Hey everyone, Tera Roberts here with your DFS Bargains for week 18! Before we get started, be sure to like this video and subscribe the Fantasy Alarm.
At quarterback this week, my number 1 option is Tyler Huntley. I just don’t have a ton of faith Lamar Jackson will return to action. And don’t let last week’s poor performance fool you…that Rams are a tough matchup. And this week’s matchup against the Steelers is far much friendly and you have to love the rushing upside. I’m very comfortable rolling out Tyler Huntley in my lineups this week.
Jordan Love is an option if Aaron Rodgers sits out because the Packers aren’t really playing for anything. In his only start this season, Love completed 19 of 34 passes for 190 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception, added 5 carries for 23 yards. But that was against the Kansas City Chiefs. And this week’s game is against the Detroit Lions…with far less pressure on him. If he gets the start, he’s a viable option this week.
If Huntley and Love aren’t options, I’m oddly comfortable rolling out Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh faces a Baltimore defense that has struggling SO much against the pass. Last time they played, Ben had a great game, completing 21 of 31 passes for 236 yards and 2 touchdowns. This could be Big Ben’s final game of his incredible career. It’s great matchup…and you gotta love the narrative here.
At running back I’ve got 3 options for you this week.
First up, Dontrell Hiliard. Despite only getting 8 carries last week, he was very productive with them rushing for 45 yards and 1 touchdown and adding 3 receptions for 33 yards. Hilliard is definitely the number 2 back in the Titans offense. His 8 carries to Foreman’s 26 says all we need to know. But that doesn’t phase me this week with a matchup against the Texans. The Texans are 24th in DVOA against the run. Tennessee is on fire right now and I suspect this game won’t be particularly competitive. All that adds up to Hilliard being a great DFS value.
Tevin Coleman is another potential value option. Coleman missed last week’s game due to COVID but has been activated. Michael Carter is in concussion protocol so that leaves Coleman, Ty Johnson and Austin Walter. with Coleman returning, I think he leads the backfield on the ground with opportunity for pass catching work as well. And the Jets face the Bills who are VERY strong against the pass but not so fantastic against the run. Coleman could be a good payoff at his pricing.
Now, this last running back is another “what if” player. Green Bay hasn’t really indicated what they’ll do. BUT they have clinched their first round bye and aren’t playing for anything. What if they decide to sit starters or only play them for a quarter? That leaves Patrick Taylor as a guy that could come into play against a Detroit team ranked 31st in DVOA against the run. It’s the perfect matchup for a VERY big bargain running back.
Moving on to wide receivers and there’s a lot of great bargain value this week.
The Cardinals receiving core just hasn’t panned out since DeAndre Hopkins season came to an end. But over the past 3 weeks, Antoine Wesley has had 17 targets, 9 receptions and 3 touchdowns. Kyler Murray just really seems to be gravitating towards him. Seattle’s defense leans far more pass friendly so I suspect Wesley could continue his productive play this week.
Cyril Grayson is another guy that we need to take serious as an option moving forward. The pass-happy Bucs are officially down to Mike Evans. But it was Cyril Grayson that led the way with 6 receptions on 8 targets for 81 yards and 1 touchdown. That’s his second game in a row with exactly 81 yards since being elevated from the practice squad and he’s still VERY cheap.
Nico Collins is another very cheap option at receiver this week. The matchup against the Titans isn’t ideal But Houston is going to likely have to throw for volume in this matchup. And Nico Collins has really solidified himself as the number 2 option in the Texans offense.
And our deepest bargain option here is Ray-Ray McCloud. McCloud’s pricing hasn’t caught up with his targets which have been 29 over the past 4 weeks. Now…I’m gonna guess that’s because he’s done absolutely nothing with them. But he’s CHEAP cheap…and the volume is there…and the matchup is excellent.
And at tight end…we’ll play a game called Pick A Brown. And it’s a simple game, pick either Austin Hooper or David Njoku because the Browns face a Cincinnati team that gives up the 6th most fantasy points to tight ends. I think Njoku has the higher upside and riskier floor and he didn’t practice Wednesday. Hooper is the safer option, maybe more cash-friendly but does get a massive boost if Njoku doesn’t play.
And that wraps things up for DFS Bargains. As always be sure to like this video and subscribe to our channel. Thanks for watching and good luck with your lineups!
Player News
Packers released CB Jaire Alexander.
The Packers and Alexander hoped to find a trade partner for the veteran cornerback this offseason, but after failing to do so, Alexander, 28, will now be free to sign with any team. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the two sides also considered a restructured contract. Alexander was limited to seven games in each of the last two seasons due to injuries and seemed to be at odds with the organization late last season. Alexander is being released with two years left on his current deal. As a result, the Packers will be hit with a dead cap hit just north of $17 million in 2025, and a $9.5 million dead cap hit in 2026. He’ll almost certainly have a market now that he’s available, but will likely need to sign a one-year prove it deal after missing 34 regular season games since 2021.
Speaking on the Last Man Standig podcast, The Athletic’s Ben Standig said Commanders RB coach and run game coordinator Anthony Lynn considers RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt an “A running back.”
Lynn uses the “A-back” label to denote big running backs who can be used as “a volume ballcarrier,” capable of running between the tackles. The “B-back” label is conversely used to describe quicker, scat-back and pass-catcher types. The “A-back” labeling puts Croskey-Merritt in a group with Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Lynn reportedly told Standig that Croskey-Merritt is “bigger than he thought” he would be. Croskey-Merrity (aka Bill) has a long way to go before the coaches would seriously consider him as a replacement for Robinson, and Lynn recently complimented Robinson’s “good mindset” at organized team activities. Still, it’s a positive start for a seventh-round rookie. Stay tuned.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that free agent WR Gabe Davis “is on his way to visit” the Saints.
Rapoport curiously closed the report by saying, “with plenty of money coming from [the Jaguars], Davis would command just a [one-year] deal from his new team.” That sounds like the opening line in negotiations, from the team’s side of things. Regardless, the Saints make sense as a landing spot. Davis can compete against relatively soft competition for the No. 3 role, which could allow him to get his career back on track after a disappointing 2024 season.
Discussing Terry McLaurin’s contract situation on the Last Man Standig podcast, The Athletic’s Ben Standig said the “general consensus” among his sources is that a contract extension “will get done.”
FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz’s Friday report regarding McLaurin’s frustrations prompted Standig to check in with his sources, who gave him no reason to change his “stance” that “this will get done.” Standig advised listeners to “be prepared for this to remain a topic past mandatory minicamp,” which runs June 10th-12th, and adds that he will only become concerned if the issue is not resolved within “a day or two” of the Commanders’ first training camp practice in July.
NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports, Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) and RB Dameon Pierce (undisclosed injury) are expected to be ready for training camp.
Wilson says Mixon has successfully graduated from his walking boot and now sports a small, precautionary brace. Details on Pierce’s injury are unavailable. While both players are expected to return by July 18th, the team’s pursuit of Nick Chubb makes sense. Wilson previously reported that Mixon’s current ankle injury is unrelated to the two ankle injuries he suffered last season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Texans are considered the “leader” to sign free agent RB Nick Chubb, “among several teams,” and that the Saints “have been involved to some degree.”
Fowler adds that the Browns have also been involved but says that it is “unlikely” Chubb reunites with his former team. Fowler also notes that “multiple outlets reported” on Chubb’s scheduled visit and expected signing with the Texans, but Fowler stopped short of fully backing the claim. Per Fowler, going to a contender is “important” to Chubb, who “plans to sign as soon as Monday.” Stay tuned.