This article is part of our FantasyAces Football series.
Daily fantasy football is in the final stretch for the regular, and FantasyAces is ready to continue the momentum from a huge first half of the 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
Johnny Manziel, $5,200 vs. SF
Manziel will start against the 49ers in Week 14 after the Browns' brass decided to name him a starter (again). At just $5,200, he's one of the lowest-priced starting quarterbacks available and is worth playing in a good matchup. Prior to the last two weeks, the Niners had allowed at least one passing touchdown in nine straight games. More value lies in Manziel's ability to run the football, which bodes well against San Francisco. They have allowed 13 rushing touchdowns this season, which is among the most in the NFL. With Manziel's ability to throw and run at close to minimum price, he's an attractive value option for Week 14.
Tyrod Taylor, $6,100 vs. PHI
Taylor gets a top-tier matchup against the Eagles, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Taylor's ability to run gives him an added floor, as he has rushed for at least 40 yards and/or a touchdown in six of 10 games this season. In those 10 games, Taylor had at least 17 fantasy points eight times. In the last two weeks, Taylor's passing production has increased as well. He has thrown for 502 yards and six touchdowns in the last two games, which works well for his matchup this week against a dreadful Philadelphia secondary.
RUNNING BACK
Ryan Mathews, $4,300 vs. BUF
Mathews (concussion) has reportedly passed the concussion protocol, making him more than likely to play on Sunday against the Bills. With DeMarco Murray recently speaking out about his decreased role, Mathews could be in for an increased workload. Before the concussion, Mathews had been the best running back on the Eagles roster in terms of yards per carry, with an incredible six yards per carry. In Week 14, the Eagles face the Bills, who have one of the better rushing defenses in the NFL–on paper. Buffalo has given up at least 85 yards rushing and/or a touchdown in all but one game this season. The Bills have given up at least 17 fantasy points to opposing backs in all but three games this season, including six of the last seven. Mathews will be lower owned, and at $4,300 he's worth a shot with Murray's role likely decreasing going forward.
James White, $4,200 vs. HOU
White has become Dion Lewis for the Patriots. In the Pats' last game against the Eagles, when trailing, White played the majority of the snaps, and it paid off as he caught 10 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield. Expect the Patriots to use the same game plan with White as the passing back, and LeGarrette Blount getting the rushing snaps, which bodes well for White against the Texans in Week 14. Houston hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown since Week 7, and they have given up just 38 fantasy points to opposing running backs in that span. Tom Brady will be quick to get rid of the football given the Texans' rush, which plays directly into White's DFS value. At $4,200, he's worth a look as a cheap option in tournaments.
WIDE RECEIVER
DeVante Parker, $4,200 vs. NYG
Parker has played the majority of the snaps in two straight weeks for the Dolphins, and the rookie receiver is finding his role in the offense. Parker had 15 targets in the last two games, catching seven of them for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Rishard Matthews (ribs) is likely to miss another game, which gives Parker a chance to start again. He faces the Giants secondary, which has given up at least 200 yards and/or a touchdown to opposing receivers in eight straight games. At just $4,200, Parker is an attractive value play for Week 14 on FantasyAces.
Doug Baldwin, $4,800 vs. BAL
Baldwin has caught fire in the last few weeks as the Seahawks' passing game has climbed to the top of the charts with a few big games. In the last four games, Baldwin has 31 targets, catching 24 of them for more than 440 yards and six touchdowns. He has done so against some impressive defenses, the Vikings and Cardinals, as well. He shows no signs of slowing down either, especially with a dream matchup against the Ravens in Week 14. Baltimore has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, including 19 touchdowns. The only two teams not to complete a touchdown to a wide receiver against the Ravens were the Browns and Rams, two of the worst passing offenses in the NFL. Baldwin's price is still too low at under $5K, so he's worth targeting in all contests on FantasyAces.
TIGHT END
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, $4,500 vs. NO
Seferian-Jenkins has finally returned to the lineup for the Bucks, and just in time for the No. 1 matchup for opposing tight ends against the Saints in Week 14. New Orleans has allowed 76 catches for 1,016 yards to opposing tight ends this season (both the most in the NFL) and 10 touchdowns. The Saints have given up at least 15 fantasy points in each of the last four games to opposing tight ends, including 12 catches for 153 yards and three touchdowns to the Titans in Week 9. The matchup couldn't get any better for Seferian-Jenkins, as he makes for a top stack play with Jameis Winston for a relatively cheap price on FantasyAces in Week 14.
DEFENSE
Detroit Lions, $2,650 vs. STL
The Lions are the lucky team that gets to face the Rams offense in Week 14, making them a top play at defense on FantasyAces. St. Louis has allowed opposing defenses to score at least eight fantasy points in four straight games, and has turned the ball over 10 times (five interceptions, five fumble recoveries) in these four contests. The Lions have just one double-digit fantasy point week so far, so the unit will be lower owned than normal, but the second week could very well come against one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Despite the Lions' defensive struggles, they do have nine sacks and two turnovers forced in the last two games.
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.
