FanDuel Bargains: Week 15

Dan Meylor

millerInevitably every year, the dynasty season ends. For some of us it’s happened a few weeks too early. Luckily though, we can all play on FanDuel and still feed the fantasy football craving. And even get a free DLF Premium Subscription in the process for those new to FanDuel.

Whether you’re new to daily fantasy football or you’re veteran, let’s get a jump on the week as we try to identify some bargains for this week’s slate of games.

Keep in mind that these suggestions are made for large field 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

Matthew Stafford, QB DET

Stafford ($7,800) has had an up and down season but all things point to week 15 being an “up” week. Coming off three straight multi-touchdown games and nine touchdowns over that span, he’s played like a QB1 over the last month and now gets a matchup against the Saints’ Swiss cheese pass defense.

Despite limiting Jameis Winston a week ago – allowing just one touchdown pass – New Orleans is still worst in the league in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks and has given up more touchdown passes (36) and third most passing yards per game (278.8) that any other defense in the league this year.

T.J. Yates, QB HOU

All signs point to Yates ($6,000) being under center on Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis now that Brian Hoyer ($7,000) has suffered his second concussion in the last month. Contrary to popular belief, Yates has been serviceable in relief so far this year, throwing for 302 yards and three touchdowns in limited playing time.

Yates and the Texans will take on the Colts this week, who are fresh off a game where they allowed 250 passing yards and three touchdowns (as well as a rushing score) to Blake Bortles. The week before that, they gave up 364 yards and four touchdown tosses to Ben Roethlisberger.

The Colts’ pass defense has been horrible and Yates is one of the cheapest starting quarterback options this week. That combination should give daily players a chance at a big bargain.

Other Options: Philip Rivers ($7,400), Marcus Mariota ($7,300) and Matt Ryan ($7,200)

Running Back

Lamar Miller, RB MIA

If you watched Monday Night Football, you saw Miller ($6,700) looking agile and explosive against the Giants. He’s now had back-to-back big games and gets a matchup with the Chargers, who have been better against the run of late but still has holes in their front seven.

Because prices were set before Miller went off on Monday night, his price didn’t go up much. He should be priced $600-$700 higher which means he’s one of the best bargains at running back in week 15.

DuJuan Harris, RB SEA

Harris ($6,400) isn’t the most talented tailback in the league, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry over the last two weeks against the Vikings and Ravens, but he’s the next man up in Seattle now that Thomas Rawls is out for the year and Marshawn Lynch isn’t ready to return.

The Seahawks also re-signed Bryce Brown to compete for playing time but all signs point to Harris getting the first shot at carries this week. A matchup against the Browns, who allow 131 rushing yards per game, should make for easier sledding this week for Harris. Playing him is risky, but his ownership rate should be incredibly low and anybody running the ball in Seattle should have a chance to do something for fantasy owners. [inlinead]

Denard Robinson, RB JAX

At this point in the week, it’s unknown if T.J. Yeldon ($6,300) will be able to suit up next week after spraining his left knee against the Colts on Sunday. If he’s unable to go, Robinson ($6,300) will get the call against the Falcons.

Atlanta allows the second most fantasy points per game (26.68) to running backs and has been particularly poor when it comes to stopping them in the passing game – allowing 7.5 receptions per game and 60 receiving yards per game to the position. Robinson is good in both facets of the game and looked explosive last week, running for 75 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in relief of Yeldon against Indianapolis.

If Yeldon is unable to go, Robinson will be one of my favorite plays on FanDuel this week.

Jeremy Hill, RB CIN

With the injury to Andy Dalton, the Bengals’ game plan should become a bit more run heavy. That should benefit Hill ($6,000), who had one of his worst fantasy days of the year on Sunday when he ran for just 16 yards on seven carries. That putrid performance may keep some from rostering the Bengals’ running back but I won’t be one of them.

The Cincinnati running game gets the benefit of facing the 49ers this week, who have allowed big performances to Thomas Rawls, Matt Forte and Isaiah Crowell over the last month. There’s certainly risk in trusting Hill, but at his salary he offers a lot of roster flexibility and even more upside.

Other Options: Eddie Lacy ($6,900), David Johnson ($6,500), James White ($6,400) and Ameer Abdullah ($5,300)

Wide Receiver

Demaryius Thomas, WR DEN     

Thomas ($7,700) was finally involved in the Broncos’ offense like a top wide receiver should be – catching ten passes for 95 yards against the Raiders last week. He was open all day and should have had an even bigger day if not for an erratic pass by Brock Osweiler and a horrible drop in the red zone.

It seems like Thomas is getting his confidence back and it couldn’t be at a better time for daily players as he’ll face a Pittsburgh defense that has been truly dreadful against wide outs all year.

As just the 11th highest priced receiver this week, Thomas has overall WR1 upside at a discounted price.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR ARI

While it’s true that John Brown ($6,300) and Michael Floyd ($6,100) have been the better fantasy receivers in Arizona over the last couple weeks, my bet is that this week will belong to the veteran. Fitzgerald ($7,200) hasn’t gone over 100-yards or scored in the last month but he has a tasty matchup with a Philadelphia secondary that has struggled to stop opposing wide receivers and given up big days to slot receivers recently.

Fitzgerald is a WR1 at WR2 prices in week 14. If you can’t afford his salary and love the rest of your lineup, I’m fine with rolling out Brown or Floyd. But if you have the cap space, Fitzgerald should be your guy.

Doug Baldwin, WR SEA

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. What does it take for Baldwin ($7,400) to be priced as a WR1? Score more fantasy points than any other wide out in the game over a three week span? Score eight touchdowns over that same stretch? Baldwin has checked all the boxes.

Although he’s certain to cool off at some point, I’m not going to bet against him and Russell Wilson anytime soon – particularly against a defense that is ranked among the five worst in the league at stopping opposing wide receivers. Baldwin will be in at least a few of my lineups this week.

Jeremy Maclin, WR KC

I’ve been picking on the Baltimore secondary all year with a lot of success and it won’t change this week. In just the last three weeks, they’ve allowed big games to Doug Baldwin, DeVante Parker and Travis Benjamin. Maclin ($6,700) has been heavily involved over the last few weeks, catching 24 passes for 323 yards and three scores over that span. I expect him to be just as active this week. He’s one of my favorite receivers in week 15.

Other Options: Ted Ginn Jr. ($6,600), Brandon LaFell ($6,300), Kamar Aiken ($6,300), Malcom Floyd ($5,600) and Nate Washington ($5,200)

Tight End

Richard Rodgers, TE GB

For those looking to fade Rob Gronkowski ($8,500) and the rest of the top tight ends, consider Rodgers ($5,500) who is one of the only pass catchers in Green Bay that can get open right now. Although he only caught one pass last week, it went for a touchdown which helps demonstrate that he’s become one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite red zone targets.

Although his weekly workload is sure to be up and down, he has a great matchup against the Raiders this week. Oakland has really struggled against opposing tight ends, particularly in the red zone as they’ve allowed 12 touchdowns to the position this year.

He’s certainly risky and his upside is limited, but Rodgers has multi-touchdown potential and a low price tag which gives him a chance to be a bargain.

Other options: Eric Ebron ($4,800)

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dan meylor