Week 15 Slingshot Plays
“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.”
-1 Samuel 17:1-25:7
Don’t fret, you are still at the Dynasty League Football website and not a weekly Bible study. The story of David and Goliath is oft-quoted to describe any underdog situation. As a society, we are enamored with cheering for people to not only defy the odds, but doing so in simplistic yet spectacular fashion. Hollywood has capitalized on this desire as movies like the Mighty Ducks or the Karate Kid (the 80s version) highlight a person or team defying all odds to bring home the trophy.
David’s slingshot, the Flying V of the Ducks, or Danielson’s Crane Kick all highlight an important idea; sometimes it only takes a simple action to bring down a giant. Enter the below list of players. Now let me be perfectly clear about one thing, I am NOT advocating starting anyone mentioned in this article over any reliable, consistent fantasy contributor or a stud player who has had a few down weeks.
These players are designed for those dynasty degenerates who may be facing long odds in their playoff matchup and/or are searching for that last starter in a Flex spot in leagues with no kickers or defenses (the preferable way to operate a dynasty league).
No matter the road traveled, you’re here in the semifinals of your league playoffs (or the opening round if your commissioner hates you). Below you’ll find four under-the-radar plays along with one player who is overvalued for week 15.
A victory this week and you’ll be one win away from the holy grail of dynasty football and losing… is unacceptable!
Week 14 Slingshot Plays Recap
Devlin Hodges, QB PIT: 16/19 152 Yards; 5 Rushes, 34 Yards; 13.48 FP – Miss
Darwin Thompson, RB KC: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 36 Yards; 4 Rushes, 7 Yards; 8.3 FP – Miss
Sterling Shepard, WR NYG: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 28 yards; 7.6 FP – Miss
Vance McDonald, TE PIT: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards; 1.3 FP – Miss
Ian Thomas, TE CAR: 10 Targets, 5 Receptions, 57 Yards, 1 TD; 16.7 FP- Hit
We didn’t quite find as much success with the week 14 plays, but we move forward and promise to do better! I’d consider starting a non-quarterback over Duck Hodges in a superflex league as the Steelers are giving him a game manager playbook. Turns out a concussion is the only way a tight end doesn’t score double-digit fantasy points against the Cardinals. McDonald is unplayable even when he comes out of the protocol. The Spencer Ware signing makes Darwin Thompson too risky of a fantasy option.
The Giants play a terrible Dolphin secondary this week putting Shepard in a prime bounce-back spot. If Greg Olsen is out of the Panthers lineup, then Ian Thomas should be in yours. The Panthers are in full evaluation mode now and I expect them to see what they have in their second-year tight end.
Practice Caution
AJ Brown, WR TEN
For the first time in this column’s brief two-year history, I’ll be cataloging a player who I believe is overrated for this week’s semifinal matchups. Yes, Brown is the WR13 in PPR leagues over the last three games scoring 23.5, 7.5, and 33.6 fantasy points respectively. However, taking a look at his entire body of work tells a much different story.
The Ole Miss alum’s seasonal fantasy numbers only show a mid-tier flex option (WR28), not a locked-in WR2. In fact, Brown has produced 77% of his total fantasy points in just six games. In the other seven contests he’s averaged a putrid 5.1 PPR points per game.
At the time of this writing, Brown is WR18 in FantasyPros consensus rankings which is much too high in my opinion. If you’re a heavy underdog in your matchup, the former Rebel’s boom/bust nature is exactly what you need to pull off an upset. Yet, if you need a safer floor I’d play Courtland Sutton, Michael Gallup, and Christian Kirk over the Titan rookie.
Week 15 Slingshot Plays
Patrick Laird, RB MIA
Despite the majority of the fantasy community souring on Patrick Laird after his two-point week 12 clunker of a performance against the Browns, he’s been a steady starting option for three of the last four weeks. The Cal product is 11th in running back targets, has hit double-digit fantasy points (11.8, 16.8, 12.6) in three games, and is the RB22 over this four-game span. In better news, Laird has played on 71% of the offensive snaps the last two games (59.2%, 81.9%) since the much-maligned Kalen Ballage went down with an injury.
The Giants have not only allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs over the last two games, but little-used Eagles scatback Boston Scott caught all six of his targets for 69 receiving yards while adding a score and another 59 on the ground on Monday Night Football. Laird is a solid flex option with RB2 upside this week and should be started ahead of Adrian Peterson or Jamaal Williams.
Anthony Miller, WR CHI
After a disappointing first ten weeks of the season (17-218-0; WR91), Miller has found his groove over the Bear’s last four contests. The second-year receiver is sixth in receiver targets (37) and the PPR WR17 over the last four weeks. Miller has taken advantage of Taylor Gabriel’s absence with an 86% and 89% snap share over the last two games. If Gabriel sits again, fire up the Memphis alum in your lineups as a low-end WR2 over Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Williams, and James Washington.
Cole Beasley, WR BUF
This wide receiver recommendation is in direct contrast with the above paragraphs on AJ Brown. Cole Beasley doesn’t possess Brown’s upside, but he can offer a more valuable fantasy football asset… consistency. The former Cowboy’s WR28 ranking might not jump off the page, but he’s scored ten-plus fantasy points in nine of his thirteen games played including three in a row.
Beasley is 16th in targets among receivers during this three-game run and is a great final FLEX option for those favored in their matchups and/or are only in need of ten to 15 PPR points.
Tyler Higbee, TE LAR
The player who leads all NFL tight ends in targets, receptions, air yards, yards after catch, receiving yards, and fantasy points over the last two weeks is Zach Ertz, Travis Kelce… Tyler Higbee!
In Gerald Everett’s absence, #Rams Tyler Higbee leads all NFL TEs in these categories over the past 2 weeks:
* Targets (19)
* Catches (14)
* Air Yards (188)
* Yards after catch (103)
* Actual Yards (223)* Next up #Cowboys, who’ve allowed 6th-most catches to tight ends.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) December 10, 2019
Yes, the Western Kentucky graduate has more than taken advantage of Gerald Everett’s absence the past two games scoring 23.7 and 18.6 points respectively. He was a feature of the week 13 iteration of Slingshot Plays, but some idiot (hand raised) suggested not to start him last week because he was only a matchup play against the Cardinals.
Please ignore my terrible advice and listen up… As long as Gerald Everett is inactive, Higbee needs to be in your lineups. The Cowboys have surrendered the tenth-most fantasy points to enemy tight ends on the season. I expect the former Hilltopper to have a double-digit PPR floor if Everett sits.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - December 8, 2023
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - November 17, 2023
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - October 13, 2023
