Jimmy Garoppolo is the first 49ers
quarterback since Jeff Garcia to throw for more than 300 yards in
consecutive games, giving San Francisco fans hope that their once
storied franchise is moving in the right direction heading into
the offseason. Assuming that general manager John Lynch is wise
and locks up Jimmy GQ to a long-term deal, the 49ers appear to have
a franchise quarterback to build around with improvements to the
offensive line and skill position players.
For fantasy purposes, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is the primary
beneficiary of the emergence of Garoppolo at quarterback. The
former Olympic long jumper has scored double-digit points in four
of his last five games and has topped the century mark in consecutive
games for the first time in his NFL career.
The good times in the city by the bay may come to an end, at
least for one week, with the NFL-best Jacksonville pass defense
heading to Santa Clara. The stout Jags defense led by Jalen Ramsey
and Calais Campbell will make all skill position players on the
49ers un-startable in DFS. However, Blake Bortles and Dede Westbrook
are two players on the offensive side of the ball for Jacksonville
that I plan on starting in GPP.
Here are a few other plays that I am targeting for Week 16, including
a Seattle stack of Russell Wilson and Doug Baldwin against the
Cowboys.
It's not chasing points. Cam Newton has
another plus matchup in Week 16 against Tampa Bay.
Quarterbacks
H2H/Cash - Cam Newton vs. Tampa Bay ($6,800
on DraftKings)
Newton has made it a habit this season taking advantage of subpar
defenses in home games, with 35 point performances against Green
Bay and Miami at Bank of America Stadium in the last five weeks.
The Bucs rank in the top 12 in points allowed to quarterbacks,
running backs, and wide receivers, exactly the type of team you
want to start Cam against at home.
Starting Trubisky is not for the faint of heart, and I would
only recommend playing him in GPP formats where you are looking
for an inexpensive home run play. A 21.34 point game like he put
up against the Bengals Week 14 is not out of the question, as
Trubkisy has thrown a touchdown in each of his last three games.
Fade - Tom
Brady vs. Buffalo ($6,900 on DraftKings)
For some reason, Brady is the second-most expensive quarterback
on DraftKings, despite three consecutive dud fantasy performances
and a difficult game against a Bills team that limited Brady to
a season-low 9 fantasy points Week 13.
Fournette returns to the field after missing last week with a
quadriceps injury just in time to take on the San Francisco 49ers,
a defense that allows the 10th-most points to opposing running
backs. Although the 49ers have done a solid job over the past
five weeks, limiting opposing backs to zero touchdowns and just
over 3 yards per carry, big backs like Fournette, Adrian Peterson,
and Todd Gurley have all found success versus Kyle Shanahan’s
defense.
GPP - Kenyan
Drake @ Kansas City ($7,100 on DraftKings)
Drake continues to impress, with at least 23 points in his last
three games, including 27.3 points Week 14 vs. New England. With
Damien Williams out once again and the Dolphins taking on a Chiefs
team that can be beaten on the ground, staying in the flames with
Drake is a smart move even at his high salary.
Fade - Todd
Gurley @ Tennessee ($9,100 on DraftKings)
Avoiding the fantasy football MVP against any opponent may seem
like a silly idea, especially when you consider that Gurley has
been magnificent over his last three games. I think Gurley will
have a great game, but not another four-touchdown performance,
and I worry that game script may hurt Gurley’s volume. It
is entirely possible for Gurley to live up to his elite 9.1k salary,
but I would instead target a few less expensive players and let
the majority of people go with Gurley.
Wide Receivers
H2H/Cash - Keenan Allen @ N.Y. Jets ($7,700
on DraftKings)
An injury scare left Allen with just eight targets for 54 yards
and zero touchdowns last week against a very beatable Kansas City
secondary. With Allen off the injury report and ready to take
on a Jets defense that has allowed the 10th most points to wide
receivers over the past five games, I am rolling with Allen in
all of my cash games for the high floor and high ceiling he presents.
GPP - Dede
Westbrook @ San Francisco ($6,100 on DraftKings)
Keelan Cole was the breakout Jacksonville wide receiver with
Marquis Lee out with a leg injury. I was wrong with my recommendation
on Westbrook last week, but I am doubling down on him vs. the
49ers.
Fade - Julio
Jones @ New Orleans ($7,900 on DraftKings)
I don’t like the fact that Jones continues to be limited
with various leg injuries. He has played through them, but it
feels like just a matter of time before he misses a game or two
with an ankle or knee ailment. It also does not help that he is
going to be shadowed by defensive rookie of the year Marcus Lattimore.
Tight End
H2H/Cash - Travis Kelce vs. Miami ($6,900 on
DraftKings)
I don’t usually like to pay up for a premium tight end unless
it is Rob Gronkowski against a cupcake opponent. While Kelce is
not Gronk, his 28 targets over the past three weeks are hard to
ignore, and the Dolphins are weak against the position.
Other options to consider - Evan Ingram @ Arizona & Greg
Olsen vs. Tampa Bay
GPP - Eric
Ebron @ Cincinnati ($3,700 on DraftKings)
Ebron has been a target fiend over the past two games (18), matching
his target total for the previous four games combined. He also
has been the beneficiary of multiple red zone targets. Ride the
hot hand against a team that has all but quit on their lame duck
coach and ride Ebron to the cash.
Fade - Vernon
Davis vs. Denver ($3,400 on DraftKings)
Tight ends typically do well against the Broncos due to the fact
that quarterbacks like to avoid Chris Harris and Aquib Talib outside.
Davis has been a dud in nearly every game dating back to Week
10 and appears to be out of synch with Cousins.
D/ST
Bears vs. Browns
DeShone Kizer
leads the league in red zone interceptions, and the Bears are
excellent at forcing mistakes by the quarterback. This game has
the makings of a lopsided Chicago win and a meltdown by Kizer
- exactly the type of game you want to target in DFS.
