FanDuel Bargains: Week Two
Last week was a pretty good one for bargains. Many of my favorites such as Chris Ivory, Ameer Abdullah, Stevie Johnson, James Jones and Tyler Eifert came up big in week one. Let’s see if we can do it again.
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
Sam Bradford, QB PHI
Bradford ($7,500) was my favorite bargain under center in week one and looked absolutely horrible through the first half against the Falcons, completing just 15-of-27 passes for 117 yards and an interception. Although he redeemed himself to some extent by finishing with 336 passing yards and a touchdown, it most likely wasn’t enough for daily players. That won’t keep me from going back to Bradford in week two however. In fact, it won’t keep him from being my top bargain again.
The Eagles looked like a finely tuned machine in the second half on Monday night and I fully expect them to pick up right where they left off this week against the Cowboys in their home opener. The Dallas defense looked good against Eli Manning in week one but the Giants aren’t the Eagles.
Bradford may not be quite as highly owned this week due to his disappointing opener, a slightly higher price and a tougher matchup, but he’ll be in at least a few of my tournament lineups.
Nick Foles, QB STL
Foles ($6,500) had a nice debut as the Rams’ starter. Throwing for 297 yards and a score while adding a rushing touchdown, Foles racked up 19 fantasy points against one of the best defenses in the league.
This week, Foles and the Rams will head to Washington to take on the Redskins, who held Ryan Tannehill in check for the most part on Sunday, but I’m not buying them as a quality pass defense. After all, they were 24th in the league a year ago in passing defense (249.4 yards per game) and allowed 35 touchdown passes which was worst in the league.
Foles looked confident and wasn’t afraid to go downfield in week one which makes him a solid play in week two. Especially when you consider his low salary.
Tyrod Taylor, QB BUF
[inlinead]Taylor ($6,300) was listed as a bargain basement option a week ago and outplayed his salary, throwing for 195 yards and a touchdown while adding 41 rushing yards. While those statistics aren’t jaw dropping, they’re good enough when you consider how much salary cap space he frees up.
Despite his salary going up, Taylor has the potential to do it again.
Other Options: Johnny Manziel ($6,500) and Kirk Cousins ($5,700)
Running Back
This week looks like an ideal opportunity to spend on stud runners like Marshawn Lynch ($8,500) and Jeremy Hill ($8,400). If you’re dead set on finding value or looking for a value play for an RB2 spot however, there are a few options.
Chris Ivory, RB NYJ
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
Ivory ($6,900) was listed here last week and came through in spades, scoring 22.5 fantasy points by running for 91 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns while adding a catch for nine yards. With another plus matchup against the Colts who allowed 146 total yards and two touchdowns to running backs last week.
While it’s risky to put Ivory in your lineup in Indianapolis due to the Colts potentially getting an early lead, that exact thing should keep his ownership numbers low.
Bishop Sankey, RB TEN
It pains me to say it, but Sankey ($6,500) is one of my favorite bargains of the week. After tallying 86 total yards on 14 touches against the pathetic Buccaneers a week ago, he now gets to face equally putrid Cleveland defense that is coming off allowing Jets’ tailbacks Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell to run all over them to the tune of 178 total yards and two touchdowns on 35 touches.
Although rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota looked good in his debut, the Titans will have to continue to show a commitment to running and that starts with Sankey. He should outperform his salary easily on Sunday against the Browns.
C.J. Spiller, RB NO
Obviously this suggestion is based on Spiller ($6,100) being healthy enough to suit up on Sunday against the Buccaneers. If he does, he makes for one of the best values of the week at tailback.
Going back to last week against the Cardinals, the duo of Mark Ingram ($8,000) and Khiry Robinson ($4,900) combined for a total of 45 pass routes run and 15 targets, converting them into 13 combined catches for 149 yards. Spiller was obviously brought to The Big Easy to handle passing down work so as long as he’s healthy, he should take over the role that Robinson played last week and will likely cut into Ingram’s share of the passing offense as well. Drew Brees looks for his outlets often and on the fast track inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against a Swiss cheese defense, Spiller could get loose early and often.
While Spiller isn’t as attractive as he’d be if it were full-PPR scoring, his low price makes him a bargain nonetheless. And with ownership rates that should be extremely low coming off the injury, he could prove to be just what daily players need to put them over the top in tournaments.
