Moving onto Week 15 of the 2023 season, and we are going to give you some DraftKings bargain bin plays for the week. These are plays that are on the ultra-value/ GPP contrarian side. So generally avoid these plays in cash game lineups, but in GPPs- especially big fields go for it!
You can find all of our DFS content here, and be ready for the week.
Joe Flacco v CHI ($5,500)
In his two weeks as a starter nobody has thrown more passes than Cleveland’s Joe Flacco. The 38-year old former Super Bowl winner and MVP has attempted a league leading 89 passes in the Browns last two outings against the Rams and the Jaguars, connecting with his pass catchers for 565 yards and 5 touchdowns. Spinning the numbers in a positive fashion; we could say Flacco’s completion rate is the same as elite talent Josh Allen…but in reality his 55% success rate ranks 31st amongst qualifying QBs, behind Bailey Zappe, Mitch Trubisky and Desmond Ridder. Thankfully we don’t need Flacco to be efficient if he’s throwing at such a high volume, and 55% of 89 still sees Flacco rank 6th in total completions since he was given the job in Cleveland. The Browns now host a Bears team on the rise, coming off back-to-back wins over Minnesota and Detroit, with a resurgent Justin Fields back under centre. Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt have both carried an injury designation this week which may force the Browns to lean on the passing game even heavier. Flacco will be out to celebrate inking a fresh 1-year deal with his new team, he’s a great start for only $5500.
Tommy DeVito @NO ($5,000)
How do you fancy roserting the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for a mere $5000? Then may I present to you, Mr Tommy DeVito of the New York Football Giants. After suffering public ridicule following his admission that his mum still makes his dinner and does his laundry, Tommy Cutlets has led his team to 3 consecutive wins over Washington, New England and a thriller over Green Bay last week on Monday Night Football. After tasting defeat in his first 2 starts for the G-Men, one thing has changed, or rather been removed from DeVito’s game…errors. Tommy D threw for a mere 261 yards in the losses to Las Vegas and Dallas, along with 3 interceptions. In the 3 games since, the boy from New Jersey has passed for 595 yards and 5 TDs…with zero picks. Big Blue faces a big challenge in week 15 as they travel to the SuperDome to face a Saint defense ranked 6th against the pass, but I am keeping the faith with DeVito who may also get Darren Waller back this week on the road in New Orleans.
Zach Wilson @MIA ($4,900)
Not satisfied with one Offensive Player of the Week; how about another one for under $5000? Flipping conferences and for a full $100 less on the slate we have week 14’s offensive hero from the AFC; Zachary Kapono Wilson of the New York Football Jets. After a 2-game experiment with Tim Boyle under centre, Robert Saleh and his coaching staff went crawling back to the former No.2 overall pick as the Jets hosted C.J. Stroud and the Texans last weekend. Now, if I had told you that in this game one QB completed 10 of his 23 attempts for 91 scoreless yards, and the other made 27 of his 36 throws for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns, you would 100% believe me. If I then went on to tell you the stat line of the latter belonged to the Jets’ Zach Wilson in a 30-6 victory, you would rightly assume that I had partaken in one too many glasses of sherry this festive season. Wilson didn’t only put up great numbers, he looked good in doing so – and now gets to face a Miami defense reeling from a final quarter capitulation against the Titans on MNF. As always with Zach Wilson, it’s a risky play, but we’ve seen what he can do, and with trade rumours and speculation about his future in New York circulating, Wilson will be out to prove why he was worthy of first round selection in 2021.
Jerick McKinnon ($5,100) / Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($5,000) @NE
Last week, the unfortunate news surrounding Isiah Pacheco’s shoulder injury broke after this column went live, but those of you who read my weekly Slatebreakers article will have seen the McKinnon/CEH combo play out exactly as I had anticipated; with CEH taking majority of the work and McKinnon being the better play in PPR formats. This week I expect more of the same from the Chiefs backfield tandem as they head to Foxborough to face a New England team already eliminated from playoff contention. Edwards-Helaire out-carried McKinnon 11-4 in KC’s 17-20 home loss against Buffalo, totalling 39 yards on his efforts, but it was McKinnon that scored the Chiefs only rushing TD of the day on a 7-yard scamper just before the half. Expect CEH to once again handle majority of the work out of the backfield in a game that should see the Chiefs in a much more comfortable position than they were against the Bills. Edwards-Helaire has the safer floor for me this week and offers a higher chance to score on the ground, but we have seen the connection between Mahomes and Mckinnon numerous times in this offense so can never be written off given his ability to explode for double digit fantasy points.
