This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Cash Games
In 50/50s, double-ups or heads-up contests, always aim for a lineup that has a higher floor rather than a higher ceiling. In 50/50 contests, the top half of all entries finish in the money, which means you don't have to pick a high-ceiling lineup that shoots for the moon. Rather, build these lineups with safe players who can be counted on for production.
QB: Derek Carr at DET ($7,700): Carr is going to be a popular pick and there's very good reason. He has at least 19 fantasy points in six of his last eight games and the two he didn't were in a tough matchup against the Broncos and a fluky game in Chicago. This week he gets a favorable matchup and while the Lions have played better defensively, they still ranks 28th in the league allowing 8.0 yards per passing attempt. Carr already has a dynamic tandem in Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, but last week spread the ball around as Clive Walford and Andre Holmes both found the end zone. Matthew Stafford and Co. should be able to score as well and this should turn into one of the higher scoring games this weekend.
RB: Lamar Miller vs. DAL ($7,400): The firing of Joe Philbin has resulted in a resurrection for Miller's fantasy value, as his four worst fantasy games occurred in the first four weeks of the season. Since then he's had two games with more points than those first four weeks combined. This week he gets the Cowboys at home in what is a very good matchup. Dallas has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns (third worst in the league) and over 100 rushing yards per game. Miller's floor has been helped by his involvement in the passing game with six, seven and five catches over his last three games, respecitvely.
RB: Charcandrick West at SD ($7,100): The price is starting to creep up on West and there's a good reason why that's happening. He's scored 29.6, 20.2 and 19.9 fantasy points in his last three contests, respectively, and has at least 24 touches in each of those games. The San Diego defense has been the most generous defense in the league to opposing running backs, giving up an average of 22.4 fantasy points per game. Dollar for dollar he looks like the best value at the position this week.
WR: Julio Jones vs. IND ($9,100): Coming out of the bye seems like a good time to take Jones given he's had an extra week to recover whatever nagging injuries he's had to deal with. Matt Ryan has always played better at home and Jones comes into this game with five straight games of double-digit targets and four straight games of at least 92 receiving yards.
WR: Demaryius Thomas at CHI ($7,700): This can be considered something of a risky play with Brock Osweiler under center, but being truthful, isn't there a chance this is a huge upgrade for the Broncos? Thomas is still the focal point of this offense and should get a lot of short screens with the Broncos calling easy passes for Osweiler. This is the cheapest his price has been in years and it may not be lower the rest of the season.
WR: Danny Amendola vs. BUF ($6,100): The loss of Julian Edelman puts Amendola in a fortuitous spot this week as he should step into Edelman's place in the lineup. While Amendola isn't as talented as Edelman, he stands to get nearly as many targets and will be a top-2 receiving option for Tom Brady. Amendola's 12.9 fantasy points last week are a good indication of his floor, and he has the upside of scoring at least 20 fantasy points in this game.
TE: Eric Ebron vs. OAK ($5,400): This pick is all about the matchup, as the Raiders continue to be the worst fantasy defense to opposing tight ends. Given the lack of a household name Ebron is, it's worth looking at other good matchups for the position, but the next two worst teams – the Giants and Saints – are both on bye this week. Ebron has shown upside this season with games of 12.8, 13.3 and 17.4 fantasy points; not bad when you consider he's only played seven games.
K: Stephen Gostkowski v. BUF ($5,100): This price is only $600 from the minimum and the Patriots always seem to take it to the Bills whenever they play each other (Gostowski had 19 fantasy points earlier this season, for example). Remarkably, there's been only one game this season Gostkowski has been below nine fantasy points, showing both his floor and upside.
DEF/ST: Kansas City Chiefs at SD ($4,400): Paying up for Seattle ($5,400) is certainly tempting but this is a position where great value can be found. For only $400 more than the minimum, the Chiefs have scored 19, 14, 12, seven and 11 fantasy points over their last five games, respectively. The Chargers have a weak offensive line, a bad running game and no Keenan Allen.
Tournaments
For tournament lineups, you have to look at upside and use some "outside-the-box" picks if you want to cash. Don't use this type of lineup completely, as there is a lower floor with a lot of players. A mix of studs with a few of the cheaper options could net the top overall prize.
QB: Mark Sanchez vs. TB ($6,400): He's only $400 above the minimum price for a quarterback and unlike fellow newbie Brock Osweiler ($6,000), Sanchez has shown the ability to be a fantasy asset and has a better matchup. Sanchez will be home against the Buccaneers and will have had a full week to work with the first team. Out of his seven starts last season, he had four games of at least 300 yards passing and even rushed for at least 22 yards in three of those contests. Both Osweiler and Sanchez are in play in GPPs this weekend.
RB: James Starks at MIN ($6,200): Recency bias will have most owners shying away from Starks this week after a paltry 12.6-fantasy-point effort last week against the Lions. However, head coach Mike McCarthy still named him the starter this week and the game flow should be different than it was a week ago. Starks still has games of 21.2 and 24.2 fantasy points in his last four, and with last week's effort his price hasn't moved at all. He's going to get the bulk of the carries and has been a consistent producer in the passing game as well. While the road matchup isn't good, this is the same team that had an excellent fantasy day in Carolina a few weeks ago.
