Thomason: Sleepers & Daily Fantasy Value Plays For Week 9
By Jack Thomason--
(CBS) I didn't have the same type of fantasy goodness from my sleepers and value picks in Week 8 as I did in Week 7, but still I hit on Jay Cutler, Jonathan Stewart, Michael Floyd and Ben Watson. I also had some of the other considerations hit as well in Charcandrick West, Stefon Diggs and Heath Miller. Now with the insane amount of injuries that have piled up and six teams on bye, we will need these sleepers and values more than ever. Hopefully we can make some magic happen.
Let's take a look at this week's sleepers/value plays for both season-long and daily fantasy.
Quarterback
Jay Cutler, Bears (at Chargers) -- This game currently has the second-highest over/under of the week with 49 points. The Chargers are favored by four points, and the Bears have a team total of 22.5. These are all positive signs for Cutler's fantasy prospects this week. Couple that with the Chargers' No. 25 ranking in pass defense DVOA, and it begins to look even better. While Matt Forte is doubtful to play, Cutler still has big-time weapons in Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett, and Jeremy Langford and Marquess Wilson can hold their own. With a low salary of $5200 on DraftKings and $7100 on FanDuel, Cutler's a great play.
Tyrod Taylor, Bills (vs. Dolphins) -- Remember this guy from earlier in the season? He was a top-five quarterback who was averaging 21.5 points per game. Now Taylor's back and healthy after a bye, with a healthy LeSean McCoy. Reports are also optimistic on Sammy Watkins. I'd be more than happy to fire Taylor up at his current salary of $7200 on FanDuel and $5300 DraftKings, as he takes on the Dolphins's 23rd-ranked pass DVOA. The beauty with Taylor is he always has a safe floor and upside due to his mobility.
Running back
Jeremy Langford, Bears (at Chargers) -- The Chargers rank last in rush DVOA, and that means a juicy matchup for Langford, the Bears' new starting running back. After Forte went out last week, Langford handled all 12 rushes, every snap and was targeted once out of the backfield. I'd expect more of the same out of Langford on Monday night, and his price tag (FanDuel: $6400; DraftKings: $4000) is at a value given the opportunity and matchup ahead. The over/under is the second-highest of the week at this moment (49 points), and the Bears have a team total of 22.5. Langford should have a shot at the end zone, too.
Antonio Andrews, Titans (at Saints) -- Andrews has continued to see his role increase over the last few weeks, but the only cause for concern is coach Ken Whisenhunt has been fired. That being said, I do believe Andrews continues with his lead role at least for this week. He touched the ball 19 times last week for 82 total yards. Three of those were receptions, which always help boost point totals given that both DFS sites are related to PPR scoring. Marcus Mariota should be back, and that will help the offense, but the Titans will need to focus on the run game given Kendall Wright's likely absence with a knee injury. This is the right matchup to do it, as the Saints rank 22nd in rush defense DVOA and have allowed the 10th-most points to opposing running backs. Feel free to take a shot with Andrews as he costs a meager $3600 on DraftKings and $5700 on FanDuel.
Receiver
Malcom Floyd, Chargers (vs. Bears) – The Chargers lost Keenan Allen, their leading receiver, for the season. Antonio Gates is battling an MCL injury and Ladarius Green an ankle injury. Philip Rivers leads the NFL in passing yards, attempts and completions -- which only can mean good things to come for Malcom Floyd. The Bears rank 30th in DVOA against No. 1 receivers and have allowed 16 touchdowns via the pass, which is third-worst in the NFL. Floyd's coming off a four-catch, 92-yard, two-touchdown performance. We should expect solid production for inexpensive pricing of $6100 on FanDuel and $3900 on DraftKings.
Brandon LaFell, Patriots (vs. Redskins) -- The Patriots possess the second-ranked passing offense in the NFL and the best scoring offense. LaFell has seen 15 targets since returning to the lineup in Week 7 and should continue to see those opportunities against the Redskins this week. Washington ranks 22nd in pass DVOA and 30th against No. 2 receivers. LaFell is playing 77 percent of snaps since returning and should have ample opportunity to do significant damage and get in the end zone this week. You can have all of that for a mere $3200 on DraftKings and $5200 on FanDuel.
Tight end
Delanie Walker, Titans (at Saints) -- The Saints allow the fifth-most points to opposing tight ends, and the Titans gets Mariota back. That means Walker, while still heavily targeted with Zach Mettenberger under center, will see an upgrade in quarterback play. Walker is ninth in receiving yards and eighth in receptions for tight ends, so the volume is there. The only downside to Walker is his one touchdown on the season, but at prices of $4200 on DraftKings and $5500 on FanDuel, he's worth a flier.
Heath Miller, Steelers (vs. Raiders) -- In his full three games with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, Heath Miller has scored 12.4, 10.5 and 15.5 points in half-point PPR leagues. In those games, he has 20 receptions, 204 yards, his lone touchdown and a two-point conversion. Now the Steelers take on the Raiders, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to tight ends, in Roethlisberger's second game back from injury. He will be ready to roll and looking for his safety blanket often enough to pay dividends on Miller's salary. The bargain is far more on DraftKings ($2700) than FanDuel ($5800) this week.
Others considered: Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Charles Sims, C.J. Anderson, Jamison Crowder, Stevie Johnson, Ben Watson and and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (if he plays).
Jack Thomason is 670 The Score's fantasy football expert and co-host of "Chicago's Fantasy Football Today," which can be heard every Sunday during football season from 8-9 a.m. CT on WSCR-670 and 670thescore.com/listen. Follow him on Twitter@jthomason77and feel free to ask fantasy questions.