the Giants’ defense in week two – the same defense that got torched by Matthew Stafford in the early game Monday night.
With weapons like Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd, Palmer is always a threat to post 300 yards and multiple touchdowns. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do just that in New York.
Shaun Hill/Austin Davis, QB STL
Hill ($4,500) was dreadful in the first half of the Rams opener against the Vikings on Sunday, throwing for just 81 yards on 8-of-13 passing with no scores and an interception. When he stayed on the sideline in the second half due to a thigh injury, Davis ($4,700) wasn’t much better. In “comeback mode” throughout his time on the field, he completed 16-of-23 passes for 192 yards and a pick of his own.
It’s rare to see a starting quarterback under $5,000 on FanDuel, but no matter who starts for the Rams in week two against the Buccaneers, he’ll be the lowest priced starter on the site this weekend.
Due to his price only, many will consider the Rams starter to be a bargain, but this bargain may be better left in the bargain bin.
Other Options: Tony Romo ($7,800)
Running Back
Terrence West, RB CLE
After Ben Tate ($6,700) went out with a knee injury in the second quarter of the Browns’ tussle with the Steelers on Sunday, West ($5,300) took over as the primary back for the Browns. Even though Cleveland was behind throughout the game, they stayed committed to the run, giving West 16 carries and Isaiah Crowell ($5,100) five more down the stretch. Overall, Browns tailbacks carried the ball 27 times for 173 yards (6.4 YPC) and two touchdowns on Sunday.
This week, the Browns host the Saints defense that is coming off a game where they gave up 119 yards on 26 carries (4.6 YPC) and three touchdowns to running backs. If the offensive coaching staff in Cleveland shows the same commitment to the running game as they did on Sunday and Tate misses the game due to injury, West could become one of the best bargain plays of the week – even if the Saints jump out to an early lead.
Shonn Greene, RB TEN
Although I’m far from a fan of the former Hawkeye, Greene ($5,000) finds his way onto this list for the second consecutive week as one of a handful of tailbacks worth considering when looking for a discount in your second running back spot this weekend.
A week ago I made the case that Greene is without a doubt the lead back in Tennessee and that held true in week one. Greene carried the ball 15 times for 71 yards while the higher priced Bishop Sankey ($5,900) was only trusted to carry six times for 25 yards. Daily players should expect that split to continue this week at home against Dallas.
The Cowboys gave up 127 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown on the ground in week one against the 49ers. I expect the Titans to get at least that much production on the ground in week two with Greene getting a lion’s share of it. He’s also a good bet to find pay dirt.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB OAK
After carrying only nine times for 11 yards in week one, Jones-Drew ($5,600) is not very high on many fantasy owners’ lists going into this weekend. That shouldn’t keep daily owners from considering him in week two, however.
The Raiders only called 14 running plays in their entire game against the Jets on Sunday. Fantasy players shouldn’t expect that to happen again this week. Jones-Drew is a good bet to get 15-plus carries against Houston and could become a bargain because of it.
Justin Forsett, RB BAL
In the wake of the Ray Rice video going viral earlier this week, many fantasy owners have debated which Ravens running back is more valuable going forward, Forsett ($5,200) or Bernard Pierce ($5,300). Personally, I haven’t been impressed with Pierce’s effort since his rookie season and wasn’t surprised to see him get the quick hook on Sunday against the Bengals. That makes me think the Ravens’ coaching staff thinks the same as I do about his potential as a full-time runner.
While it’s true that Forsett isn’t an ideal lead back either, he did look very good in the opener. Rushing for 70 yards on only 11 carries (6.4 YPC) and a touchdown while adding 5 catches for 14 more yards, Forsett was decisive and impactful as a three-down back in the second half of Sunday’s game.
Word out of Baltimore is that John Harbaugh and the rest of the Ravens’ coaching staff is leaning towards giving Forsett an opportunity to carry the mail on Thursday against the Steelers (who were gashed by the Browns’ tailbacks last week). If it looks like he’s going to get the call, Forsett could be a steal in week two.
Other options: James Starks ($6,900), Mark Ingram ($5,900) and Benny Cunningham ($4,500)
Wide Receiver
Justin Hunter, WR TEN
Are you seeing a trend here?
I have absolutely no faith in the Cowboys’ defense to stop anybody. Whether it’s Locker, Greene or Hunter ($5,700), there are bargains to be found in the Tennessee offense. In fact, we could probably add Kendall Wright ($6,100) to the list as well.
Although Hunter only registered three catches for 63 yards and was held without a score in week one against the Chiefs, he was targeted eight times and was given opportunities to make big plays downfield more than any other Titans receiver.
The question isn’t if Hunter is going to breakout this year, it when. My money is on this week against the hapless Cowboys defense. Get him in your lineups.
Kenbrell Thompkins, WR NE
The Patriots’ offense wasn’t very impressive on Sunday in Miami but Thompkins ($4,500) was a bright spot. Unlike in his rookie season, he consistently ran good routes and was open on a regular basis against the Dolphins. He only registered five catches for 37 yards, but he was missed twice by Tom Brady on plays that could have been big fantasy producers.
In week two, Thomkins and the Patriots travel to Minnesota. Although the Vikings’ defense looked good in week one, they did it against the Rams and have a lot to prove.
Thompkins certainly isn’t a must start but if you need a bargain basement wide out in order to get a pair of superstars into your lineup, he could be your man.
Markus Wheaton, WR PIT
Wheaton ($4,500) was everything his fantasy owners hoped he would be in week one against the Browns, catching six passes for 97 yards on seven targets. Another receiver listed at bare minimum pricing on FanDuel, he’s a bigtime boom-or-bust candidate in week two.
Other Options: Marques Colston ($5,600), Greg Jennings ($5,700) and Santonio Holmes ($4,500)
Tight End
Zach Ertz, TE PHI
Ertz ($5,600) was listed here a week ago at a minimum FanDuel price of $4,500 and came through with flying colors, catching three passes for 77 yards and a beautiful touchdown. Although his price went up a bit, he’s still well worth the cost.
The Eagles like to sling it early and often and Ertz is quickly becoming a favorite of quarterback Nick Foles in the red zone. And don’t forget that Philadelphia is playing Indianapolis this week and the Colts just got ripped by Julius Thomas ($8,100) for 104 yards and three touchdowns on seven catches on Sunday night.
It’s pretty easy to see why Ertz is my best value among tight ends this week.
Kyle Rudolph, TE MIN
Although Rudolph ($5,500) caught a touchdown in week one, he was only targeted four times (catching two for just 16 yards) which caused his price to stay relatively low going into this weekend. That’s a gift for daily players who can’t afford Thomas, Jimmy Graham ($8,000) or Rob Gronkowski ($7,900) and want to move away from Ertz, who will likely be highly owned in daily leagues.
Rudolph should be a bigger part of the Vikings’ game plan in week two against the Patriots and could be at his lowest price of the season if a breakout is looming.
Other options: Delanie Walker ($5,000) and Ladarius Green ($4,500)
Follow me on Twitter for more daily nuggets as well as lineup advice: @dmeylor22
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