Welcome to Week 15. Things are getting real in the NFL and in our fantasy leagues too. Good luck to all of you playing in semifinal matches this weekend. If any of you want a second opinion on some of your tougher lineup decisions https://www.patriotsnefans.com/nate-solder-jersey-c-80.html, please feel free to hit me up on Twitter Rotobahn. I’ll be online Sunday morning looking to help.
I’m not afraid to use Patriots players in my lineups this week, but if you were hoping for a discount off of last week’s debacle in Miami, think again. As you’ll see, DraftKings doesn’t view Week 14 as a harbinger for your home town team. Rather, they seem to be taking a more historical view of this week’s tilt in Pittsburgh. As you’ll soon see, I tend to agree with them.
For the freshest insights on all the Week 15 action, tune in to the Fantasy Football Hour, this Sunday morning right here on 93.7. Jim Hackett and I will take your questions via text and get you ready for Sunday. To keep pace with all of our fantasy football content, follow me on Twitter. You can also follow Jim RotobahnHacksaw.
QUARTERBACKS
Tom Brady, Patriots at Steelers, 7,600
Father Time is undefeated. We all know this. And in Week 14 we saw a glimpse of what it’s going to look like if we are to ever watch Brady’s decline. And, based on Brady’s public comments, we probably will. However, as Arogorn said in Return of the King, “it will not be this day”, or week as it is.
Brady was not the only problem against the Dolphins. The Patriots were bad as a whole. Penalties took them out of rhythm early and they never really got things going. Rob Gronkowski was clearly missed and the Dolphins played their best game of the year. There was a lot going on that kept the Patriots from making the chunk plays we’re accustomed to seeing. Now let’s pull back and look at things from a macro level. History says that nobody prepares for a specific opponent better than Bill Belichick. History also says that losses in Miami are nothing new for the Patriots. They lost there last season and went on to win it all. So if you want to play Brady this week, go for it. The Steelers have been giving up big plays and are playing without Ryan Shazier. Would Brady be my first choice this week? No, not this week. There are a few guys I like more—mostly due to favorable pricing.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks vs. Rams, 7,300
He’s my number one ranked quarterback this week and I like the way this game is shaping up for him. The Seattle defense has taken some hits in terms of personnel and that means they are not the dominating unit many of us expected. Stud Middle Linebacker Bobby Wagner hamstring is banged up this week, and that’s tough news for a team that’s already lost Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril. This means the Rams should be a serious threat to score some points. That will keep the Seahawks leaning in on offense for four quarters. I’m willing to plunk down the 7,300 units to get Wilson into my lineup. For the bold, I like the Tyler Lockett/Wilson stack. Lockett’s been coming on and it will be an original combination if it hits. Even if Lockett is only solid, you save a nice chunk of change with him. The more conventional stacks are either Jimmy Graham or Doug Baldwin.
Cam Newton, Panthers vs. Packers, 6,400
He gives you a lot of ways to score points and he’s back to using his legs to move the offense. The Packers are a syrupy sweet matchup right now, and Cam has to be feeling good after beating the Vikings in Minnesota last week. He’s a tad volatile David Harris Jersey, sure, but he’s a rare player who can truly fill a stat sheet and this is the kind of matchup where he could really go off. Stack him with either Devin Funchess or Christian McCaffrey if you like, but with Cam, going with no stack has merit too. He’s back to his running ways and that opens the door for blowup games. I’m going to make sure I have some Cam lineups this week.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers vs. Titans, 6,300
It’s a throw to win matchup and Garoppolo is throwing it very well right now. He should connect early and often with Marquise Goodwin, who is a no brainer stack option. The Titans are a mess and are being thrown on with regularity. Look for Garoppolo to shine in his home debut.
RUNNING BACKS
Rex Burkhead, Patriots at Steelers, 6,400
I’ve been doing well with Burkhead over the last month and I plan on using him in some lineups this week, but the profit margin is shrinking as Burkhead’s price rises. Still, he’s a big player in this week’s game. Burkhead, as I have been saying for years sorry, have to , is a very good goal line runner. You saw it last week against the Dolphins. He scored on a play where a lot of backs would have given up and bounced. This week’s game has a chance to be high scoring—with plenty of red zone opportunities. That makes Burkhead a guy with some ceiling, especially in full PPR formats like DraftKings. I’ll probably have 20 percent exposure to him or thereabouts.
Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Jets, 8,600
The Jets are not equipped to deal with the Brees to Kamara connection. They are going to get set up and give up big plays. Lineup construction could make it hard to roster him a lot, but I am looking to get him in some lineups this week because he has a great shot at the kind of numbers you need to post a top score. Kamara has had some extra time to deal with his Week 14 concussion and he is not on the injury report for Week 15.
Devonta Freeman, Falcons at Bucs, 6,200
Freeman’s been just good, and good is not what we’re looking for in tournament play on DraftKings. In fact, I am ready to fade him this week on the off chance that Tevin Coleman concussion suits up, but the odds are very much against that. So, keep your head on a swivel. If Coleman sits, as is expected, Freeman should touch the ball 20 plus times in a very good matchup and at a very reasonable price tag.