Chris Johnson, RB ARI
After Andre Ellington went out with a knee injury against the Saints, It was Chris Johnson ($5,700), not David Johnson ($6,600), that got a majority of the work out of the backfield as Chris played 18 snaps to David’s five.
Although Chris Johnson averaged just 3.7 yards per carry on his 10 rushes on Sunday, head coach Bruce Arians stated on Monday that he’d be their “lead dog” against the Bears if Ellington couldn’t go. Chicago’s defense allowed Eddie Lacy to run for 85 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries last week and looks like a vulnerable rush defense.
While David Johnson was the one that made the big play against the Saints, I’d much rather invest in the cheaper option who has the inside track on the majority of the touches.
Lance Dunbar, RB DAL
Everybody’s been talking about whose going to replace Dez Bryant now that he’s out of the lineup with an injury. We’ll get to that soon enough but another story from the Dallas passing game on Sunday night was Dunbar ($4,800) who caught all eight of his targets for 70 yards.
Like Spiller, Dunbar would be more attractive in full-PPR leagues and he’s risky, but the Cowboys’ matchup with the Eagles promises to be a shootout and if that’s the case, we should see a lot of Dunbar.
Other Options: Doug Martin ($6,700), Ameer Abdullah ($6,400) and Dion Lewis ($5,200)
Wide Receiver
Donte Moncrief, WR IND
With T.Y. Hilton ($7,600) iffy due to a knee bruise, Moncrief ($6,000) could be the bargain of the week on FanDuel.
Moncrief saw 11 targets and caught six passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in week one against the Bills. With Andre Johnson ($6,800) looking his age a week ago, Andrew Luck will be looking for a new go-to guy if Hilton can’t play.
Despite having a difficult matchup against Darrelle Revis and the Jets’ defense, Moncrief has the potential on Monday night to – like he did towards the end of 2014 – make daily players very happy.
Terrence Williams, WR DAL
Much more involved in the offense after Bryant was forced out of the game with an injured foot, Williams ($6,300) looks to be the most likely wide out to benefit.
Although he’s been known as strictly a deep threat to this point in his career, Williams will now have the opportunity to do it all for Tony Romo. As I said earlier, the Philadelphia/Dallas game promises to be a shootout. I want a pass catcher for the Cowboys in my lineup so if I’m fading Jason Witten – who will likely be highly owned – I’m going with Williams.
Davante Adams, WR GB
Adams ($6,400) was listed here a week ago but it was James Jones ($5,400) who came through with a pair of touchdowns. Adams was still the most targeted wide out for the Packers though with eight and was a big part of the game plan. After the big game a week ago, many people will be looking to Jones but I’ll fade him and go with the more talented player.
The Packers will face a tough challenge on Sunday night at home against the Seahawks but Aaron Rodgers and company are going to do what they do well. Throw the ball. The matchup will keep ownership numbers down so Adams makes for a fine tournament play at home.
Charles Johnson, WR MIN
The Lions got lit up a week ago by Chargers receivers to the tune of 27 catches for 277 yards and a touchdown. While the Vikings may not have the same passing game as San Diego, it’s safe to say the Lions secondary is full of holes.
Whether you prefer the deep threat Mike Wallace ($6,200) or the possession receiver Johnson ($5,400), week two presents a good opportunity to get a Minnesota pass catcher in your lineup. Personally, I like the option who has the trust of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (despite this week’s performance) and is priced $800 cheaper.
Other Options: Amari Cooper ($6,700), John Brown ($6,200), Stevie Johnson ($5,700), Allen Robinson ($5,700) Brandon Coleman ($5,000), Nate Washington ($4,900) and Albert Wilson ($4,500)
Tight End
Tyler Eifert, TE CIN
Some may think the sixth highest priced tight end shouldn’t be considered a value play but with his upside, Eifert ($5,900) can easily outscore his salary. After blowing up in week one against the Raiders by catching nine of 11 targets for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Eifert will face the Chargers who allowed Eric Ebron to haul in four passes for 53 yards and a score last week.
Eifert looks like the clear number two pass catcher for the Bengals. I wouldn’t be surprised if his salary goes up again on FanDuel after another big game.
Other options: Jason Witten ($6,000), Heath Miller ($5,400), Kyle Rudolph ($5,100) and Zach Ertz ($5,200)
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