Tyjae Spears v HOU ($4,800)
Let’s start by making something crystal clear; Derrick Henry is still the guy in Tennessee and barring injury or another boneheaded coaching decision (I still haven’t forgiven you for Championship week last year Mike Vrabel!) – he will remain the guy for the rest of the year. That said, the Titan’s 3rd round rookie Tyjae Spears is making an excellent case for himself as the heir apparent for when King Henry finally abdicates his throne as leader of the Tennessee backfield. The Tulane University alum is rushing at a very respectable 4.9 yards per carry in his debut season, but it is his work as a receiver out of the backfield that has fantasy managers licking their lips in anticipation of what the future holds for the 3rd round pick. Spears saw a season high 8 targets in the Titans’ week 14 victory in Miami, corralling 6 of them for 89 yards, giving the rookie his first 100-yard game in the NFL. Spears may not be the leader of this backfield quite yet, but his big play potential and ability to receive out the backfield is undeniable. Expect more of the same in what will be a tightly fought contest against a Stroud-less Texans at home.
Rico Dowdle @BUF ($4,600)
The case for Rico Dowdle is similar to the one I outline for Tyjae Spears above. The 4th year back is firmly behind Tony Pollard on the Cowboys depth chart, but on an offense that is averaging 33 points per game on the season and over 40 in their last 5 games, there is plenty to go around. The undrafted free agent’s 75 attempts on the year are a career high, and although a majority of Dowdle’s opportunities come late in games where the Cowboys are already home and dry, he is still making the most of the chances he does get. Last weekend’s 33-13 victory over the Eagles was the second time on the season the former Gamecock has seen double digit carries, coincidentally it also saw Dowdle score his 2nd touchdown on the season – the first coming in his only other 10+ carry game against the Giants in week 10. Despite being on a 5-game winning streak, Dallas heads to Buffalo as a 2 point underdog in a match with an O/U of 50.5 – this is set to be another monster day for the Cowboys offense and I want any part of it I can afford. Dowdle is a high upside dart throw at the position for only $4600.
Jayden Reed v TB ($4,900)
After a down game in the Packers victory over the Chiefs, it was back to business as usual for Jayden Reed on MNF, with the rookie putting up his 4th double digit fantasy performance in 5 games as Green Bay were narrowly edged out by Tommy DeVito at the Meadowlands. It has been a remarkable debut season for the 2nd round pick out of Michigan State with the 23-year old leading the way for Green Bay in receiving yards, ahead of the sophomore pair of Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. Reed led the team in targets and receptions on Monday night, hauling in 8 of his 10 looks from Jordan Love for a somewhat disappointing 27 yards. It was his work on the ground that salvaged his fantasy day, rushing for 38 yards on 4 carries, scoring a touchdown in the process. Reed will continue to be used heavily in both the passing game and ground attack against a Bucs defense ranked 28th against the wideout position. With A.J. Dillon suffering a broken thumb against New York and Aaron Jones still limited with a knee injury, expect Reed to be used all over the field as Green Bay look to keep their post-season dreams alive.
Demario Douglas v KC ($3,900)
It’s been a long time since we mentioned Demario Douglas’ name in this column, but the Patriots leading receiver (yes, he is still their leading receiver despite missing 2 games) is on track to return to the starting lineup this weekend against the Chiefs after sitting out their last 2 contests due to a concussion suffered in week 12. Douglas had put up double digit fantasy performances in 3 consecutive games before entering the league’s concussion protocol and will look to pick up exactly where he left off for the visit of Patrick Mahomes and co this Sunday. Pop saw 9 targets in each of his last 2 appearances, hauling in 12 of those for a respectable 133 yards, however…that was with Mac Jones under centre – how Douglas’ target volume is impacted with Bailey Zappe calling the plays for the Pats is as yet TBD. At the time of writing Jalen Reagor and Matthew Slater are the only Patriots wideouts to not have an injury designation, with JuJu (ankle), DeVante Parker (knee), Tyquan Thornton (hamstring) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) all banked up alongside Douglas. Expect Douglas to clear protocol before the weekend and to lead the way for New England in the receiving game once again.
