FanDuel Value Plays for Week 16
Last week’s FanDuel Value Plays lineup would have cashed in 50/50 even if you didn’t use the thousands of extra salary space with strong plays including Nick Foles, Kenyan Drake, Stefon Diggs, Marquise Goodwin, Greg Olsen and Robbie Gould.
Week 16 doesn’t seem to have as many strong value options as I even needed to edge above my self-imposed salary thresholds at a couple positions just to get players that I am comfortable recommending. Note that this will be the final week for my FanDuel Value Plays column with the upcoming holidays. I hope everyone has enjoyed the articles and recommendations and I wish you all a happy and safe holiday!
The intent is not to play this exact lineup as it will come in well below the Salary Cap but to use the players as a baseline of value options which can then be upgraded to a better player with a higher salary at a few of the positions.
So onto the value plays for Week 16…
Quarterbacks
The cheap QB options this week is pretty ugly. I could not bring myself to actually recommend one of them under $7,000. If I had to pick one it would be Drew Stanton ($6,000). However, I do like Winston at just over $7k. He appears to be finishing the year strong with three straight games with at least 270 passing yards and multiple TD passes. He should be throwing plenty as a road dog against a Panthers’ defense that has allowed 287 passing yards (31st) and 2.25 TD passes (31st) over the last five weeks. Sounds like another 270 and 2 TD effort which is solid for just $7,100.
Running Backs
While it does sound like Tevin Coleman will return this week, Freeman will remain the lead back for the Falcons coming off two strong efforts including one against this week’s opponent, the Saints, where Freeman put up 91 yards and a score. The Saints have been much more vulnerable to the run than the pass this season, so look for the Falcons to lean on the running game on the road in New Orleans.
Dion Lewis (NE) vs BUF $6,700
This week’s plug and play RB against the Bills is Dion Lewis. With Rex Burkhead out, Lewis could see a slight increase in his touches, especially in the passing game. Meanwhile, he couldn’t ask for a better matchup against a Bills’ run defense that has allowed 4.39 YPC (27th) and 1.1 TDs (32nd) per game to opposing RBs.
Wide Receivers
Landry has been piling up the targets and receptions over the last few weeks including 13 targets for 10 catches and 99 yards last week. The Dolphins figure to be playing from behind against the Chiefs this week and they have been vulnerable to opposing #1 WRs this season ranking 31st DVOA according to Football Outsiders. You might have to wait until garbage time but Landry should compile the digits.
Robert Woods (LAR) @ TEN $6,600
In his first week back from injury, Wood quickly re-established himself as the #1 WR for the Rams with six grabs for 45 yards and a score. He gets a plus matchup this week against a Titans’ defense that has allowed 284 passing yards per game over the last five weeks including 156 to the WR position.
Dede Westbrook (JAC) @ SF $5,900 / Keelan Cole (JAC) @ SF $5,300
I was on the wrong Jaguars WR last week with Westbrook. Instead, Cole and Jaydon Mickens broke out. Both Westbrook and Cole are in play again this week as their salaries are still very affordable and they have another strong matchup against the 49ers who rank 26th or worse DVOA against all opposing WRs this season. Note that they may take a small hit if Allen Hurns plays.
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Tight Ends
With Hunter Henry out for the rest of the season, Gates will get a chance to add to his Hall of Fame numbers the last two weeks of the season. He found the end zone last week and always gets red zone looks from Philip Rivers. His opponent, the Jets, have allowed 0.6 TDs (25th) to opposing TEs this season. Look for Gates to go out in style this season, which may be his last.
Kicker & Defense
Phil Dawson (ARI) vs NYG $4,600
FanDuel finally upped Robbie Gould’s price above $4,500 (all the way to $4,700, ooohhh). There aren’t any min-priced kickers that I want to roster, so I’m bumping up $100 to Dawson who will be kicking in the nice Arizona weather against a Giants’ team that has allowed 2.36 field goal attempts (28th) per game this season.
Chiefs (KC) vs MIA $4,500
When choosing a defense I want one that has a lot of opportunities for a big play (sack, TO, TD). The Chiefs are playing at home as a big favorite which should open up opportunities with the Dolphins passing more often while trying to come from behind. They also get turnover-prone, Jay Cutler, slinging the ball against a defense that is willing to take chances. Sign me up!
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