Here at Bink Inc, my aim is to break down the DraftKings player pool and give you the skinny on the various GPP options at your disposal. I will be going through all positions and all pricing tiers, as well as dropping GPP lineup construction knowledge. Due to DraftKings new regulations regarding selling lineups, we can’t actually give you pre-built lineups. With that said, each week the Bink Inc. article will provide you with all of the information you need, so that you can craft lineups from our suggestions. In many ways this is better for our readers, as you will become familiar with the different strategies for GPP lineup construction and be able to identify how value shifts from position to position depending on the pricing each week.
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger ($7200)
Jets @ Steelers
Projected Team Total: 27.5 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 20.6 points (2.8x salary multiple)
Roethlisberger comes into the week on a high note after torching the Chiefs to the tune of 300 yards and five touchdowns on 22 of 27 passing. Roethlisberger was on fire and spread the ball around well, although Antonio Brown still saw his heavy volume of passes and converted two of those for touchdowns. This week the Steelers host the Jets in what is a very advantageous matchup for Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense. The Jets are solid against the run, ranking third across the NFL with only 70.3 rushing yards let up per game. Their secondary is a different story though, as the Jets rank 26th in the NFL, allowing opponents to throw for 285 yards per game. Given the stats and what we’ve seen so far this year, Roethlisberger could once again finish the week as the high scorer at quarterback. He’s averaging 23.4 fantasy points per game, but what we really like about him is his impressive ceiling, which is established this season at 36.9 points. There aren’t many quarterbacks who are capable of throwing for five touchdowns and 300+ yards passing, so for GPP’s, Roethlisberger looks like the best option. He is likely to be highly owned after his performance last week, but keep in mind there are plenty of other positions to differentiate your team, so despite the Roethlisberger/Brown stack being quite popular, they have the highest ceiling as a stack and are well worth their high price tag.
Derek Carr ($6,800)
Chargers @ Raiders
Projected Team Total: 26.5 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 19.3 points (2.8x salary multiple)
Carr didn’t have a big yardage game last week at Baltimore, but he made up for it by tossing four touchdowns. He and Michael Crabtree have developed a great rapport, as Carr found Crabtree for three of his four passing touchdowns last week. This week the Raiders host a Chargers team that has been decimated by injuries. On the offensive side, San Diego lost their two most effective players in Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead, but now the defense has been snake bitten as well, with star cornerback Jason Verrett now out for the year. This is big news for wideout Amari Cooper, who has taken a backseat to Michael Crabtree due to attracting the attention of opposing defensive coordinators. This game has the highest implied total of the week (50 points), and the Raiders have a very healthy implied team total of 26.5 points. The Chargers rank 27th in passing yards allowed (289.5) and have allowed three of four opposing quarterbacks to pass for 300+ yards, with Drew Brees being the lone quarterback who did not eclipse that mark. Carr is averaging 266.5 yards passing per game, with nine touchdowns to only one interception. This is an advantageous matchup for Carr and the Raiders passing game, and he makes for an excellent GPP option that should be fairly high owned, however with the return of Tom Brady and the excellent matchup for Ben Roethlisberger, don’t expect his ownership percentage to go much higher than 12%.
Carson Wentz ($6,400)
Eagles @ Lions
Projected Team Total: 24.5 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 19.2 points (3xsalary multiple)
Wentz is enjoying an incredible rookie season thus far, throwing for 256.3 yards per game with five passing touchdowns and no interceptions. His decision making is well beyond his years and he looks like a veteran in the pocket the way he goes through his progressions and doesn’t force passes to his receivers. The Eagles were on a bye last week, but the week before Wentz carved up the Pittsburgh defense with 301 yards passing and two touchdowns to no interceptions. This week they travel to Detroit to face off against a Lions team that has let up the second most passing touchdowns to date (12). The Lions secondary has looked awful this season, and last week was no different as they struggled to contain journeyman Brian Hoyer. Hoyer threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Wentz and Jordan Mathews make for an interesting—and most likely low owned –stack as the Lions have allowed 23.7 points to opposing quarterbacks (sixth most in the NFL), and 25.9 points to opposing wide receivers (13th most). Wentz also gets Zach Ertz back this week, which brings into play a triple stack of Wentz/Mathews/Ertz, as the Lions have allowed the sixth most points to opposing tight ends (11.6). While Wentz might not have the ceiling of Roethlisberger, Brady or Rodgers, he certainly has the floor to return a solid multiple on his salary. He is one of the only quarterbacks projected to have a 3x return on his salary this week. Wentz’s ownership is slowly gaining steam, but with so many popular options in play this week, you can count on him having a low ownership percentage.
