FanDuel Bargains: Week Six
Editor’s Note: We’re going to be bringing you an unprecedented amount of content this year during the season, mostly dynasty related. However, seeing the explosion of DFS games, we’ll also be ramping up our Daily coverage, similar to last season. Even if you don’t play in DFS games, these articles can help you in making lineup decisions or judge current value of your dynasty assets.
Of all the weeks on the NFL schedule, week one is perhaps the best for FanDuel players. Not only does it finally give all of us what we’ve been craving for the last seven months, but due to prices being set so long ago, it presents the best opportunity for bargain hunters to find good deals.
Over the next 17 weeks (and into the post-season), I’ll be highlighting some of the best bargains on the best daily site in the industry, 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. Many of them are risky plays and shouldn’t necessarily be considered in head-to-head or 50/50 games.
Quarterback
Alex Smith, QB KCC ($6,800)
I am pumped to have Alex Smith against the Oakland Raiders defense at a price tag of $6,800. The Raiders have given up chunks of yards to opposing quarterbacks and currently rank 32nd against the pass by allowing 330.6 yards per game. The Kansas City Chiefs passing offense is about average as they garner around 248.2 yards a game.
With Jamaal Charles back and ready to go, it should only benefit Smith. He has his favorite dump-off target and someone who can always take it to the house. Because of Charles, the defenses will need to focus on the star running back, which will open up the passing game and to keep the chains moving.
Last week Smith had a strong outing even though they got blasted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns, but added an interception to go along with it. On the season Smith has been averaging 16.1 FanDuel points per game. In three of his four games, he has done well as he struggled against Houston scoring just 3.6 but had a great game against the Chargers (29).
Consider:
Brian Hoyer, QB CHI ($7,000)
Brian Hoyer has been on top of his game in Chicago. He has completed 71.43 of his passing attempts while connecting on 100 of 140 tries. He also has thrown for 1,094 yards with six touchdowns in his time since taking over for Jay Cutler while recovering from injury. His last three games, starting with Indianapolis he has put up 23.8, 19.8, and 18.9 FanDuel points per week.
Hoyer last week completed 33 of 43 attempts for 397 yards and two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts. Hoyer has racked up three straight starts with over 300 yards passing, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Jacksonville’s defense is seventh against the pass (198.8 yards per game), while Chicago has just an equally as good passing offense which ranks 12th (227.6 yards per game). Aaron Rodgers (199-2 TD), Philip Rivers (220-4 TD) and Andrew Luck (234-2 TD) all had varying degrees of success against it as well.
This over/under is one of the highest of the week at 48 points.
Brock Osweiler, QB HOU $6,900
Brock Osweiler has not played as well as the Houston Texans thought he could nor what they paid for him to do. Maybe, it has to do with the competition? The schedule has been a little unforgiving this far as he has battled New England, Kansas City, Tennessee, and last week Minnesota.
Against the Minnesota Vikings, Osweiler was disastrous in the first half. He completed just seven of 20 passes for 54 yards, but in the second half, when the Vikings were playing a relaxing defense, Osweiler finished with 19 of 42 passes for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Osweiler’s lone touchdown went to previously-slumping top receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.
Osweiler will face another test, how well can he perform when going against one of the weaker defenses in the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are allowing 301 yards per game in defending the pass (30th) in the NFL.
Basement Pick:
Colin Kaepernick, QB SFO ($6,000)
Hello Colin Kaepernick, goodbye any accuracy. It is a very good thing you can run with the ball and gain lots of extra points in that direction Kaepernick. I highly doubt he will throw for more than 220-yards, but may come close to 100-yards rushing. By the end of the game, I can see nearly 300 total yards and a touchdown. Not bad for his price tag and a GPP play.
Running back
Mark Ingram, RB NOS ($6,600)
Mark Ingram struggled his first two games of the season when the New Orleans Saints faced the Oakland Raiders (9.7 FP), New York Giants (6.7 FP). His last two weeks he has come around and been more like the Ingram we know. Against the Atlanta Falcons (20.7 FP) and San Diego Chargers (19.5 FP). Now he will face the Carolina Panthers who are strong against the run allowing 94.8 rushing yards per game (tenth), but their overall defense has not played up to par. Also, don’t forget about Drew Brees. He is going to find Ingram in the passing game, and also get the offense downfield on those deep throws.
Jonathan Stewart, RB CAR ($6,300)
Jonathan Stewart makes his return after missing the last couple of games. You have to admit that it couldn’t be better timing. The Carolina Panthers will take on the New Orleans Saints, and this should be an easy scoring day for Stewart.
New Orleans has allowed nine total touchdowns to running backs this year, and five rushers have scored double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. Stewart scored in his last game at New Orleans in 2015 with 21 carries for 82 and three catches for 31 yards.
Consider:
James White, RB NEP ($5,700)
Tom Brady is back, and that means more emphasis should be going to PPR specialist James White. His performance the past two weeks were solid, and he should continue to improve with Brady. He had four carries for 12 yards five catches for 50 yards against the Bills (8.7 FP), and then with Brady against the Browns he had five carries for 26 yards and four catches for 63 yards (10.9).
