DraftKings Bargains: Week Eleven

Bruce Matson

In order to maximize the potential of our lineups, we must be able to find the key bargains on DraftKings. These cheaper lesser-owned players could dramatically increase our bankrolls if they exceed expectations and produce in the box score. We are over halfway through the season and the salaries are getting tighter on DraftKings. There are no more “free squares” which means will need to be more frugal with our bankrolls if we want to hit big this week.

Case Keenum, QB DEN ($4,800)

There’s nothing spectacular about Keenum but his matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers will cause him to the throw the ball a lot. If things go his way, he could flirt with QB1 numbers. Despite what you might think, he’s been holding down the fort all season, scoring 15 or more fantasy points in six of his nine games.

There are 19 more expensive quarterbacks on the main slate this weekend. To put that in perspective, he’s cheaper than Nick Foles, Jameis Winston, and Joe Flacco. Josh Rosen and Derek Carr are the only starting quarterbacks cheaper than him. At $4,800, all he needs to do is pass for 250 yards and two touchdowns to give you a good return on your investment.

Bovada has the over/under at 47 points and the Chargers are favorited to win by seven points. Keenum will need to consistently pass the ball to keep up with the Chargers’ offense. The added passing volume should help his fantasy production. His price makes him a safe play in both GPP and cash games.

Mark Ingram, RB NOS ($4700)

There are a few running backs that I like more than Ingram this week against the Eagles, but when you figure in his price point, he’s a really safe bet to make. The Saints have one of the best offenses in the league and they can move the ball at will. His ceiling is as high as any running back and he also has a decent floor because we know he’s good for 12 to 15 carries.

Even if he doesn’t produce RB1 numbers he can still help your lineup. His super cheap salary will allow you to spend more at other positions. I recommend him more for GPP formats because he’s not the safest option at running back. He’s still splitting carries with Alvin Kamara which could limit his fantasy output. The best move here would be to limit your exposure by rostering him in less than 10 percent of your lineups. This way you can still get a piece of Ingram, but at the same time, you are minimizing your risk.

The over/under is set at 54.5 points and the Saints are favored to win by 9.5 points. Vegas is telling us that this game could be a blowout and New Orleans could have a substantial lead in this game. The game script should favor the run which could allow Ingram to see a hefty dose of carries.

Amari Cooper, WR DAL ($5,400)

It’s not a secret that the Dallas Cowboys want Cooper to be a major focal point in their offense. In his first two games with the team, he accumulated a 26 percent target share while also leading the team with 197 air yards. This week we get to see him in a prime matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. He should be targeted early and often in this game.

This might be the last week that you will be able to get him at this big of a discount. He’s owning a large percentage of the targets and he’s being priced as the WR20 on DraftKings. Not to mention that there are six teams on bye this week. At his price point, Cooper could level out at just ten fantasy points and he would still deliver a decent return on your investment. His cheap price tag will allow you to pay up at other positions which will maximize the value of your entire roster. He’s one of the few players this week who could be a great play for both cash and GPP games.

Vegas has the over/under set at 48 points and they also have the Falcons favored by three points. In other words, Cooper should benefit from a game script that will force the Cowboys to air it out in order to keep up with one of the most explosive offenses in the league.

Jonnu Smith, TE TEN ($2,700)

Smith is starting to heat up. Last week, he saw 12 percent of the team’s passing targets which led to him catching three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. Marcus Mariota is finally healthy, and the offense is finally clicking. The Titans will be traveling to Indianapolis to play the Colts who allow 14.8 PPR fantasy points per game to tight ends. This is the week to fire Smith up in your lineups.

You literally can’t get much cheaper then what Smith is priced at. His $2,700 salary will free up a lot of your bankroll to spend on other positions. Tight end is one of the most volatile positions in fantasy football which makes paying down at the position a smart move. Even with limited production, he’s going to help your lineup. Depending on how you construct your lineups, he’s a good addition for both cash and GPP lineups. He’s not going to be heavily owned and if you are creative, he could help you jam another stud player into your lineup.

The Colts are favored by three points which means Vegas is projecting this to be a very close game. The over/under is also set at 48 points and I’m taking the over in this game. Both teams are capable of scoring points in bunches. The flow of the game will make both teams lean on the pass. This will create extra opportunities for Smith and could fuel his fantasy production.

bruce matson