Week 16: Three And OutThree DFS players I'm investing heavily in this week. ... And one I'm not.
By Bob Harris
I'm In
Kirk Cousins, QB, DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington
Looking for a stack? Jackson ($5,000 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel), who was released from the Eagles back in 2014 under some less than agreeable circumstances, has helped transform this Washington offense in recent weeks. Jackson's ability to take the top off opposing defenses has been a godsend for Cousins ($5,500 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel). In fact, since Jackson's return from a hamstring injury back in Week 9, Cousins has been 152 of 214 (71 percent) for 1,888 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, D-Jax now has seven catches of 25 yards or longer in the last five games. He has scored touchdowns of 56 yards, 63 yards, 28 yards and 77 yards and might be facing his most advantageous defensive situation yet. Not only is the mercurial wideout going up against the team that let him get away (and don't underestimate just how big a slight Jackson perceives that to be), this is a killer matchup against an Eagles defense that has ranked 30th against the pass over their last four games. Worth noting: In two games against the Eagles since his departure, Jackson has caught a combined nine passes for 243 yards and a touchdown.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh
Roethlisberger ($6,800 on DraftKings, $8,900 on FanDuel) tied his single-game record with 40 completions against Denver -- the league's stingiest pass defense heading into that game. The last time he played Baltimore in 2014, he threw for 340 yards. Oh yeah. And six touchdowns. Of course, he won't be at home this time. I might be reaching a bit, but I don't think that will matter. In Big Ben's 10 starts, they have average a league-best 338 passing yards per game while Baltimore has given up an average of 277 passing yards and 2.4 passing touchdowns a game at home this season. Overall, Baltimore has allowed 28 touchdown passes with a league-low four interceptions. Roethlisberger has thrown for 300-plus yards in five of his last six games with 13 touchdown passes in that span and the Steelers have scored 30 or more points in those games. And what if the Ravens somehow manage to shut down one of Pittsburgh's receiving threats? Between Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller and DeAngelo Williams, you'll be hard-pressed to find a QB better equipped in terms of targets -- or in their ability to use them.
Julius Thomas, TE, Jacksonville
Thomas tied his season high with nine catches for 74 yards last Sunday and was certainly a factor in the offense in areas other than the red zone. The Jaguars used him in the middle of the field and Blake Bortles was able to connect with him for several first downs. Overall, Thomas has at least five targets in nine straight games and has scored a touchdown in four of the team's last five contests. Meanwhile, as ESPN.com notes, the Saints have allowed the third-most catches, the most receiving yards, the second-most receiving scores and the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. I'm no math major, but I'm pretty sure this all adds up to something good. Throw in Thomas' price tag ($5,100 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel), and all the numbers work for me.
I'm Out
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
So. ... Manning ($5,600 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel) is traveling to Minnesota to go up against a Vikings defense that hasn't given up 300 passing yards in a home game this season. While I'm quite sure Eli is up to the challenge, I'm not as sure about his receiving corps, which -- in case you somehow missed it -- will be without Odell Beckham Jr., who will be serving a one-game suspension for his antics in last week's loss to the Panthers. But wait, there's more. ... Beckham's absence forces Rueben Randle into the No. 1 role. I'll remind you that Randle has struggled to get open as the No. 2 this year. But that's not all. ... The Giants could potentially be down two key receivers this week, as Dwayne Harris is currently nursing a sore shoulder. How sore? Sore enough that he was sporting a sling on Wednesday. If Harris joins Beckham on the sidelines, Hakeem Nicks, who was added to the roster five weeks ago, and Myles White move up in the rotation. All of which means tight end Will Tye could be Manning's most reliable target in this one.
A few others I'll be rolling with this week: Chiefs RB Charcandrick West going up against Cleveland's defense is mighty appealing (even with Spencer Ware on board); I could also play the hell out of Jags QB Blake Bortles (see Julius Thomas above); Miami WR Jarvis Landry vs. Colts CB Darius Butler should lead to a busy day for Landry; Cardinals RB David Johnson (pay up kids, he’s worth it).