Fanduel Value-Play Rankings: Week 6

Will Grant's Fanduel Value-Play Rankings: Week 6 Will Grant Published 10/13/2016

Welcome to Fanduel Value-Play Rankings!

Each week we ask 10 staff members to rank their top players at each Fanduel position. These rankings are based on what our DFS staff believe are the best players at each position with respect to total points they will receive compared to the dollars that they cost. These rankings can be used to help you round out your cash game and GPP lineups, or just provide a guideline for what the Footballguys.com staff believe are the best value-plays to target

If Staffers submitted Comments, they are included below the tables as well. 

Each Staffer was asked to rank 8 QBs, 12 RBs, 12 WRs, 8 TEs, 5 PKs, and 5 Defenses. For the purposes of calculating an average rank, if a player was not ranked by a particular staffer, they received a weight that was 1 point higher than the players they ranked. For example. if only 2 staffers ranked a particular quarterback, the other 8 staffers were weighted as giving that quarterback a '9' for average calculation purposes. 

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: QUARTERBACKS

Player Matchup Price Garda Haseley Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Tom Brady CIN@NE 9000 2 1 4 2 1 2 9 1 1 2 2.5
Alex Smith KC@OAK 6800 4 2 1 4 5 1 2 9 4 1 3.3
Cam Newton CAR@NO 8900 9 5 6 1 2 8 1 2 3 9 4.6
Ben Roethlisberger PIT@MIA 8700 1 6 3 6 7 6 9 8 2 3 5.1
Brian Hoyer JAX@CHI 7000 9 8 9 9 3 3 3 4 9 5 6.2
Russell Wilson ATL@SEA 8400 5 9 8 5 9 4 7 5 5 9 6.6
Marcus Mariota CLE@TEN 7600 3 3 9 9 9 9 4 3 9 9 6.7
Drew Brees CAR@NO 8500 7 7 7 3 9 9 6 7 6 9 7.0
Brock Osweiler IND@HOU 6900 9 4 2 9 9 9 8 9 9 7 7.5
Blake Bortles JAX@CHI 7800 9 9 9 9 4 7 9 9 9 4 7.8
Colin Kaepernick SF@BUF 6400 9 9 9 9 9 5 5 9 9 9 8.2
Derek Carr KC@OAK 7900 6 9 5 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8.3
Andy Dalton CIN@NE 7600 9 9 9 9 6 9 9 9 9 6 8.4
Matthew Stafford LA@DET 8000 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 6 9 9 8.7
Tyrod Taylor SF@BUF 7800 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 7 9 8.8
Dak Prescott DAL@GB 7200 9 9 9 8 9 9 9 9 9 8 8.8
Andrew Luck IND@HOU 8600 9 9 9 7 9 9 9 9 9 9 8.8
Aaron Rodgers DAL@GB 8800 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 9 8.9

Tom Brady’s salary jumped $300 this week, and he’s still our most popular value play because of the matchup at home with the Bengals. Brady is back with a vengeance, and this will be his home debut. You can expect that he’s going to be throwing, even if they are up by 20. Vegas puts their implied total points scored at almost 28 this week, and the Patriots are a big home favorite against a struggling Bengal defense that made Dak Prescott look like an all pro last week. Two weeks ago Trevor Siemian lit them up for 300 yards and 4 TDS. Look for Brady to have a monster game, and reach value, even with his big 9000 salary.

On the lower end of the salary scale, Alex Smith looks like a perfect cash game play at just $6800 against the Raiders who have the worst pass defense in the league, allowing over 330 yards and 2 passing TDs per game. Smith is coming off a bye week and need to keep pace with the Raiders and the Broncos. Smith is primed to take full advantage of the Raiders and should be able exceed cash and even GPP value.

Bryan Hoyer is also an interesting cash play this week. Hoyer isn’t pretty, and doesn’t throw the ball long, but he stays clean and moves the ball. The Bears are only 1-4, but Bears are the #6 passing offense in the league, averaging over 280 yards a game. The problem is they don’ t reach the end zone very often, and find a way to short-circuit their offensive efforts every time. This week they face the Jaguars, who are on two weeks of rest since their big win in London, but they are not a great team and the Bears are projected to put up 25 points based on Vegas totals. Hoyer took criticism for not feeding the ball to Alshon Jeffery enough last week, so expect him to work on getting his star receiver more involved. At just 7000, he’s a solid value play this week.

