RADIO
For the last few weeks, this column has led off by highlighting the winner of the weekly Millionaire Maker tournament. You know what they say ... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
All kidding aside, there's a reason we keep doing this: Stacking is literally helping daily fantasy players become millionaires each week. In Week 14, Draftkings user "TheBrewster" stacked red-hot Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson with equally scorching wide receiver Doug Baldwin. Of course, they also hit home runs with low-owned running backs Isaiah Crowell and Eddie Lacy, but the Seattle duo gave them a 64.48-point foundation for their winning lineup.
Stacking a quarterback with a wide receiver or tight end (or even pass-catching running back, in the right situation) can effectively double your points. It can be risky, but when it hits, the payoff is considerable. These are some of the top stacks to consider for Week 15, sorted roughly from most expensive to least expensive.
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High-Priced DFS Stacks
New England QB Tom Brady and TE Rob Gronkowski vs. Tennessee
Despite playing in just over 60 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps in his return against the Houston Texans, Gronkowski finished with 87 yards and a touchdown on four catches. As his number of plays increases, so too will his targets and production.
You don't need us to tell you about Brady. He's the most expensive quarterback for a reason. His floor is high every week, and the potential for a monster performance is always legitimate. The Patriots are also now without their top two running backs (LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis) for the season, putting the onus squarely on Brady to produce points.
The only downsides here? The possibility of a blowout -- with Brady and Gronkowski sitting in the fourth quarter -- is very real. Both should be highly-owned, as this duo should put up points.
Arizona QB Carson Palmer and WR Larry Fitzgerald at Philadelphia
If Brady has any competition for the safest-floor quarterback, it's Palmer. The 35-year-old veteran has posted at least 300 yards nine times and at least two touchdowns 10 times in the Cardinals' 13 games this season, and now draws a Sunday night matchup with the 24th-ranked pass defense (259 yards per game).
Pairing Palmer with any of his wideouts -- Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown -- makes sense, but Fitzgerald simply seems due for a big game. He hasn't reached 100 yards since Week 10 or found the end zone since Week 8. Both of those droughts should end this week against a much-maligned Eagles secondary. Pairing these two will cost a pretty penny, but it's a safer play with major upside.
Moderate DFS Stacks
New Orleans QB Drew Brees and WR Brandin Cooks vs. Detroit
Let's examine Brees' home and road splits briefly, shall we? In six home games he's averaging 350 yards per game with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. In six road games? Try 282 yards per game, eight TDs and six INTs. True, the seven-touchdown explosion in a Week 8 shootout with the New York Giants skews things a bit, but you get the picture.
Now Brees welcomes the Lions' up-and-down defense to the Superdome for a Monday night matchup. Fellow wideout Willie Snead and tight end Benjamin Watson make for solid plays, but Cooks is the most intriguing. He had just three catches for 29 yards last week, but he had six touchdown catches in the five games prior to that. Last week's stat line would appear to be the outlier. Look for a rebound this week.
Seattle QB Russell Wilson and WR Doug Baldwin vs. Cleveland
Until further notice, Wilson and Baldwin will appear on this weekly list. These two have simply become unstoppable. Over the Seahawks' last four games, Wilson has thrown zero interceptions against a whopping 16 touchdowns, eight of which have gone to Baldwin.
The Browns' pass defense has been one of the more generous in the league, ranking 22nd in yards allowed per game (254) and 25th in passing touchdowns allowed (26). There's little evidence to suggest that Wilson and Baldwin won't stay hot, especially considering the loss of running back Thomas Rawls for the rest of the season. Both are still reasonably priced, so take advantage.
Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger and TE Heath Miller vs. Denver
Roethlisberger makes for an ideal GPP play this week. He's coming off a down game by his standards (282 yards, no touchdowns, one interception) and the Steelers are facing the top-ranked pass defense. This could lead to a drop in ownership, but don't be fooled--Big Ben is still a solid play at home.
Wide receivers Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant are the obvious stacks, but Miller is an intriguing option. He has at least four catches, including a season-high-tying 10 last week, in four of Pittsburgh's last five games. Denver, for all of its defensive accomplishments this season, ranks 22nd in fantasy points allowed to tight ends this season. Expect Roethlisberger to target Miller early and often.
Bargain DFS Stacks
Houston QB T.J. Yates and WR DeAndre Hopkins at Indianapolis
Hopkins is still pricey but you'll likely be able to pair him with the minimum-priced Yates, who is expected to start in place of Brian Hoyer (concussion). This goes without saying, but we're saying it anyway -- make sure Yates is actually starting before locking him in.
Having Yates under center could benefit Hopkins, who is coming off his weakest showing of the season (three catches, 52 yards vs. New England). Hopkins finished with 118 yards and two touchdowns when Yates started in Week 11 against the New York Jets. Fantasy owners would certainly welcome that kind of production, and against the Colts' 29th-ranked pass defense, it's attainable.
Kansas City QB Alex Smith and WR Jeremy Maclin at Baltimore
It's been a lost, disastrous season for the Ravens, but hey, there's no mercy in fantasy football. Their misery should be your benefit. Enter, Smith and Maclin, the latest quarterback-wide receiver duo to draw this enticing matchup.
Maclin has come on strong over the last three weeks, tallying 160, 95 and 68 yards, respectively. He's Smith's unquestioned top target and will draw plenty of looks on Sunday. Smith has only topped 300 yards once this season, as it's simply not the Chiefs' philosophy to air it out. But the upside for two or three touchdowns is there, and Smith brings an underrated rushing ability as he has at least 33 yards on the ground in five of his last six games. For good measure, only four teams have allowed more passing touchdowns than Baltimore (27) this season. All arrows point up for Smith and Maclin.
