Week 15 Flex Targets DraftKings 2017

By Armando Marsal

Using the flex position wisely can allow you to differentiate and create unique lineups. Every week calls for different situations, sometimes pricing favors having a receiver at the flex, while other times it favors having a running back. Then there are weeks where playing two tight ends makes sense. It is really dependent on how you construct your rosters, but as usual, I will talk about players from each position that can be plugged into your flex spot.

Running Back

Kenyan Drake $5,800 at Buffalo Bills

Drake is just way too cheap considering his role on this offense and the amount of volume he has received in recent games. In the last two weeks, Drake has 56 touches and has combined for 234 rushing yards, as well as 100 receiving yards, while finding the pay dirt once and being peppered with 11 targets. He draws a very good matchup against a Bills team that is allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs and has surrendered the most rushing touchdowns to the position. In their last seven games, they are yielding 144.6 rushing yards per game and have given up 12 rushing touchdowns. They have also struggled against pass catching backs, allowing 70 receptions for 541 yards and a touchdown this season. This is a matchup that Drake should have no trouble succeeding in.

Christian McCaffrey $6,000 vs. Green Bay Packers

McCaffrey is coming off of a rough week, but that was to be expected against a stingy Vikings defense. This week, however, he draws a far more favorable matchup against the Packers who are yielding 101.5 rushing yards per game and have surrendered seven rushing touchdowns. In addition, they have allowed the third most receptions (80), while giving up 6.2 receptions and 48.5 receiving yards per game to running backs. This bodes well for McCaffrey who leads the league amongst running backs in targets with 94 and has come down with 67 receptions. The potential game script with Aaron Rodgers possibly back for the Packers this week could also benefit McCaffrey as they could be chasing points in this one. He will almost certainly go overlooked and has 20+ fantasy point upside just about any week, especially in this matchup.

Wide Receiver

Dede Westbrook $5,100 vs. Houston Texans

Westbrook continues to see plenty of targets, with 33 in his last four games. During that stretch, he has caught 20 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown, which came last week. He draws a very good matchup against the Texans who are giving up 11 receptions and 161 receiving yards per game to receivers, while surrendering 13 touchdowns. He is projected to see plenty of Kevin Johnson who grades out well below average on Pro Football Focus and is a matchup that Westbrook has a 24 percent advantage rating in. He has scored double-digit fantasy point in three straight games and displayed some nice upside in his last contest. This is another spot that he should be able to exploit.

Randall Cobb $4,900 at Carolina Panthers

Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to play this week which gives everyone on this offense a nice boost, including Cobb. This shapes up to be a favorable matchup for Cobb as the Panthers have been generous receivers especially in their last six games, allowing 191 receiving yards and 14.2 receptions per game during that stretch, with seven receiving touchdowns. He is expected to draw coverage from Captain Munnerlyn who grades out below average on Pro Football Focus and a matchup that Cobb has a 19 percent advantage rating in. While most will flock to Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams (I like them as well), Cobb could go completely overlooked and is way too cheap considering the situation.

Tight End

Ben Watson $3,800 at Cleveland Browns

Watson can be considered a volatile play, but at his price there is upside to be had. He leads the Ravens in receptions and is in a three way tie for first in receiving touchdowns. The Browns are yielding the second most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have also allowed the most receptions, eighth most yards, and second most touchdowns to the position. Watson already faced off against them once this season and in that game, he caught 8-of-8 targets for 91 yards and scored 17.1 DK points. Another outing like that is in the realm of possibility and that would be a great return on investment at this price tag.

Good luck to all this week. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal