DFS week 15 is upon us, and we are making an adjustment to our write-up for the rest of the season. So, let’s get right to our Main Slate cash game lineup recommendations. We will now spotlight core plays to help you build your DFS lineup on Fanduel and DraftKings. In creating a successful lineup, we research and find positional values to see where you can save money and players with projected low ownership who can pay 2x-2.5x of their listed DFS salary.
You bank on getting a minimum of 20 points from the quarterback position. You can not miss this position. Expect to pay up at the tight-end position. You can save at other spots. A successful strategy can be the QB-TE stack. These core plays will give you a nucleus for your DFS build.
These recommendations are designed to give you players we feel will be low-owned and good value and help you create a unique DFS build. We want a DFS lineup that is different from the masses and most likely made with an optimizer. Look for single or smaller slates to build your DFS bankroll. Expecting to hit the Sunday million jackpot regularly is not statistically sound.
DFS Quarterback
Josh Allen ($8.5k DraftKings and $9.5k Fanduel)
This is a lot to pay for a quarterback, but Allen is worth the DFS salary as the anchor to your builds. He will be the chalk play but we can find value at the other positions. We certainly do not expect another 54.88 fantasy point performance but Allen is set up nicely this week again. Allen is the overall QB3 and is in the game with the highest implied game total on the week 15 main slate.
The Lions are decent against opposing quarterbacks, ranking 12th in fantasy points allowed to the position, but, as a unit, rank just 23rd in pass defense. This game also has the potential for a back-and-forth shoot-out, which ended up being the determining factor for us!
Also consider: Jared Goff, Kyler Murray, Bo Nix
DFS Running Back
Rico Dowdle ($7.1k DraftKings and $7.1k Fanduel)
We move down to the mid-tier DFS pricing for our running back recommendation this week. Rico Dowdle is in a smash spot this week versus a Panthers team ranked dead last versus the run and fantasy points allowed to running backs. Dowdle is averaging 22 touches and 16.56 fantasy points in his last three outings.
Dowdle has moved himself up to the overall RB26 and should be the focal point of the Dallas offense this week. Last week, Carolina surrendered 17.4 fantasy points to Saquon Barkley, and in week 13, 29 fantasy points to Bucky Irving. Dowdle also provides us some salary relief if we are spending up for Josh Allen at quarterback.
Also consider: David Montgomery, Zach Charbonnet (If Walker is out), Jeremy McNichols
DFS Wide Receiver
Calvin Ridley ($6k DraftKings and $6k Fanduel)
We need a value play at wide receiver, so we will pay down to Calvin Ridley this week. Ridley’s target share has been at 20% or higher since week four, and post-DeAndre Hopkins, it is at an average of 30%. The only thing missing has been the touchdown equity but at his DFS salary, we can buy the risk.
Ridley is averaging 11.48 fantasy points in his last five games, so he fits right into our 2x salary goal. Will Levis remains questionable with the shoulder injury, but Mason Rudolph under center may be an upgrade. With Rudolph at quarterback, Calvin Ridley’s game average shoots up to 15.2 fantasy points per game.
Also consider: Xavier Worthy, Josh Palmer/Quentin Johnston (If McConkey is out), Christian Watson
DFS Tight End
Trey McBride ($6k DraftKings and $7.5k Fanduel)
This is another chalk play for our tight end recommendation, but 14, 12, and 15 are the target count numbers for Trey McBride in his last three games. McBride is the overall TE3 in fantasy despite zero touchdowns on the season. He is due for some serious positive touchdown regression, and it could come this week versus the Patriots. New England is middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to tight ends and overall pass defense. With corner Christian Gonzalez mostly on Marvin Harrison Jr., Murray should keep looking McBride’s way in week 15.
Also consider: Tucker Kraft, Pat Freiermuth
Defense/Special Teams
Dallas Cowboys ($2.8k DraftKings and $3.7k Fanduel)
We almost always pay down at defense to be able to spend up elsewhere. This week, it is the Cowboy’s defense for us. In FanDuel scoring, the Dallas defense is averaging 14.3 points per game across their last three games. This week, they match up with a Panthers offense ranked 30th overall and bottom third in pass and rush offense. Carolina has improved of late, but there should be opportunities for the Cowboy’s defense.
Also consider: Arizona, Cincinnati
DFS Stacks
Josh Allen-James Cook-Khalil Shakir/ Jayden Daniels-Terry McLaurin/ Jalen Hurts-DeVonta Smith-Saquon Barkley/ Jared Goff-David Montgomery-Jameson Williams/ Kyler Murray-Trey McBride
Conclusion
Each week in DFS, your pay line for FanDuel is approximately 125 points, which equates to 2x per player. For example, a player with a $4500 salary needs 9 points. DraftKings pay line is approximately 134 points, which is 2.5x per player. So, for a $4500 salary, that player would need 9.9 points. Remember that our sit recommendations are based on a DFS perspective to help provide you with a unique lineup build relative to the masses. We want to offer you player options that are projected for low ownership.
