This article is part of our FantasyAces Football series.
Daily fantasy football is in the final stretch of the regular season, and FantasyAces is continuing the momentum from a very successful football season into the final two weeks. Not sure how to play at Fantasy Aces? We're here to help. Each week, RotoWire will offer advice on which cheap value players to target to give you that extra edge. These players are considered tournament plays unless otherwise noted, as all are listed as salary cap saving value plays.
QUARTERBACK
Teddy Bridgewater, $5,600 vs. NYG
It seems that the Vikings offense has changed in a span of two weeks. In the last two games, Bridgewater has had 556 passing yards, 20 rushing yards and six total touchdowns. In the previous 12 games, Bridgewater had 10 total touchdowns. Adrian Peterson has 150 yards and one touchdown combined in the last three games, so it looks like the changing of the guard has come, quickly and dramatically. Bridgewater faces the Giants in Week 16, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. In a good matchup and given his low price, consider Bridgewater in your FantasyAces' lineups.
Sam Bradford, $5,250 vs. WAS
Bradford is a pure contrarian play on FantasyAces in Week 16, as he will be very low owned and not many players will consider him given his recent production. His matchup and the volume of passes being thrown in the Eagles' offense make him an attractive option. Washington has allowed at least two touchdown passes in eight of the last nine games with the lone exception coming against the Cowboys' passing game, which is in complete disarray. The Eagles have been throwing the ball more often as well, giving Bradford more opportunities to accrue fantasy points. In addition, with the Eagles defense struggling the offense will have plenty of opportunities to score. In a good matchup and the expected game flow, he is well worth using on FantasyAces as a cheap play in tournaments.
RUNNING BACK
Tim Hightower, $4,550 vs. JAC
As the featured back for the Saints, Hightower has 41 carries and four catches in two weeks. In these 45 touches, he has accrued 180 total yards and a touchdown. He has 26 fantasy points (16 and 10) in two games, and, considering the game flow for the Saints in Week 15's game against the Lions where they were behind all game, Hightower's production is impressive. In Week 16 against the Jaguars, the game flow may be in his favor in a good matchup. The Jaguars have given up double-digit fantasy points to opposing backs in all but one game this season. In addition Jacksonville gives up a ton of catches and yards to opposing backs, which gives Hightower added value in the passing game. Don't worry about Spiller, as Hightower was targeted four times on Monday night through the air.
James White, $4,300 vs. NYJ
Speaking of passing game backs; White is a premier pass-catching back who should see the majority of the work for the Patriots in Week 16. The only predictable factor the Patriots' rushing attack has shown this season is which backs they use and in what matchups. The Jets are among the best rush defenses in the NFL, which means White should be featured. Against Buffalo, White had 17.6 fantasy points. Against Tennessee in Week 15, he scored 17.2 fantasy points. Against the Eagles (who were a top rush defense earlier in the season) he had a line of 10/115/1. When Dion Lewis was healthy, he performed well against excellent opposing rush defenses as well, succeeding against Pittsburgh, Buffalo and the Dolphins. Each team was ranked among the best against the run when that particular game took place.
WIDE RECEIVER
Rueben Randle, $4,200 vs. MIN
If Odell Beckham Jr. (suspension) is out for Week 16; expect Randle to become the de facto No. 1 receiver for Eli Manning. He does have a relatively tough matchup against Xavier Rhodes, but considering the targets he will likely see without Beckham, he's a bargain at just $4,200. The Giants are likely to throw the ball a lot again as Manning has 32 or more attempts in all but one game this season. If Manning gets to 40 attempts, Randle should see a target share of close to 10 if Beckham is out. With his current rate of 51 catches on 78 targets this season, Randle is a bargain waiting to happen in terms of production. Be sure to monitor Beckham's status, and feel free to use Randle if the suspension is upheld.
Dorial Green-Beckham, $4,300 vs. HOU
Apparently all Green-Beckham needed was a new coaching staff. Since the Titans' "new offense" has begun, Green-Beckham has caught 14 of 22 targets for 285 yards and a touchdown. Those three games have come against the Patriots, Jets and Jaguars. Two of those defenses are among the best in the NFL in defending the pass, and Green-Beckham faced some excellent cornerbacks. In Week 16, he will see the Texans who have given up 361 yards and four touchdowns to opposing receivers in the last three games. Neither Jonathan Joseph nor Kareem Jackson is big enough to defend 'DGB' so expect him to be targeted heavily again for the Titans.
TIGHT END
Kyle Rudolph, $4,150 vs. NYG
One quick way to amass points in DFS is a stack. Rudolph has an excellent matchup against the Giants, making him an interesting stack option with Bridgewater in GPPs on Aces. The Giants have been awful against tight ends this season, allowing 87 catches (most in NFL) for 1,055 yards (second most) and eight touchdowns to the position. Only the Saints have allowed more fantasy points to the position. With the Vikings' passing volume higher of late, Rudolph can be expected to see more run in the offense. He is a tournament option at just $4,150 on FantasyAces.
DEFENSE
Minnesota Vikings, $2,650 vs. NYG
The Vikings defense had become an afterthought in recent weeks, but they were without their three best players on defense in Linval Joseph, Anthony Barr and Harrison Smith. The trio is set to return for Week 16's bout with the New York Giants, who could be without Beckham. Minnesota has 34 sacks, nine interceptions and has scored four touchdowns, and they face Eli Manning who has thrown five interceptions in the last four games. The Vikings are priced as DST15 this week on FantasyAces, but have the personnel and matchup to be a top five defense. The Vikings will be lower owned as well due to recency bias.
Don't forget to keep an eye on the NFL inactive list. With the injury report changing all the time, a lot could happen before Sunday.