Ryan Tannehill ($5,700)
Titans @ Dolphins
Projected Team Total: 23 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 17.8 (3.1x salary multiple)
When you are formulating your lineup construction strategy for GPP’s, you have to look at several factors, most importantly though, you have to weigh floor vs ceiling vs ownership percentage. With quarterbacks especially, you want to make sure they can reach a 3x multiple, as that is the number where quarterbacks start to pay off their salary. Tannehill is one of the more interesting plays this week, as he has shown the ability to put up big games (27.98 points in week 2 and 24.96 points in week 3), but he has also been very inconsistent in establishing a floor (9.56 points in week 4). Overall, he is averaging more points per game than Joe Flacco, Kirk Cousins, Eli Manning and Andy Dalton, and is equal with Philp Rivers (19.4 points per game). The key to playing Tannehill is knowing when the matchup dictates a game script where he is
Running Backs
DeAndre Washington ($3,400)
Chargers @ Raiders
Projected Team Total: 26.5 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 13.1 points (3.8x salary multiple)
With Latavius Murray looking like he will miss Sunday’s game against the Chargers, DeAndre Washington finds himself in a position to see a high volume of touches. Over the last three games, Washington has been fantastic in his limited touches, rushing 18 times for 133 yards (7.3 yards per carry). He brings an explosive dimension to the running game, and that is evidenced by the fact that he has a 25+ yard carry in each of his last three games. Washington was a pass catching specialist in college, so it is puzzling to see him not being involved in the passing game as much as expected. He has only six catches in four games, but on the bright side, he has converted every target he has seen into a reception. Assuming he is the starter, he gets a very good matchup against a Chargers run defense that has allowed big games to Spencer Ware (11/70/1, 7/129), Mark Ingram (18/56/1, 6/49), Frank Gore (21/82/1) and John Kuhn (3/5/2). Over the last three weeks, the Chargers have allowed 25.2 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (fourth most in the NFL), which includes six rushing touchdowns. For the year, San Diego is averaging 82 yards per game (seventh best in the NFL), however they have allowed running backs to hurt them in the passing game, which bodes well for Washington’s chances this week. His salary is extremely soft at $3,400, so there isn’t much risk associated with rostering Washington this week. He has a lot going for him, and assuming he receives a high volume of touches there is plenty of upside for Washington to reach at least a 4x multiple. He is one of the few running backs projected to score 3x+, and putting him in your lineup allows you to stack several high end receivers. There are other good options at low price points this week, but considering Washington will be playing in a game with the highest implied total, he will see the most scoring opportunities.
Jordan Howard ($5,200)
Bears @ Colts
Projected Team Total: 22 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 17.9 points (3.4x salary multiple)
Howard was thrust into the starting role after teammate Jeremy Langford went down with an injury. Howard responded to the challenge, rushing 23 times for 111 yards (4.8 yards per carry) while catching three passes for 21 yards on four targets. The carries and yards were the highest of any Bears running back this year. Howard is built to be a three down back and it was evident from last week’s game that the Bears are confident he can fill that role. Howard now has 35 carries for 178 yards (5.08 yards per carry) and nine receptions for 77 yards on the year. He will be the feature back once again this week, and the matchup is a very good one against a Colts run defense that gives up 105.8 rushing yards per game (18th in the NFL). The Colts have also allowed five rushing touchdowns in four games, which gives Howard a very good chance of adding to his touchdown total. At $5,200, Howard is a prime candidate for high ownership, but that shouldn’t discourage you from riding him this week. Bears coach John Fox commented on Howard after the game and said he was “outstanding” and remarked that they will continue to use him as the lead back. Back-up quarterback Brian Hoyer is not afraid to throw the ball, but the Bears could be without both Ashlon Jeffrey and Eddie Royal this week, so the Bears may not have a choice but to feed Howard the ball 20+ times. When you can find a running back that has a definitive role and is getting work on both third down and in the red zone, it is a good idea to ride him in your lineups and differentiate your lineups at other positions. Play him with confidence this week in GPP’s.
