Even if you have played Daily Fantasy at Yahoo! Pre- or first-timers, this weekly column will look at the DFS landscape, reveal who I’d like to build lineups around, which stars I’d like to disappear, low-value plays and bargain options to help you build a better team.
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Sequence building blocks
Tyreek Hill ($43) @ Washington Commanders
Hill sat out Wednesday’s practice An ankle injury, but he’s good to go this week, making him a DFS building block. He is on pace to record the first 2,000-yard receiving season in NFL history and has a Chiefs defense that allows the second most fantasy points to wide receivers. Washington is playing at a much lower pressure rate since the Montez Sweat and Chase Young trades, too Hill leads the league by a mile When his QB is not under pressure, on a route targets. Hill’s big salary must be worth it A very favorable match.
Tua Tagoailoa ($35) @ Washington Commanders
The Commanders are putting up 7.5 YPA this season. Miami has as many as 30 points, and Washington’s third-highest passing percentage will help it make more plays in a faster-than-expected contest. Tagovailoa has had a lot of numbers at home this season, but he’s in a key spot on Sunday.
Rachad White ($27) vs. Carolina Panthers
White isn’t a gifted runner, but the volume has made him a very valuable fantasy prospect. He ranks fourth in the league in touchdowns and second among RBs in receiving yards. White is 46 of 43 targets this year and the Carolina defense is getting the better of him. The Buccaneers are 5.5-point home favorites against the worst team in the league, so the game script should be favorable as well. I have White as my top five RB this week.
Star to Fate
Justin Herbert ($34) @ New England Patriots
Herbert isn’t a bad fantasy starter this week, but you can do better in DFS. His salary is $1 less than Tagoailoa’s and higher than QBs with better matchups like Brock Birdie ($32) and Sam Howell ($30). The Chargers were charged with Austin Ekeler not playing because of an ankle injury and Keenan Allen missing Wednesday’s practice. New England is stingy against fantasy quarterbacks, playing a cheap Birdie or Howell instead.
Unrated options
Courtland Sutton ($19) @ Houston Texans
Sutton has 38th overall targets this season, but ranks in the top 15 in red zone appearances. He relied more on touchdowns than volume in his bounce-back season, but Sutton will have more work to do in Week 13. The Texans had one of the highest team point totals this week and defended the run well, but gave up 364 passing yards to Trevor. Lawrence. Russell Wilson has been there Locked in on running backs this seasonBut the game script should force double-digit goals for Sutton this week.
Rhamondre Stevenson ($20) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stevenson saw Play time increased Coming out of the bag and the season-high 21 held last week. He has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in three straight games since then. Failed to make it beyond his top eight In this season. Stevenson has played a big role in the passing game, and the Chargers have allowed the third-most receiving yards to running backs. This is Bailey Chappe (maybe some Malik Cunningham mixed in). Week 13 will see most QB repsBut Stevenson will be a centerpiece of the team either way.
Zach Moss ($17) @ Tennessee Titans
Moss gets Indianapolis’ backfield Again Jonathan Taylor underwent thumb surgery. It wasn’t a great matchup against Tennessee, but Moss had 165 yards and 32.5 fantasy points (0.5 PPR) against the Titans earlier this year. The Colts are slight favorites, and because Moss has impressed all season, his DFS salary is underrated.
After the bargain
Juan Johnson ($11) vs. Detroit Lions
Johnson should see an expanded role with Michael Thomas on IR, Rashid Shaheed out and Chris Olave highly questionable after suffering a concussion last week. Johnson had a season-high seven targets last week and had a pass-funneling Lions defense that has been decimated by the wind lately. Johnson is at least a DFS sleeper.
