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Andrew Swanson | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


DFS Preview for Week 16
12/23/17
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.

Cam Newton

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.

Other options to consider - Matthew Stafford @ Cincinnati & Russell Wilson @ Dallas

GPP - Mitchell Trubisky vs. Cleveland ($4,700 on DraftKings)

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.

Other options to consider - Jared Goff @ Tennessee & Eli Manning @ Arizona

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.

Running Backs

H2H/Cash - Leonard Fournette @ San Francisco ($7,800 on DraftKings)

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.

Other options to consider - Alvin Kamara vs. Atlanta & Ezekiel Elliott vs. Seattle

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.

Other options to consider - Christian McCaffrey vs. Tampa Bay & Mike Davis @ Dallas

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.

Other options to consider - Jarvis Landry @ Kansas City & Michael Thomas vs. Atlanta

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.

Other options to consider - Chris Godwin @ Carolina & Robert Woods @ Tennessee

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.

Other options to consider - Ricky Seals-Jones vs. N.Y. Giants & Dion Sims vs. Cleveland

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.