Another week with just two teams on a bye, but there’s a number of injuries to still with for DFS players.
Despite the loss of C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, A.J. Green and possibly Calvin Johnson, there’s still some values to be found on FanDuel this week.
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Quarterback: Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (WAS) - $8,200
This is a no-brainer. Washington has allowed the most points to opposing quarterbacks this season, according to our fantasy against rankings (paid subscription required) yet he’s $700 cheaper than Philip Rivers and should be valued somewhere around $8,500. It always helps when you have Dez Bryant to throw to, and he’s cut down on the dumb mistakes, throwing just three interceptions in his past six games. He’ll have a huge game against an awful Washington defense that has two corners allowing a quarterback rating of over 109 when thrown at this season, per Pro Football Focus.
Running Back: DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (WAS) - $9,600
Did I mention Washington’s defense is bad? Murray hasn’t scored less than 16 fantasy points in a game this season, and while a regression is eventually coming for an over-worked Murray, it won’t be this week. Brian Orakpo is now done for the season for the Redskins, and he was arguably their best player on the front seven. Once again, Dallas’ offense will revolve around feeding Murray the ball.
Running Back: Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings (TB) - $5,800
After spending all that money on Murray, McKinnon was a value play for a second running back.
Tampa Bay is allowing just over 27 points per game to opposing running backs, and McKinnon is slowly taking over as the No. 1 back in Minnesota. He’s had 30 combined carries in his past two games, and has caught eight passes, additionally. McKinnon at least has the upside at this price to break off a huge play or two, and he’s already had two 100-yard games under his belt. For less than $6,000, there’s great upside here.
Wide Receiver: Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears (NE) - $7,400
Marshall is way under-valued here. He’s cheaper than teammate Alshon Jeffery, and is $1,200 cheaper than Calvin Johnson, who even if he plays, will be in a limited role. Marshall has been targeted more times this season than Jeffery, per our advanced metrics, and is the better red zone target. Although he’s been up-and-down this season in terms of his fantasy production, he’s caught six passes in each of his past two games, and FanDuel awards a point per reception. New England has been a tougher defense than expected this season, but Marshall will get enough looks that it won’t matter.
Wide Receiver: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans (TEN) - $7,000
Since Marshall was fairly cheap, I was able to get Johnson, who could pass for a No. 1 receiver, especially with his play as of late. He’s caught at least five passes in each of his past four games, and although he’s not a huge touchdown threat, he’s been Ryan Fitzpatrick’s favorite target all season. Again, FanDuel scores in a PPR format, and he’s been targeted nine times per game this season. Even if Johnson doesn’t find the end zone, he’ll catch enough passes to score in the double digits.
Wide Receiver: Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (MIA) - $6,000
Robinson is coming off of his first double-digit performance of the season, and has officially established himself as Blake Bortles’ favorite target. He’s been targeted at least seven times in each of Bortles’ five starts, and has even had an eight-catch performance. Robinson is Jacksonville’s most consistent receiver, and although he won’t likely score a touchdown, but he’ll be targeted that almost everyone else in his price range.
Tight End: Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears (NE) - $5,900
There’s three players tied as our most consistent tight ends: Rob Gronkowski, Greg Olsen and Bennett. He’s had at least six games with either 50 yards or a touchdown, and is only one target behind Olsen for the most among tight ends. Yet Bennett is $1,700 cheaper than Olsen and $1,300 cheaper than Gronk. Bennett is the fourth highest scoring tight end this year, and although he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 3, he will be looked at enough to match Olsen’s production this week.
Kicker: Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings (TB) - $5,100
Defense: Cleveland Browns (OAK) - $4,900
Although the Browns lost to the Jaguars last week, they still scored eight fantasy points on defense from picking off Bortles three times and sacking him twice. They could have similar success against the Raiders. Oakland is the worst rushing team in the league, which is by far Cleveland’s greatest weakness, and Derek Carr has five interceptions in six games.