Terrance West ($4,800)
Redskins @ Ravens
Projected Team Total: 24 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 12.0 points (2.5x salary multiple)
West took hold of the lead running back role this past week, and he showed why the Ravens coaching staff chose him as the starter. The Ravens released veteran Justin Forsett due to the confidence they have in their young stable of running backs. West ran very well against the Raiders, gaining 113 yards on 21 carries (5.4 yards per carry) while adding a touchdown to finish with 20.3 fantasy points. West has seen at least 10 carries in every game, but this past week was the first time the Ravens coaching staff did not divide carries among all of their running backs. West looks to be the lead back again this week, but you do have to monitor whether rookie Kenneth Dixon will play on Sunday, and to what extent. He is a very real threat to take the starting job from West, but as long as he is sidelined West is the man to own. This week West takes on a Redskins run defense that has been getting beat up on the ground. They have allowed monster games to DeAngelo Williams (143 rushing yards and two touchdowns), Ezekiel Elliott and Alfred Morris (90 yards and two touchdowns combined), Shane Vereen and Orleans Dwarka (120 yards and two touchdowns combined) and Isaiah Crowell (120 yards and a touchdown). In three of their four games, the Redskins have given up two rushing touchdowns. The easiest way to gain points on the field in GPP’s is to have a running back score multiple touchdowns, and there is no better opponent to target than the Washington defense. West’s salary is very soft at $4,800, and even if Dixon plays he will most likely be brought along very slowly. West projects to see at least 15 carries, which should translate into 65+ yards as his floor. If we are looking at Washington’s past opponents to determine West’s ceiling, the lead back’s going against the Redskins have averaged 19.8 points, with DeAngelo Williams scoring the most points (29.8). Joe Flacco and Terrance West make for an interesting stack, as the Redskins are averaging three touchdowns per game to opposing running backs and quarterbacks. Despite a big game last week, West will most likely slip through the cracks and have an ownership percentage around 5-7%.
Wide Receiver
Amari Cooper ($7,200)
Chargers @ Raiders
Projected Team Total: 26.5 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 17 points (2.3x salary multiple)
After starting the season like gangbusters against the Saints (six catches for 137 yards), Cooper has struggled to hit value with all the added attention he is receiving from opposing defenses. Over the last three games, Cooper does have 14 catches, but he was unable to top 75 receiving yards, and does not have a touchdown catch on the season. Michael Crabtree has obviously benefitted and is making the most of having single coverage, as we saw last week when he scored three touchdowns. With the Chargers coming to town, Cooper looked to have a real tough matchup against up and coming cornerback Jason Verrett, but after Verrett was ruled out for the season earlier this week, Cooper finds himself in a very good matchup. The Chargers rank 27th in the league in passing yardage allowed at 289.2 yards per game, but they are remarkably worse on the road, allowing 323.5 yards per game. Looking at other #1 receivers who have faced off against the Chargers at home, there is definitely reason to be optimistic about Cooper’s value this week. TY Hilton tore up the Chargers to the tune of eight catches for 174 yards and a touchdown, and Jeremy Maclin (five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown) scored his only touchdown of the season in week 1 when the Chiefs hosted the Chargers. The Oakland vs San Diego matchup is one that definitely calls for a game stack, as they have the highest implied total (50) and it is the only game that has both teams projected to score more than 23 points. Cooper’s talent is undeniable, but he has yet to have that real breakout game. This week he has that chance with the game script calling for a large volume of passes by both teams. With Latavius Murray doubtful for Sunday’s game, Cooper should be called on more in the short passing game, and there is no reason why he shouldn’t catch eight plus passes and go over the 100 yard mark. Whether he gets targeted in the red zone remains to be seen, but look for Cooper to break several big plays against a depleted San Diego secondary. At $7200, he is falling through the cracks with so many other high priced receivers dominating ownership, so this is a great week to get on board with Cooper and get a big leg up in GPP’s.
