DraftKings Bargains: Week 11

Bruce Matson

We are experiencing another week of tight salaries on DraftKings which means we have to be very crafty with our bankrolls in order to maximize our potential scoring output. This will also roll over some high ownership rates to some of the cheaper options since there are just a handful of viable players that can be had at a discount. There are going to be multiple strategies on how we can attack this slate. Being creative by thinking outside the box will create advantageous against the field.

Let’s take a look at this week’s bargains on DraftKings:

QUARTERBACK

Kyle Allen, CAR ($5,300)

Allen will be playing at home against the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers are 4.5-point favorites and Vegas has the over/under set at 49 points. This is one of the highest-scoring games on Sunday and there will be multiple players who could provide an impact in fantasy leagues from this contest.

He is one of the cheaper quarterbacks listed on DraftKings at $5,300. On top of that, his main pass catchers are also in the bargain bin to add to your lineup. DJ Moore is listed at $5,900 and Curtis Samuel is marked at $5,300, making them easy to stack with Allen. Greg Olsen scored 17.9 DraftKings points last week and he’s priced at $3,900. We can also run it back and add one of the Falcons top pass catchers in Julio Jones ($7,500) or even Calvin Ridley ($5,500).

That said, Allen has multiple correlation plays that could lead to a money-making lineup. Being able to gauge and predict the potential scoring output of a game allows you to roster multiple players in an advantageous position due to game-script who may exceed their typical fantasy scoring potential. This is a game that could allow Allen to break the slate, which would also mean some of his receiving options would feast against Atlanta’s weak defense. They’ve allowed 1,693 receiving yards to wide receivers.

Keep in mind, Atlanta held the Saints to just nine points last week which was out of character for them. If they continue this trend, then Allen would have a high propensity to bust. Your exposure should be limited just in case the Falcons turn things around on defense and disrupts Carolina’s passing offense.

Other options: Derek Carr $6,100, Kyler Murray $6,100, Jameis Winston $6,500

RUNNING BACK

Brian Hill, ATL ($4,800)

Hill is the closet thing to a free square at the running back position. With Devonta Freeman out of the lineup, he is expected to see a full workload. Last week, he handled 21 touches for 70 yards and one touchdown. He technically doesn’t have any competition for touches out of the backfield and is projected to handle a large portion of the workload.

His low price point could provide enough salary relief to allow you to roster an additional stud like Christian McCaffrey or Michael Thomas without having to completely punt a position in your lineup. If anything you have a player who will provide a solid price-touch ratio.

We are looking at a player who has three-down workhorse size and athleticism. There’s a very real possibility that if things break properly, he can exceed expectations and finish as one of the top running backs for the week. His potential usage and price will spike his ownership rate. Pivoting from him or just limiting exposure, might be the best strategy in GPP formats. He’s an excellent bridge to get to more dependable higher-priced players for your cash lineups.

Other options: Joe Mixon $5,500, Devin Singletary $6,000, Latavius Murray $6,200

WIDE RECEIVER

Tre’Quan Smith, NOS ($3,800)

The Saints will be traveling to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and are considered 5.5-point favorites to win this game. Vegas also has the over/under set at 49.5 points. The Saints are looking to bounce back from a horrific loss against Atlanta last week. The Buccaneers have allowed 1,894 passing yards to wide receivers this year.

Smith is a little bit of a gamble considering Michael Thomas is owning a whopping 67 percent of the team’s receiving production, making it hard for any of the other pass catchers on the team to carve a sizeable role. The Buccaneers’ defense can easily be gashed through the air which could allow for some added opportunities for Smith. If anything he’s a cheap option to plug into your lineups.

He should be considered mainly as a salary relief option and holds more value as a bridge to some of the higher-priced options on the slate. If he can catch a few balls and even hit WR2 status, then he would be more than serviceable for our DraftKings lineups.

Other options: Deebo Samuel $4,000, Dede Westbrook $4,500, DeVante Parker $4,700

TIGHT END

Darren Waller, OAK ($5,500)

There aren’t many reliable options at the tight end position. Waller is playing against the Bengals who have one of the worst defenses in the league. He’s one of the Raiders’ main pass-catching options and should see a large enough share of the targets to push for high-end TE1 production.

With just 103 receiving yards and one touchdown in his last three games, Waller is looking to bounce back against a hapless Bengals defense who has allowed 509 yards to tight ends this season.

Even though he’s the fourth-highest priced tight end on the slate he is still considered a value. The tight end position as a whole experiences a lot of volatility on a week to week basis, making it very hard to predict which tight ends will produce. The best bet is to invest in one of the more dependable options and hope that they hit their upside. With Waller playing one of the worst defenses in the league, there’s a good chance that he explodes the box score and finishes the week as one of the top tight ends on the slate.

Other options: Mike Gesicki $3,500, OJ Howard $3,600, TJ Hockenson $3,600

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