Mamula

Give me Brady or Roethlisberger at QB this week. I see a steep drop off after those two.

Alexander

Hoyer has ranked as the QB11, QB8, and QB5 on Fanduel in his three starts this season, yet he remains priced as the QB21 in an exploitable home matchup with Jacksonville.

Smith faces off with Oakland, who has allowed a league leading 330 passing yards per game, and 8.7 yards per pass attempt. This is a good spot for a rested Kansas City team facing a divisional opponent coming off an emotional win.

Knotts

Tom Brady is coming off of suspension and wasted no time getting back into regular season form, as he threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns last week. While the matchup isn’t nearly as good as last week against Cleveland, this is his first home game back and the Patriots are once again big favorites against the Bengals. The Patriots have very little running game, and even in a 33-13 victory Brady threw the ball 40 times. I expect this to be the floor for Brady this week with multiple touchdown upside similar to last week.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: RUNNING BACKS

Player Matchup Price Garda Haseley Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
LeVeon Bell PIT@MIA 9300 3 4 5 2 1 4 1 1 2 4 2.7
DeMarco Murray CLE@TEN 8800 1 2 6 5 2 5 4 2 1 1 2.9
LeSean McCoy SF@BUF 8200 2 1 1 1 13 1 2 5 3 2 3.1
Jordan Howard JAX@CHI 7700 5 3 9 10 4 2 7 7 9 6 6.2
Lamar Miller IND@HOU 7900 13 5 3 13 5 3 9 13 4 3 7.1
Mark Ingram CAR@NO 6700 6 13 2 6 13 7 3 9 13 5 7.7
Christine Michael ATL@SEA 7400 12 10 11 3 3 11 6 10 7 9 8.2
Ezekiel Elliott DAL@GB 8100 7 7 4 11 6 10 13 11 8 7 8.4
Todd Gurley LA@DET 7900 8 9 13 8 8 12 8 8 6 8 8.8
Carlos Hyde SF@BUF 7300 9 8 7 9 13 13 13 3 10 13 9.8
Theo Riddick LA@DET 6600 13 13 12 13 7 6 5 13 13 12 10.7
David Johnson NYJ@ARI 9100 4 12 10 7 11 13 13 13 13 13 10.9
Devonta Freeman ATL@SEA 7100 10 11 13 13 13 13 13 4 13 10 11.3
Frank Gore IND@HOU 6300 11 13 13 13 13 9 10 6 13 13 11.4
Isaiah Crowell CLE@TEN 6500 13 6 13 13 10 13 13 13 13 13 12.0
Melvin Gordon DEN@SD 7100 13 13 13 4 13 13 13 13 13 13 12.1
Terrance West BAL@NYG 6500 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 5 13 12.2
Giovani Bernard CIN@NE 5700 13 13 8 12 13 13 11 13 13 13 12.2
Ryan Mathews PHI@WAS 6500 13 13 13 13 9 13 13 13 13 13 12.6
Jonathan Stewart CAR@NO 6300 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 11 13 12.8
LeGarrette Blount CIN@NE 7000 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 12.9
Tevin Coleman ATL@SEA 5900 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 13 12.9
Jalen Richard KC@OAK 5100 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 13 13 12.9

David Dodds blogged about how the world is going to be on LeSean McCoy this week. That being said, you almost have to have McCoy in your cash lineups this week. The #NarrativeStreet says that McCoy fires up on his former coach Chip Kelly, taking full advantage of the 49er defense that can’t stop anyone who is running the ball. McCoy is expensive at 8200, but given how much the 49ers give up each week, reaching cash game value shouldn’t be a problem. The Bills are more than a TD favorite at home, and projected to score over 25 points against a west coast team that will be playing in early east coast time zone. McCoy could have a career day this week and you should take advantage of it.

DeMarco Murray is even more expensive than McCoy, but he’s the other half of the chalk value running backs this week. Murray leads an unimpressive offense against a Cleveland defense that has given up 5 TDs to running backs over the last three weeks. Murray has had 57 touches over the last two weeks and should continue to see a massive chunk of the Tennessee offense this week. The Titans are favored by more than a TD this week, and Murray will get the ball over and over again. This is just the kind of high-floor opportunities that you want from your DFS running backs.


