This article first appeared on RotoBaller.com
[sc name=”Author Matt Terelle”]
Hey there RotoBallers! In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 11 slate.
These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
Generally, I will try to outline a top option at each position along with a value option with a chance to at least hit value. Let’s get to it!
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Quarterback Picks for Yahoo DFS
Tom Brady, New England Patriots @ OAK (in Mexico), $38
There are four quarterbacks at the top of Yahoo site pricing, with Brady, Russell Wilson, Alex Smith, and Carson Wentz all between $37-$38. If you are planning to pay up for a quarterback this week, Brady is your guy as he has an exceptional matchup. Not that matchups matter for Brady as, in Week 10, the Patriots went with a run-heavy approach to avoid throwing on an elite Denver secondary and Brady still finished with three touchdowns. This week, he draws one of the top matchups in the league for quarterbacks as he will take on a Raiders pass defense that is dead last in DVOA.
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams @ MIN, $28
Goff continues to improve as the year goes on, having topped 300 yards and throwing seven touchdowns in his past two games. Despite his recent success, he could go overlooked in Week 11 as he travels to Minnesota to take on a tough Vikings defense. Despite the tough matchup, Goff and the Rams offense have simply been playing too well to avoid using. The spread-the-wealth nature of the team’s attack also serves to make them harder to slow down as Minnesota lockdown corner Xavier Rhodes can only cover one guy at a time. Goff is a solid choice for tournaments this week and he is significantly mispriced based on his recent play and ceiling.
Running Back Picks for Yahoo DFS
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs. WAS, $26
Choosing between Kamara and Mark Ingram has proven to be difficult over the past few weeks as Kamara scored twice in Week 9 and Ingram reached the end zone three times last week. With the way the Saints have been running the ball this season, it has been a wise move to get some exposure to at least one of their backs each week. Against Washington in Week 11, Kamara is shaping up as the better play and he checks in $2 cheaper. The Redskins have played solid run defense this season, ranking 12th in DVOA, but their pass defense has struggled against pass-catching backs, ranking 24th in DVOA. Kamara’s heavy usage in the passing game keeps his weekly floor high and New Orleans’ offense is good enough that both he and Ingram can be weekly RB1s, as they’ve proven over the past few weeks.
Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL, $12
With the injuries to Aaron Jones (out) and Ty Montgomery (questionable), Williams could have the Green Bay backfield all to himself in Week 11. If that is the case, he shapes up as a locked-in RB2 on Yahoo at a fantastic price of $12, which is just $2 over the minimum. The Ravens have been stout against the pass this season but they have been vulnerable against running attacks, ranking 19th in DVOA. While the Green Bay offense has been disappointing without Aaron Rodgers, the Ravens don’t have the offense to get up big on the scoreboard against them. That means Williams should see at least 20 touches. Just be sure to keep an eye on Ty Montgomery‘s status because if he plays I don’t want either Green Bay running back.
Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo DFS
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. WAS, $24
While some may see Thomas’ matchup against a Josh Norman-led secondary and immediately fade the star receiver, Thomas actually shapes up as a strong play in Week 11. Norman is one of the few star corners in the NFL who doesn’t shadow, having played 97% of his snaps this season as the left cornerback. Thomas has run the majority of his routes on the side opposite to Norman, meaning he will see more of Bashaud Breeland. Breeland is nowhere near the corner that Norman is, grading out at 47.1 at Pro Football Focus. While the Saints have skewed much more run-heavy this season, Thomas is still getting his, having seen double-digit targets in three of his past four games. At $24, Thomas is way too cheap for an elite wide receiver.
Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins @ NO, $12
Crowder, outside of his Week 9 explosion, is struggling through a disappointing season. The slot receiver has caught just 32 passes for 348 yards this year after breaking out in 2016. That being said, Crowder is starting to trend up, as he’s seen 24 targets over his past two games. While the Saints represent a prohibitive matchup for outside receivers, they haven’t been nearly as stout against the slot, meaning the Redskins will likely lean on their tight ends and Crowder in the passing game. Crowder’s value on Yahoo is exceptional as he’s just $2 over the minimum price over there.
Tight End Picks for Yahoo DFS
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs @ NYG, $31
Normally picking the highest-priced player at a given position is low-hanging fruit, but Kelce is as close to a must-have as it gets, especially in cash games. Kelce draws a dream matchup for tight ends as he will take on a Giants defense that continues to bleed points to the position. Including last week’s score to Garrett Celek, the Giants have allowed at least one touchdown to a tight end in each of their games this season. Kelce is a fantastic play and can even be put in the flex spot to pair with a lower-priced tight end.
Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks vs. ATL, $17
Speaking of lower-priced tight ends, Yahoo has been slow to raise Graham’s price, despite the fact he’s scored six touchdowns in his past five games. The yardage totals haven’t been eye-popping but Graham remains one of the better bets in the league to score a touchdown. Considering how hard it is to count on weekly production out of the tight end position, Graham’s consistency is a welcome sight for fantasy gamers. Graham is a solid choice to pair with Kelce (who can be treated like a WR1 this week ) if that’s a route you want to consider taking.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo DFS
Denver Broncos vs. CIN, $13
The Broncos’ defense hasn’t been performing all that well from a fantasy perspective lately, but they have faced three straight elite offenses in the Patriots, Eagles, and Chiefs. Over those three games, the Denver defense has combined for a total of eight fantasy points on Yahoo, which has sent their price spiraling all the way down to just $13. Look for the Denver defense to bounce back against a Bengals offense that has struggled to protect Andy Dalton this season, ranking 31st in the league in adjusted sack rate according to Football Outsiders. Denver’s defensive line, meanwhile, is third overall in adjusted sack rate. This is a recipe for fantasy success for the Denver defense. The Broncos are currently 2.5-point home favorites in a game with a low 39-point over/under.
