Here are my DraftKings value plays for Week 14. 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).
Every time I write about Eli, I have to use this picture
Quarterback
Eli Manning - $6900:
The Titans have thrown in the the towel. Then again when Eli looks like he’s going to have a big day, he flops miserably. On paper, Eli should have the best QB day of the week. In reality, I’m not putting my faith or my money on Eli in a cash game.
Andy Dalton - $6000:
Like Eli, at this price with a healthy A.J. Green, this seems like a no brainer. However, Dalton has struggled more than usual this year and has had some of his worst games inside his own division in the past three years. This Steelers’ defense knows how to play Dalton and even if he somehow attains mild success, it is not worth the risk.
Kyle Orton - $5600:
Purely dependent on the health of Sammy Watkins, but if he’s healthy enough to suit up and play 80+ percent of the snaps, has sneaky upside. The Broncos will score points and Orton will have to throw to keep pace. Keep in mind that the Broncos’ defense is starting to hit stride and even if they run up the score, they could keep Orton and the Bills from doing anything.
Zach Mettenberger - $5600:
Of all these four quarterbacks, I think Mettenberger has the best chance to hit value. As the Titans have thrown in the towel, Mettenberger has been able to accumulate some pretty impressive junk time points of late and was on his way to another good day before he hurt his shoulder against the Texans. The Giants defense has been poor and riddled with injuries, leaving the door open for a good day for Mettenberger, even without Hunter in the lineup.
Running Back
Isaiah Crowell - $5000/Terrence West - $3800:
The matchup with the Bills last week would’ve been tough for any running back, let alone a team with Brian Hoyer under center. I would have liked this play more with Manziel at the helm, but Crowell has proven he can do a lot of damage when given the ball. He has been dealing with a hip injury, and if he is unable to go, I would slot West right in for him as both have proven to be able to do a lot of damage given guaranteed touches.
Andre Williams - $4400:
If Jennings is out, Williams is a must play at this price. As I mentioned earlier, the Titans have mailed it in already and have been even worse against the run than the pass excluding the six touchdown explosion from FitzMagic.
Latavius Murray - $3800:
Murray has been cleared to play thus cleared for takeoff. Murray has a fantastic skill set with hands, size, speed and a great burst as evidenced on just four carries against the Chiefs. Murray with 20+ touches should have no issue going for over 100+ yards with the potential for the endzone nearly every time he touches the ball.
Wide Receiver
Jarvis Landry - $5600:
Has become Tannehill’s favorite target, especially in PPR format. Though Tannehill struggled on Monday night against the Jets, he still found Landry eight times for 64 yards. The Ravens are one of the worst teams in the league against wide receivers without star cornerback Jimmy Smith out for the year and Ladarius Webb seemingly always hurt. After the day Keenan Allen had Sunday against this secondary, I see no reason why Landry cannot equal that production.
Charles Johnson - $4300:
Disappointed last week, but that was mainly due to the fact that the Vikings had no need to throw the ball. Prior to last week’s paltry four targets, Johnson averaged nine targets over the prior two weeks. The Jets still have no secondary but a stout run game that was able to stifle Lamar Miller even without Mo Wilkerson. Bridgewater will be forced the throw a lot more this week and Johnson will be a huge beneficiary of that.
Stedman Bailey - $4200:
Since Shaun Hill was reinstated as the Rams’ starting quarterback, Bailey’s yardage has increased each of the last three weeks. If the game on Sunday were any closer, Bailey would’ve had a much bigger day considering he hauled in the majority of his five catches for 100 yards in the first quarter. The Skins are pretty bad, but with McCoy under center, they should be able to make it a bit more of a game than the Raiders did, which means more opportunities for Hill to connect with Bailey.
Marqise Lee - $3900:
Since Allen Robinson went down for the season, Bortles has relied on Lee as his top target for the past two weeks. While Cecil Shorts continues to be an unreliable contributor, Lee looks healthy and has established chemistry with Bortles as he continues to develop. Both Robinson and Lee are a big part of the future in Jacksonville, and I expect Lee to continue to produce in the absence of Robinson.
Tight End
Charles Clay - $3400
Before missing the last two weeks with hamstring and knee injuries, Tannehill targeted Clay eight, nine and six times through weeks 9-11, totaling 17 catches for 141 yards. Tannehill relies on his tight end no matter who is playing considering Sims has caught eight balls for 89 yards in Clay’s two week absence. At this price it is essentially a punt play so guaranteed targets are what youre looking for. If Clay can’t suit up, Sims $100 cheaper is not a bad option either.
Kyle Rudolph - $3300
He clearly lacks the high-end upside fantasy owners imagined at the beginning of the year, but he is still a premier endzone target with those banana hands. Against a Jets defense that made Scott Chandler look like Jimmy Graham in two games this year, Rudolph has a great chance to get in the endzone and have his best day of his (injury) shortened season.
Anthony Fasano - $3000
If you have read my articles or watch/listen to the podcast, you know how I feel about Travis Kelce, Anthony Fasano and the tight end situation in Kansas City. Every time my man-crush Kelce is primed for a huge game, such as this one against the Cardinals who cannot cover the tight end, Mr. Fasano shows up and pilfers a touchdown. This is how I see it: Fasano getting in the endzone again makes so little sense that it will most likely happen. Confused? Me too.