If you’re looking to save a little cash at the RB position this week, your best options are Mark Ingram at 6700 or Christine Michael at 7400. The Panthers are playing on a short week, after giving up over 100 yards to Jacquizz Rodgers on Monday Night Football.  Ingram’s had 100 yards and a TD in each of his last two games, and while he won’t blow up the world as a runner, he’s a lot better than Rodgers and should have a decent chance to reach cash game value this week. One of the teams that Ingram beat up on was the Falcons, and this week they travel to Seattle where Christine Michael is waiting for his opportunity. Michael’s also had over 200 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs over the last two weeks, and he’s facing an Atlanta team traveling from the east coast on a short practice week. Given their cheaper rates, both Ingram and Michael are excellent plays this week.

Knotts

Demarco Murray has over 5 catches in four of his five games this season, has gone over 100 total yards in four of his five games this season and has two touchdowns in two of his five games. He is currently the second highest running back in terms of FanDuel points scored, and still seems to be under the radar in terms of ownership each week. He is showing that behind a good offensive line he is a great running back similar to what we saw when he was in Dallas. He takes on a Cleveland Browns team that is allowing 29.6 points per game. Murray has multiple touchdown upside in this one.

Mamula

I am loving the Top 4 RBs this week. Murray, Bell, McCoy, and Miller will be spread across my lineups this week as I see a steep drop off after those four RB.

Stewart should return this week and is in a prime spot vs the Saints defense with a game total of 53.5 points

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: WIDE RECEIVERS

Player Matchup Price Garda Haseley Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
T.Y. Hilton IND@HOU 7900 1 1 7 3 13 2 13 1 3 3 4.7
Jarvis Landry PIT@MIA 6900 6 8 11 1 5 4 1 13 1 1 5.1
Antonio Brown PIT@MIA 9700 2 2 3 4 4 12 13 6 5 6 5.7
Jeremy Maclin KC@OAK 6900 4 13 2 9 13 3 3 10 2 2 6.1
Amari Cooper KC@OAK 7100 10 11 5 7 9 10 4 9 4 4 7.3
Cameron Meredith JAX@CHI 5400 13 6 1 12 13 1 2 2 12 13 7.5
Larry Fitzgerald NYJ@ARI 7400 5 9 13 5 3 8 13 13 13 13 9.5
Michael Crabtree KC@OAK 7000 7 3 13 6 13 13 13 8 9 13 9.8
A.J. Green CIN@NE 8400 13 13 13 13 13 7 5 5 13 5 10.0
Allen Robinson JAX@CHI 8600 13 13 4 13 7 5 13 13 13 8 10.2
Kelvin Benjamin CAR@NO 7800 13 13 13 13 2 13 8 13 7 9 10.4
Sammie Coates Jr PIT@MIA 6400 13 13 13 13 13 9 10 3 13 10 11.0
Michael Thomas CAR@NO 5400 13 13 6 8 13 11 13 7 13 13 11.0
Brandin Cooks CAR@NO 7500 13 13 13 13 13 13 7 13 6 7 11.1
Doug Baldwin ATL@SEA 7600 13 13 10 13 8 13 6 13 11 11 11.1
Jordy Nelson DAL@GB 8300 3 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 8 13 11.5
Brandon Marshall NYJ@ARI 7500 11 12 13 13 1 13 13 13 13 13 11.5
Emmanuel Sanders DEN@SD 6800 9 13 13 2 13 13 13 13 13 13 11.5
Marvin Jones LA@DET 7700 13 10 13 13 13 13 12 4 13 13 11.7
DeAndre Hopkins IND@HOU 8100 8 13 9 13 13 13 11 13 13 13 11.9
Jeremy Kerley SF@BUF 5800 13 7 13 13 13 13 13 13 10 13 12.1
Terrance Williams DAL@GB 5600 13 4 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12.1
Mike Wallace BAL@NYG 6400 13 13 13 13 13 6 13 11 13 13 12.1
Travis Benjamin DEN@SD 6000 13 5 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12.2
Odell Beckham Jr BAL@NYG 8300 13 13 13 13 13 13 9 13 13 13 12.6
Demaryius Thomas DEN@SD 7300 13 13 13 10 13 13 13 13 13 13 12.7
Julio Jones ATL@SEA 8500 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 12 12.8
Julian Edelman CIN@NE 7200 13 13 13 11 13 13 13 13 13 13 12.8

