As always, I'm writing this Saturday night, with plenty of questionable tags getting in the way of a "clean" DFS 50/50 Lineup of the Week. At various points today I had Tevin Coleman, Marquise Brown, and Kendrick Bourne in my 50/50. If Raheem Mostert sits, Coleman gets a bump (assuming the "doubtful" Matt Breida is also out). If I knew for sure Marquise was in, he'd be a strong and fairly cheap start. And Bourne would be a terrific ultra-cheap option if I knew Emmanuel Sanders (questionable) wasn't playing.
So based on what know tonight, here's my 50/50 for Week 11, using FanDuel pricing:
QB Lamar Jackson ($8,800) -- The cheaper Jameis Winston and much cheaper Derek Carr have similar ceilings. But no one has Lamar's floor.
RB Christian McCaffrey ($10,500) -- This is partly a hedge, since he'll be in a lot of lineups. But let's face it: barring an injury, he'll likely be a top-5 RB.
RB Dalvin Cook ($8,600) -- Again, I really wanted to roll with Coleman at only $6,700. But Cook has been reliably elite. I can't afford to settle for 7-8 points at this spot.
WR Michael Thomas ($9,000) -- Anticipating a rebound performance for Drew Brees, with Thomas doing what he does best.
WR Tre'Quan Smith ($4,900) -- And if Thomas somehow is held in check (unlikely), Tre'Quan and/or Ted Ginn should step up. Tre'Quan's the only one I can afford.
WR Calvin Ridley ($5,500) -- With Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman sidelined, and with Mohammed Sanu long gone, we're about to see what Ridley can do as a potential 10-target receiver.
TE Kyle Rudolph ($4,500) -- The FanDuel people were asleep on this one. In a game where Stefon Diggs should be held in check, Rudolph is a nothing-to-lose, TD-dependent dart throw. He's also a cheap hedge in case Dalvin Cook gives way to Kirk Cousins near the goal line.
FLEX Tim Patrick ($4,500) -- Remember this guy? He arguably outplayed Courtland Sutton down the stretch last season, but has been on Injured Reserve with a broken hand since right after Week 1. At this price, and after reading he's expected to immediately jump back into the fray, why not?
DST Panthers ($3,700) -- Again, the price is right. I have four elite talents at the top of my lineup. Sacrifices have to be made, and Carolina's DST has a good shot at 10+ points against the depleted Falcons.
Good luck today.
So based on what know tonight, here's my 50/50 for Week 11, using FanDuel pricing:
QB Lamar Jackson ($8,800) -- The cheaper Jameis Winston and much cheaper Derek Carr have similar ceilings. But no one has Lamar's floor.
RB Christian McCaffrey ($10,500) -- This is partly a hedge, since he'll be in a lot of lineups. But let's face it: barring an injury, he'll likely be a top-5 RB.
RB Dalvin Cook ($8,600) -- Again, I really wanted to roll with Coleman at only $6,700. But Cook has been reliably elite. I can't afford to settle for 7-8 points at this spot.
WR Michael Thomas ($9,000) -- Anticipating a rebound performance for Drew Brees, with Thomas doing what he does best.
WR Tre'Quan Smith ($4,900) -- And if Thomas somehow is held in check (unlikely), Tre'Quan and/or Ted Ginn should step up. Tre'Quan's the only one I can afford.
WR Calvin Ridley ($5,500) -- With Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman sidelined, and with Mohammed Sanu long gone, we're about to see what Ridley can do as a potential 10-target receiver.
TE Kyle Rudolph ($4,500) -- The FanDuel people were asleep on this one. In a game where Stefon Diggs should be held in check, Rudolph is a nothing-to-lose, TD-dependent dart throw. He's also a cheap hedge in case Dalvin Cook gives way to Kirk Cousins near the goal line.
FLEX Tim Patrick ($4,500) -- Remember this guy? He arguably outplayed Courtland Sutton down the stretch last season, but has been on Injured Reserve with a broken hand since right after Week 1. At this price, and after reading he's expected to immediately jump back into the fray, why not?
DST Panthers ($3,700) -- Again, the price is right. I have four elite talents at the top of my lineup. Sacrifices have to be made, and Carolina's DST has a good shot at 10+ points against the depleted Falcons.
Good luck today.