DraftKings.com NFL DFS Week 15 Picks and Plays for Cash Game and GPP Lineups
Week 15 of NFL DFS is here, and everyone is looking to play for the big daily fantasy football money at DraftKings. Every week, we’ll bring you our top NFL DFS picks at each position, separating them into Cash and GPP plays. And to keep up with all things PlayPicks, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
As with any daily fantasy sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, gameflow, and various other factors. This is important to remember when constructing a roster at any of the daily fantasy sports sites.
Weather will play a key factor in NFL games going forward, so make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday. Wind is our real enemy on the fantasy front.
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Best Week 15 NFL DFS Quarterback Plays
Cam Newton vs. GB ($6.4 DraftKings) – Cash/GPP
The Green Bay Packers are a game removed from allowing DeShone Kizer to throw three touchdowns. Cam Newton, much like Kizer, is athletic. That’s about where the similarities stop, as Newton is an elite player beyond capable of shredding this Green Bay defense. It ranks 21st in passing DVOA. Newton has scored at least 15 DraftKings points in his past four games, and this matchup really does scream breakout. Fire away in GPPs, where his ceiling is very appealing. That said, he’s also very much viable in Cash.
Drew Brees vs. NYJ ($6.5K DraftKings) – Cash/GPP
The future Hall of Famer gets a very nice matchup this week at home against the New York Jets. It comes at the right time — one game removed from a less-than-optimal Thursday Night Football performance. While Drew Brees still managed to score 18 DraftKings points against Atlanta, the Jets make for a sweet matchup by comparison. The Jets rank 27th in passing DVOA, and Brees has long been a taker of defensive souls when playing in the Superdome. Fire him up with absolute confidence this week, both in GPPs and Cash games.
Tom Brady @ PIT ($7.6K DraftKings) – GPP
This is admittedly a tough matchup for Tom Brady, who just dropped a dud against a bad Miami team on Monday night. On a short week though, I like Brady to go severely under-owned given his upside and the return of Chris Hogan. Look, the Patriots aren’t a team to be kept down for long, and an angry, motivated Brady is always the one you want to roster in DFS. Sometimes the simplest answer is the best answer, and my money’s on Brady to take out some aggression by way of a 300-yard, multi-touchdown game in Pittsburgh.
Marcus Mariota @ SF ($5.9K DraftKings) – Deep GPP
Marcus Mariota had a dud of his own last week, scoring just 5.6 DK points against the Cardinals. This week, the Titans find themselves behind the Jags in the AFC South, but they have a very winnable matchup against San Francisco. While the Niners are a much better offense with Jimmy Garoppolo, their defense still ranks 30th in passing DVOA. Sure, Mariota has been brutal at times this year, but if he’s going to get things going, it has to be this week, lest the Titans find themselves too far out of the playoff hunt. And with a competent quarterback on the other side of the field, this game should stay close, leading to more opportunities for Mariota to use his arm and his legs.
Secondary options: Blaine Gabbert, Case Keenum, Russell Wilson, Alex Smith
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Best Week 15 NFL DFS Running Back Plays
Danny Woodhead @ CLE ($4.2K DraftKings) – GPP
While he does little in the rushing game, Danny Woodhead saw five targets last week against the Steelers. This week, he gets a Cleveland team that ranks first in rushing DVOA but dead last in defending pass-catching RBs. While “Buck” Allen is still a threat to steal targets, Woodhead’s role seems somewhat secure. He should see around five to six targets with upside for more. This is a gutsy call, but you can get leverage on the field, along with a pretty great matchup.
Le’Veon Bell vs. NE ($9.3K DraftKings) – Cash/GPP
Le’Veon Bell really is close to a must-play this week, considering the lack of depth at RB. He also has a great matchup at home against the Patriots, who are 32nd in rushing DVOA. He’s also scored between 29.3 and 39.5 DK points in each of the last three weeks. As such, it’s not so much if you can afford to fit him in with that salary, as it is, can you afford not to?
Kenyan Drake @ BUF ($5.8 DraftKings) – Cash/GPP
Kenyan Drake was a yardage machine on Monday, racking up 120 yards rushing and 79 receiving against the Patriots. He’s now seen 23 and 25 carries in back-to-back weeks, and the Dolphins have no reason to end that streak. Toss in the fact that Buffalo ranks 29th in rushing DVOA, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option in this price range.
