This article is part of our Draftster NFL series.
We move on to Week 13 of the NFL season and Draftster continues into the eighth week of their Single Entry Championship. The Draftster Championship already has 21 qualifiers for their final in December, and there are additional to buy-in at $5, $10 or $20 this weekend. Also, moving into its fourth week is the Terrell Owens Challenge. This week it is a $25 buy-in with a $500 top prize. Please note that the first set of rankings do not include games from Thursday. I've included special Thursday-only rankings at the end of the article.
Quarterback
1. Aaron Rodgers (GB) vs. NE - $8,800
2. Andrew Luck (IND) vs. WAS - $10,200
3. Peyton Manning (DEN) at KC - $8,000
4. Drew Brees (NO) at PIT - $9,000
5. Tom Brady (NE) at GB - $6,900
6. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) vs. NO - $8,900
7. Cam Newton (CAR) at MIN - $6,800
8. Ryan Tannehill (MIA) at NYJ - $7,800
9. Matt Ryan (ATL) vs. ARI - $7,000
10. Eli Manning (NYG) at JAX - $6,000
11. Andy Dalton (CIN) at TB - $6,000
12. Joe Flacco (BAL) at SD - $6,500
Peyton Manning (DEN) at KC - $8,000
Coming in at his lowest price of the season is a quarterback who threw four touchdown passes last week. Manning still managed to put up points against a tough Miami defense and without one of his top targets in Julius Thomas. Manning faces the league's top passing defense (Chiefs) this week, but he was able to throw for three touchdowns on Kansas City back in Week 2. He has proven to be matchup proof at this point in his career.
Eli Manning (NYG) at JAX - $6,000
While Eli Manning has struggled at times this season, there is no shortage of volume in the Giants passing game. Over the past four weeks, Manning has thrown an average of 45 times per game. In Week 12 against Dallas, Manning racked up 338 yards and three touchdowns, far exceeding the expected production of his low price point. Heading into Week 13, Manning will face the abysmal Jaguars defense. With rookie Odell Beckham Jr. blossoming, Manning is a great play at a low price.
Andy Dalton (CIN) at TB - $6,000
After a horrible 10-for-33 performance in Week 10 against the Browns, Dalton has bounced back nicely with an average completion percentage of 70 percent. Last week against Houston, Dalton's fantasy numbers weren't too high, but that doesn't necessarily mean he had a bad game. Since the return of prime target A.J. Green, Dalton's comfort in the offense has appeared to be a lot better. This week the Bengals take on the Buccaneers, who rank 22nd against the pass.
Running Back
1. Le'Veon Bell (PIT) vs. NO - $8,600
2. Jaamal Charles (KC) vs. DEN - $7,200
3. Eddie Lacy (GB) vs. NE - $6,800
4. Alfred Morris (WAS) at IND - $5,400
5. Justin Forsett (BAL) vs. SD - $6,500
6. C.J. Anderson (DEN) at KC - $5,700
7. Rashad Jennings (NYG) at JAX - $7,000
8. Isaiah Crowell (CLE) at BUF - $3,800
9. Andre Ellington (ARI) at ATL - $7,300
10. Alfred Blue* (HOU) vs. TEN (If Arian Foster is out) - $3,000
11. Mark Ingram (NO) at PIT - $5,600
12. Tre Mason (STL) vs. OAK - $5,600
*If Foster ($8,800) plays Sunday, he would be a top three play against a weak Tennessee defense.
Le'Veon Bell (PIT) vs. NO - $8,600
Aside from Antonio Brown, Bell is my favorite play of the weekend. Back in Week 11, Bell rushed for 204 yards and a touchdown against the Titans. The Steelers had the bye in Week 12, which means Bell will have fresh legs this week. The matchup is also enticing, as the Saints just got ran over by Justin Forsett. Bell flourish this weekend.
Eddie Lacy (GB) vs. NE - $6,800
As a writer, I often take to Twitter to express my opinions and gather the opinions of others. One of the most annoying opinions this whole season has been narrative around Eddie Lacy. The 2013 Rookie of the Year has taken a lot of subtle bashing in the social media world with no real argument to back up the claims. I've heard it all from "Trent Richardson 2.0" to "Fat Eddie". But what I have not heard is the fact he is averaging 4.4 YPC, which ranks him 14th in the NFL. To me, Lacy is the perfect compliment to a team that is built around the leagues best passing game. Lacy has averaged over 20 fantasy points in the last four weeks, and he is active in both the rushing and passing games. Lacy doesn't get the workload to put up 100 yards rushing every week, but he has proved when given 18+ carries, he has no problem eclipsing that mark. Lacy will be heavily involved this week against the Patriots in a game that carries the highest Vegas total of the week.
