This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Each week, RotoWire provides picks and values for FantasyDraft lineups. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of one quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, one tight end, two flex spots and one defense. The scoring is standard point-per-reception.
To roster some top-tier players in tournaments, you need some lower-priced sleeper options with upside. That's what we aim to bring you in this column.
Here are our fantasy football value picks for Week 13 on FantasyDraft.
QUARTERBACK
Jay Cutler, $10,200 vs. SF
Cutler's price has been far too low on FantasyDraft all season, so be sure to continue to take advantage. Cutler has at least 15 fantasy points in all but three games. Those three games came against the Packers, Broncos and Cardinals. Denver and Arizona are two of the best pass defenses in the NFL, and Green Bay allowed more than 15 in their first meeting. Cutler has a much better matchup in Week 13 against the Niners. San Francisco has allowed the ninth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and has allowed at least one touchdown in every game. Cutler's floor is safe and his upside is high, which makes him an excellent value play at $10,200.
Blaine Gabbert, $10,000 vs. CHI
This may be the only time you have seen Gabbert's name appear in a value piece for fantasy football, but he's worth consideration at the bare minimum on FantasyDraft in tournament lineups. Before you throw your computer out the window, take a look at what Gabbert has done as a Niner. In three games as the starter, Gabbert has 16.6, 16.76 and 19.82 fantasy points. He has thrown for four touchdowns and ran for 65 yards. Gabbert has faced the Falcons, Seahawks and Cardinals as a starter. Atlanta has allowed the third fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, Seattle has allowed the eighth fewest, and Arizona the 10th fewest. Gabbert has had one of the toughest schedules in the last few weeks but has produced above his salary. In Week 13, he faces a Bears team that allowed four touchdown passes in two separate games, and has given up at least 15 fantasy points six times to opposing quarterbacks. Gabbert will be very low owned, and his moderate success against better defenses makes him worth using in a tournament lineup or two.
RUNNING BACK
LeSean McCoy, $10,600 vs. HOU
McCoy will be a highly owned option on FantasyDraft for Week 13, as he will likely receive the bulk of the touches on offense for the Bills. With Karlos Williams (shoulder) out, McCoy has no real competition for carries, making him a talented back that will see a lot of volume. He does have a relatively tough matchup against the Texans, who have allowed more than half of their total fantasy points to running backs in only two of their games. Houston hasn't allowed more than 64 yards rushing in each of their last four games and has allowed just one rushing touchdown since Week 5. This limits McCoy to a GPP-only play, but considering his volume he's still a solid play at his price.
Shaun Draughn, $7,800 vs. CHI
Draughn is an excellent cheap option at running back if you're looking for a player with a high ceiling. Since becoming the starter for the Niners, he has 13.6, 15.7 and 13.6 fantasy points. Most have come through the air, as he has 17 catches in this stretch. That being said, those three games came against three of the best rush defenses in the NFL in the Falcons, Seahawks and Cardinals. In Week 13, he faces a Bears defense that has allowed at least 16 fantasy points to opposing running backs in all but two games this season. At $7,800, he will allow your lineups to have a few stars if you choose the stars and scrubs route.
WIDE RECEIVER
Anquan Boldin, $8,100 vs. CHI
Boldin quietly has been excellent in the last few games with Gabbert at the helm, making him a solid option to stack with the Niners' quarterback in tournaments for a low-owned combination. With Gabbert this season, Boldin has 13 catches for 186 yards in two games against the Cardinals and Seahawks. He gets a much easier matchup against the Bears in Week 13, and looks to continue his success with Gabbert under center. Chicago has allowed 14 touchdowns to opposing receivers.
DeVante Parker, $6,400 vs. BAL
Parker was named as the starter opposite of Jarvis Landry for Week 13's game, as Rishard Matthews (ribs) is likely out. His matchup and price make him an attractive play, as the Ravens have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Baltimore has given up at least two touchdowns in all but four games this season, with three of those games coming against an injured Peyton Manning, the Browns and Case Keenum. At just $6,400, Parker will allow the flexibility to select expensive players at other positions.
TIGHT END
Martellus Bennett, $7,100 vs. SF
Bennett's price has never been lower, which makes him a top target as a value play in Week 13's matchup against the Niners. A Cutler/Bennett stack can be had for a total of $17,300, or $400 less than Julio Jones. This allows you to spend on players such as Jones or Devonta Freeman to round out your lineups. The Niners have been good against tight ends, but have really only faced one team, Seattle, who use their tight ends. Bennett is one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the NFL, averaging more than 11 fantasy points per game and five receptions per contest.
DEFENSE
Cincinnati Bengals, $6,600 vs. CLE
While the Bengals defense is not necessarily a "bargain" play, they still hold great value on FantasyDraft. At $6,600, they are $1,100 less than the Cardinals who will likely be the highest-owned defense on the site against Nick Foles and the Rams. The Bengals offer a similar matchup against an Austin Davis-led Browns team. In addition, the Bengals have at least two sacks and/or one interception in all but two games. Cincinnati has a safe floor as well, allowing more than 24 points just once.
