If you’ve never played weekly salary-cap fantasy games, you’re missing out on what’s quickly becoming the hottest new trend in fantasy football and a great way to make some quick cash. No longer are you locked into a team for an entire season (or longer) and subject to the pain of injuries and poor performance. Instead, each week you pick a new set of players to fill your lineup. This is an exciting format that takes away a lot of the stress that goes with season-long fantasy leagues.
For those not familiar with DraftKings’ format, you are awarded a total budget of $50,000 to fill a roster of nine players (QB, RB1, RB2, WR1, WR2, TE, FLEX (RB/WR/TE), K and DST). You must pick players from at least two different NFL teams that represent two different games that week. The scoring rules are similar to most PPR scoring leagues, but you can check out the details over at DraftKings for more information there.
Now that we’ve gotten the introductory information out of the way, here’s the most valuable DraftKings lineup for Week 14.
Quarterback
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens ($7,000)
Flacco is quietly averaging 15.4 points-per-week this season on DraftKings and should be able to pick apart the Minnesota Vikings’ 28th ranked pass-coverage unit, which is currently sporting a -38.3 grade. The Vikings have given up over 3,600 passing yards and 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions this season, and are allowing the most fantasy PPW at 20.4. Flacco is the 18th most expensive quarterback and should easily crack the top-12 in scoring – especially with the likely return of Dennis Pitta.
Running Back
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs ($8,700)
Yes Charles is the most expensive option at running back, but it’s nearly impossible to not start him on a weekly basis, especially with a ton of great values at other positions this week. Charles is the No. 1 fantasy ‘back in the league, averaging 22.6 points each week. The Washington Redskins’ struggles on defense aren’t a secret, as they’ve given up over 1,600 total yards and 16 total touchdowns, the most in the league, to opposing running backs. They’re also allowing 21.8 fantasy PPW, again the most in the league, and are ranked 30th in run defense with a -45.9 grade. Charles is gold here.
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears ($8,100)
Forte has been tearing things up right behind Charles, putting up an impressive 21.1 fantasy points from week-to-week and get’s an ideal matchup against the Dallas Cowboys’ 31st-ranked run defense, which currently has an awful -50.1 grade. Dallas has given up over 1,900 total yards and 15 total touchdowns, which is the second most in the league, and surrendered a league-high 21.8 fantasy points to opposing ‘backs.
Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys ($8,100)
Bryant is always a WR1 from week-to-week with his 18.3 fantasy points-per-week. This week he’ll see plenty of targets against the Bears’ 24th ranked pass-coverage unit that has surrendered 1,700-plus receiving yards and 12 touchdowns to opposing receivers, along with 21.1 fantasy points each week. Bryant should have another big game, as Chicago has struggled against much-less talented receivers and quarterbacks this season.
Rod Streater, Oakland Raiders ($4,200)
Streater might be the value of the week at just $4,200. With Denarius Moore and Darren McFadden out and Rashad Jennings highly questionable still, Streater is not only the team’s No. 1 receiver, but also their best playmaker still on the field. Even when he was much further down the pecking order this season, Streater still put up an impressive 10.1 average points each week. The New York Jets’ secondary ranks 30th with a -49.1 grade and have allowed 2,241 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns to opposing receivers this season. Streater should have a huge day.
Tight End
Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears ($4,200)
Bennett is another great value at $4,200 going up against Dallas’ secondary, which currently sports a -12.3 grade and has given up 795 yards and six touchdowns to opposing tight ends. Bennett is averaging 11.0 points-per-week and should crack TE1 territory. Which isn’t a problem, given the amount of points your running backs and receivers will accumulate.
Flex
Joique Bell, Detroit Lions ($4,300)
Bell has done a fine job all season alongside Reggie Bush, averaging 12.5 fantasy points-per-week. This week against a Philadelphia Eagles’ defense that has given up over 1,600 total yards and eight touchdowns to opposing running backs, Bell should have a solid day in tandem with Bush. At just $4,300, Bell is a solid value and one of only a handful of players not battling injury in this price range.
Kicker
Alex Henery, Philadelphia Eagles ($3,000)
If you want to load up a roster with studs like Charles, Forte and Bryant, you have to go cheap somewhere. Henery is in the cheapest tier of kickers and will get plenty of opportunity with Philadelphia’s explosive offense.
Defense and Special Teams
New York Jets ($2,400)
For the same reason I’m rolling with Henery, I’m going with the Jets here. New York is the “best” of the cheap defensive options, and should net you a solid 4-6 points. Nothing special, but again, your superstars make up the difference.
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