What’s more exciting, being in the season long semifinals or making bank from DFS picks week in and week out? I digress. But, last week was a killer week capitalizing on some sleeper picks that put up monster performances for their prices. This week, spots are shining clearer as injuries pile up and role are more defined. Teams are scrapping for playoff spots, and we scrap for more money in our pockets.
Let’s get it.
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Quarterbacks:
- Deshaun Watson ($6,800)
- After the absolute stinker the team put up last week, Watson and the Texans need a huge bounce back spot. The Titans are depleted in the secondary and rolling out scrubs that can be picked on.
- Jimmy Garoppolo ($6,100)
- Jimmy G put up a gem of a game last Sunday in New Orleans and now gets a prime matchup with the Falcons coming into the Bay area. The offense has been clicking and his receivers have been making huge plays. The Falcons can be exposed through the air.
- Eli Manning ($5,200)
- Old man Eli started very hot in the first half against the Eagles and then kind of faded out. But now he’s primed for a perfect spot against a helpless Dolphins defense. He’s working to get his career record back to .500 so you know a solid performance is coming here.
Running Backs:
- Chris Carson ($7,500)
- The stars are aligning for Carson this week. Penny’s injury puts Carson back as the sole lead dog to get all the carries against one of the league’s worst run defenses in Detroit.
- Todd Gurley ($6,000)
- For all the early season misusage and holding him back, Gurley is starting to be unleashed for the Rams fighting for a playoff spot. Touchdowns in three of his last four and getting roughly 20 carries in that stretch, he’s starting to look like the Gurley we all know and love.
- Sony Michel ($5,100)
- He’s been a ghost as of late for the Patriots offense, but this is a massive bounce back spot for Michel and the Patriots offense. The Bengals struggle with the run, and New England should look to set the tone on the ground.
- Patrick Laird ($4,500)
- It’s not sexy at all but Laird has been getting plenty of touches in Miami’s offense. Double digits in three of his last four and now gets the Giants defense that hasn’t stopped much this year. He’s technically a lead back and for this price, solid savings.
- Boston Scott ($3,000)
- Maybe it’s a reaction to his MNF game, but Scott looked super explosive and very good for the Eagles who are losing offensive weapons by the minute. He was used in both the run and passing game which makes him even more valuable for a minimum priced guy facing a bad Redskins defense.
Wide Receivers:
- DeAndre Hopkins ($8,000)
- I love the idea of a Watson/Hopkins stack this week facing a struggling Titans secondary. This should be a high scoring game and points will be a plenty for Nuk as the team’s top option. Nobody on this Titans team should be able to cover him.
- Keenan Allen ($6,300)
- Seeing Keenan this low in salary is pretty eye opening, but he hasn’t been dominating like his early season self. Luckily, the Vikings present a solid matchup and Rhodes are open as Xavier Rhodes has been struggling in coverage. High volume coming Keenan’s way.
- Terry McLaurin ($5,300)
- McLaurin had an amazing one handed snag for a touchdown last week, and now he’ll get to work the Eagles secondary that has been giving up big plays all year long. The chemistry is progressing between McLaurin and his college QB Dwayne Haskins to capitalize on this plus matchup.
- Darius Slayton ($4,700)
- The Dolphins defense has given up so many big plays to opponents this year. The Giants big play guy? Darius Slayton, fresh off a 5-154-2 game in one half against the Eagles. He’s the guy I want to target in the Giants offense for a high ceiling.
- Justin Watson ($3,700)
- The unfortunate injury to Mike Evans has opened the door for Watson to capitalize on a great matchup here with the Lions. Watson is an elite athlete an turned in a 5-59-1 game line last week in limited action. This Bucs team lives through the air, and Watson offers good upside at such a low price.
Tight Ends:
- Zach Ertz ($6,000)
- Philly basically has no receivers left with Alshon Jeffery going down. Ertz remains as one of the lone dependable pass catchers for the Eagles offense, and against the Redskins shouldn’t be slowed down at all.
- Tyler Higbee ($3,900)
- Higbee is on fire in the Rams offense right now with 20+ points in back to back games. Behind only Robert Woods, Higbee is getting so many looks from Goff and racking up the yards. Play him while he’s hot and still cheap.
- Ian Thomas ($3,100)
- Greg Olsen being out last week led to a very good game from Thomas who was at the minimum price. He’s risen a bit this week, but should Olsen miss again Thomas is still a fantastic play against a Seahawks defense that struggles against the TE position.
Defense
- San Francisco 49ers ($3,800)
- Despite allowing 46 points last week, the 49ers defense lines up well here with the Falcons at home. Atlanta’s offense line has struggled allowing a lot of sacks which will benefit the 49ers strong defensive front. Also, Ryan can be susceptible to turnovers throwing a lot as they should be down in this game.
- Detroit Lions ($2,300)
- I’ll always consider a defense playing against Jameis Winston, the Turnover Machine. Winston threw for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns and the Colts still had 11 DK points. Then there’s the threat of Winston not being able to play because of his hand injury which would make Detroit an even better pick. Especially helps them that Mike Evans is out for the year.
Do you have any early leans? Questions about which guy you should go with this week? Want to yell at me for missing an obvious play? Sound off below or hit me up on Twitter where you can follow for daily news or advice on players.
