RADIO
Dennis Clausen highlights the top FanDuel NFL DFS lineup picks for Week 15, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
With the season winding down and the final three weeks upon us, things are getting interesting. With players like Calvin Ridley, Marvin Jones, Derrius Guice, and Alshon Jeffery--to name a few--all going down for the rest of the year, the door is open for some value guys to step up. Aside from season-ending ailments, there are plenty of guys who are in jeopardy of not playing, with big names like Mike Evans, Josh Jacobs, Devonta Freeman, Devante Parker, Davante Adams, Julian Edelman, Julio Jones, Adam Thielen, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, D.J. Chark, and Jameis Winston all being listed on the latest injury report. I will try my best to navigate through this mess, so please be sure to check back throughout the weekend for updates as we get closer to the Sunday version of Week 15.
In this article, I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks in FanDuel for December 15, 2019 (Week 15). These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also consult the NFL Depth Charts and Snap Counts for more critical information this week.
Follow me on Twitter @Den_Clausen. Good luck. Updated on December 15, 8:18 am
FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 15 Picks
Deshaun Watson - QB, @ TEN ($8,200)
In the world of DFS, scrambling quarterbacks are far more valuable than the ones who can't, and while Watson draws a semi-tough matchup against a middle-of-the-pack Titans Defense, this game could be a shootout as both teams battle for the top spot in the AFC North. The 24-year-old has looked great as of late, dropping an impressive 28.36 fantasy points against the rough Patriots Defense in Week 13 and an efficient 30.08 fantasy points against the Broncos Defense last Sunday. He did throw two picks against Denver but managed to offset those errors by running it in twice. Will Fuller may be back in the lineup as well, which will obviously increase Watson's stock even more against Tennessee in Week 15.
Eli Manning - QB, @ MIA ($6,800)
No, this isn't a joke. Manning's name has been brought up throughout the week regarding his potential as a capable DFS quarterback, and while some aren't buying it, some are. Manning held his own in Week 14, completing 50 percent of his passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Eagles. Daniel Jones is basically a lock to sit again on Sunday against the Dolphins, leaving Manning as a cost-efficient option with a realistic ceiling against one of the worst defenses in the league. There is some risk here, obviously, but the potential for a reliable performance is also there for those willing to roll the dice.
Also Consider: Patrick Mahomes ($8,300), Dak Prescott ($7,800), Ryan Tannehill ($7,600), Baker Mayfield ($7,700), Ryan Fitzpatrick ($7,300)
FanDuel Running Backs - Week 15 Picks
Todd Gurley - RB, @ DAL ($7,600)
Sean McVay has bumped up Gurley's workload as of late, and he responded in Week 14 by posting results that resembled what we saw out of him last season, finishing with 23 touches for 79 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks. He also hauled in all four of his catches for 34 yards in that one and will likely continue to be a focal point for Los Angeles as the Rams attempt to sneak into the playoffs.
Chris Carson - RB, @ CAR ($7,400)
Rashaad Penny is no longer a threat to Carson's workload after it was revealed that he will need surgery on his knee, which will likely keep him out at least until the start of next season's training camp. As a result, the 25-year-old will be the clear-cut No. 1 in Seattle (once again), and while C.J. Prosise is next up to serve as the No. 2, he shouldn't pose much of a threat, if any, to him moving forward. Carson has a terrific matchup against Carolina on Sunday, with the Panthers allowing a league-worst 30.02 fantasy points to opposing backs on the year.
Also Consider: Christian McCaffrey ($10,400), Dalvin Cook ($8,500), Ezekiel Elliott ($8,500), Saquon Barkley ($8,300), Leonard Fournette ($7,700), Miles Sanders ($6,800), David Montgomery ($6,400), Patrick Laird ($5,500)
FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 15 Picks
DeAndre Hopkins - WR, @ TEN ($8,600)
Michael Thomas and the Saints are playing on Monday night, so the big-gun on the slate out of the wideouts is Hopkins. In Week 14, he logged 80 snaps, good for the most at his position, and also was targeted 13 times, which was third-best behind only Thomas and Zach Ertz. After having issues finding the end zone in the first half of the season, he has turned it up a notch, logging five touchdowns over his last seven games. Deshaun Watson has looked his way at least seven times in each of Houston's games this year, so if you are looking for consistency, this is as close as you are going to get without Thomas in the picture.
