Fantasy Football Redraft League Week 15 Report
By Andrew Porter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Most fantasy leagues are down to the final four, and most of you have been eliminated. No problem though, I'm here to construct your weekly redraft team for this week. Here are some of the best week 15 value plays.
*These projections and stats are based on standard fantasy scoring systems and values are based on Fanduel.com
QB
Nick Foles at Minnesota
That's right. I'm riding with Nicky Flash again this week. Had him last week and he put up 19 fantasy points in a blizzard. This week, Foles gets the Vikings on their turf field. No weather worries. Oh, and the Vikings are giving up the second most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, almost 22 FP per game, and allows the third most passing yards per game (282.5). Foles is a sure-fire top five QB play this week, and is the eight most expensive QB.
RB
Shane Vereen at Miami
Vereen has been ridiculously lately, more so catching the ball than running with it. Vereen, since returning from injury, has 33 receptions for 315 yards and a touchdown. Miami gives up the ninth most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, and also give up 42 receiving yards per game to opposing running backs. With Rob Gronkowski out for the season, Vereen becomes the Patriots most dangerous offensive weapon.
Vereen is only the ninth most expensive running back this week.
Alfred Morris at Atlanta
Morris has been kind of quiet of late. His highest rushing yardage total the past three weeks is 52, but I have a gut feeling he is due for a monster game this week. The Falcons are third worst in the NFL against the run, allowing 133.6 yards per game on the ground. They also allow the sixth most fantasy points to opposing running backs. With Kirk Cousins getting the start for the Redskins, Morris should be relied on heavily.
For some unknown reason, Morris isn't even among the top 20 most expensive running backs this week. Am I missing something here?
WR
Eric Decker vs. San Diego
The Chargers give up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Decker has five touchdown catches in his last two games. Wes Welker is out. The last time Denver played on Thursday night Peyton Manning threw for seven touchdowns. Decker is the tenth most expensive receiver, but has top-five upside.
Riley Cooper at Minnesota
I was going to go with DeSean Jackson here, and you can if you want, but I decided on Cooper out of pure value. Cooper is the 32nd most expensive receiver this week, D-Jac is the 15th. Both players have tremendous upside this week, and I don't think the gap is that massive to justify one over the other.
Not only does Minnesota gives up the second most fantasy points to opposing QB's (see: Foles, Nick), but they also give up the fourth most fantasy points to opposing receivers. The Eagles shouldn't have trouble scoring on Sunday.
TE
Antonio Gates at Denver
Pure value here. Gates is the 25th, yes 25th, most expensive tight end this week. Last week, while many thought Ladarius Green would take targets/receptions/yards away from Gates like Green had been previously, Green went without a catch while Gates finished with 50 receiving yards on four catches. It looks like the Charges are going to rely on the veteran tight end, and the Broncos are very susceptible to the pass, giving up the fifth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and 274.3 passing yards per game, fourth worst in the NFL.
K
Phil Dawson at Tampa Bay
Riding the hot foot here, if you will. Dawson has a remarkable five game double-digit fantasy point streak. No reason to expect it to stop now.
DEF
Philadelphia at Minnesota
The Eagles have been a sneaky good fantasy defensive of late, scoring ten points in each of their last two games. The Birds have 25 takeaways this season, tied for fifth best in the NFL, and while they have 15 interceptions, they are one of only four teams without a pick six. The law of averages says it's coming, and I have a feeling it comes this week against Matt Cassel and a banged up Adrian Peterson.
The Eagles are only the 13th most expensive fantasy defense this week.
Andrew Porter is the Audio Roadshow Coordinator for SportsRadio WIP, editor and writer for The School Philly, and a contributing sports blogger for CBS Philly. You can follow him on Twitter @And_Porter.
