Three And OutThree DFS players I'm investing heavily in this week. ... And one I'm not.
By Bob Harris
I'm In
David Johnson, RB, Arizona Opportunity knocks and I'm going to answer. ... While Chris Johnson has been making hay as the Cardinals top running back, he had been slowing down and looking less explosive in recent weeks. Now, with a broken tibia sidelining CK2K through the rest of the regular season, we'll get to see Arizona's more explosive threat. No. ... Not Andre Ellington. It's David Johnson, the rookie who has all the explosiveness his older teammate demonstrated earlier this year and then some -- even though at 224 pounds he's about 20 pounds heavier than Chris Johnson. In addition, David Johnson is a much better receiver than Chris Johnson. Better still, he's going up against a St. Louis defense that ranks 28th in the NFL against the run over the last four games. Not enough for you? How about the fact that Johnson has seven offensive touchdowns on 54 touches to date (yes, he scored an eighth TD on a kickoff return)? Still not with me? Well, let me seal the deal; Johnson is just $5,900 on FanDuel and $3,400 on DraftKings. You are welcome.
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Don't look now, but the 49ers aren't very good on the road. In fact, they're 0-5 when outside the friendly confines of Levi's Stadium. More important, as ESPN.com pointed out, the 49ers are giving up more than 22 fantasy points a game to opposing QBs when they are on the road. In addition, the 49ers 3-4 defense should allow Cutler to able to go play-action and throw to the outside and also deep against a secondary that is 28th defending the pass. Alshon Jeffery is not on the injury report for the first time all year while Matt Forte, Jeremy Langford, Martellus Bennett and Zach Miller are all capable weapons at Cutler's disposal. Although Cutler's scoring has been down a bit the last two weeks, he scored more than 20 points in six of eight previous games. And that two week downturn might explain why he's so damn cheap this week. That would be $7,000 on FanDuel and $5,100 on DraftKings. We call that a bargain at my house.
Scott Chandler, TE, New England Chandler was expected to have a big role in the Patriots’ offense this season, but he’s accounted for just 19 receptions for 198 yards with three touchdowns in 11 games. He dropped his first target Sunday night in the Patriots’ 30-24 loss to the Denver Broncos but then rebounded for his best game of the season, catching five passes for 58 yards and a score, including two catches for 32 yards after Rob Gronkowski went down with a right knee injury. Now, with Gronk in line to sit this week out, Chandler will be the team's primary tight end going up against an Eagles defense that's given up 90 points over the last two weeks. Oh yeah, and the price is right. $5,300 on FanDuel and $2,500 on DraftKings. Yes please!
I'm Out
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans New Orleans is coming off its first game without scoring a touchdown in the Sean Payton/Brees era and that offense is still potent, ranked No. 3 in the league. So a rebound is in order at home this week, right? Well. ... As tough as Houston's defense was last week, the Saints might be facing an even bigger challenge from a Panthers team that ranks second in the league in total defense (312.5) and also is third in points allowed (18.6). And as ESPN.com pointed out, Carolina has held six of its past seven opponents below 225 yards passing. So, with Carolina CB Josh Norman and his cohorts leading the NFL with 18 interceptions, I'm not going to be paying the steep price -- $7,700 on FanDuel and $6,900 on DraftKings to find out if Brees turn things around.
A few others I have in multiple lineups this week: Tampa Bay RB Doug Martin (Adrian Peterson told me last week that Atlanta isn't as good against the run as we all thought they were), New York Giants WR Odell Beckham (there will be no Darrelle Revis again this week), Jacksonville WR Allen Robinson (Allen Hurns is out this week and A-Rob lit up the Titans in Week 11), Tennessee TE Delanie Walker (who lights up the world on a weekly basis and was especially impressive against the Jaguars in Week 11), Kansas City TE Travis Kelce (going up against an Oakland defense that apparently doesn't realize opposing tight ends exist), Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton who goes up against a Cleveland defense that let Matt Schaub throw two touchdowns and will be without cornerbacks Joe Haden or Justin Gilbert in the lineup this weekend).