Demaryius Thomas ($6,900)
Falcons @ Broncos
Projected Team Total: 26 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 19.5 points (2.8x salary multiple)
Thomas is one of the more interesting plays this week, as his salary continues to be in the lower second tier at $6,900. He is capable of putting up big games, evidenced by the fact that he has 11 multi-touchdown games in his career. He is getting used to a new quarterback in Trevor Siemian, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up solid numbers so far this year. He has recorded six catches in each of his last two games for 94 yards and 100 yards, respectively. Thomas gets a juicy matchup this week going against the 31st ranked Atlanta secondary. The Falcons have let up 317 passing yards per game, and that number jumps to 329 yards on the road, not to mention the fact that Atlanta has let up a league worst 13 passing touchdowns to their opposition. Over the last three weeks, the Falcons are giving up 27.3 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, which is eight most in the league over that time. The Denver vs Atlanta matchup has an implied total of 47 points, and that seems like a conservative number given the fact that Atlanta has been involved in shootout after shootout this year. They are not winning with defense, but rather by outscoring their opposition with their high flying offense. Denver’s defense is one of the league’s best, so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the red hot Atlanta offense. Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans and Michael Crabtree have all scored touchdowns in their games against Atlanta, so there is precedent for Thomas to have a big game. Fellow wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has dominated the targets through four games with 42 targets to Thomas’s 27 targets, but Thomas has still gained more yards (332 yards for Thomas, 293 for Sanders) and only trails Sanders by four in the reception department. While Thomas is seeing less attention from Siemian, he is making his targets count, and that is something to take note of. Jarvis Landry ($7,000), Jordan Matthews ($6,800) and Brandon Marshall ($7,100) are all good options that fall close to Thomas’s salary, but if you are looking for a low owned option that has a very high ceiling, Thomas and Matthews seem to be the best options. Play him with confidence this week in GPP’s.
Travis Benjamin ($6,500)
Chargers @ Raiders
Projected Team Total: 23.5 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 14.8 points (2.2x salary multiple)
Our projections for Benjamin this week are not very high, as the IVC has him projected for an average of 14.8 points. The reason I included him in this column though, is because he is the #1 receiver on an offense that is going against the worst ranked Raiders passing defense. Oakland is giving up 325.5 net passing yards per game, and at home, that number goes way up to 389 yards per game. They have let up monster games to Brandin Cooks (six catches for 143 yard and two touchdowns), Willie Snead (nine catches for 172 yards and a touchdown), Julio Jones (five catches for 106 yards and a touchdown) and the ageless wonder Steve Smith (eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown). The Raiders are a team you want to target in the passing game, and despite Philip Rivers spreading the love around his receiving core (I’m looking at you Dontrell Inman), Benjamin is still the most talented receiver they have. More so, Benjamin is a true deep threat, and the Raiders are tied for the most 20+ yard plays allowed (18) to opposing teams. That is to say that Benjamin can hit value very quickly, all it takes is one deep ball from Philip Rivers for Benjamin to be on the board with 70+ yards and a touchdown. Benjamin has an established ceiling of 32.4 points (week two against Jacksonville, Benjamin had six catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns), so there is reason to think that he can be one of the difference makers in GPP’s this week in what is the best matchup he will have all year. As I mentioned above, the Chargers vs Raiders matchup is one where you want to get as many players on your rosters as possible, as a back and forth shootout is looking like a strong possibility. His salary feels a little tight at $6,500, which will contribute to many owners looking elsewhere to fill their receiver slots. He should be very low owned this week, but in a great matchup with a high ceiling, I see Benjamin as a fantastic GPP option. You have to take on risk in your GPP lineups, but that risk needs to be calculated. Looking at the big games that the Raiders have allowed to opposing receivers, I can’t help but think that Benjamin will breakout in this one and go over 100 yards with a touchdown.
