This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
QUARTERBACK
Patrick Mahomes, KC vs. NE ($9,000): All of the quarterbacks this week are in the $8,000 to $9,000 range, so it makes sense to take the player who is home and averaged more than 26 fantasy points per game this season. Drew Brees ($8,800) is worth consideration as always but he hasn't surpassed 20 fantasy points in any of his last five games. Mahomes also has the best floor of any quarterback as he has scored at least 17.82 fantasy points in every game this season. The other three quarterbacks have at least two games this season in which they scored in the single digits. In cash games this weekend, just play it safe with Mahomes, and all QB are viable options in GPPs.
RUNNING BACK
Damien Williams, KC vs NE ($7,200): Williams' price still hasn't caught up to his recent production, and he'll likely be very chalky this weekend in cash. He's scored more than 21 fantasy points in three of his last four games, and the other effort was 12.4 fantasy points in the Week 17 blowout of the Raiders (Darrel Williams had 11 carries in that game). Even if Spencer Ware returns, that'll likely affect Darrel Williams more than Damien. Look for Damien to log around 20 touches again this week.
Sony Michel, NE at KC ($7,500): It's a toss-up this week between using Michel and James White ($7,700) this week given their respective production, similar price and matchup. If using multiple lineups, it makes sense to use one in each lineup or even pairing them up in a contrarian move. The Chiefs are the worst of the four teams playing this weekend in giving up points to opposing running backs, allowing 30 fantasy points per game (the third most). Michel gets the nod as the goal line back, and given that the Chiefs likely studied last week's film, they won't let White get another 17 targets this week.
WIDE RECEIVER
Ted Ginn Jr., NO vs LAR ($5,300): This should be a week that sees Michael Thomas as very chalky after last week (29.1 fantasy points) and against the Rams earlier this season (33.1 fantasy points). However, the Rams defense is a different unit with Aqib Talib healthy, and he will likely be part of the game plan on slowing down Thomas. Ginn didn't live up to expectations last week but saw seven targets, giving him 15 over his last two games. The first play from scrimmage was an underthrown ball on which he might have scored a touchdown, and with the attention that Thomas will draw this week, Ginn should see softer coverage.
Josh Reynolds, LAR at NO ($5,400): Reynolds faces the Saints, who were 29th against the pass this season and allowed the second most fantasy points to the position. He's $1,500 cheaper than Brandin Cooks and Roberts Woods, and quietly has five receiving touchdowns despite sitting behind Cooper Kupp to start the season. Like Ginn, he's a good contrarian play this week, allowing money to be spent at running back and possibly the flex spot. Sammy Watkins at $5,600 is another viable option in GPPs.
TIGHT END
Rob Gronkowski, NE at KC ($5,600): It'll be hard to get away from Travis Kelce ($7,400) in cash games this weekend given the discrepancy between his production and the rest of the players at the position. However, Kansas City allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and coming off a quiet week, Gronkowski is a good GPP play and could be used with Kelce in the flex spot. The first time these two teams played, he managed to score 11.2 fantasy points, which is a decent score considering his price.
FLEX
C.J. Anderson, LAR at NO ($6,500): It's hard to go against the Saints run defense given how good they've been this season (second against the run). That being said, Anderson has more than 20 carries in three straight games and has scored at least 22.5 fantasy points in each of those contests. The Rams seem content on giving him work even with Gurley back in the fold, so expecting 15 to 20 carries from him again this week seems reasonable. This game may come down to the Rams offensive line versus the Saints defensive line, and if the Rams win that battle it could be another big game for Anderson.
DEFENSE
Kansas City Chiefs vs NE ($4,400): All four defenses are priced in the $4,000 to $4,600 range, meaning that price really doesn't come into play this weekend. With all four teams boasting good offenses, it makes sense to take one of the two home teams. The Chiefs have been especially good at Arrowhead this season, scoring at least eight fantasy points in seven of their nine home games. They've also recorded at least three sacks in eight of their last nine games.