Cedric Wilson v NYJ ($3,000)
Despite Zach Wilson’s heroics and the Dolphins’ capitulation in week 14 – I am in no doubt Miami should have far too much for the Jets this Sunday, and should run out easy victors at home in South Beach. Vegas have the home side as 9.5 point favourites even with the news that star receiver (and real league MVP) Tyreek Hill looks set to sit this one out due to the ankle injury suffered on Monday night. If Hill misses it truly is a roll of the dice to predict which of the Dolphins receivers outside of Jaylen Waddle will provide the most (if any) fantasy value. In Hill’s absence on MNF, Tua looked to rookie running back De’Von Achane for 8 dumpoffs, but with Achane looking a true game time decision due to a toe injury, Salvon Ahmed on IR and Jeff Wilson has been an afterthought of late; there are very few options left for Tua in the passing game. Outside of Waddle and Achane it was former Dallas Cowboy Cedric Wilson that saw the most looks from Tagovailoa without Hill on the field, the 6th rounder hauling in 2 of his 4 targets for 30 yards. It’s a crap-shoot, but at the position minimum, Wilson could provide value in the absence of the league’s leading receiver.
Brevin Jordan @TEN ($3,100)
Houston entered week 14 knowing that a win against the 4-8 New York Jets would see them move to the top of the AFC South should the Jacksonville Jaguars fall to defeat in Cleveland…well, the Browns held up their part of the bargain but it arguably couldn’t have gone any worse for the Texans, as they were put to the sword by Zach Wilson and co, losing quarterback C.J. Stroud to a concussion in the process. Stroud faces an uphill battle to suit up for the trip to divisional rivals Tennessee this weekend, so all signs point to Davis Mills leading the charge against the Titans in week 15. One bright spot in the defeat to Gang Green was tight end Brevin Jordan as he led the receiving corps, bringing in each of his 3 targets for 35 yards. This was the 3rd year tight end’s 2nd consecutive game with 3 catches and will look to make it a hat-trick versus a stout Titans defense ranked 2nd against the position on the season. The matchup isn’t particularly attractive, but with wide receivers Noah Brown and Nico Collins both tending to injuries, and Tank Dell out for the year, Jordan may once again be the #1 option in the passing game for Davis Mills.
Tyler Conklin @MIA ($3,100)
Entering week 15, Jets tight end Tyler Conklin ranks 12 at the position on total targets, and 11th in receptions…no, I don’t believe it either. Despite the TE1 level of opportunities, Conklin currently sits 20th in total fantasy points scored behind Cade Otton, Jonnu Smith and Dallas Goedert (who’s only played in 10 games). The 6th year veteran offers a safe floor every week, going over the 50 yard mark in 50% of his games this season. The reason Conklin sits 20th in total points scored is due to a lack of touchdowns…zero on the year so far. The Dolphins are middle of the pack against tight ends but gave up 5 grabs for 46 yards to Chig Okonkwo at home on Monday night. Conklin should give you at least 7-8 points by default, with double digit upside if he finally finds the end zone.
New York Jets @MIA ($2,500)
Ok, I may have hit the sherry by now…but hear me out on this one. Miami are coming off an embarrassing loss at home to Tennessee on Monday night, and they look set to be without Tyreek Hill as well as De’Von Achane. I am certainly not suggesting that the wheels are coming off the Miami Express, but this offense has certainly slowed down significantly in recent weeks, and without Hill, just looked bad. Tua has been very clean in the passing game, committing only 2 interceptions in his last 3 games, but here’s the rub…both of them were against the Jets in week 12. Gang Green ranks 1st against opposing QBs on the season, allowing on average only 184 yards through the air per game. If Tyreek sits, the Jets DST is a good pick; if Achane also misses out; the Jets DST is a great pick at only $2500.
New England Patriots v KC ($2,300)
Something just isn’t right in Kansas City this year. The Chiefs have lost 4 of their last 6 and are coming off back-to-back defeats in Green Bay and at home to Buffalo last time out. Heading into week 15, KC ranks 9th in total passing yards and 6th in passing touchdowns…not great, but certainly not terrible. Where things have changed for Mahomes and Co is in the number of turnovers committed so far this season. With 4 games of the regular season, KC sit 6th in interceptions with 13…that’s 1 more than they had through 23 games on the way to Super Bowl glory against the Eagles. New England ranks 7th against the quarterback on the year and could be a very under the radar play this weekend at a slate-minimum $2300. Don’t expect miracles, but the upside is certainly there for the Pats.
Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Katie Stratman – USA TODAY Sports