C.J. Anderson (DEN) at KC - $5,700
The next man up in Denver is making the most of his opportunities to. Anderson carried a heavy workload last week with 27 totes for 167 yards and touchdown. He also had four receptions for 28 yards. Anderson now has over 100 yards from scrimmage in three straight games and is drastically underpriced for this workload.
Wide Receivers
1. Antonio Brown (PIT) vs. NO - $9,000
2. Demaryius Thomas (DEN) at KC - $8,200
3. Jordy Nelson (GB) vs. NE - $8,100
4. A.J. Green (CIN) at TB - $6,900
5. Randall Cobb (GB) vs. NE - $7,500
6. T.Y. HIlton (IND) vs. WAS - $7,500
7. Josh Gordon (CLE) at BUF - $6,800
8. Julio Jones (ATL) vs. ARI - $7,700
9. Mike Evans (TB) vs. CIN - $6,900
10. Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) at KC - $7,300
11. Kelvin Benjamin (CAR) at MIN - $6,400
12. Odell Beckham (NYG) at JAX - $6,500 (Check status)
Antonio Brown (PIT) vs. NO - $9,000
As previously mentioned in my Le'Veon Bell write up, Brown takes the cake as my favorite play of the week. The Steelers face a Saints team that ranks 24th in pass rush and 31st in pass coverage. Ben Roethlisberger is averaging 361 yards and 3.6 touchdowns per game at home this season, and Brown has six touchdowns in five games at home. Brown is a lock for double-digit targets and near a lock to find the end zone. You will have to spend, but Brown is the safest play this weekend at any position.
A.J. Green (CIN) at TB - $6,900
I tend to avoid players for the first few weeks coming off of an injury because you never know if the player is truly 100 percent healthy. In Green's first two weeks back from a foot injury, he posted two quiet three-catch performances, but in he has turned it back on to being one of the top receivers in the NFL the past two games. Green finished with 12 receptions for 121 yards on a career-high 16 targets last week, proving he's back to form. Green could be in line for another big game this week, as he faces a Buccaneers team that is allowing the third-most passing yards per game.
Josh Gordon (CLE) at BUF - $6,800
There were mixed reports about how many snaps Josh Gordon would see last Sunday. Well, someone should remind the media that Gordon led the league in receiving last season and is an absolute monster. Gordon didn't miss a beat in his return to action, finishing with eight receptions for 120 yards on a whopping 16 targets. The Browns have a tough matchup against the Bills in Week 13, but the volume Gordon will see and his decent price make him a near must-play.
Tight End
1a. Rob Gronkowski (NE) at GB - $6,900
1b. Jimmy Graham (NO) at PIT - $7,700
3. Greg Olson (CAR) at MIN - $5,600
4. Travis Kelce (KC) vs. DEN - $5,200
5. Antonio Gates (SD) at BAL - $5,000
6. Coby Fleener (IND) vs. WAS - $3,300
7. Delanie Walker (TEN) at HOU - $5,600
8. Larry Donnell (NYG) at JAX - $4,500
*Julius Thomas ($4,900) - Not ranked due to an ankle injury. He's a top-three option if he returns to full strength
Rob Gronkowski (NE) at GB - $6,900
Gronkowski offers everything you are looking for this weekend: A modest price at a weak position in a prime high scoring matchup. The Patriots head to Lambeau on Sunday to face the Packers in what is sure to be one of the best games of the season. Gronkowski will be heavily involved come Sunday and comes at a very friendly price.
Travis Kelce (KC) vs. DEN - $5,200
A lot of pundits were calling for a breakout season from Kelce, and though he has been very good, he hasn't been as consistent as expected. Regardless, tight end has been a position of weakness this year, almost making you spend up for safety. Though Kelce's season has been up and down, he is still averaging four catches and near 50 yards per game. In Week 2 against the Broncos, Kelce had 80 yards receiving on four catches. The Broncos pass defense ranks near the middle of the league, but Denver ranks near the bottom against tight ends.
Coby Fleener (IND) vs. WAS - $3,300
After an injury to Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener was primed for a breakout performance against the Jaguars in Week 12. Unfortunately for fantasy players, that breakout didn't happen as Fleener only caught two passes for 28 yards. His usage remains a question mark, but his near minimum price makes him worth the risk.