The Pittsburgh at Miami game presents several value-plays at WR this week. Antonio Brown is the highest priced WR this week, but he’s still considered a value play because he’s been crushing opposing defenses from week to week. As opposing defenses try to stop him, Sammie Coates Jr is emerging as a legitimate #2 option for the Steelers and his salary is over 3000 cheaper than Brown’s. This week the face the Dolphins, a team that has given up 7 TDs to wide receivers this season already, including 2 to the Titans last week. Pittsburgh is 7.5 point favorite with an implied total of almost 28 points this week. Both Brown and Coates should have big games. On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins can’t run the ball to save their lives. The Steelers are going to clamp down on them, and even though Arian Foster might return this week, the Dolphins are going to have a hard time running the ball. If they get down early as the game script suggests, look for them to throw a ton in order to catch up. Landry is easily the best receiver on the team, and he should see plenty of opportunities in garbage time for Miami this week. The Steelers are allowing over 300 passing yards per game, and the bulk of that should go to Landry, making him a good bet to reach his cash game value at just $6900.

If you’re looking to save money at the WR3 slot, the guy you want to consider is Cameron Meredith from the Bears. Last week Brian Hoyer locked on to Meredith and he finished the game with 130 yards and a TD on 12 targets. This week Alshon Jeffery is still battling a hamstring injury and has been limited in practice. Eddie Royal and Zach Miller have also missed time due to injuries. Meredith clearly has a rapport with Hoyer and is the only guy getting in full practices. At just 5400 this week, he doesn’t even need a repeat of last week’s performance to be big bonus for your cash game teams this week.

Knotts

Larry Fitzgerald has been extremely consistent this season as he has at least 60 yards in each of his five games this season. This game is the best matchup that he will have all season, as it seems the Jets can not stop any wide receivers as they have allowed the second most passing yards in the NFL this season. Fitzgerald makes for a great cash game play due to his floor being so high compared to other wide receivers which is a big deal for cash games as you do not want one player to kill your lineup.

Mamula

WR is wide open this week. I like Landry, Maclin, and Hilton best.I’m not buying into Meredith as a top 5 option until we see a few weeks worth of history.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: TIGHT ENDS

Player Matchup Price Garda Haseley Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Delanie Walker CLE@TEN 6700 1 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1.8
Travis Kelce KC@OAK 6400 4 2 1 3 7 1 4 8 2 1 3.3
Greg Olsen CAR@NO 8100 2 7 4 1 3 5 1 3 4 4 3.4
Martellus Bennett CIN@NE 6600 5 4 9 5 9 3 9 4 3 3 5.4
Jimmy Graham ATL@SEA 6900 9 1 9 6 9 4 9 1 9 7 6.4
Zach Ertz PHI@WAS 5400 8 9 3 9 6 9 3 9 5 9 7.0
Rob Gronkowski CIN@NE 8400 3 9 5 4 9 9 9 7 7 8 7.0
Zach Miller JAX@CHI 5800 9 5 9 8 5 6 5 6 9 9 7.1
Dennis Pitta BAL@NYG 5400 9 9 7 7 4 9 9 9 6 6 7.5
Gary Barnidge CLE@TEN 5300 7 9 9 9 2 7 9 5 9 9 7.5
Jordan Reed PHI@WAS 7500 6 6 6 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 7.8
Jason Witten DAL@GB 5600 9 9 9 9 9 9 6 9 9 5 8.3
Coby Fleener CAR@NO 5600 9 8 8 9 9 8 7 9 9 9 8.5

Aside from DeMarco Murry, the only other guy doing anything for the Titans this year is Delanie Walker. Walker look fully recovered from his hamstring injury last week with his five receptions for 66 yards and a TD. This week he faces the Browns who gave up 3 TDs to Martellus Bennett last week, and 2 TDs to Jordan Reed the week before. Look for Walker to have a great game this week, and his 6700 makes him a great value play.

Travis Kelce might be an even bigger value play at TE than Walker because he’s $200 cheaper and he’s facing an Oakland defense that’s given up a ton of passing yards and TDs this season. Kelce is one of Alex Smith’s favorite targets, and with two weeks to game plan against their division rivals, Kelce is primed to have a great game this week.

Greg Olsen is the one guy on the Carolina offense that doesn’t seem to be phased by the Panthers offensive issues. The Saints are giving up over 300 yards passing per game, and the Panthers really need this game to turn around their rapidly devolving season. Look for Cam Newton to dump the ball to Olsen a ton in this game, and if you’re looking to pay up for a TE this week, Olsen is your guy.

