Week 17: Three And OutThree DFS players I'm investing heavily in this week. ... And one I'm not.
By Bob Harris
I'm In
Matt Ryan, QB, Julio Jones, WR, Washington
This just in: The Saints can't stop anybody. Anybody. At all... So far this season they've allowed 27 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers, and a mind-numbing 43 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. Basically, New Orleans has been picked apart in 2015 by quarterbacks. Jones, who leads the league with 1,722 receiving yards on 127 receptions, has an outside chance of the NFL all-time mark in both categories. He is 243 receiving yards shy of surpassing Calvin Johnson's single-season record of 1,964 yards, set in 2012. And Jones is 17 catches away from surpassing Marvin Harrison's single-season receptions record of 143, established in 2002. Remember: Jones ($8,500 on DraftKings, $9,300 on FanDuel) has had a career-high 259 receiving yards (11 catches) in a 43-37 loss to Green Bay last season, so he's reached 200-plus before. And his career single-game high for catches is 13, set in a 24-20 win over the New York Giants back in Week 2. With Ryan ($5,500 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel) getting a bit of confidence back after a 70-yard touchdown to Jones in Week 16, look for the duo to be dynamic as all get out. Heck,
Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants
In the first 12 games this season, Jennings ($3,700 on DraftKings, $5,800 on FanDuel) totaled 431 yards, a 35.9 per-game average, and his highest single-game total was 63 yards at Philadelphia. But he’s cranking it up at the end of the season. In the last three games, Jennings has rushed for 81, 107 and 74 yards, a total of 262, and an 87.3-yard average per game. And what about that Eagles defense? According to ESPN.com, Philadelphia has given up 859 rushing yards (5.2 yards per carry) and five rushing touchdowns in the past six games.
Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia
Ertz ($3,600 on DraftKings, $5,700 on FanDuel) had a big game last week, drawing 17 targets, which he turned into 13 catches for 122 yards. But it goes beyond that. Ertz has been targeted 37 times over the last three games and has converted those targets into 26 catches. As ESPN.com notes, Jordan Reed and Delanie Walker are the only TEs as productive as Ertz over that three-game span. This week, Ertz goes up against a Giants defense that has struggled vs. opposing tight ends. In fact, only the Saints have yielded more to that position this season.
I'm Out
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
According to ESPN.com's James Walker, fantasy owners will want to be wary of Miller ($6,200 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel), who has run out of gas down the stretch and is averaging just 1.8 yards per carry in his past two games. The offensive line also is hurting with the foot injury to Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, and Miller is struggling to find open running lanes. Interim head coach Dan Campbell reiterated this week that he likes the way rookie tailback Jay Ajayi is running. Ajayi's physical style has led to fewer opportunities for Miller. And that should be more than sufficient to avoid Miller and his not all that reasonable price tag
A few others I'll be rolling with this week: I’d be more than willing to throw Eli Manning, Odell Beckham into lineups this week, much like I’d be willing to see what Matthew Stafford can do to the Bears. Golden Tate would be joining Stafford if that’s the case. I’ll also be including Brian Hoyer and DeAndre Hopkins, going up against a generous Jacksonville secondary, in a lineup or two. DeAngelo Williams vs. the Browns is rather appealing as well. Frank Gore should be quite busy as well.