This article is part of our Draftster NFL series.
We're now past the halfway point in the NFL season and Draftster continues into Week 4 of their Single Entry Championship. The Championship already has nine qualifiers for the final in December and is running buy-ins this week at $5, $10, and $20. Please note the following rankings do not include Thursday's matchup between New Orleans and Carolina.
Quarterback
1. Peyton Manning (DEN) at NE - $9,000
2. Andrew Luck (IND) at NYG - $9,000
3. Tom Brady (NE) vs. DEN - $8,900
4. Colin Kaepernick (SF) vs. STL - $8,000
5. Nick Foles (PHI) at HOU - $7,100
6. Russell Wilson (SEA) vs. OAK - $8,400
7. Philip Rivers (SD) at MIA - $7,900
8. Carson Palmer (ARI) at DAL - $6,400
9. Ryan Tannehill (MIA) vs. SD - $7,200
10. Tony Romo (DAL) vs. ARI - $8,500 (Q - Back)
11. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) vs. BAL - $8,400
12. Eli Manning (NYG) vs. IND - $6,400
Notable Byes: Matt Ryan (ATL), Jay Cutler (CHI), Aaron Rodgers (GB), Matthew Stafford (DET)
Peyton Manning (DEN) at NE - $9,000 / Tom Brady (NE) vs. DEN - $8,900
With an opening Vegas line of 55 total points and a similar price, we're going to play a game of 'pick your poison' with Manning and Brady. After most were ready to write off Brady and the Patriots, he took a page out of Aaron Rodgers' book and showed America how to relax. In Brady's last three games, he has a total of 12 touchdown passes and an average of 30 fantasy points. On the Manning side of things, not much needs to be said that you don't already know. He's the best quarterback in football, and this should be a shootout. If I am faced with a decision between Manning and Brady, I am going Manning. But Brady's current production has been too strong of late to write him off this week.
Colin Kaepernick (SF) vs. STL - $8,000
Three weeks ago with a matchup against this same Rams team, Kaepernick was able to throw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Just two weeks ago, Russell Wilson ran for 106 yards against St. Louis. The stars are aligning for a big game for Kaepernick, who should be fresh coming off of the bye week.
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) vs. BAL - $8,400
In Week 8, Big Ben passed for a career-high 522 yards and six touchdowns in what was a wild game against Indianapolis. The biggest take-away from that game was a massive price hike on all daily fantasy sites. Prior to his 47-fantasy-point eruption, he had three straight games of fewer than 20 points. The Steelers are going to come back down to earth and face a much tougher Baltimore defense on Sunday Night Football. I would avoid Roethlisberger this week.
Running Back
1. Arian Foster (HOU) vs. PHI - $9,000
2. DeMarco Murray (DAL) vs. ARI - $8,000
3. Le'Veon Bell (PIT) vs. BAL - $7,300
4. LeSean McCoy (PHI) at HOU - $6,200
5. Jamaal Charles (KC) vs. NYJ - $8,100
6. Marshawn Lynch (SEA) vs. OAK - $7,400
7. Andre Ellington (ARI) at DAL - $6,800
8. Ahmad Bradshaw (IND) at NYG - $6,300
9. Lamar Miller (MIA) vs. SD - $6,300
10. Giovani Bernard (CIN) vs. JAX - $6,600
11. Ronnie Hillman (DEN) at NE - $5,500
12. Alfred Morris (WAS) at MIN - $4,700
Notable Byes: Matt Forte (CHI), Eddie Lacy (GB), Joique Bell (DET)
Arian Foster (HOU) vs. PHI - $9,000
It was only a matter of time before Foster's price caught up with his production, as he is now maxed out at $9,000. But still, even at that price, it's hard not to fit him in when it comes to certain matchups. Foster has eclipsed 100 yards in all but one game this season and has a total of nine touchdowns. This week, he faces a Philadelphia team that ranks in the bottom third in almost every major defensive category. Foster was held out of practice on Wednesday, but that seems more precautionary due to his usage than anything that would hold him out of Sunday's matchup.
Andre Ellington (ARI) at DAL - $6,800
If you're looking for a bit of a lower-priced running back this week, Ellington is the perfect guy to fit your roster. Ellington has seen over 20 carries the last two weeks and the Cardinals just lost backup running back Stepfan Taylor for the season. For that reason, the dual-threat Ellington could see an even heavier workload in both the running and passing game. This week, the Cardinals face Dallas and its intermediately ranked defense.
Ronnie Hillman (DEN) at NE - $5,500
Though Montee Ball is slated to return in the coming weeks, I think he may have already lost his job to Hillman. In three starts, Hillman has eclipsed 100 yards twice, with two touchdowns, and has seen work as a receiver out of the backfield, averaging four receptions per game. With a matchup against New England on the docket, it is safe to fire up Hillman at what is still considered a low price for his production.
Wide Receivers
1. Antonio Brown (PIT) vs. BAL - $9,000
2. Demaryius Thomas (DEN) at NE - $8,700
3. Dez Bryant (DAL) vs. ARI - $8,800
4. T.Y. Hilton (IND) at NYG - $8,100
5. Jeremy Maclin (PHI) at HOU - $7,900
6. Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) at NE - $7,400
7. Andre Johnson (HOU) vs. PHI - $6,500
8. Mike Wallace (MIA) vs. SD - $6,700
9. Steve Smith (BAL) at PIT - $6,100
10. A.J. Green (CIN) vs. JAX - $7,400 (P - Toe)
11. DeSean Jackson (WAS) at MIN - $6,000
12. Rueben Randle (NYG) vs. IND - $5,400
Notable Byes: Julio Jones (ATL), Brandon Marshall (CHI), Alshon Jeffery (CHI), Calvin Johnson (DET), Jordy Nelson (GB), Randall Cobb (GB), Sammy Watkins (BUF), Kendall Wright (TEN)
T.Y. Hilton (IND) at NYG - $8,100
In Hilton's last three weeks, he's averaged eight receptions for 161 yards. He's also recorded six receptions or more in his last five weeks and is yet to have less than five receptions in a game this season. The only knock to Hilton is his lack of touchdowns (two). Despite this, Hilton remains a big play threat and is seeing double-digit targets. If Reggie Wayne is held out again this Sunday, Hilton's price is well worth the hit. However, once the Colts get back to full strength it may break the bank a bit too much.
Jeremy Maclin (PHI) at HOU - $7,900
After seeing double-digit targets in six of his last seven games, Maclin put it all together for his biggest game of the year. Maclin hauled in 12 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns and continues to be Nick Foles' number one target. The Eagles move on this week to face a Houston secondary that has been exploited this season, ranking 28th against the pass.
Rueben Randle (NYG) vs. IND - $5,400
Since losing Victor Cruz for the season, Randle has stepped in as the top target in the New York passing attack. Randle lead the Giants in targets back in Week 7 against the Cowboys and is ninth in the NFL in red zone targets. This week, the Giants welcome the Colts, a team that just allowed Ben Roethlisberger to throw for 522 yards.
Tight End
1. Rob Gronkowski (NE) vs. DEN - $8,000
2. Julius Thomas (DEN) at NE - $6,600
3. Dwayne Allen (IND) at NYG - $4,700
4. Jordan Reed (WAS) at MIN - $4,700
5. Travis Kelce (KC) vs. NYJ - $5,000
6. Antonio Gates (SD) at MIA - $6,200
7. Zach Ertz (PHI) at HOU - $4,400
8. Vernon Davis (SF) vs. STL - $3,500
9. Heath Miller (PIT) vs. BAL - $3,700
10. Larry Donnell (NYG) vs. IND - $5,100
Notable Byes: Martellus Bennett (CHI), Delanie Walker (TEN)
Rob Gronkowski (NE) vs. DEN - $8,000
Though tabbing Rob Gronkowski as my top tight end play last week seemed like an obvious decision, he is going to solidify himself as a virtual must-play with performances like Sunday's. Gronkowski caught all nine of his targets for 149 yards and three touchdowns against the Bears. Something that won't show up in the box score was Gronkowski's absolute dominance, beating anyone the Bears threw on him in coverage. Simply put, the Bears did not have an answer for Gronk, and he was only stopped by the scoreboard. The Patriots host the Broncos this week in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Antonio Gates (SD) at MIA - $6,200
Coming into 2014, a lot of hype surrounded Ladarius Green and his eventual takeover of the tight end position in San Diego. That takeover is going to have to wait. The veteran Gates continues to impress, regardless of his age. Gates caught five of his eight targets and two touchdowns last Thursday in a loss to the Broncos. Even more eye-opening is the fact that Gates now has nine touchdowns on the season. Yardage and receptions are bound to take a dip with age, but with a touchdown in four straight games, Gates will live up to his price.