The Bengals have had trouble stopping the running game this season. Cincinnati has allowed 114 yards per game (20th) in the NFL while allowing 224.6 in the air (11th). White should find some opportunity on the ground and definitely in the air. At his price tag, he would make a great Flex selection.
Giovanni Bernard, RB CIN ($5,700)
I won’t always recommend a running back against the New England Patriots, but this is a different story. The Patriots only allow 86.4 yards per game (ninth) in the NFL to ball carriers. He is averaging 6.0 targets per game this season, and the Patriots have allowed 6.2 receptions per game to the opposing backfield, which is fifth in the league.
Another reason I favor him is that the Bengals should be behind a lot in this game. They are eight-point underdogs to start the game, and the further Cincinnati gets, the more they are going to need Bernard to be active. At his price tag, he is a sweet purchase.
Wide Receiver
Sammie Coates, WR PIT ($6,400)
Last week, Sammie Coates had the best game of his young career. He caught six balls on 11 targets for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Now the question is can Coates become the deep threat that Ben Roethlisberger has been looking for since the departure of Mike Wallace.
The Steelers will be taking on the Miami Dolphins who have no resemblance of defense in the NFL. Their passing defense has allowed 250.2 yards per game (16th) in the NFL. The Dolphins, who are one of five teams allowing 400+ yards per game. Coates is averaging 12.6 FanDuel points a game and is coming off a six of 11 targets for a team-leading 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Cameron Meredith, WR CHI ($6,900)
Many observers were interested in seeing what Cameron Meredith would be able to do after taking over for the injured Kevin White against the Indianapolis Colts last week. He did not disappoint as he caught nine passes on 12 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown. He played in 93 percent of the offensive snaps.
It won’t be easy going against the Packers, but he should draw Quinten Rollins instead of Ladarius Gunter for the most of the game. Also, Green Bay should dominate this contest which means much more passing and targets for Meredith. Brian Hoyer has favored the Kevin White/Meredith role in the passing game since taking over the offense three weeks ago
Consider:
Jarvis Landry, WR MIA ($6,000)
Jarvis Landry laid a serious egg last week against Tennessee. He did manage to catch all three of his targets however for 28 yards. It was his lowest output of the season, and he is going to hope he can get back on track against the Pittsburgh Steelers weak passing defense. The Steelers are allowing 302 yards per game (30th) in the NFL.
Before last week’s debacle, Landry had received double-digit targets in eight straight contests and 11 of his previous 13. Pittsburgh’s pass defense is most vulnerable between the hashes and that’s where he gets his jib.
The Miami Dolphins will most likely be behind most of the game and if Ryan Tannehill can find anything left of himself he should be able to get Landry involved for most of it, but especially in garbage time. Look for Landry to be his normal self once again.
Basement Pick:
Chris Hogan, WR NEP ($5,600)
Chris Hogan was just on the field for a little more than half the snaps in the Patriots offense, but I think Tom Brady has found a liking to the new Patriot. Hogan caught four of five targets for a team-high 114 receiving yards. The kid must have a head made out of concrete because it was reported he was knocked out twice and came back in both times.
The Cincinnati Bengals are stingy against the pass as they only allow 224.6 yards per game (11th) in the NFL. The Patriots are going to be throwing the ball even if they are up by 20 points half way through the fourth quarter because that’s what Bill Belichick does. I think Hogan makes a great number three receiver for FanDuel or even a Flex spot.
Tight Ends
Jesse James, TE PIT ($5,400)
Jesse James made his mark last week against the Jets as he shot ‘em down for six receptions, 43 yards, and a touchdown. He has been on a roll lately as he has now scored in three of his past four contests and if the Dolphins do not have safety Reshad Jones active on Sunday, it will be even more of a boost for James. Miami has had trouble with both Delani Walker and Michael Bennett, so James should be no different. Roll with him for another stroll down the aisle.
Consider:
Coby Fleener, TE NOS ($5,600)
Coby Fleener has not had the season the New Orleans Saints paid him to have and has made many left scratching their heads wondering if he is ever going to turn it around. Fleener has made two things look good this year, the fact the Colts were smart enough to cut ties and the fact the last time the Saints were at home he had his best game of the 2016 season. In week three against the Atlanta Falcons he had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets.
The Carolina Panthers are terrible against tight ends this year with four touchdowns allowed to the position, including Vance McDonald, Kyle Rudolph and Austin Hooper scoring double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. It’s risky to trust Fleener, but this is the week if any that he can get it going.
Basement Pick:
Lance Kendricks, TE LAR ($4,500)
Anytime you can match up great value against the Detroit Lions defense it should be taken into consideration especially when it’s the tight end position. The Lions are allowing an average of 5.6 receptions, 59.8 yards and 1.2 touchdowns per game to tight ends, and they are allowing the second-most fantasy points to the position.
Kendricks has caught 13 of 23 targets for 152 yards and no touchdowns, but I think that changes this week as Detroit is horrible in the red zone when matching up against tight ends. They are allowing a 44.8% touchdown rate — the second-highest clip in the league. With Kendricks being on the field for 98 percent of the game, I think he snares one and crosses the goal line in celebration.
- FanDuel Bargains: Week Three - October 1, 2017
- FanDuel Bargains: Week Three - September 24, 2017
- FanDuel Bargains: Week Two - September 17, 2017
