By Justin Sablich (@JustinSablich)
Welcome to Week 14 of the FanDuel season. Below are the players I particularly like this week, as well as a few lineup possibilities (play them at your own risk).
In case you’re curious, my recommended cash lineup from last week performed well enough (121.96) to win in most 50/50 contests and also won me a whole 10 dollars in the $1.4M NFL FanDuel Sunday Million ($7 entry), so look out world! My tournament lineup, however, was a bust. Let’s try again, shall we?
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Quarterback
Alex Smith ($8,200) — Vegas currently has the Raiders-Chiefs rematch as the highest scoring matchup this weekend (48.5). Before Smith’s unreal Week 13 performance, his last fantasy outing of note came against the Raiders in Week 7 (25.68 points). His ownership will probably be on the higher side, so I like him as more of a safe cash game play, but his crazy ceiling keeps him in the GPP conversation.
Dak Prescott ($7,700) — His bruised hand shouldn’t be a problem, the way the week has gone at practice. As he struggled throughout November, he is likely to be off most players’ radar this week, but has a dream matchup with the Giants, whose defensive roster currently has names that seem made up (Ray-Ray Armstrong, are you real??!!). Look for Dez Bryant, who won’t be dealing with the injured Janoris Jenkins, to be a key contributor as well.
Value Picks: Andy Dalton ($7,300); Jimmy Garoppolo ($7,000)
Running Back
LeSean McCoy ($9,000) — Not an easy cost to swallow, but he’s likely to be worth it this week against the Colts, who have allowed 12 touchdowns to opposing backs in 12 games. McCoy has at least 24 points in three of the last seven. If you can afford it, try to squeeze him into your GPP lineups.
Lamar Miller ($6,600) — Miller gets the 49ers, who allow the fifth most standard fantasy points to the running back position. He’s a steal at this price, as his high-usage should allow him to easily outplay his salary. I like him as a cash-gamer and as a GPP play.
Value Picks: Giovani Bernard ($5,100), Matt Forte ($5,700)
Wide Receiver
Michael Crabtree ($7,100) — Amari Cooper will be sidelined once again, making Crabtree the No. 1 target for quarterback Derek Carr in this potential shootout. Marcus Peters, who shadowed Crabtree in Week 7, is suspended for this game as well.
Demaryius Thomas ($6,300) — It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Thomas, mostly due to Denver’s horrid quarterback play. He was able to haul in just 7 of his 18 targets in the last two games. He’ll be barely owned this week and is super cheap, and could bounce back in an excellent matchup with the Jets’ Buster Skrine, whose coverage ranking is 90th out of 117, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
Value Picks: Marquise Goodwin ($5,700); Dede Westbrook ($5,200)
Tight End
Travis Kelce ($8,000) — He was somewhat disappointing against the Raiders last time and still hit paydirt. The Raiders allow the 8th most fantasy points to the position. He’s expensive and worth it this week.
Value Pick: Cameron Brate ($5,400)
Tournament Lineup
Cash Game Lineup
