Fantasy Football Start & Sit

By: Austyn Gilreath

Want to win some change on DraftKings this week? Well…you better start Ezekiel Elliott. His price is too good to pass up against a terrible Falcons run defense. Nick Chubb carved them up last week for 176 yards on 20 carries. “Zeke” had a solid outing against the Eagles and the Cowboys are looking to make a playoff run in a faltering NFC East. Plus…you cannot go wrong with a man with a sick blue visor and nice half-shirt.

Lamar Jackson seems to be getting the starting nod for Baltimore against the Bengals this week. His low price of $4,700 allows you to gamble on a scrambling Quarterback who provides a low-ceiling and high floor in his EV (Expected Value). The Bengals are the league’s worst defense against QB’s in terms of fantasy output. A little pricier options would be Cam Newton at $6,200 or Matthew Stafford vs Carolina at $5,400, as this game has an over/under of 51.5 and could result in a high scoring affair.

As stated, Zeke is my man at $8,500 at RB. Leonard Fournette seems to be a solid option at $6,900 as he is the focal point of the Jaguars offense, and getting an RB with 20-25 carry potential is always a plus. Alex Collins could be a solid play against the Bengals at $4,400 as well. I think you have to pay up at Running Back this week.

My Wide Receivers to mention would be Alshon Jeffery at $6,300 and John Brown $5,900. I think Jeffery is slated to get 10 targets or so and I think John Brown is perfect to stack with Lamar Jackson. Willie Snead IV gets high volume as well, and his $4,300 price is attractive, but his touchdown productions hinders his value. Michael Gallup is a sleeper for me this week. Watching Gallup against Tennessee showed me that he has the ability to break free for big gains, and he looks like a solid WR. Against the Falcons, any receiver can produce and at $3,700 he seems free to me, if he gets a touchdown, he gives you enough value.

Tight End is usually a top-heavy selection, as the top options always produce. Evan Engram is the guy this week, at $4,100 he is a great lower priced option and Tampa is bottom tier against tight-ends. According to ESPN, they rank 31st against tight-ends. I feel Ertz is automatic, but I will not go his way as he is $6,600. Olsen could be an option if you go with Cam Newton at QB, but other than that, it seems like a plug and play position.

Baltimore is my ideal D/ST choice. They arguably have the best secondary with Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey, and Jimmy Smith. The Bengals are in shambles with A.J. Green out and they just hired Hue Jackson as a Special Assistant to the Head Coach. (cough…cough…Dwight Schrute) The Jaguars are at $2,200 which seems dirt cheap, even though they are struggling, the talent is there and hopefully the public stays away.

Week 11 DraftKings tournament lineup: $50,000 salary

QB: L. Jackson $4,700

RB: E. Elliott $8,500

RB: L. Fournette $6,900

WR: A. Jeffery $6,300

WR: John Brown $5,900

WR: M. Gallup: $3,700

TE: Evan Engram $4,100

FLEX: K. Allen $6,700

DST: Ravens $3,200