Out of money? Don’t Stress
So you spent all your money on McCaffrey. Maybe that $9,000 price tag on Michael Thomas was too good to turn down. You might have even shelled out some precious salary for Lamar Jackson. Any way you slice it, you’re down to your last couple dollars and an open roster spot. You sift through your lineup trying to find places where you can cut corners and save a few extra dollars. Luckily for you, I have a solution to your monetary problems. These players are incredible budget players at each position that could fill out your DFS lineup in a pinch.
Emergency Picks is a series that is put out every week for those that need some deep sleepers to play in their DFS lineup if they are almost out of salary.
Mitch Trubisky $5500:
Trubisky protected his job for at least 1 more week by coming alive in the fourth quarter to steal a win from the Detroit Lions, passing for 3 Touchdowns in that quarter alone. Trubisky’s next opponent, the New York Giants, like the Lions, have a questionable secondary that he can exploit. If he plays even half as well as he did in the 4th quarter of week 1, Trubisky should be able to carve up this defense with ease. Expect a minimum top 15 performance from the 20th ranked QB on draftkings.
James Robinson $4400:
If I’m being completely honest, there isn’t much depth on the running back market. The optimal strategy would be to spend heavy on running backs over anything else. However, that’s not why you’re here. You’re here for James Robinson, the workhorse back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. At only $4400, Robinson was used on 81% of the total snaps and rushed 17 times for 62 yards against the Colts in week 1. He was also utilized on 60% of the passing snaps, displaying the confidence the coaching staff has in him as a pass blocker, where he had an 81.0 pff grade (6th in the NFL). If the Jags can somehow get to the redzone against the Titans, Robinson is a good bet for a touchdown to go with his bell cow work.
Quintez Cephus $3800:
If you’ve been reading any of our other yardsper DFS articles then you no doubt know about Quintez Cephus. In Kenny Golladay’s absence, Cephus has taken over the bulk of the targets, accumulating 10 against the Bears. With Marvin Jones drawing attention from Jaire Alexander, Cephus will be matched up against the CB2 for Green Bay, Kevin King. While a serviceable corner in his own right, King is no Jaire Alexander and Cephus should be able to put up top-30 WR numbers if he keeps his target share from the previous week. He’s an absolute steal at $3800
Jordan Akins $3300:
When picking tight ends outside of the top 6, it’s a complete crapshoot. If he isn’t getting a touchdown then he’s likely scoring in single digits. It becomes even more of a crapshoot when picking between the two Texans tight ends. The Texans tight end duo has historically been volatile, but Jordan Akins seems to have taken the reins. Akins, who out-snapped his counterpart, Darren Fells, 81% to 46%, should have an abundance of chances to get that touchdown. And even if he falls short, his 69% route participation rate gives him ample opportunity to get the needed receptions for a solid output. Start Akinson your DFS team against a Ravens defense that gave up 6 receptions for 70 yards and a TD to tight ends last week.
Broncos D/ST $2500:
On Monday night, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win over the New York Giants. But putting up stats against the Giants is one thing. Being able to produce against a Broncos defense that held a team that went to the AFC championship to 16 points is something else all together. With an elite pass rush starring Bradley Chubb and a secondary headlining Justin Simmons and the two of the five highest pff-graded rookie corners in Essang Bassey and Michael Ojemudia, the Steelers offense will have trouble gaining yards all night. This is a top 12 defense at only a $2500 value.
