FanDuel Fantasy Football: Week 16 Value Plays
Kevin Payne
This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Dak Prescott, DAL vs TB ($7,300): Paying up for Drew Brees ($8,400) this week in a home game where home field advantage in the playoffs is at stake makes a lot of sense especially in cash games. Prescott looks like the best option of the mid-tier quarterbacks considering he is also playing at home where the weather won't be a factor and he has an excellent matchup. Tampa Bay has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and has allowed an average of 37 real points per game to the opponent on the road this season. Prescott's fantasy numbers took a jump once Amari Cooper joined the team, and in recent weeks the offense has made a concerted effort to get Ezekiel Elliott involved more in the passing game. Throw in Prescott's rushing ability (five rushing touchdowns this season), and Sunday sets up perfectly for the Cowboys' quarterback.
Kalen Ballage, MIA vs. JAC ($5,500): Ballage took over the Miami backfield after Frank Gore left injured Sunday and is poised to be the Dolphins main ball carrier over the final two weeks of the season. Ballage had some preseason hype with his 4.44 forty speed, a fantastic mark for a bigger running back at 6-2, 237 lbs. While Jacksonville isn't the greatest matchup they don't have anything to play for, are on the road, and Ballage (a capable pass-catcher) should get 15-plus touches this week.
Jamaal Williams, GB at NYJ ($5,800): With Aaron Jones done for the season, Williams will be left to handle the bulk of the workload for the Packers. In relief of Jones against a stout Bears defense, Williams was able to score 17.7 fantasy points and gets a better matchup this week against the Jets. Even better for Williams' fantasy prospects: It was announced Tuesday that Aaron Rodgers will start Sunday helping to keep the Jets defense more honest. Look for Williams to be around 20 touches especially since his backup, Kapri Bibbs, was just claimed off waivers Monday and won't yet be up to speed with the offense.
Robby Anderson, NYJ vs GB ($5,900): While the breakout for which everyone was hoping from Anderson might have to wait until next year, it's tough to ignore what he's done since Sam Darnold has gone back under center. Over Darnold's last four starts, Anderson has at least seven targets in all four games that have led to performances of 19.1 and 15.6 fantasy points over the last two weeks. The Packers will visit this week, making this an elite matchup for the Anderson/Darnold combo, as the Pack has surrendered the fourth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season.
Amari Cooper, DAL vs TB ($7,000): Cooper has been up and down since joining the Cowboys, but the times he's hit have been for big games. In those big games, Cooper has scored 34 and 44.7 fantasy points while scoring 9.5 or higher in three other games over his last seven. Tampa Bay is an excellent matchup for Cooper, as they've allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and don't have anyone on their roster who can hold Cooper in check all game. Putting together a GPP lineup with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Cooper makes a lot of sense this weekend, and Cooper is still at an affordable price to use in a lineup without any other Cowboys in it.
Austin Hooper, ATL at CAR ($5,300): This pick is contingent on Hooper returning to practice this week and looking like he's shaken off his knee injury. There aren't may picks after the top four options this week in the mid-price range to feel comfortable except Hooper. This is all about the matchup as the Panthers have given up a league-leading nine touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season and the third most fantasy points overall to the position. It's hard to know how motivated Carolina will be playing without Cam Newton and being eliminated from the playoffs, but both factors work in Atlanta's/Hooper's favor.
Nick Chubb, CLE vs CIN ($7,900): For once at this time of the year, it's the Browns who are clinging onto playoff hopes while the Bengals are looking to next season. Chubb has a nice floor and ceiling, as evidenced by his worst fantasy week last week in his last six games – 10 fantasy points (and had a 35-yard run called back due to penalty). During that span of games he scored 34.4 and 26.3, showing a good ceiling as well. This week he gets a horrible Cincinnati defense who has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. There's a very good chance Chubb is the top overall fantasy player this week given his talent and matchup.
Miami Dolphins D/ST vs JAC ($4,400): The Dolphins come in tied for the sixth highest-priced defense/ST this week given their juicy matchup with the Jaguars. Jacksonville hasn't been moving the ball on offense with Cody Kessler under center, which means they aren't scoring points either (six, nine and 13 over Kessler's three starts). If the Dolphins can get out to a lead, it should force Jacksonville to throw, which isn't the strength of their offense.
The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Kevin Payne plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: Fanduel: kevinccp, Draft Kings: kevinccp, Yahoo: kevinccp.
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Kevin Payne @KCPayne26
Kevin has worked for RotoWire over a decade and has covered basketball, baseball and football. A glutton for punishment, he roots for his hometown Bills, Sabres and the New York Yankees. You can follow him on Twitter @KCPayne26.
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