DFS NFL FanDuel Week 15: Mini Slate Lineup Advice
Week 15 was much better than Week 15 for me as Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins all had huge games. I’m finding myself gravitating towards the same strategy this week with roster construction. By going the value route at quarterback we can once again load up with studs at every other spot. Let’s go ahead and take a look at my favorite options for Week 15.
Quarterback
Nick Foles (PHI): $7,500 at NYG
Carson Wentz’s season ended last Sunday afternoon after suffering a torn ACL on a play where he dove into the endzone for a touchdown. Nick Foles entered in the fourth quarter and completed six of his 10 passes for 42 yards. Foles has not done much in the NFL over the past couple of years, but he did flash some greatness in 2013 when he represented the Eagles in the Pro-Bowl. Foles is not as good as Wentz, but I think he is an outstanding value option on this slate. He has a great surrounding cast with two premium receivers in Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz. On top of that, he has an outstanding matchup against the Giants who have allowed the most FanDuel points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Russell Wilson (SEA): $12,000 vs. LAR
Although the Seahawks did not come away with a win last Sunday in Jacksonville, Russell Wilson showed that he is 100% matchup proof right now in fantasy. Wilson threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 50 yards on the ground against arguably the best defensive unit in 2017. In Week 13 on Sunday Night Football, Chris Collinsworth stated a ridiculous stat. At that point, Wilson was responsible for 82% of the Seahawks offensive yards which is the highest percentage in over 50 years.
Running Back
Le’Veon Bell (PIT): $14,500 vs. PIT
In 2016 there was a stretch near the end of the season where if you did not play Le’Veon Bell or David Johnson you were just going to lose in DFS. We’re starting to see the same thing again with Bell as we wind down the 2017 regular season. Over his last three games, Bell has scored four touchdowns and gained 490 total yards on 51 rushes, 30 targets and 26 receptions. The bottom line is that his floor is extremely high with the voluming he is receiving and his talent gives him an enormous ceiling every week. Fade him at your own risk. Â
Kenyan Drake (MIA): $10,500 at BUF
Kenyan Drake’s streak of two games with a touchdown ended on Monday night against the Patriots. However, Drake still had an excellent game with a total of 193 yards on 25 carries, six targets and five receptions. Drake has proven that he can be the every down back for the Dolphins and this week he has an outstanding matchup against the Bills who have allowed the most FanDuel points to opposing running backs this season.
Todd Gurley (LAR): $12,000 at SEA
Similar to Russell Wilson, Todd Gurley is another player who is completely matchup proof. Coming into last Sunday, the Eagles had the number one ranked rushing defense in the NFL. You would not that from watching the Rams/Eagles game though considering that Gurley scored two touchdowns and gained a total of 135 yards on 13 rushing attempts and three receptions.
Wide Receiver
Antonio Brown (PIT): $14,500 vs. NEP
I’m normally pretty hesitant to play elite wide receivers against Bill Belichick’s defense. However, I have noticed that the Patriots have been unable to slow down Brown over the last few years. Brown has faced the Patriots three times in each of the past four seasons. In those four games, Brown has a total of 310 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets and 21 receptions. This game is projected to be a shootout with the highest projected total in Vegas at 53.5. We’re going to want exposure to this game in our lineups and the best route will be with Brown and Bell since they have such a high usage rate in this offense.
Michael Thomas (NO): $12,000 vs. NYJ
Michael Thomas is finally seeing some positive regression with touchdowns, scoring one in each of his past two games. Prior to those two games, Thomas went seven straight games without a touchdown. I think the positive regression will continue down the stretch in 2017 since he has seen double digit targets almost every single game this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Morris Claiborne is projected to shadow Thomas this week, who is ranked 84th out of 120 cornerbacks graded by Pro Football Focus.
Dede Westbrook (JAC): $7,500 vs. HOU
If you want to go the value route at wide receiver this week, then consider using Dede Westbrook. Westbrook has seen his yardage increase each week since coming off of his injury and playing in his NFL game in Week 11. Last week Westbrook had a touchdown, 81 yards and five receptions on a team high eight targets. This week he has an outstanding matchup against the Texans who have really struggled in their secondary all season.
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