Kicker
1. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) at GB - $3,800
2. Adam Vinatieri (IND) vs. WAS - $4,100
3. Justin Tucker (BAL) vs. SD - $3,900
4. Mason Crosby (GB) vs. NE - $4,000
Kicker selection is picked based on the highest over/under totals. Originally, you would want to target the cheapest kicker in a high scoring game. Lately however, Draftster has evened out kicker prices where it becomes increasingly more difficult to pick against the top, most consistent kickers in the league. That being said, don't be surprised to see Gostkowski, Vinatieri, and Bailey ranked near the top each week. This week Gostkowski comes in at a cheaper price than normal.
Defense
1. Indianapolis (vs. WAS) - $4,100
2. New York Giants (at JAX) - $3,700
3. Houston (vs. TEN) - $3,900
4. Buffalo (vs. CLE) - $3,800
I am ranking Indianapolis on top of this list, as Colt McCoy is going to be taking over in Washington. The Redskins are going to have to travel into Indianapolis where the Colts are ten point favorites. If you are looking for lower over/under plays, the Giants are favored heading into Jacksonville, a team that has been a popular streaming option against this season.
Salary Saver Plays:
QB: Colt McCoy ($3,000)
RB: Alfred Blue ($3,000), Isaiah Crowell ($3,800)
WR: Charles Johnson ($3,700), Wes Welker ($3,100)
TE: Coby Fleener ($3,300)
Thanksgiving Rankings:
Quarterback:
1. Tony Romo (DAL) vs. PHI - $7,800
2. Matthew Stafford (DET ) vs. CHI - $7,000
3. Mark Sanchez (PHI) at DAL - $6,500
4. Russell Wilson (SEA) at SF - $7,400
Tony Romo (DAL) vs. PHI - $7,800
In Romo's last two weeks of play, he has thrown for a total of seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Meanwhile, the Eagles have allowed five passing touchdowns over the last two weeks, including an average of 35 points against. The Eagles rank 30th in passing defense and 26th in total defense. The Cowboys are my favorite play of the week and Vegas predicts them to score around 28 points. Look for the Cowboys to make a home statement on Thanksgiving.
Running back
1. DeMarco Murray (DAL) vs. PHI - $9,100
2. Matt Forte (CHI) at DET - $6,400
3. LeSean McCoy (PHI) at DAL - $5,700
4. Marshawn Lynch (SEA) at SF - $6,400
Matt Forte (CHI) at DET - $6,400
As much as I love Murray and the Cowboys, Forte's price tag is too hard to ignore or pass up. Forte has been one of the two highest priced running backs all year and comes nicely discounted for a matchup against the Lions. The Lions are no pushover, but Forte is utilized too many different ways in the offense to write him off. Forte's success Thursday will come from the passing game and he could see upwards of eight targets.
Wide Receivers
1. Dez Bryant (DAL) vs. PHI - $7.700
2. Calvin Johnson (DET) vs. CHI - $7,300
3. Jeremy Maclin (PHI) at DAL - $6,700
4. Alshon Jeffery (CHI) at DET - $6,600
Dez Bryant (DAL) vs. PHI - $7.700
If you are planning on rolling out Romo, you might as well pair him with his top target. Look for Bryant to feast on the Eagles secondary before feasting on some Thanksgiving turkey afterwards.
Tight End
1. Martellus Bennett (CHI) at DET - $4,200
2. Jason Witten (DAL) vs. PHI - $4,800
3. Zach Ertz (PHI) at DAL - $3,200
4. Vernon Davis (SF) vs. SEA - $3,100
Martellus Bennett (CHI) at DET - $4,200
The Bears are going to have to pass the ball to have a chance at beating the Lions in Ford Field. With a stout passing defense, the one weak spot for Detroit is against opposing tight ends. With tight end being a weaker position and on a short slate, Bennett is the highest upside play with also the safest output.
Kicker
Dan Bailey (DAL) /Cody Parkey (PHI)
These are the two safest kicker plays and the only real two you should be consider. Parkey is $400 cheaper than Bailey, but the Cowboys being favored by three may have an extra field goal in them. Don't look outside of these two.
Defense
San Francisco (vs. Seattle)
I haven't covered much about the Niners/Seahawks game in this write up simply because I don' think there will be much scoring in the game. The Vegas total is set at 40, one of the lowest you will see all year. In a matchup that figures to be so low, I like to focus on the home team, making the Niners the best defensive play this Thanksgiving.
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving everyone!