Secondary options: Jerick McKinnon, Jay Ajayi, Dion Lewis, Todd Gurley, Alvin Kamara
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Best Week 15 NFL DFS Wide Receiver Plays
Michael Thomas vs. NYJ ($6.8K DraftKings) – Cash
If I like Brees so much, it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise to see Michael Thomas here. The Saints’ top receiver dropped 30.7 DK points last week against a solid Falcons defense. This week, he gets the Jets, who rank 27th in WR1 DVOA. That all adds up, as Brees and Thomas should each crush value after a disappointing loss last week. Though I prefer Thomas in Cash games because I think he has a very high floor given the matchup, he is tournament viable due to his massive ceiling. Fire away here.
Devin Funchess vs. GB ($6.6K DraftKings) – Cash
Though Devin Funchess doesn’t have the consistent upside Kelvin Benjamin had with Newton, he has strung together five consecutive double-digit DK-point performances. This week, the Panthers’ top wideout gets a Packers team that allowed Josh Gordon to find the end zone last week. That’s something, a year ago, we weren’t sure we’d ever see again. With Aaron Rodgers set to return this week, the Panthers will likely find themselves in a highly competitive game. That bodes well for Funchess, who has caught four touchdowns in the past four weeks. He’s a solid Cash option this week, given he’s averaging eight targets per game during the same span.
Alshon Jeffery @ NYG ($5.9K DraftKings) – GPP
Alshon Jeffery hasn’t really flashed a ton of upside this season, but my goodness has he been consistent. The former Chicago Bear has scored double-digit DK-points in seven of his past eight games. The Giants are in shambles and just allowed Dez Bryant to rack up 73 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. While Nick Foles really isn’t a great quarterback at all, he is competent enough. Take this as an opportunity to get some leverage, as many will flee from Jeffery due to Wentz’s injury. While I’d normally prefer him in Cash, the Foles situation makes Jeffery GPP only this week.
Jordy Nelson @ CAR ($6.3K DraftKings) – Deep GPP
It’s amazing what getting Aaron Rodgers back does to Jordy Nelson’s salary at DraftKings. That elevated price will almost certainly scare away some, as Nelson hasn’t scored in double digits in months. There is also concern around how effective Rodgers will be after an extended layoff, and the Panthers are a pretty good defense. But Rodgers and Nelson have always had incredible chemistry, perhaps the best in the league. I’m not crazy about Nelson in Cash, but I do think, as three-point underdogs, the Packers will be throwing a lot. Look for Jordy to make the most of Rodgers’ return.
Secondary options: DeAndre Hopkins, Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown, Adam Thielen, Doug Baldwin, A.J. Green, Jarvis Landry
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Best Week 15 NFL DFS Tight End Plays
Tyler Kroft @ MIN ($2.8K DraftKings) – GPP
At just $2.8K, Tyler Kroft is tough to pass up. While he’s only seen three targets in the past two weeks, those were mostly contingent on suboptimal matchups. The very tough Vikings don’t fit that bill, on paper or in practice. I am very wary of going anywhere else on this Bengals team. But if the Vikings have a shortcoming, it’s arguably against the TE, where they rank 11th in DVOA, their worst rank across all positions.
Charles Clay vs. MIA ($3.0K DraftKings) – GPP/Cash
Charles Clay hasn’t had a breakout game since Oct. 1 when he scored 19.2 DK points. Last week though, he saw five targets. Trending in the right direction, Clay gets a great matchup against the Dolphins, who rank 28th in TE DVOA. As such, I think he’s both Cash and GPP viable. The former is a harder sell, but trust me — no one else will be going there in Cash games.
Secondary options: Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham, Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph, Vernon Davis, Julius Thomas
Best Week 15 NFL DFS Defense Plays
Jacksonville D/ST vs. HOU ($4.5K DraftKings) – Cash
The Jags are fresh off a huge win over Seattle. While they did allow 24 points, this week’s matchup against the Houston Texans is much friendlier. The Texans have never been able to truly develop a running game with Lamar Miller, and Tom Savage isn’t going to have much luck against this Jacksonville secondary, the best in the league. In Cash, take the points and find salary relief elsewhere.
Philadelphia D/ST @ NYG ($3.6K DraftKings) – GPP
Though I rarely like targeting defenses on the road, a matchup with the Giants is just what this team needs. After a tough loss to the Rams and the loss of Wentz, the Eagles’ best path to victory now must be paved by their elite defense. They’ve flashed upside this year, specifically in divisional games, having two 20+ DK-point performances in matchups of that sort. While they had an uninspiring performance the first time they met the Giants this year, New York is a team in ruins. Look for the Eagles D/ST to own this game. Still, keep it to GPP as the Foles situation does bring up some risk.
Secondary options: Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints
