Here are my selections for the optimal line-up in Fanduel for week 11. Note this line-up leaves $200 on the table which gives some wiggle-room if you feel obligated to swap any players out. Good luck and get that ca$h!
QB - Aaron Rodgers, GB ($10,100): I usually like to look for bargain QB's with great match-ups, but this week I'm siding with an elite QB in a game that has potential for a lot of touchdowns. Rodgers is at home against a Philadelphia defense that has already given up 19 touchdowns through the air this year; ranking 3rd worst in the league in that category. A nice bonus is that Chip Kelly loves to play hurry up all game which should give Green Bay some extra possessions on offense than they would against other teams.
RB - Mark Ingram, NO ($8,000): With Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson both sidelined again this week Ingram is up for another high volume day against the second worst rushing defense in the league. This has the set up for a perfect running back play at a decent price.
RB - Shane Vereen, NE ($6,500): The Patriots/Colts game is one that I see has potential for a lot of scoring. Besides the fact that Vereen is great at racking up points in PPR, the Colts usually do a good job at shutting down opposing wide receivers so I see Vereen getting some red zone receiving TD opportunities in this game.
WR - Kelvin Benjamin, CAR ($6,600): Benjamin was the recipient of some great garbage time fantasy points last week after being shut out for the majority of the game. I see Carolina trying to save some face by blowing out an Atlanta team that is near the bottom of the barrel for defending against the pass.
WR - Pierre Garcon, WAS ($6,500): Garcon has been very mediocre this season compared to the numbers he put up last year. With RG3 back in the lineup I expect him to start producing again and it only makes sense for that to start happening against a Tampa Bay defense giving up tons of points to opposing wide receivers. This is a bargain play with a great match-up.
WR - Jordan Matthews, PHI ($5,500): In my opinion for Fanduel tournaments it's always a good idea to combo your quarterback with an opposing teams wide receiver to hope for a high scoring game. Matthews looked to be the favorite receiver of Mark Sanchez so this should be a very cheap play with tons of upside.
TE - Julius Thomas, DEN ($7,500): When it comes to TEs I feel like you always need to play one of the big three (Gronk, Graham or Thomas). I'm playing Thomas this week solely because the other two names are just out of my salary restriction.
K - Blair Walsh, MIN ($4,500): Love this kicker play this week. Chicago is giving up the most points to opposing kickers due to their terrible defense, combine this with a Minnesota offense that isn't spectacular should mean a lot of field goal attempts for Walsh at the cheapest kicker price!
DEF - Chicago Bears ($4,600): I know I just mentioned the Bears have a terrible defense, but Minnesota ranks 29th in the league at giving up sacks which is why I like this bargain play. Always a good chance for a pick 6 when your QB is getting pressured too!
Welcome gamblers to another section geared towards winning the big $$$ on Fanduel. Taking a different approach this week by going with two high priced running backs vs. looking for the bargain backs with high volume potential. This may hurt my wide receiver selections, but I couldn't pass up on the running back matchups. Good luck to you all!
QB – Drew Brees, NO ($9,400): Brees should be up for a huge performance at home this week going up against a Carolina defense that averages 2 touchdowns allowed through the air per game. Expect Brees to top that average in what looks to be a high scoring affair.
RB – Arian Foster, HOU ($8,700): Foster is healthy coming into this dream matchup so I can't pass up on this one. Jacksonville gives up 129.4 rushing yards per game and at least 1 touchdown per game. Foster should hit those numbers on the ground and add to them since he is involved in the passing game as well.
RB – Eddie Lacy, GB ($8,500): Taking another high ticket RB this week since Lacy has a great matchup against a Falcons defense giving up 118.3 yards per game on the ground. As we start getting into more cold weather games expect the Packers to lean more on the ground game vs. their norm of airing the ball out.
WR – Kenny Stills, NO ($6,400): Great price for someone who has stepped up to be the number 1 receiving option for the Saints. I love pairing my quarterback with one of their receiving options for Fanduel tournaments as well.
WR – Robert Woods, BUF ($5,900): Should be a decent play for the price as Buffalo will inevitably need to be throwing for touchdowns to keep up or catch up to the Broncos. Throw in Orton returning to Denver where he had success and Sammy Watkins being banged up adds some more incentive.
WR – James Jones, OAK ($5,400): Breaking a rule of never playing anyone from Oakland, but going high on other positions this week makes the receiver selections limited. Strictly went off of who has been averaging the most fantasy points in this price range for this selection.
TE – Antonio Gates, SD ($5,600): New England has been shutting down opposing teams outside receivers but tight ends and slot receivers have had success. This game has potential for high scoring and if it does expect Gates to be involved in that.
K – Phil Dawson, SF ($4,800): Looked to be the best priced kicker not playing in a cold weather location. Oakland also gives up the 5th most fantasy points to opposing kickers.
