Four weeks left and we are done with the NFL regular season. There are just 7 weeks left of NFL DFS (and I don’t count the Pro Bowl/Super Bowl slate).
This is about the time we start to see teams, especially those out of playoff contention or those that have locked up all the playoff storylines they can possible lock up, start to use back up players to either evaluate talent, save usage or rest players for the playoffs.
Week 14 may not quite be that time, but we will certainly see things start to lean that way for the three remaining weeks.
Before we get into Week 14’s selections, let me just say that last week’s recommendations were absolutely horrendous. I think the process led me in the right direction, but for some many high-usage guys in prime spots to bust was not only frustrating, but also maybe a bit fluky.
As for Brett Hundley, his lack of production wasn’t fluky, he absolutely sucks. So he’s dead to me in fantasy.
There’s not a lot of pay up for on this slate outside of a few guys in some prime spots. There’s going to be a couple of uber chalky cash game locks and receiver is absolutely loaded.
Running back is a pretty ugly position this week, quarterback doesn’t look much better, but tight end offers some solid options.
So let’s get to the rankings this week…
Quarterback
- Jared Goff
- Carson Wentz
- Alex Smith
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Dak Prescott
- Matt Stafford (if healthy and slinging it, I’d bump him up)
Running Backs
- LeSean McCoy
- Todd Gurley
- Gio Bernard
- Lamar Miller
- Melvin Gordon
Wide Receiver
- Everyone from $4K and up, seriously, this position is that good this week.
Tight End
- Travis Kelce
- Jimmy Graham
- Hunter Henry
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins
- Evan Engram
Defense/Special Teams
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota Vikings
Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – San Francisco 49ers – $5,500
Analysis: Welcome to my cash game lineups, Jimmy G. Throwing for almost 300 yards in his first start and throwing the ball 37 times at that, just shows that Jimmy G has turned the keys of the ignition for the 49ers. Now he gets a cupcake test indoors at Houston, who are 2nd in the league in fantasy points allowed to QBs, 23 TDs overall, including 13 in their last 6. Jimmy G is on a team with a creative OC that runs a ton of plays and is a road dog, meaning more opportunities for G to air it out and continue to put this team on his back.
Gio Bernard – RB – Cincinnati Bengals – $3,100
Analysis: Welcome to the guy who will decide the fate of this week’s slate. Assuming Joe Mixon is ruled out, and he is on track to be out against Chicago, Bernard becomes the de facto workhorse back for the Bengals. He didn’t get the price increase due to the Bengals playing on Monday night. The Bears only allow 3.9 yards per carry, but this is a workhorse back, who can catch passes, as as a home favorite with lots of volume headed his way. It’s hard to ignore a potential free square in cash games. You can always make the case to fade in tournaments, but Bernard’s placement on your team frees up a lot of salary and you can pile up the top receivers and TEs.
Mike Davis – RB – Seattle Seahawks – $3,700
Analysis: I already liked this play before I started getting traction on Gio. Davis is in a prime spot as a Bernard pivot in tournaments. Seattle seems to be committing to Davis as the full-time back, giving him 16 carries and 4 catches last week against Philly. He turned that into 14 DK fantasy points. Davis was a stud at South Carolina, but has always battled the injury bug. Facing Jacksonville is no gimme since they acquired Marcell Dareus from Buffalo, but this is kind of a funnel spot for the Seahawks. Where the receivers should struggle, Jimmy Graham and Davis should benefit with easier, high-percentage targets. The Jags have allowed 65 catches and 5 TDs to pass-catching backs this season. But this is another volume back at a cheap price that will get looks in the passing game. IF he gets the workload and scores, he smashes value.
