This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
Cash Games
In 50/50s, double-ups or heads-up contests, always aim for a lineup that has a higher floor rather than a higher ceiling. In 50/50 contests, the top half of all entries finish in the money, which means you don't have to pick a high-ceiling lineup that shoots for the moon. Rather, build these lineups with safe players who can be counted on for production.
QB: Blake Bortles, JAC at NO ($8,200): The Jaguars are playing in a critical game if they want to keep their playoff chances alive and have the best possible matchup against the league's worst pass defense. Bortles has been more than a serviceable option lately, scoring at least 23 fantasy points in four straight games. He has a ton of potent weapons at his disposal in Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson, Julius Thomas and even Marquise Lee made a circus catch last week. The only small red flag is that Drew Brees is battling a foot injury that could prevent this game from being a shootout. Still, the Jaguars should keep their foot on the gas the whole game if they want any chance of winning their division.
RB: David Johnson, ARZ vs. GB ($7,300): Johnson will likely be the most-owned running back and this is a case of "fade at your own risk" in cash games. He had the touchdown run of the week against a porous Eagles defense and the price is way too low. It's a tougher matchup this week against Green Bay but the Cardinals will at least have home field advantage.
RB: DeAngelo Williams, PIT at BAL($7,400): Getting pieces of the Pittsburgh offense is always a good idea, and they've got a good matchup in Baltimore this weekend. Williams has been a beast in almost every game with Le'Veon Bell out, scoring six touchdowns over his last six games. He's added 22 catches for 234 yards over that time span, adding important fantasy points from the passing game.
WR: Antonio Brown, PIT at BAL ($9,300): Just like Johnson is likely to be the most-owned running back this week, Brown should be the most heavily owned wide receiver in cash games. There's little to explain here given what he's done this season with Ben Roethlisberger under center, and he has established himself as arguably the best receiver in the game. Brown has at least 32 fantasy points in four of his last six games, showing both how high his ceiling is and how attainable it is.
WR: Michael Floyd, ARZ vs. GB ($6,300): Floyd has gotten stronger as the season has gone on and looks like the top receiving option for Carson Palmer. There are enough other dangerous weapons on this team as well as a potent running game to get Floyd a lot of one-on-one matchups. This game could turn into a shootout, with both teams having elite quarterbacks. Floyd has at least 13 fantasy points in six of his last eight games and has 100-yard games in four of his last six. Both the floor and ceiling are very high.
WR: Tyler Lockett, SEA vs. STL ($6,200): It might be unwise to pass on Doug Baldwin this week given his recent success but Lockett is a nice consolation prize. Lockett comes at a $1,500 discount compared to Baldwin and has similar recent success. Lockett has scored 14.0, 25.2, 13.2, 5.3 and 19.3 fantasy points over his last five games, respectively, and he has seven targets in each of the three games since Jimmy Graham was placed on injured reserve. A home matchup against the Rams is nothing to worry about given how good this offense has been over the last five weeks.
TE: Delanie Walker, TEN vs. HOU ($6,600): At first it's probably a reflex to hesitate using Walker considering that Zach Mettenberger will be under center for the Titans. Fortunately, Walker had two touchdown catches last week after Mettenberger took over, so the quarterback change doesn't mean much. Walker still seems like an underrated tight end given what he's done, and he has double-digit fantasy points in each of his last five games. The home matchup against Houston could have Mettenberger looking to get rid of the ball quickly, which helps Walker, who runs a lot of short-to-intermediate routes.
K: Blair Walsh, MIN vs. NYG ($4,600): This price is only $100 more than the minimum and Walsh gets a nice home matchup against the Giants, who have given up a ton of points lately. The Vikings' offense has appeared to come to life and Walsh has hit all six field goal attempts at home this season.
DEF: Tennessee Titans vs. HOU ($4,000): This week's minimum-priced defense is the Titans, though it comes with a caveat. Only consider using the Titans if Brandon Weeden is under center and Brian Hoyer is not. It's hard to see Weeden having a ton of success on the road, even against a bad defense. A good pivot in case Hoyer plays is probably going with the Jaguars ($4,300) if Matt Flynn is under center for the Saints.
Tournaments
For tournament lineups, you have to look at upside and use some "outside-the-box" picks if you want to cash. Don't use this type of lineup completely, as there is a lower floor with a lot of players. A mix of studs with a few of the cheaper options could net the top overall prize.
WR: Martavis Bryant, PIT at BAL ($7,200): Everyone is going to flock to Antonio Brown this week and that should leave Bryant as an under-the-radar player. At a $2,000 discount compared to Brown, Bryant has almost as high of an upside dollar for dollar. Bryant relies more on big plays to score fantasy points, and the Ravens' defense has given up plenty to opposing wide receivers this season. Fading Brown but rolling with Bryant might pay off big this weekend in a GPP.
RB: Rashad Jennings, NYG at MIN ($5,700): There are a ton of value picks at running back with all of the injuries, so Jennings should be extremely under-owned this week. The suspension of Odell Beckham will have the Giants looking elsewhere for offense, which could lead to more work for Jennings, who over the last two weeks has scored 11.2 and 15.2 fantasy points, respectively, a solid return for his price.
