Thanksgiving Week in the NFL is always a long weekend full of great football. Even after 11 games on Sunday’s main course, there’s still room for dessert on Monday as the Broncos welcome in the Browns for Monday Night Football. It’s an interesting matchup for multiple reasons, and it also is featured in some great single-game contests on DraftKings, including the NFL Showdown $1.25M Monday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (CLE @ DEN). In those contests, there are a few strong plays at the top of the salary structure, but I prefer paying down just a little bit to leave more salary in FLEX spots. Two receivers stand out at that level–Devaughn Vele ($9,600 as Captain’s Pick) and Elijah Moore ($11,700 as Captain’s Pick), who is especially strong since Cedric Tillman (concussion) was ruled out.
Let’s take a look at why I think those two receivers are strong places to start your roster this Monday:
Elijah Moore as Captain’s Pick
Even though they haven’t played since last Thursday, the Browns won’t have Cedric Tillman, who has stepped up as the team’s top outside option after the departure of Amari Cooper (via trade). Without Tillman, Moore could get even more work, especially if the Dever defense focuses on shutting down former-Bronco Jerry Jeudy ($9,000 in FLEX). Star cornerback Patrick Surtain will likely shadow Jeudy, leaving Moore as a go-to option for Jameis Winston ($9,600).
Winston and Moore have had a strong connection since Jameis took over as starting QB. In Winston’s four tarts, Moore has averaged 8.5 targets per game and has caught 5.0 passes for 50.0 yards per game. He had a touchdown against the Saints on his way to a season-high 18.6 fantasy points in Week 11. Last week even in the snow, he caught 3-of-5 targets for 21 yards.
His target volume and reliability make him a solid option at this salary, and he leaves plenty of flexibility with an average of over $7,500 per spot in your five FLEX spots.
Devaughn Vele as Captain’s Pick
Another receiver who has been consistently involved over the last few weeks but comes with a very affordable price tag in this contest is Broncos’ rookie Devaughn Vele.
Vele was a seventh-round pick from Utah that has earned his way up the depth chart in Denver this season, rising to the point where he has become the team’s No. 2 option behind just Courtland Sutton ($10,200).
Like Moore, Vele does a lot of work out of the slot, but the two are quite a contrast in size. While Moore is listed at five-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Vele checks in at six-foot-five and 210. Vele has proven he can be a big red-zone target and is usually easy to find since he stands a head taller than the rest of the receivers.
He’s been a regularly recurring character in my sleeper wide receivers all season as he has developed a strong connection with fellow rookie Bo Nix ($10,000). Vele has totaled 14 catches in the last three weeks on 18 targets. He had his first touchdown of the year during that stretch, posting 13.9 fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 10. In his two games since then, he’s also posted double-digit fantasy points but without the help of a touchdown.
Vele is even cheaper than Moore to build around, leaving over $8,000 per FLEX spot if you use him as a Captain’s Pick.
Rounding out your roster
It makes sense to pair either receiver with his QB since it’s unlikely either will score without getting a pass from Nix or Winston.
If you choose to go with Moore-Winston, you can add in Nick Chubb ($9,400) to finish off the Browns stack or maybe even include Vele as a FLEX play. You can even include both QBs if you are ok going with bargain plays to round out your roster.
If you build around Vele-Nix, you can include Sutton and Javonte Williams ($6,800) to go with a huge Broncos stack, and you can even go with Broncos DST ($5,400) before adding in a Brown like Moore. If the Broncos dominate the game like they did against the Saitns a few weeks ago, that kind of stack could be perfect if Vele is as involved as he has been.
Since the game is at elevation, Wil Lutz ($5,200) and Dustin Hopkins ($5,000) get a bit of a boost since they have a better chance to make long kicks. Lutz has been very good this season and is coming off a huge game in Week 12, where he totaled 22 fantasy points by making five field goals and two extra points.
Audric Steime ($4,000) has touchdown-dependent upside in the Broncos’ backfield along with Marvin Mims Jr. ($2,800), who has been getting work out of the backfield as Coach Sean Payton schemes up ways to get the playmaker involved.
On the Browns’ side, value options include backup tight end Jordan Akins ($2,400), who is regularly involved and Jerome Ford ($4,400), who mixes in with Chubb in the backfield. With Tillman out, there could also be enough work for Jamari Thrash ($1,000) to get involved as a receiver. Thrash played 12 snaps last week in the snow but was did not get a target. He has just one catch for 11 yards but will be the team’s third WR on Monday.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
