Daily League Bargains: Week Nine
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There are some great values at every position on FanDuel in week nine. Let’s get right to them.
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. Many of them are risky plays and shouldn’t necessarily be considered in head to head or 50/50 games.
Quarterback
Alex Smith, QB KC
Although Smith ($7,100) has tossed only two touchdowns over the last three games and the Chiefs have featured a ridiculously conservative offensive game plan over the last few weeks, they get to face the Jets at home in week nine.
New York has given up a league high 22 passing touchdowns which is five more than any other defense in the league and have allowed at least three scores per game through the air in each of the last five weeks. The way to beat the Jets is through the air. If Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ coaching staff wants a win this week, they’ll let Smith air it out. If you’re looking for a discount under center in week nine, you could do much worse.
Michael Vick, QB NYJ
Those looking for an alternative to Smith while still trying to save a few bucks at the position may want to look across the field on Sunday.
Vick ($6,900) completed just 18 of 36 attempts and turned the ball over three times in relief of Geno Smith last week against the Bills but he got very little practice time leading up to the game so that was to be expected to an extent. This week Vick will have a chance to prepare as the starter and the Jets will no doubt build a game plan that highlights his strengths.
Vick’s a risky play due to the lack of weapons on the Jets’ offense but if he gets loose running for 50-plus yards and finds the end zone with his legs while playing respectably when asked to pass, he could prove to be one of the values of the week at the position. Finally getting the opportunity to start this year should be plenty motivation for Vick to come up big on Sunday but playing against his former coach could propel him to a huge game.
Other Options: Ryan Fitzpatrick ($6,400) and Brian Hoyer ($6,200)
Running Back
Ronnie Hillman, RB DEN
Since taking over for Montee Ball as the starter in the Mile High City in week six, Hillman ($7,200) has averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game and scored at least 13.1 points in each week. He’s been one of the most consistent running backs over the last three weeks yet he’s listed with 11th highest salary.
The Patriots are a tough matchup for Hillman but Peyton Manning will put him in the best position to put up big numbers. He should continue his streak of 100-yard games and is a good bet to find the end zone with New England focused on stopping the passing attack of the Broncos.
Mark Ingram, RB NO
[inlinead]Coming off the biggest game of his career where he ran all over the Packers for 172 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries on Sunday night, Ingram’s ($6,100) price didn’t rise all that much due to it being set before the Saints’ game kicked off – that creates a massive value for those playing games starting on Thursday night.
New Orleans isn’t nearly the same team when they’re on the road, but Carolina is allowing a league worst 5.2 yards per carry and 135 rushing yards per game which is fifth worst in the league. They’ve also let opposing runners score eight times.
All that when combined with the amount of touches Ingram should expect to get against the Panthers points to him having a very nice game in week nine. I’d be surprised if he didn’t get at least 15 fantasy points on Thursday night and he has the upside to put up a number north of 20. He’ll be in most of my lineups that kickoff early this week.
Bobby Rainey, RB TB
The backfield situation in Tampa Bay is nothing better than murky. Doug Martin stinks and is hurt, rumors are swirling that the coaching staff is itching to get a look at rookie Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey ($6,200) has been incredibly up and down when given the opportunity to run with the starting job.
The Buccaneers are traveling to Cleveland this weekend to take on the Browns defense that is among the three worst in the league against the run, allowing 143.4 yards per game on the ground and seven touchdowns to running backs in seven games.
In his career, Rainey has averaged 21.25 fantasy points per game in weeks where he’s been given at least 20 touches in a game. I’m not sure that Rainey will get a majority of the carries this week but if he does, he could pay off big time for daily players.
Shane Vereen, RB NE
After Jonas Gray ($6,000) was trusted to tote the rock 17 times for 86 yards in a blowout win last week against the Bears, many daily players will likely be looking at him to be the Patriots’ best option in New England’s backfield this week against the Broncos.
Not so fast.
New England’s matchup against Denver promises to be a high scoring, close game. The Patriots will likely have to keep the pedal down in the passing game to stay even with Manning and the Broncos’ offense. Most likely, that means Vereen will get a good deal of playing time and plenty of touches in week nine. He could be in line for 6-8 catches and just as many rushing attempts which should translate to 15-plus fantasy points.
Other options: Ben Tate ($6,900) and Tre Mason ($5,400)
Wide Receiver
Doug Baldwin, WR SEA
With Percy Harvin now in the Big Apple, Baldwin ($6,700) has taken over as Russell Wilson’s primary target. Over the last two weeks he’s hauled in 13 passes for 183 yards and a score on 19 targets. 11 of those catches and 165 yards have come out of the slot. This week the Seahawks face the Raiders who are giving up more than five catches per game to slot receiver for 76 yards and three touchdowns in the last five games.
The Seahawks are coming off a dismal performance against the Panthers and are dealing with all kinds of locker room distractions. My bet is that they come out firing on all cylinders at home in week nine against Oakland. Baldwin should be a big part of that and is a good bet to have a nice fantasy day.
Martavis Bryant, WR PIT
Bryant ($6,300) was listed here last week and came though big time, catching five passes for 83 yards and a pair of scores. This week he faces Baltimore’s bend-but-don’t-break defense that is giving up 274.5 yards per game and the third most 20-plus yard passing plays in the league (31) but allowed a league low seven touchdowns through the air in eight games.
The Ravens should be focused on trying to stop Antonio Brown (as they should) which should continue to give Bryant opportunities down the field. He’s a risky play since his price has risen dramatically in the last couple weeks, but his upside is through the roof.
Dwayne Bowe, WR KC
As I mentioned above when writing about Alex Smith, the Jets defense is the most vulnerable in the league against the pass. Outside of tight end Travis Kelce, Bowe ($6,200) is the only legitimate receiver in Kansas City. He’s yet to have more than 84 receiving yards in a game and hasn’t found the end zone. It’s just a hunch, but I bet both happen in week nine against New York’s leaky pass defense.
Donte Moncrief, WR IND
After it became clear Reggie Wayne was going to miss the Colts’ matchup with Pittsburgh on Sunday, I jumped all over Moncrief ($6,200) on FanDuel and he came through in spades by scoring 20.8 fantasy points.
This week he’ll be much less of a surprise and owned far more than he was a week ago, plus he faces the Giants defense that has been good against receivers so far this year. That said, he played a season high 41 snaps and was targeted ten times against the Steelers. As long as Wayne is watching from the sidelines, Moncrief will be a bargain on FanDuel at his price.
Other Options: Brandin Cooks ($6,400), John Brown ($6,400), Andrew Hawkins ($6,400) Mike Evans ($6,000) and Kenny Britt ($5,300)
Tight End
Travis Kelce, TE KC
As you can see, I see the Chiefs opening things up on Sunday against the Jets. Kelce ($5,400) isn’t playing nearly enough snaps yet in Andy Reid’s offense but he’s put up good numbers, catching 28 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns on the season while nearly scoring two more. He’s a risky play due to his limited playing time but for the price, Kelce could prove to be one of the best bargains of the week considering his prime matchup.
Larry Donnell, TE NYG
His price has dropped off drastically over the last couple weeks which makes Donnell ($5,400) one of the biggest bargains at tight end this weekend. He gets to face the Colts defense that has given up 17 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown to the position over the last two weeks. While he’s a risky play, he’s hauled in at least five passes in five of seven games this year and has four touchdowns. Donnell could be in line for a nice game on Sunday.
Other options: Jordan Reed ($5,500), Zach Ertz ($5,400) and Chase Ford ($5,000)
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