Welcome back to Fanduel Picks Week 15, your one-stop-shop for the best FanDuel player picks. Led by star running backs LeSean Mccoy (21.60) and Melvin Gordon (14.80), as well as superhuman DeAndre Hopkins (30.40) we eked into the money in Week 14. That Chiefs-Raiders game realllllly disappointed from a fantasy/FanDuel perspective, keeping us out of the top DFS prizes. But we scrape and claw our way to victory each week, so let the good times and cash roll. With two Saturday games, our pool is down to a mere 12 games on Sunday, so finding the best options is more critical this week than usual. As a note, these picks are based on Sunday only leagues, so players on Thursday, Saturday and Monday night will be ignored, as well as London games.
Quarterbacks
The Locks
- Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots ($8,800) – In 12 career games against the Pittsburgh Steelers (including the playoffs), Tom Brady is 10-2 with 29 TDs and 3 INTs, completing 70% of his passes and owning QB Rating over 115. You have to go all the way back to 2005 to find the last time Brady recorded a QB Rating under 100 against Pittsburgh. I guess that’s what happens when you never change your base defense over multiple decades. Tom Brady already has all the answers to the Steelers’ defensive test, so look for Brady to give them a little extra something this Sunday when the path of homefield advantage in the AFC is almost assuredly determined.
- Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers ($7,900) – If Aaron Rodgers plays Week 15 I like this pick a lot more as the Panthers will have to throw to keep pace with the Green Bay offense. Regardless, however, Cam Newton should be very active Week 15 against a Packer defense that just allowed 3 passing touchdowns to DeShone Kizer. For reference, Kizer had 3 passing touchdowns from Week 4 to Week 13 combined. Mix in Cam’s legs and you have yourself a solid floor play, with the potential for a top 5 finish if all the pieces fall into the right place.
Sleepers
- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers ($7,300) – The guy is just a winner. Jimmy Garoppolo is now 4-0 in his career as a starter (that’s a 100% winning percentage), completing 66.7% of his passes with 7 touchdowns to 2 interceptions. The Titans rank in the bottom third in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game and total passing touchdowns allowed, so Garoppolo has a good chance to continue his success Week 15.
Running Backs
The Locks
- Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers ($9,400) – Volume, volume, volume. The key to success in FanDuel. Finding the right guy in the right matchup who will be the workhorse pays dividends in daily fantasy sports. And it does not get more volume-y than Le’Veon Bell. With 21+ touches in 12 consecutive games, Bell is locked in as the weekly RB1, and that will be no different Week 15 as the Steelers look to lock up home field advantage in the AFC. Averaging nearly 130 all purpose yards per game and 6 receptions this season, Bell lives for the 20 point FanDuel floor. Pay up this week, as Pittsburgh will need him to survive New England’s offensive attack.
- Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints ($8,300) – Alvin Kamara expects to play Week 15 after suffering a concussion early in the first quarter of Thursday night’s game against Atlanta. But with Mark Ingram running so well as of late, and with the Saints currently projected as 16 point favorites, I could see Ingram shouldering a heavier load than usual, protecting it’s prized rookie for the stretch run.
Sleepers
- Jay Ajayi, RB, Philadelphia Eagles ($6,100) – Allowing the fourth most fantasy points to opposing running backs, the New York Giants have struggled against the run all season long. And with Carson Wentz out for the year after suffering an ACL injury Week 14, look for Nick Foles to rely more on his running game. In his five games this year with the Eagles, Jay Ajayi is only averaging 10 touches per game, but every touch turns into huge chunk yards as he averages almost 7 yards per touch. With all Eagles running backs expected to increase their workload Week 15, I expect the more explosive Ajayi to have his first official welcoming party to the Philadelphia Eagles squad.
- Mike Davis, RB, Seattle Seahawks ($5,800) – Locked in as a consistent 20+ touch lead back, Mike Davis has clear control of the Seattle backfield. And although he failed to return after injury in the third quarter Week 14, early indications are that he will be ready to suit up against a Rams defense allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Wide Receivers
The Locks
- Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints ($8,100) – The Jets allow the sixth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and recently have been gashed by opposing WR1’s (Demaryius Thomas 8/93/1 touchdown; Tyreek Hill 6/185/2 touchdowns; Devin Funchess 7/108). And this week the Jets unfortunately must face Michael Thomas who finds himself on quite the hot streak over his past two games, compiling 15 catches for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. This is the Drew Brees-Thomas connection we expected to see all year.
