Thomason: Sleepers & Daily Fantasy Value Plays For Week 4
By Jack Thomason--
(CBS) NFL bye weeks are here, and injuries continue to pile up. In this column previously, we have hit on some big winners like Dion Lewis, Jordan Reed, Devonta Freeman, Lance Dunbar and more. I've also whiffed on some calls as well, like Jared Cook and Nick Foles last week. I can't win them all, but then again, no one can -- otherwise this wouldn't be called fantasy football.
Let's take a look at this week's sleepers/value plays for both season-long and daily fantasy leagues.
Quarterback
Derek Carr, Raiders (at Bears) -- Carr has been on fire over his last two full games since injuring his hand. Finally equipped with several quality weapons, he has completed 50 passes on 78 attempts for 665 yards and five scores in the past two weeks. During that time, he has only thrown one interception. Carr carved up the Browns last week on the road and now gets the lowly Bears secondary that has allowed eight passing scores, good for 31st in the NFL. Sign me up, as his price tag is only $5300 on DraftKings and $7000 on FanDuel.
Blake Bortles, Jaguars (at Colts) -- Quietly, Bortles has thrown as many touchdown passes as Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck while throwing more than Russell Wilson. The Colts are allowing 261 yards per game through the air, and if they get a large lead (the line is Colts -9), Bortles should produce similarly to the way he did against the Patriots last week. The Jaguars offense is competent enough to move the ball on the Colts, and at prices of $5100 (DraftKings) and $6800 (FanDuel), Bortles is worth a flier.
Running back
Karlos Williams, Bills (vs. Giants) -- Karlos Williams has looked like a man amongst boys at times this season. With impressive size (6-foot-1 and 230 pounds) and speed (4.48 40), he has rumbled his way to a ridiculous 7.75 yards per carry average so far and one of two only two running backs (along with Jamaal Charles) to have a score in each game this year. With LeSean McCoy running on "one and a half" legs and unlikely to play this week, Williams is a slam dunk play on DraftKings ($3400) and FanDuel ($6300). He would soak up all the touches in a home matchup against the Giants in which the Bills are favored by 5.5 points.
Alfred Blue, Texans (at Falcons) -- This obviously depends on Arian Foster's availability for Sunday's game, but with Thursday night action next week, Foster may be held out one more game. Early news has shown Foster must practice in full before being able to play this weekend. If he doesn't suit up, look for Blue to build off of last week's monster day. He carried the ball a whopping 31 times en route to 139 yards and a trip to pay dirt, and he'll get a Falcons run defense that the Cowboys just touched up for 127 yards and four scores on 6.1 yards per carry. For $6400 on FanDuel and $3900 on DraftKings, I'll take the expected workload in a soft matchup, if Foster is out.
Receiver
Ted Ginn, Panthers (at Buccaneers) -- This may seem a little crazy, but Ginn is second on the Panthers with 22 targets, which is only six behind Greg Olsen. Cam Newton has been on fire over his last two games, and Ginn is seeing the opportunities as a starter. Last week he posted four receptions and 94 yards. The week prior, he got in the end zone while reeling in four balls for 41 yards. As an added bonus on DraftKings, Ginn returns kicks and punts. He can be used in a cost-effective stack option with the Panthers defense going up against a turnover-prone Buccaneers team as well. With prices of $3400 on DraftKings and $5500 on FanDuel, Ginn's a perfect sleeper.
Allen Hurns, Jaguars (at Colts) -- While Vontae Davis matches up with Allen Robinson, it should allow Hurns to take advantage of the lesser corners on the Colts. The Jaguars are nine-point underdogs, so similar to last week they should be throwing plenty and putting up useful garbage-time stats. Hurns only caught two balls against the Patriots, but they went for 70 yards and a touchdown. With Rashad Greene heading to IR, more target should be coming Hurns' way. He's sitting at $5300 on FanDuel and $3900 on DraftKings.
Tight end
Maxx Williams, Ravens (at Steelers) -- The Ravens will be without Crockett Gillmore on Thursday night due to a calf injury. In steps Williams, who saw seven targets last week and converted them into three receptions and 44 yards. Pittsburgh has struggled mightily against the pass, giving up 7.7 yards per attempt and a 108.8 rating to opposing quarterbacks. Joe Flacco has always been a fan of his tight ends, and behind Steve Smith and Justin Forsett (who has struggled), Gillmore has been his go-to guy. Williams should be involved early and often Thursday, and his prices are tough to beat -- $2500 on DraftKings and $4700 on FanDuel.
Coby Fleener, Colts (vs. Jaguars) -- Dwayne Allen missed last week's game with an ankle injury, and Fleener started at tight end. He only hauled in four passes for 51 yards, but as long as Allen is out, he'll remain a big-play tight end and a threat to score. Given the Colts are favored by nine, at home and have a team total of 28.5, I'll take my chances on Fleener at his current pricing ($3200 on Draft Kings and $4900 on FanDuel).
Others Considered: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyrod Taylor (still a value in DFS), Lance Dunbar, Thomas Rawls, Ty Montgomery, Leonard Hankerson, Rishard Matthews and Jordan Reed (still a value in DFS).
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 @jthomason77 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