Odell Beckham Jr ($8,500)
Giants @ Packers
Projected Team Total: 20.5 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 20.8 points (2.4x salary multiple)
Living in New York, I have been beaten over the head with constant news about Odell Beckham’s temper tantrums and how he has been a distraction to his teammates. His frequent outbursts aside, Beckham represents one of the best values on the board this week. His price has dropped has dropped a full $1,000 dollars since week two, and he now finds himself in the lower 1st tier of receivers with AJ Green ($8,900). There is reason to be concerned about Beckham’s production so far this year, as he has yet to score a touchdown and is converting only 56% of his targets. For reference, Beckham converted 64% of his targets in his first two years in the league. Now, if we want to take on risk in our GPP lineups, we have to make sure that risk is worth the reward. Even with Beckham struggling, he has one of the highest ceilings of any receiver in the league. Over his first two years in the league, Beckham recorded multi-touchdown games in 26% of his appearances and totaled 25 touchdowns in only 27 games. This week he gets a Packers defense that is 29th in passing yards allowed (307.3 net passing yards). The Packers are giving up the sixth most points to opposing receivers (30.4 points), but you really have to look at what the #1 receivers have done against Green Bay. Stefon Diggs put up a monster game with nine catches for 189 yards and a touchdown, and Marvin Jones had his breakout moment against the Packers, totaling 205 yards and two touchdowns. When you add in Allen Robinson (six catches for 72 yards), the Packers are averaging seven catches for 153 yards and one touchdown to opposing #1 receivers. Beckham is due for a big game, and when he goes off he has the ability to win you GPP’s. Antonio Brown’s salary continues to rise ($8.900) and Julio Jones is not far behind at $9,600. With so many cheap options at running back this week, it is possible to roster both Brown/Jones and Beckham without completing upsetting the balance of your lineups. I would strongly consider Beckham as a GPP option this week, as history has told us he doesn’t go very long without having a multi-touchdown game, and you want him in your lineup when he does.
Tight Ends
Kyle Rudolph ($3,600)
Texans @ Vikings
Projected Team Total: 23 points
Footballguys IVC Projection: 12.9 points (3.5x salary multiple)
Truth be told, Rudolph has not appeared on many of my GPP lineups over the years, but times have changed and Sam Bradford has found himself a favorite target. The tight end player pool is very weak, with high priced options in Greg Olsen, Jordan Reed and Rob Gronkowski, but after that, there are a lot of tight ends competing for the last two spots in the top five. So far this year, Rudolph has been a guy you need to include in that group, as he is averaging 4.75 receptions for 55.25 yards per game. What has got me excited about Rudolph is the connection he has formed with Bradford. Rudolph has scored a touchdown in three straight games and is starting to see more targets in the intermediate passing game. Most importantly though, he has become Bradford’s favorite target in the red zone. Rudolph has a tough matchup this week going against a Houston Texans defense that is surrendering only 2.8 fantasy points per game to tight ends. That doesn’t sound like a matchup you want to put your tight end in, but if you look at the tight end player pool, there isn’t much there to feel confident about. Sometimes you have to look past a tough matchup and I think this is one of those cases. This should be a tight game, and that means Bradford will need to move the chains. With Adrian Peterson out, the Vikings have looked to pass more, and Rudolph and Stefon Diggs are the primary targets. Rudolph has seen 8.25 targets per game and is converting on 57% of them. As Bradford continues to get Rudolph involved more in the short and intermediate passing game, we will see that percentage rise into the low 60’s. One of the reasons I feel confident putting Rudolph in my GPP lineups is that he has developed a solid floor, scoring double digit points in every game, not to mention he is averaging 14.75 points per game. That is the second highest average of any tight end this year, trailing only Jordan Reed at 15.8%. Now let’s consider Rudolph’s price at $3,600. That is extremely low for the second highest scoring tight end, but the pricing has yet to catch up to him. It is likely that after another good game (13+ points), Rudolph’s salary will jump into the upper $4,000’s. This is the week to get him on your GPP teams, as his price and low ownership percentage make him an excellent risk/reward play.