Mamula

Delanie Walker is in a prime spot this week vs the Browns who gave up 3 TDs vs. Martellus Bennett last week.

Knotts

Gary Barnidge was the number two overall tight end in 2015, and a lot of that was due to Josh McCown. If McCown starts this week, Barnidge becomes a great value play at the tight end position. Do not let the Tennessee stats against tight ends scare you off, as they have not faced a team that focuses on a tight end like the Browns do when McCown is starting.

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: KICKERS

Player Matchup Price Garda Haseley Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Mason Crosby DAL@GB 4600 2 6 2 6 6 3 6 1 1 1 3.4
Chris Boswell PIT@MIA 4800 6 1 6 1 6 1 3 6 2 2 3.4
Chandler Catanzaro NYJ@ARI 4600 1 6 3 4 1 6 6 6 6 6 4.5
Nick Novak IND@HOU 4500 6 3 1 5 6 6 1 6 6 5 4.5
Stephen Gostkowski CIN@NE 5000 3 6 4 2 6 5 6 6 3 6 4.7
Steve Hauschka ATL@SEA 4800 4 5 6 3 6 2 6 6 6 3 4.7
Cairo Santos KC@OAK 4700 6 6 6 6 3 6 6 3 6 6 5.4
Wil Lutz CAR@NO 4500 6 6 6 6 2 4 6 6 6 6 5.4
Sebastian Janikowski KC@OAK 4700 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 2 6 6 5.5
Connor Barth JAX@CHI 4500 6 6 6 6 5 6 4 4 6 6 5.5
Justin Tucker BAL@NYG 4900 6 6 6 6 6 6 2 6 6 6 5.6
Dan Carpenter SF@BUF 4700 5 6 6 6 6 6 5 6 6 4 5.6
Ryan Succop CLE@TEN 4500 6 6 6 6 4 6 6 6 5 6 5.7
Graham Gano CAR@NO 5000 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 6 5.8
Dan Bailey DAL@GB 4800 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 6 6 5.9

This is a good week to save money on a kicker. Last week Mason Crosby was a great play and he tops the board this week as a value kicker. He’s 4600, at home and the favorite to win with an implied point total of over 25 points in the game. That means a high floor with plenty of opportunities. Just what you want from a value kicker.

Chris Boswell is on the road, but the Steelers are also a 7.5 point favorite with an implied total of almost 28 points in this game. Boswell has been posting solid numbers for the last two weeks, and this week he’ll have plenty of chances to post points this week.

If you have a couple extra bucks this week, consider Stephen Gostkowski against the Bengals. The Patriots are an 8.5 point favorite for Tom Brady’s homecoming game this week. They are going to run the score on the Bengals this week and Gostkowski will benefit. 

FANDUEL CONSENSUS RANKINGS, WEEK 4: DEFENSES

Player Matchup Price Garda Haseley Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Buffalo SF@BUF 4800 3 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 2 1 1.6
Tennessee CLE@TEN 4700 1 2 4 3 2 1 6 2 3 2 2.6
Pittsburgh PIT@MIA 4800 2 4 3 2 6 2 2 3 4 4 3.2
New England CIN@NE 4700 6 3 6 6 5 5 6 6 1 6 5.0
Arizona NYJ@ARI 5400 4 6 2 6 3 6 6 6 6 6 5.1
Detroit LA@DET 4500 6 5 6 6 6 6 3 5 5 3 5.1
NY Giants BAL@NYG 4300 6 6 6 6 6 3 6 6 6 5 5.6
Philadelphia PHI@WAS 4500 6 6 5 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 5.7
Denver DEN@SD 5000 5 6 6 6 4 6 6 6 6 6 5.7
Baltimore BAL@NYG 4500 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 6 6 5.8
Chicago JAX@CHI 4300 6 6 6 5 6 6 5 6 6 6 5.8
Houston IND@HOU 4400 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 6 6 6 5.8

Buffalo and Tennessee are the top value defenses this week. Both are at home against teams that they are heavily favored to beat. Both are priced below the 5000 target price and both are facing teams that could turn the ball over a lot. Based on the Vegas implied totals, the 49ers and the Browns have the two lowest totals (just over 18 points each). If you’re looking for value defense this week, the Bills or the Titans make an excellent option.

Mamula

New England is my top defense on FD this week. Bengals on the road. That is a recipe for some Dalton turnovers.

Good luck this weekend!

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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