Latavius Murray, Vikings vs. Bengals, 4,900
It’s the matchup. The Vikings have shown us over the last two months that Murray is the early down runner and the closer. It makes sense given his size. Murray has been less than special but good enough to carry the load. Murray has a shot at 20 plus carries and he’s got legit touchdown potential against a Bengals team that is drifting and playing out the string. Their head coach is probably done and they are playing without key run defenders, including Vontaze Burfict. The chances of the Vikings carrying a lead into the fourth quarter are excellent. So, while Murray does not fit the DraftKings scoring model, he is a cheap player with a stable floor for Week 15. If getting a sub 5K running back is key to your lineup construction, Murray can be an asset.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Brandin Cooks, Patriots at Steelers, 7,100
Cooks had a tough game last week and while he gives you big play upside any time he’s on the field, I am a little hesitant to spend this much to roster him this week. I like getting Cooks in my lineup when the matchup is right. He’s always on the field—playing 100 percent of the offensive snaps in seven games this season and never falling below 90 percent in any game. That’s impressive and it shows how important he is whether he’s targeted or not. Cooks is a chess piece. His speed makes the defense do some predictable things which helps Tom Brady pre snap. Still, with Gronk returning and with Hogan nearing full health, Cooks will have to share more. Now consider that with Ryan Shazier out, the Patriots will probably attack the Steelers at their core rather than take a lot of deep shots against their athletic corners. So, while Cooks is always viable, I am looking at less expensive options this week on DraftKings. In seasonal leagues, Cooks is too good to sit. I’m rolling with him in my playoff games and hoping for the best.
Dez Bryant, Cowboys at Raiders, 6,500
He’s been efficient in two reasonably tough matchups over the last two weeks. The Giants game was more about weather but it was an ugly game. Dez also got it done against Washington and Josh Norman in Week 13. He’s scored the last two games and it’s fair to think that he will see the ball this week against a mediocre Raiders secondary. Dez should win any one on one matchups and Dallas should be able to run effectively to set up some shots downfield. He’s not priced as an elite option, but we know he has elite potential at any time. This could easily be one of those times. I’m looking to have about 30 percent exposure to Dez in my lineups this week.
Josh Gordon https://www.patriotsnefans.com/brandon-bolden-jersey-c-81.html, Browns vs. Ravens, 6,800
It’s a nice price. I understand that Gordon’s a risky guy but not on a weekly basis. The Ravens are without Jimmy Smith and they have been giving up plays. Meanwhile, Gordon’s been making them. He’s got enough detractors where he won’t be hugely owned if that matters to you. His talent is obviously still there and he’s had significant practice time now. He should be able to start producing for 60 minutes rather than just posting big first halves.
Stefon Diggs, Vikings vs. Bengals, 5,800
Hear me out now. I know I’ve worn out my welcome with Diggs recommendations, but there are a few reasons to consider him here. First off, Kyle Rudolph’s run of touchdowns have cost Diggs, but that’s a non issue this week with Rudolph out. Here’s the big reason. With Vontaze Burfict out, the Vikings will run the ball well in this game. That’s going to set up the play action game and some deeper routes for a change. That’s where Diggs can really make some hay. Adam Thielen is also viable, for sure, but he’s checking at 7,600, and that’s a serious differential. In tournament play, I’m willing to take the chance with a guy like Diggs, who is capable of posting eye popping numbers.
TIGHT ENDS
Rob Gronkowski, Patriots at Steelers, 7,300
This is a case of strength versus Strength. Gronk is the best tight end on the planet and the Steelers have defended tight ends as well as anybody in the league if you go by the raw numbers. The Steelers have yielded only two scores to tight ends this season and a paltry 534 total yards to the position. The thing is, historically, Gronk has killed the Steelers to the tune of 496 yards and eight scores over just five games. Something’s got to give here, and my money is on Gronk. He’s well rested and his team has enjoyed great success in this matchup over the years. The Steelers also have some issues on defense with no Ryan Shazier—a sad reality for sure, but his speed was a big reason they’ve handled tight ends in dominant fashion. Forget the numbers here. I’m getting plenty of Gronk in my Week 15 lineups.
Jimmy Graham, Seahawks vs. Rams, 4,900
People will be running away from him after a down game and some missed practices this week. That’s a potential opportunity for us. Graham is the Seahawk’s primary red zone weapon and it’s not close. He’s scored nine touchdowns since Week 5 including last week’s bagel. The Rams have been somewhat stingy with yardage when it comes to tight ends, but they have given up seven touchdowns. Seattle gives you a lot to deal with near the goal line. Their receivers are all savvy and Russell Wilson is a serious threat as a runner. This makes double teaming Graham very tough to do. He should get multiple red zone targets this week.
Hunter Henry, Chargers at Chiefs, 4,800
He continues to be a bargain and I have a lot of confidence in him despite the tough matchup by the numbers. He has had a sore knee in recent weeks and that’s cost him some snaps, but this is a huge game and along with Keenan Allen also a solid DraftKings play this week , Henry is one of the cogs that is consistently working. He has a great chance to make big plays this week. I will have roughly 20 percent exposure in my lineups.
Vernon Davis, Washington vs. Arizona, 3,900
Davis is a sleeper this week, but if you think about it, he could be a good play—assuming you want to go cheap at tight end. My preference is usually to roster a stud like Gronk or Kelce. The Cardinals are not a great matchup for tight ends, but they are not a shut down unit either. What I like here is the predictable targets. Yes https://www.patriotsnefans.com/cyrus-jones-jersey-c-79.html, Davis has gone dark in recent weeks, but he did score last week against a tough Chargers defense. I’m not going to use Davis as a keystone player, but he can help me complete some lineups and he gives me a chance at a good day. He’s playing about 90 percent of the snaps and is at home for a change. Washington has had long road trips on four out of the last six weeks—including two Thursday games. Some extra rest and home cooking should help the 33 year old Davis. He’s the only tight end I really like at this price point. Use as needed.