Kenny Golladay - WR, vs. TB ($7,900)
The Buccaneers Defense has not fared well against the pass all year, and with Marvin Jones out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury, there will be additional targets up for grabs. He had just six catches for 58 yards against the Vikings in Week 14 but was able to offset those underwhelming numbers by scoring a touchdown. Golladay has a great chance to make it three games in a row with a touchdown against a disappointing Tampa squad. Also Look for Danny Amendola to be more involved in Week 15 as well, making him another high-upside option for those who need some salary relief.
Also Consider: Chris Godwin ($8,400), Allen Robinson II ($S,000), Julio Jones ($7,500), Courtland Sutton ($7,000), Emmanuel Sanders ($6,900), DeVante Parker ($6,900), D.J. Moore ($6,900), Deebo Samuel (6,500), Breshad Perriman ($6,400), Darius Slayton ($6,300), A.J. Brown ($6,200), Dede Westbrook ($6,000), Sterling Shepard ($5,900), J.J. Arcega-Whiteside ($5,500), Chris Conley ($5,100), Corey Davis ($5,000), Greg Ward ($4,900)
FanDuel Tight Ends - Week 15 Picks
Zach Ertz - TE, @ WAS ($6,700)
The Eagles are in rough shape on the offensive end as Jordan Howard, and Nelson Agholor may not play. This would obviously be bad news after it was announced that Alshon Jeffery would be out of the mix for the remainder of the season after suffering a foot injury that will require surgery. Nonetheless, Philadelphia is right behind Dallas in a tight race for first place in the horrendous NFC East, and while it may appear that Washington will get stomped, this game may run closer than most people realize, making it a realistic possibility that Carson Wentz will be throwing right up until the end. Ertz is virtually guaranteed to lead the team in targets between now and the end of the Eagles' season--whenever that may be--and will be one of the top producing tight ends in Week 15. He went nuts against the Giants in Week 14, finishing that contest with nine catches for 91 yards and two scores. While he may not find the end zone twice like he did in that one, he could get at least 10 targets against the Redskins, especially since he has received at least 11 in four of his last five outings.
Tyler Higbee - TE, @ DAL ($5,700)
Higbee has been getting a ton of looks from Jared Goff, compiling 19 targets over the last two weeks while filling in for Gerald Everett, and after not practicing again on Thursday as a result of a knee issue, things aren't looking good regarding his availability for Sunday's crucial matchup with the Cowboys. If he is indeed out once again, Higbee, who also has 14 catches for 223 yards and a touchdown during that same span, could be in store for another solid outing in a critical game between these two clubs as they both look to remain in the playoff hunt.
Also Consider: Travis Kelce ($7,300), Darren Waller ($6,200), Dallas Goedert ($5,700), Ian Thomas ($5,300), Mike Gesicki ($5,200)
FanDuel Defenses - Week 15 Picks
Chiefs Defense - DEF, vs. DEN ($3,900)
I am not a big advocate of spending a ton of dough on defensive units, so sometimes it is best to go for the upside. While the Chiefs aren't the most gifted on the defensive end, they are also able to put up some big numbers, as evident by the 22 points that they logged against Oakland a few weeks ago. Kansas City also held their own against the Pats in enemy territory last Sunday by allowing just 16 points, while coming away with three sacks and an interception. Drew Lock did put up three touchdowns on the road in Houston, but the crowd in Arrowhead can cause even the most sound quarterbacks to make mistakes.
Also Consider: Patriots Defense ($5,000), Eagles Defense ($4,900)
