TheHunterReport DFS Week 18 2016

By Dave Hunter

We’ve only got eight games to choose from, but we should be able to have some excellent options to snare from the Wild Card Playoff rounds. As always, I’m using DraftKings.com salaries for reference. With the NFL slate being whittled away due to the regular season ending, you’ll see that my piece is altered some. I will only be listing the Top Level and Value plays at each position for sure, while only adding Mid-Range or Over-Value choices when appropriate.
Let’s get to it!

QUARTERBACK

Top Level

Ben Roethlisberger, PIT vs. Miami Dolphins ($7,600) – I love Big Ben at home facing a Miami Dolphins team that will be overmatched and outgunned. Expect to see Big Ben slice his way through the Dolphins’ secondary, with a very favorable matchup as he tosses the ball to Antonio Brown frequently. I see three TD passes in Big Ben’s future. Don’t be afraid to spend up here for cash games.

Other choices: Aaron Rodgers, GB vs. New York Giants ($7,900); Russell Wilson, SEA vs. Detroit Lions ($7,000)

Value

Eli Manning, NYG @ Green Bay Packers ($6,100) – If you’re not spending up for one of the quarterbacks above, saving some dough with Manning isn’t a bad choice considering price tag and his matchup facing the Packers’ secondary. I’m not crazy about Manning, so I’ll likely spend up, but a GPP lineup with Manning at the QB slot isn’t a bad idea.

Other choices: None

RUNNING BACK

Top Level

Le'Veon Bell, PIT vs. Miami Dolphins ($10,300) – With a week of rest in the books, Bell should destroy the Dolphins. Sure, you’ve got to spend $10K-plus to nab him, although he’s so very worth it. If there’s one player I want to build around this week, it’s Bell. Don’t be surprised to see a 30-plus fantasy point game from Bell. There are some decent values at RB and other positions for you to work around the high price tag, so don’t fret. Bell is your guy in all league play.

Other choices: None

Mid-Range

Jay Ajayi, MIA @ Pittsburgh Steelers ($6,800) – I suggest Ajayi mainly if you’re trying to go against the grain and stay away from Le’Veon Bell. We should at least see 15 touches from Ajayi with any and all goal line touches going through him. So, if you can manage to cut salary elsewhere maybe you can get Ajayi paired with Bell in your lineup. It might be tough to do though.

Other choices: None

Value

Latavius Murray, OAK @ Houston Texans ($5,000) – If the Raiders expect to pull out a victory in Houston they’ll need Murray to come through in the running game. The price tag is right for me to risk things on Murray, especially if I’m pairing him with Le’Veon Bell. The Raiders game plan will likely be straight ahead smash-mouth football with rookie QB Connor Cook throwing the ball. Sure, we’ll see the Texans defense load things heavily up front to stop the running game – not good – which makes Murray more of a GPP play.

Other choices: Ty Montgomery, GB vs. New York Giants ($5,500); Zach Zenner, DET @ Seattle Seahawks ($4,500)

WIDE RECEIVER

Top Level

Odell Beckham, Jr., NYG @ Green Bay Packers ($9,100) – I really dig the idea of an Eli Manning-Beckham hook up this weekend, as they’ll face a Packers secondary that’s been decimated by injury and awful play. Manning will target Beckham early and often. This game may turn into a shootout, which would be nice to see assuming the weather holds up. Beckham is my favorite play at WR this week, just edging out Antonio Brown.

Other choices: Antonio Brown, PIT vs. Miami Dolphins ($9,400); Jordy Nelson, GB vs. New York Giants ($8,000)

Mid-Range

Doug Baldwin, SEA vs. Detroit Lions ($7,000) – Baldwin doesn’t carry the game-busting talent that Antonio Brown or Odell Beckham, Jr. does, although he’s a sneaky play considering his salary. If I’m looking to save bucks at the WR slot but still get a true WR1 in my lineup, Baldwin’s my guy. The matchup is solid and Russell Wilson will target Baldwin plenty.

Other choices: DeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. Oakland Raiders ($6,700)

Value

Sterling Shepard, NYG @ Green Bay Packers ($4,800) – I really believe there’s going to be enough to go around in this game for Shepard to get his numbers, even with Odell Beckham, Jr. taking center stage. Shepard is a perfect GPP play, considering the matchup and the likelihood that he’ll go unnoticed at times with ODB on the field. Oh, yeah, let’s not forget about that matchup too.

Other choices: Davante Adams, GB vs. New York Giants ($5,600); Kenny Stills, MIA @ Pittsburgh Steelers ($3,800)

TIGHT END

Top Level

Jimmy Graham, SEA vs. Detroit Lions ($5,300)

Mid-Range

C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU vs. Oakland Raiders ($4,200)

Value

Jared Cook, GB vs. New York Giants ($3,600)

Good luck! Feel free to stalk me on Twitter: @TheRolyPolyBoy