Best DraftKings Options for Week 13

Daily Fantasy Sports have become a booming trend across the nation. Here are my thoughts for this week, using DraftKings and their prices/roster:

Quarterback

Best Option – Cam Newton ($7,400) vs. Saints (OPRK 32)

While some scoff at MVP notions for Cam Newton, mostly due to the lack of statistical performance, he has been a great quarterback throughout the season. He has led and willed his team to victory after victory. Going against the injured and porous Saints defense, Newton should have a field day on the ground and in the air. 

Cheap Option – Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,200) vs. Giants (OPRK 31)

Ryan Fitzpatrick burned Brent Grimes and the Miami Dolphins defense last week for 4 touchdowns and no turnovers. He also added 21 yards on the ground. At the same time, the Giants defense failed to capitalize on many opportunities last week against the atrocious Redskins defense. Fitzpatrick should burn the Giants this week in the Metlife Bowl.

My Pick – Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,200)

Running Backs

Best Option – Matt Forte ($6,000) vs. 49ers (OPRK 30)

While Matt Forte is splitting carries with Jeremy Langford at the moment, John Fox is a respectful man and he respects Forte’s seniority and his elite status. Forte will get his touches and will run away with them against the 9ers once elite defense, that has been ravaged by the retirements of Patrick Willis, Chris Borland and Justin Smith.

Cheap Option – Giovanni Bernard ($4,500) vs. Browns (OPRK 27)

Jeremy Hill exited early against the Rams last week due to an ankle injury. He has downplayed the severity of that injury, but it opens up the door for Gio Bernard to rip apart the Browns defense. The Bengals sport one of the best offensive lines in the league and Bernard should receive about 70-95% of the snaps against the Browns disgustingly bad defense. Sounds like a recipe for a good day to me. 

My Picks – Doug Martin ($5,900) and Javorius Allen ($5,400)  

Wide Receivers

Best Option – Odell Beckham Jr. ($8,900) vs. Jets (OPRK 25)

Odell Beckham has the best hands in the entire league. Last week he dove for a stunning catch against tight coverage. With Darrelle Revis and Marcus Gilchrest banged up, the Jets are going to need more then tight double coverage against the sophomore phenom.

Cheap Option – Brandon LaFell ($4,800) vs. Eagles (OPRK 32)

Tom Brady is going to be a top quarterback every week and he’s going to need someone to throw the ball to. In comes Brandon LaFell, the only option. Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski have fallen to injuries, which leaves LaFell and Scott Chandler as the main men to help Brady move the ball down the field. The Eagles are last in the league in points given up to wide receivers, look for LaFell to only add to that total.

My Picks – Michael Crabtree ($6,500), T.Y. Hilton ($5,700) and Brandon LaFell ($4,800)

Tight End

Best Option – Greg Olsen ($6,400) vs. Saints (OPRK 31)

Greg Olsen gets receptions, averaging 5 per game over the last 5 games. That’s an easy 5 points right there, on top of the yards and the touchdowns he will accrue against the ex-Rob Ryan led defense. Cam Newton needs his big man to come up big for him if he wants to remain undefeated against his division rival, and he will.

Cheap Option – Kyle Rudolph ($3,700) vs. Seahawks (OPRK 29)

Kyle Rudolph has been second only to Adrian Peterson within the Vikings skill position players, recently. The Seahawks front seven has been much overrated due to the scary Legion of Boom. When Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas shut down the run game, Teddy Bridgewater has to look at Rudolph, and he will. A lot.

My Pick – Greg Olsen ($6,400)

Flex (not including anyone mentioned in this article)

Best Option – A.J. Green ($7,600) vs. Browns (OPRK 26)

A.J. Green against a banged up Joe Haden and the rest of the Browns horrible defense. Possibly without Jeremy Hill and Tyler Eifert, Andy Dalton will want to throw more and more and to his favorite target, Green. 

Cheap Option – Chris Ivory ($5,900) vs. New York Giants (OPRK 23)

Chris Ivory is a bruiser. He trucks everyone in his way on his way to the end zone. Being a three down back gives him touches and receptions. The Giants pass rush is horrendous and there run defense isn’t too far behind. Ivory will have his way on the ground and maybe even a little through the air.

My Pick – Jarvis Landry ($6,700)

Defense

Best Option – Arizona Cardinals ($3,900) vs. Rams (OPRK 29)

More times then not, the most expensive defense has a bad matchup and defenses should solely be judged on matches. This is not one of those times, as the Cardinals face the Rams with the atrocity of Nick Foles/Case Keenum at quarterback. Having no capable wide receivers also helps to destroy the offense. Todd Gurley is not a force to be reckoned with, but that ferocious front seven can handle it.

Cheap Option – Chicago Bears ($2,600) vs. 49ers (OPRK 28)

Blaine Gabbert. Enough said. No seriously, this offense is bad. They are missing 2012 Michael Crabtree, 2012-2013 Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis. The entire offense is just a mess at this point. The Bears amassed an encouraging win last week against Aaron Rodgers and the superpower offense of the Green Bay Packers. Spirits, confidences and playoff aspirations are high for this team.

My Pick – Cincinnati Bengals ($3,400)

My Lineup

QB – Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,200)

RB – Doug Martin ($5,900) 

RB – Javorius Allen ($5,400)  

WR – Michael Crabtree ($6,500)

WR – T.Y. Hilton ($5,700)

WR – Brandon LaFell ($4,800)

TE – Greg Olsen ($6,400)

FL – Jarvis Landry ($6,700)

DS – Cincinnati Bengals ($3,400)

Total: $50,000