DEF – Houston Texans ($5,300): I love playing any defense against the Jaguars and especially love playing an elite fantasy defense against them. Good chance for some touchdowns coming here.
Now that the yearly fantasy drafts are wrapped up it’s time for the degenerate gamblers in us all to turn our attention to our daily fantasy picks for week 1. I believe the early weeks in the season provide a perfect opportunity to pad your account with some easy money. Whether it’s Fanduel, or any other daily fantasy site, they are limited in the way they increase salaries for certain players without current year statistics backing it up. Good for you and me because we can grab some obvious value players in the early weeks before their salaries start to level off with their production. In my week 1 lineup I have a handful of such players.
Sam Bradford, PHI - $7,500 at ATL
I almost always try to find the best value pick at quarterback on Fanduel. Passing touchdowns are only worth 4 points as opposed to 6 points for rushing and receiving so I like to save cap space at quarterback when I can. There is plenty to like about Sam Bradford in week 1. He has had a productive preseason and his talents fit very well in Chip Kelly’s offense. The Atlanta defense gave up the most passing yards last season. Philadelphia was second worst in passing defense last season so this game is shaping up to be a shootout. Lastly Sam Bradford’s injury concerns have very little merit in daily fantasy, unless he goes down early on Sunday (knock on wood).
Jeremy Hill, CIN - $8,600 at OAK
Jeremy Hill made his debut last season in week 9 and Giovani Bernard never stood a chance. Hill is the Bengals feature running back and received all the goal line work in the dress rehearsal game. This is a plus for week 1 as Oakland gave up 17 rushing touchdowns last season. He is toward the top of the cap for RB’s this week but this is prime example of why saving money on QB pays off.
Christopher Ivory, NYJ - $6,400 vs. CLE
Chris Ivory has risen to the top of the depth chart for the Jets to start the season. He is a beast with the rock and will likely see plenty of opportunity as Ryan Fitzpatrick was forced into the starting role. The Jets have a fantastic matchup this week against the Browns who ranked dead last in run defense last season. His hit against the cap is minimal for the amount of work we can expect to see and the favorable matchup.
Julio Jones, ATL - $9,000 vs. PHI
Very rarely will I recommend spending top dollar on any player. This week I am making that rare exception when it comes to Julio Jones. The Falcons/Eagles game has the highest projected point’s total (55) of any other game in Week 1. Atlanta prefers to get work done through the air and the matchup is perfect against the Eagles pass defense that finished 2nd to last in 2014. Spend the cap space and gain yourself a clear cut elite WR1.
Jarvis Landry, MIA - $6,900 at WAS
Landry happens to be one of my favorite WR2’s heading into the season. He is entering into his second season as the clear #1 in Miami. Tannehill looks Landry’s way early and often making him a PPR favorite week in and week out. Week 1 in particular is a favorable matchup as the Redskins gave up the most passing touchdowns (35) last season.
Davante Adams, GB - $5,500 at CHI
We haven’t been able to see much Adams this preseason. The packers were devastated by the loss of Nelson and Cobb had an injury scare too so Green Bay saw fit to protect their receivers. That being said I like his value this week. He is the #2 wide receiver on a high powered passing offense with one of the best quarterbacks throwing to him. His value is increased this week more than some based on the favorable matchup against the Bears. The Bears defense was bad last season and with coaching changes and scheme changes I don’t see the improvement necessary to prevent the Packers from embarrassing them once again.
Martellus Bennett, CHI - $6,200 vs. GB
Bennett is the small shining light at the end of the long dark tunnel that is the Chicago Bears fantasy value this season. Bennett’s athleticism makes him a good option at TE but week 1 in particular has advantages. The Bears have injury concerns at wide receiver and Bennett’s role was increased in game 3 of the preseason. He is a favorable target in the end zone for Jay Cutler. Finally, he historically plays his best ball in September. Last season his September stat line was 29 rec. 295 yards and 4 TD’s; in 2013 he was 20/225/3. If there was any time to bet on Bennett it is week 1.
Cody Parkey, PHI - $5,000 at ATL
I follow two basic rules when finding value for a kicker in daily fantasy leagues. I look at the odds boards to see what games have high point’s projections and I particularly look for favorable games that are in domes. Cody Parkey is a fantastic find for week 1 that exceeds expectations for both of my criteria. No matter what other advice you may listen to or ignore this is the piece of advice you will want to take.
Miami Dolphins DST - $4,700 at WAS
People might forget that for about half the season last year Miami was a pretty stout defense. Injuries and overall lack of depth failed them at the end of the season, but they have bolstered that defense this off season. I can tell you in two words why I like this match up. Kirk. Cousins. If that isn’t enough then I will also site the fact that Washington has had a world of distractions and “miscommunication” involving RGIII leading up the start of this season. The Redskins are a mess. Miami defense is strong.