This article is part of our FantasyAces Football series.
Daily fantasy football is in the final stretch of the regular season and Week 17 has arrived, and FantasyAces continues the momentum from a very successful football season. 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
AJ McCarron, $5,750 vs. BAL
McCarron at under $6,000 is one of the few value plays at quarterback on FantasyAces for Week 17, as he has a top matchup and a chance to exceed value in terms of his expected return given his price. The Ravens have given up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and have allowed at least two touchdown passes nine times. McCarron has four touchdown passes in three starts, and that could increase with a terrific matchup against the Ravens.
Johnny Manziel, $5,150 vs. PIT
Manziel seems to be in trouble every other week, regardless of whether it's deserved or not. That's a story for another day. If he does play in Week 17, he has a terrific matchup against the Steelers who have been dreadful defending the pass. The Steelers have given up 17 touchdown passes in the last seven games and have climbed the ranks in terms of allowing fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Manziel has a high floor, given his ability to run as well, and he had at least 15 fantasy points in four of his last five starts. Add his rushing ability to the fact that the Steelers can't defend the pass and you have a fantastic value play on FantasyAces.
RUNNING BACK
Rashad Jennings, $4,450 vs. PHI
Jennings is the lucky running back who gets the Eagles in Week 17, which makes him a solid value play on Aces. The Eagles have given up at least 20 fantasy points to opposing running backs in seven straight games and have allowed well over 4.5 yards per carry on the season. Whether it's rushing or receiving, the Eagles have given up a ton of fantasy points, which bodes well for Jennings, who has slowly but surely become the feature back of the Giants. Jennings has more than 100 total yards in three straight games, each coming against better defenses than Philadelphia. His matchup this week along with his price makes him a top value option at running back.
James White, $4,450 vs. MIA
White continues to be the feature in the Patriots' passing game, notching another five catches in Week 16 against the Jets. He also has six touchdowns in the last five games, making him a threat in the red zone as well. The Patriots' backs are tough to predict for the most part, but with that being said, they have used the passing backs in specific matchups. Earlier in the season against Miami (New England's matchup in Week 17), passing back Dion Lewis caught six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. With White acting in Lewis' role, expect a similar workload in the passing game for the Patriots, making him a solid value on FantasyAces.
WIDE RECEIVER
Kamar Aiken, $4,600 vs. CIN
Aiken continues to be a safe play week in and week out. He now has five catches or more in eight straight games, and only has single digit fantasy points in two of those contests. Aiken had 76 targets in these eight games, which means the work will continue to come to him. This makes him a safe play along with the fact that the Ravens are among the worst teams in the NFL and always pass when coming from behind. He does have a tough matchup against the Bengals, but Cincinnati has allowed more than 500 yards to opposing wide receivers in the last three weeks. Given the game flow, targets and ability to catch the football, Aiken is a top value play again on FantasyAces.
Randall Cobb, $4,600 vs. MIN
How often can you select Cobb as a value play in DFS? That, and his matchup for the division against the Vikings, are why he is listed here. Minnesota has an excellent cover corner in Xavier Rhodes, but they have struggled elsewhere in the secondary, allowing 17 touchdown receptions to opposing wide receivers. Despite Cobb's relative lack of success this season, he still has 121 targets and has caught 73 passes for six touchdowns. Earlier this season, Cobb caught a touchdown on nine targets against Minnesota. With the value that can be had with the obvious upside that Cobb presents, he makes for an excellent option as Aaron Rodgers' top option in the passing game.
TIGHT END
Zach Ertz, $4,550 vs. NYG
Ertz' value is rising, but given his price point compared to others he makes for a solid value play in Week 17. Ertz has 30 targets in the last two weeks, catching 21 balls for 200 yards and a touchdown. Ertz has been near the top in tight end production of late, notching just below 50 fantasy points in the last three weeks. His play is just half of the story, as the Giants are one of the worst in the NFL in defending the tight end. New York has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, allowing the most catches, second-most yards and the fifth-most touchdowns to the position. Given the matchup and Ertz' huge boost in targets, he makes for a solid play on FantasyAces.
DEFENSE
Minnesota Vikings, $2,650 vs. GB
The Vikings are in play yet again this week, as they were a top value in Week 16. With the pricing of defenses on FantasyAces, you can select essentially any defense you want in the mid tier as only $750 separates the top price from the lowest. Minnesota's defense will be very low owned as they take on the Packers in Green Bay, but they are a solid contrarian play, as the Packers' offensive line is really struggling. The Packers have allowed at least two sacks in every game since Week 3, and they are dealing with injuries to key members of the line. With some backups in, the Cardinals registered nine sacks against the Packers in Week 16. Given the Vikings' ability on defense when healthy and the Packers' current struggles along the offensive line, Minnesota's defense is an excellent play.
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.