- Devin Funchess, WR, Carolina Panthers ($7,300) – With no other options at wide receiver and Greg Olsen continuing to struggle in his return, Devin Funchess has emerged not only as the Panthers best playmaker on offense but also as a consistent WR1/WR2 option. Funchess has 4 touchdowns over his past 4 games and has recorded either 86 receiving yards or at least one touchdown in his past 5 games. In Week 15 Funchess faces a Packers defense allowing the fourth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, most recently being exploited by Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman for 131 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns combined.
Sleepers
- Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars ($5,700) – I’ll keep suggesting and using him until FanDuel gets it right. Facing a Houston team struggling mightily against speedsters at the wideout position (most recently, Marquise Goodwin roasted the Texans for 6/106), look for the comparable Dede Westbrook to run circles around this bad secondary. Westbrook just torched the formerly know group called the Legion of Boom for 5/81/1 touchdown, and should have no problem piggybacking off his recent string of consistent success.
- Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers ($5,700) – We all forget that Randall Cobb recorded double digit FanDuel points in every game with Aaron Rodgers to begin this season. Obviously every Packer has suffered tremendously from both a football and fantasy perspective since Rodgers went down Week 5, but he may return this week against Carolina for the late season playoff stretch run. And if he does, look for that connection with Cobb to rekindle, making him a great sneaky play at only $5,700.
Tight End
The Locks
- Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans ($6,500) – From weeks 7-12 (a five game span for the 49ers) San Fran allowed 6 total tight end touchdowns. Sure the past two weeks have been better, but that’s what happens when you play Stephen Anderson and Daniel Brown. With no wideouts stepping up in Tennessee, look for Delanie Walker to continue dominating targets and receptions as he has recorded at least 5 catches in six of his last seven games, totaling at least 63 yards or recording one touchdown over that span as well. With such a high volume, Walker profiles as a high floor play Week 15 for a marginal price.
Sleepers
- Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Arizona Cardinals ($5,300) – With Josh Norman likely shadowing Larry Fitzgerald all game, look for Blaine Gabbert to target his big tight end target this week. Ricky Seals-Jones seems to have hit a speed bump in his season, but let’s not forget in his three games prior to Week 14 Seals-Jones recorded 3 touchdowns. With the Redskins struggling to contain opposing tight ends, I like his chances of finding pay dirt.
Kicker
The Locks
- Wil Lutz, K, New Orleans Saints ($5,200) – With an implied team total of 31 points, look for the Saints to put Wil Lutz in field goal range early and often Sunday, making him a lock for double digit FanDuel points.
Sleepers
- Robbie Gould, K, San Francisco 49ers ($4,500) – Since Jimmy G took over quarterback duties in San Fran, Robbie Gould has recorded 15 and 17 FanDuel points. With the offense clicking more now, expect Gould to continue his hot streak.
Defense
The Locks
- Baltimore Ravens DST ($5,000) – The Baltimore Ravens travel to Cleveland to face a Browns team allowing the second most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Baltimore Ravens DST scored 17 FanDuel points Week 2 in their first meeting, and things do not look any better this week as the Browns have an implied team total of just 16.5. Plus, they are the Browns. Enough said.
Sleepers
- New Orleans Saints DST ($4,600) – Bryce Petty and his career 54% completion percentage and 3:7 TD:INT ratio takes over at QB for the Jets. Oh, and the Jets are 16 point road underdogs with an implied team total of 16. The New Orleans Saints DST will get back on track Week 15.
And that’s a wrap for Fanduel Week 15 analysis. Remember to always look at the matchups and Vegas totals, which are always telling, and do not be afraid to admit they know more than you, because they usually do. Until next time, good luck and don’t forget to tip me 10% of your earnings. Thanks in advance.
To contact me with any questions or general fantasy football discussion, please email me at redsocker45@gmail.com or tweet me @AJGamballer.
