This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Quarterbacks
It's not exactly going out on a limb recommending Aaron Rodgers ($9,100) or Russell Wilson ($9,000) this week given their prices and matchups. Rodgers has been incredibly consistent with at least 22 fantasy points in seven straight games. It doesn't hurt that the Packers tend to throw inside the five yard line instead of handing the ball off to Aaron Jones. Russell Wilson has arguably the best wide receiver in the league to throw to, and Tyler Lockett is still at least a top-15 wide receiver.
Justin Herbert ($8,300) is my favorite play of the week among the upper tier quarterbacks. He's coming off a season-low 6.36 points, and therefore recency bias will make him an unpopular play. Herbert has the best matchup on paper with the Falcons ranked dead last against the quarterback position. Hope that Atlanta can keep this a competitive game so Herbert is still throwing in the fourth quarter.
Philip Rivers ($7,000) is my favorite value play of the week facing the Raiders in Las Vegas. He's scored 19.2, 18.8 and 22.42 fantasy points in his last three games and resurrected T.Y. Hilton's ($6,000) season. I don't mind a stack of Rivers, Hilton and Michael Pittman ($5,700) in a GPP.
Are you feeling lucky? Jalen Hurts ($6,600) has shown upside in limited work and will be less than five percent owned in tournaments and very low-owned in single-entry GPPs. He'll add to his value with his rushing ability, and while the offense is limited, Jalen Reagor ($5,500) and Travis Fulgham ($5,600) should be able to help out the rookie quarterback.
Running Backs
Both Derrick Henry ($9,600) and Aaron Jones ($8,700) are solid plays for cash given their favorable matchups. Austin Ekeler ($7,500) is back in play in what should be a more competitive game and positive game flow for him. He has 25 targets in his two games since returning. He might be the running back who makes the most sense to pair with his quarterback this week.
Christian McCaffrey is listed as doubtful this week, making Mike Davis ($6,800) one of the best value plays at the position. He can be penciled in for at least 20 touches, and Vegas has him with greater than a 50/50 chance to score a touchdown. Davis is safe for both cash and tournament play this weekend.
Kenyan Drake's ($6,500) status should be closely watched this week as if he's ruled out, Chase Edmonds ($5,300) would become the chalk of the week. He would inherit the goal line work that has seen Drake score four touchdowns in his last three games. The Giants have been stronger against the pass than the run this season, ranking 22nd against opposing running backs. Be sure to use him in cash games, as it could be a "rake-free" week for the 10 percent who choose not to use him if Drake is out.
Another situation to monitor is the New York Jets' running back situation. Frank Gore is listed as questionable after sustaining a concussion last week. If Gore ends up being out, Ty Johnson ($5,500) would be a strong play going against a beatable Seattle defense. Johnson had 24 touches for 117 yards and a score last week in relief of Gore leading to 18.7 fantasy points. At this point, I'd expect Gore to play, but if he doesn't, Johnson is an excellent punt play.
Wide Receivers
If some of the more economical running backs listed become starters, Davante Adams ($9,600) and DK Metcalf ($8,600) would be in play. Both have plus matchups, Metcalf has -143 odds to score, and Adams' number will be even better than that. Keenan Allen ($8,500) is also in play within the upper tier given what a solid matchup he has against the Falcons. Like Herbert, Allen should bounce back from a 7.3 fantasy-point effort last week.
Sifting through the mid-tier options, Tyler Boyd ($6,700), Antonio Brown ($6,500) and Robby Anderson ($6,500) all look like good options. Boyd was heading to a big game last week before being ejected, and Dallas' defense is awful. Brown faces a defense that is 30th against the position and he has had 13 and eight targets in two of his last three games. Coming off the bye, he might be in for a more prominent role. Robby Anderson should be an even bigger focal point of the passing attack, with DJ Moore (Covid-19) likely to miss this contest.
Chad Hansen ($5,100) was the surprise of Week 13 with a 7-5-101 line catching passes from Deshaun Watson. He played the most snaps of any Houston wide receiver last week, boding well for this week's prospects. Watching game tape, it seems Darnell Mooney ($5,100) gets open deep multiple times every game. The problem is he isn't getting accurate passes either under or overthrowing him for what should be a long score. This might be his week going against a beatable Houston secondary.
Tight Ends
When looking at the numbers, this is a good spot to spend down this week, with all of the top options facing tough matchups. There are three good spots to look at with mid-tier options. Those three players would be Hunter Henry ($5,600), Noah Fant ($5,500) and Jonnu Smith ($5,400). All three have matchups against teams who are 22nd or worse against the tight end spot. Depending on who you use in the other spots might determine which of these three to put into a lineup. If you're not using any other Chargers, Henry makes sense and is play for cash games. If you're looking for a low-owned player, Fant will have extremely low ownership despite having big-play ability. He's best left for tournament play. Lastly, Smith enters the equation as a low-owned player coming off an injury but in a good spot. It shouldn't be tough to find holes in the Jacksonville defense, and he had 22.4 fantasy points the first time these two teams faced off.
Defense
Looking at the higher-priced options this week, I actually would go with the 49ers ($4,600) at home against the WFT. It would be better if they were in San Francisco (they're still in Arizona) but they stayed there this week to get refocused for this game. The WFT has to travel across the country and play the late game, which I think has an effect.
The Carolina Panthers ($3,400) are at home and facing a Denver offense that they shouldn't be afraid of. The Broncos have averaged the second-worst 18.8 points per game on offense. This should be a defense only considered when you need to spend down in this spot.