Vernon Davis (SF) vs. STL - $3,500
This write-up is based solely off of price, as Davis comes in just $500 above minimum value. Davis hasn't had more than 50 yards receiving all year and only has two touchdowns. However, the Niners face the Rams this week, a team Colin Kaepernick threw for 350 yards against in their first matchup.
Kicker
1. Dan Bailey (DAL) vs. ARI - $3,900
2. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) vs. DEN - $4,600
3. Justin Tucker (BAL) at PIT - $3,900
4. Adam Vinatieri (IND) at NYG - $3,800
The kicker selection will change week-to-week based upon the highest over/under in a specific game. In most cases, you will want to select the lowest-priced kicker with the highest over/under. With Vegas lines being high across the board, and Draftster tightening up kicker prices, the best options remain the most consistent kickers in the league.
Defense
1. Kansas City (vs. NYJ) - $3,900
2. Cincinnati (vs. JAX) - $4,000
3. Seattle (vs. OAK) - $4,100
4. Cleveland (vs. TB) - $3,800
On the opposite side of the spectrum from kickers, defenses are selected based on the lowest over/under totals in a given week. The Jets/Chiefs checks in at 41.5, the lowest of the week. The Jets are coming off of a week in which they turned the ball over six times, and the erratic Michael Vick draws the start in Week 9.
Last week's lineup:
QB: Zach Mettenberger (17.86)
RB: Matt Forte (33.80)
RB: Le'Veon Bell (20.80)
WR: T.Y. Hilton (30.50)
WR: Justin Hunter (13.10)
TE: Zach Ertz (9.80)
FLEX: Lamar Miller (12.90)
K: Stephen Gostkowski (15.00)
D: Miami (28.00)
TOTAL: 181.76
For the third time in four weeks I finished just outside of the top for a qualifying seat in Draftster's Single Entry Championship. After a pathetic 111-point performance last week, I got my act together to the tune of 181 points. I rolled Zach Mettenberger out at quarterback, not because I thought he would have a good game, but because he was minimum priced at $3,000. I followed this same theory with Austin Davis back in Week 5 and believe any time a quarterback comes in that cheap it is a must play. Mettenberger did exactly what I was hoping he would do and that was throw two touchdowns.
Moving to running back, I decided to spend here the money I saved starting Mettenberger. I liked Forte, even though he came at maximum price, because I knew he would be heavily involved in the rushing and passing attack. I also felt the Bears/Patriots game would be high scoring. To compliment Forte, I went with Le'Veon Bell, who actually was a bit of a disappointment despite scoring 20-plus points. Now, it is hard to blame Bell, as the Steelers were airing it out on Indianapolis, but if you were to tell me the Steelers would score 51 points I would assume Bell was a lock for at least one score.
Heading to wide receiver, I decided to roll the dice and paired Mettenberger with a target he hooked up with twice on big plays back in the preseason in Justin Hunter. Hunter was held in check for the entire game before finding the endzone in the closing minutes of the game. For my other wide out slot, I went with T.Y. Hilton, who I knew would see an uptick in targets with Reggie Wayne sidelined.
Zach Ertz filled out my tight end spot as he came at a very cheap price against a Cardinals team that, historically, has struggled against tight ends. He had a respectable game, however this position and my flex were the two spots that I needed to push me over the top in the standings. In that flex spot, I went with Lamar Miller for the third straight week. The Dolphins had a favorable matchup against Jacksonville, and the only real knock against Miller was that he didn't find the end zone.
I finished it out with Gostkowski at kicker and Miami's defense. If you didn't already know, you should play any defense that plays the Jaguars, Raiders, or Jets. So far so good on this theory. All in all, this lineup was great on Sunday, placing me in the top four in the qualifiers and cashing me in the freeroll and weekly $5 GPP. This lineup would have easily placed in nearly any league.
