‘Tis the season for Saturday NFL slates on DraftKings! In Week 15 we’ll see the Buffalo Bills at the Denver Broncos in the late afternoon game, followed by the Carolina Panthers at the Green Bay Packers in the evening. We’ve got a pretty loaded two-game slate all things considered, so let’s dive into the top targets, along with value to help you save some salary.
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Quarterback
Expensive
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers ($7,800) — Mr. Consistent did it again last week in a predictable matchup against the Lions, and now it’s just as strong of a spot, if not better against the Panthers. Rodgers has scored over 23 DKFP in every game since Week 7, and has only gone under that mark twice this season. Carolina ranks 26th in DKFP allowed to QBs, and has absolutely nobody to get in the way of the Rodgers-Adams duo. Josh Allen ($7,200) arguably has more upside with the closer point spread and the ability to run the ball, but Rodgers is the more sure thing.
Cheap
Drew Lock, Denver Broncos vs Buffalo Bills ($5,000) — I don’t want to get in the way of Buffalo’s offense at this stage, but the defense has proven to be nothing special. Lock has plenty of issues, but did toss four touchdown passes last week against the Panthers — just another reason to pay for Rodgers in that matchup if you can. There’s at least a path here for the Broncos to be trailing and Lock to put up numbers on a questionable defense.
Other Options: Teddy Bridgewater ($5,200)
Running Back
Expensive
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers ($7,300) — We probably want to pay up for two RBs if possible, because there’s not much below them. Jones is coming off his worst fantasy outing of the season, which was a smash spot against the Lions. That just leaves him at a cheaper price against a Carolina defense that ranks 28th in DKFP allowed to RBs. On the flip side, we can pair him with Mike Davis ($6,500), assuming you have the salary. Davis is coming off 26.3 DKFP against Denver, and Green Bay does rank just 27th in DKFP allowed to the position. Jones and Davis work well in the same lineup, with Davis racking up the points as a pass-catcher playing from behind, and Jones putting up a big game on the ground.
Cheap
Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos ($4,100) — If you have to go to the value plays at RB, we need to see how Denver’s backfield shakes out. Both backs are questionable, so if only one plays, you can grab that value against a very average Buffalo run defense. If that isn’t there, playing one of the two Buffalo backs is pretty much the only option. Moss has the touchdown upside, but I’ll take the cheaper play with pass-catching upside.
Other Options: Zack Moss ($4,500)
Wide Receiver
Expensive
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers ($9,400) — Adams is pretty much automatic at this point on Sunday main slates, so there’s no chance I’ll be fading him on a two-gamer. Adams has 14 touchdowns in his nine healthy games this season, and has a matchup against a below-average Carolina secondary — not that matchups mater for him. The dude averages double-digit targets and is almost always good for about 30 DKFP. He’s must-play.
Cheap
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills ($4,300) — With Adams and two pricey RBs I really want to play, I’m probably going to have three cheap WRs in my lineup. I’d love to roster Stefon Diggs ($7,900), but he may just be the odd man out. Patrick’s scored 10-plus DKFP in eight of his last 10 games, and has a solid matchup here, especially if the likely game script plays out. But all of the options below are in play, and we could need three of these guys. If Curtis Samuel does wind up ruled out, Cooper could be the value we need to open up this slate. He posted a 3-52-0 line last week, and would be in line to be the Panthers’ WR2.
Other Options: Cole Beasley ($4,700), Marquez Valdes-Scantling ($4,200), Gabriel Davis ($4,000), Pharoh Cooper ($3,000)
Tight End
Expensive
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers ($4,500) — More Packers to pay up for, but there really isn’t an option here. I’d love to find the salary for Tonyan, but it’s going to be tough to make it happen. The TE has a touchdown in four consecutive games, and nine on the season. The Panthers are 23rd in DKFP allowed to TE, leaving him in a soft spot.
Cheap
Ian Thomas, Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers ($2,500) — If we punt, I want to find a spot where the team is lacking in other options, and Carolina may be very limited when it comes to passing game targets. Thomas caught 3-of-4 targets for just 20 yards last week, but if more targets open up and we can get 5-10 DKFP here, it’s well worth it.
Other Options: Nick Vannett ($2,900), Dawson Knox ($2,800)
D/ST
Expensive
Buffalo Bills D/ST ($3,000) at Denver Broncos — Tough slate for D/ST. Normally, I’d advise paying down, but the two underdogs are very tough to trust. The Bills face the worst overall offense, and are $500 less than the Packers’ unit, so I’ll lean there. If salary doesn’t matter, I’ll play the Packers against the Panthers, but I’m assuming it will.
Cheap
Denver Broncos D/ST ($2,400) vs. Buffalo Bills — We can’
t play the Panthers against the Packers, so there’s no other option here. At least Denver is at home and has some decent pieces up front.
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