The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Due to budget restraints, however, fantasy players must sacrifice other positions to nab the stars they want.
Here, you'll find the top bargains at each position on Draft Kings that will let you splurge elsewhere.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups For The Fantasy Playoffs
Quarterbacks
1. Eli Manning, Giants ($6,100): Don’t lose trust in Eli just yet. The Giants, despite taking a horrible loss to the Jets last week, are still very much alive in the NFC East. This week the Giants are in a must-win vs. the Dolphins, who have one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses and also have next to nothing to play for. Odell Beckham Jr. has been running wild, so if any other Big Blue receiver steps up Eli should cruise to 300 yards.
2. Jameis Winston, Buccaneers ($5,500): Winston has put up solid passing numbers over the past few weeks, and shored them up with surprising production in the running game. Famous Jameis has scored a rushing touchdown in four of the last six games, and this week he is up against the Saints, who boast the league’s worst defense by far.
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3. Blaine Gabbert, 49ers ($5,100): This is weird, but Gabbert is actually a very nice play. He’s dirt-cheap as far as starting QBs go, and the Browns defense (and team in general) has packed it in on the 2015 season. Johnny Manziel is inexplicably back as the starter, which should only tip the field position scales in Gabbert’s favor all day long.
Running Backs
1. Ronnie Hillman, Broncos ($4,700): There’s no doubting the Broncos’ running game is back with Brock Osweiler at QB, and with C.J. Anderson getting hurt last week, there’s clarity as to who will benefit. In Week 14, ride Ronnie Hillman, who will be at home against a shaky Oakland run defense that ranks 22nd in the league.
2. David Johnson, Cardinals ($4,300): Johnson has the job all to himself right now, and against St. Louis he racked up 117 total yards and a touchdown. He’s always been the most physically gifted running back of Arizona’s trio and now he’s being unleashed. This week he’s home against the Vikings, who are surprisingly soft vs. the run (23rd per Football Outsiders), and playing on a short week.
3. Darren Sproles, Eagles ($3,500)/Ryan Mathews, Eagles ($3,400): This is based on health. If Mathews is a go -- he’s been missing since Week 10 with a concussion -- then ride with him. If not, pick up Sproles. But either way, Chip Kelly is ready to trust his other runners instead of the ineffective DeMarco Murray. Buffalo is shockingly one of the worst teams in the league against the run, so there will be plenty of chances to rack up points.
Wide Receivers
1. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks ($4,500): Baldwin has suddenly emerged as a borderline WR1 in fantasy, and his Draft Kings price clearly hasn’t caught up. Russell Wilson is playing the best football of his career, and Baldwin is really his only reliable option. He’ll get fed every week, and the Chargers defense is already home for the offseason mentally.
2. Brandon LaFell, Patriots ($4,700): LaFell has been disappointing this season, catching five passes only once, rarely topping 50 yards, and failing to score even once. This week, against the Texans, could be his breakout. Danny Amendola is the clear No. 1 for Tom Brady with Rob Gronkowski out, and Houston has been terrible all year (27th) against No. 2 options. Brady is going to find LaFell often, and you can expect his no-touchdowns streak to end.
3. DeVante Parker, Dolphins ($4,000): Parker is a physical beast, and the Giants are very vulnerable to big plays in the passing game. Expect the G-Men to play inspired football, but they won’t be able to contain Parker all game. If Ryan Tannehill can get some time Parker will make plays down the field.
Tight Ends
1. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Buccaneers ($2,700): ASJ is one of the best plays of the week. He’s healthy, he can be stacked with Winston for $8,200 total, and together they have a chance to put up major points. The Saints have the NFL’s worst defense overall, and are dead-last in stopping tight ends. Seferian-Jenkins’ price is depressed because he’s missed most of the year with injury, but he is a physical freak with a prime matchup. Use him!
2. Gary Barnidge, Browns ($5,000): Be wary of his injury status leading up to this game, but if Barnidge plays, he will be up against the 26th-ranked defense in the NFL against tight ends. Barnidge hasn’t been to the end zone in two weeks, but his floor these days is five catches. Expect one to be for a score against the 49ers.
3. Jordan Cameron, Dolphins ($2,500): Cameron is a risky because of his potential to throw up a doughnut, but he has a cake matchup against the Giants abysmal secondary. Cameron hasn’t topped 21 yards since Week 9 though, so you’ll have to nail your other picks if he flops.
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