Here are my DraftKings value plays for Week 12. They are listed in descending price order, not a ranking of who to play out of each group. YOU ultimately make the decision on these players and whether to put them in your lineup. These are not necessarily must plays (some are in my opinion) but players you can squeeze for extra value to save money on the rest of your roster. Be sure to check out the Fantasy Knuckleheads Podcast that airs live every Tuesday at 10pm (Value plays) and Thursday at 10pm (Lineups).
Quarterback
Matt Stafford - $6900:
On paper, this looks like a miserable matchup, especially considering Megatron might be stranded on Revis Island most of the day. Though the Patriots have been dominant over the last three weeks, they have still allowed solid quarterback days in each of those games. Cutler threw for three touchdowns, Peyton had 448 yards and two scores and Luck had 300+ yards with two scores. Risky pick, but worth some tournament exposure at the very least.
Matt Ryan - $6300:
With the return of Josh Gordon, I expect points aplenty in this one. If the Falcons want to keep up, Ryan will need to return to the level we expect him to.
Andy Dalton - $6300:
I’m putting Dalton on here solely because of A.J. Green. Two weeks ago, Green did not look quite right (in my opinion) and Dalton had a horrific game. Ten days later, Green looked like the monster he has been in years past and Dalton had a wonderful day. See the difference? Dalton has shown he is capable of putting up QB1 numbers with Green on the field and healthy over the last few seasons. Tough matchup, but Green should help open up the offense.
Brian Hoyer - $5900:
The first game Hoyer and Gordon played together last season, Hoyer targeted Gordon 19 times for 10 catches 146 yards and a score. The Falcons can’t cover a baby in a blanket let alone one of the best wide receivers in the game. Hoyer will benefit at bare minimum QB pricing.
Kyle Orton - $5600:
The last time Orton faced the Jets, he had his best day as the Bills’ starting QB with four touchdowns. It would have been five if Sammy Watkins didn’t try to showboat his way into the endzone…
Ryan Mallett - $5400
Mallett’s arm opens up this offense in a way Fitzpatrick just could not do. Will there be mistakes? I wouldn’t doubt it. But will he connect on some massive plays? Absolutely. A stack with one (or both) of his wideouts in a tourney makes for an interesting play with a lot of money left over for other spots…
Running Back
Denard Robinson - $5600:
Since becoming the starter in Jacksonville, no one has been able to contain Denard. There are very few running backs who have been as consistent as Denard has been in his last four games.
Trent Richardson - $4900:
Don’t you dare play him in a 50/50, but has tourney upside. He could rush for zero yards on seven carries, or he could get 25+ touches with 2 scores. It’s still Trent Richardson though so even with the touches, I don’t expect big yardage. Play at your own risk, but the opportunity is there for him.
Darren Sproles - $4500:
Tourney play only. Eagles are heavily favored so I’m predicting an early explosion for a big touchdown. 50/50 chance of booming or busting.
Tre Mason - $4200:
Though Denver has been surprisingly good against running backs this season, Tre Mason had his first 100 yard rushing performance of the season. His upside is capped because Cunningham has been vulturing TDs, but a safe 50/50 play considering his volume.
Isaiah Crowell/Terrence West - $3800/$3400:
With Ben Tate out of the mix, whoever starts here is a must play against a horrid Falcons run defense. Make sure you have enough money for both because we might not know who is starting until right before kickoff again, but whoever does is in for a big day. If you want to make a gutsy tourney play, you can play both of them as they’ll both get opportunities.
Wide Receiver
Josh Gordon - $6300
He’s baaaaaaaaaaaack. He might be a bit rusty but do you really think they’re not going to involve him as much as possible?
Sammy Watkins - $5600
Had a huge day against the Jets last time they faced off and it would’ve been bigger had he not showboated on his 85 yard reception that could’ve been an 89 yard touchdown. Though the Jets looked great against the Steelers two weeks ago, they are still prone to giving up huge plays and Watkins should be good for at least one of those.
Reggie Wayne - $5400
Since missing the one game with an elbow injury, Wayne has been solid, posting 14+ points in his last two games. With the added attention on T.Y. Hilton in recent weeks, Luck has looked to his dependable PPR monster to help move the chains. Safe play this week.
DeAndre Hopkins/Andre Johnson - $5300/$5200
Both Hopkins and Johnson have seen their weekly floors rise with Mallett under center because of his arm strength. Hopkins has higher upside, but Johnson could have better reception/yardage numbers.
Jarvis Landry - $4400
Landry has 5+ catches in his last three games and has a touchdown in two of those. In a high scoring affair against the Broncos, he could have a big, big game.
Kenny Stills - $4200
It remains to be seen how the targets will be redistributed with Cooks on IR, but Stills is likely going to take the deep routes Brees was targeting Cooks with. Huge upside for a low price.
Charles Johnson - $3500
Johnson got his chance with Jennings and Wright leaving the game due to injury and produced great numbers, securing six of his seven targets for 87 yards. Johnson is a physical specimen that has the talent to produce at a high level in the NFL and could continue to establish rapport with Teddy B. I can’t recommend him as a 50/50 until I see him produce like this for a second straight week, but the upside is appealing in a tournament.
Tight End
Martellus Bennett - $4000
This is the lowest price we’ve seen Bennett at since Week 1. Bennett has struggled, but he gets the Bucs this week and they are miserable on defense. If he can haul in 5+ catches, he’ll easily reach value of 12+ points this week.
Larry Donnell - $3900
Donnell has not strung together two consecutive weeks of double-digit production since the first two weeks of the season. Considering he had his touchdown last week, this wisdom would lead you to believe that he’s due for a dud; however, he gets the Cowboys who are miserable against the tight end and gave up seven catches for 90 yards against Donnell in Round 1. It’s a divisional game, Eli will take advantage of the mismatch.