/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57414047/usa_today_10379595.0.jpg)
If you're a daily fantasy player, before each game I will look at three/four players from the New Orleans Saints and their opponent’s rosters that I would target in daily fantasy (based off their value and potential results). Obviously, Saints QB Drew Brees is a safe QB for daily fantasy leagues, but spending your money on a top-tier starting QB leaves you scraping the barrel to fill out the rest of your roster.
So here are three Saints and one Bear that provide the most bang for your buck. (Values from Fanduel.)
WR Michael Thomas (NO) - $7,600
Tampa Bay has one of the worst pass defenses in the league right now, and both Michael Thomas and Drew Brees have yet to have their monster game of the season. With Ted Ginn emerging as a trusted option for Brees, the growth of Brandon Coleman, and the question marks surrounding Willie Snead, there are plenty of mouths to feed in New Orleans, but Thomas ($1,500 cheaper than the most expensive WR available) should find plenty of balls thrown his way.
RB Alvin Kamara (NO) - $6,600
Kamara’s value is slowly creeping up week by week, but it’s still not where it should be considering his consistently strong production as a pass-catcher. When you consider Mark Ingram’s late game fumbles last week, it’s possible Kamara has an even increased role this week. At a whopping $2,500 cheaper than the most expensive RB available, he’s an incredible value play this week.
TE Cameron Brate (TB) - $5,800
He’s only $1,500 cheaper than Gronk and he shares time at TE with rookie OJ Howard, but Cameron Brate should still have a decent game. Rookie phenom Marshon Lattimore will likely be asked to follow Mike Evans around the formation, leaving Brate as the possible de facto #1 receiving option for QB Jameis Winston.
K Patrick Murray (TB) - $4,700
Kicker, Defense and Tight End are three spots where you can find sneaky value and save a few hundred bucks here and there. The Buc’s issues at Kicker have been well-documented this season, but Murray has made all of his kicks thus far. With the Saints defense hoping to keep the Bucs out of the endzone if the reach the red zone, Murray’s cost ($600 cheaper than the most expensive Kicker) seems more than fair.
My full daily fantasy lineup this week:
QB Cam Newton (CAR) - $7,600
RB Alvin Kamara (NO) - $6,600
RB Todd Gurley (LA) - $9,100
WR Michael Thomas (NO) - $7,600
WR Jarvis Landry (MIA) - $7,000
WR TY Hilton (IND) - $6,600
TE Cameron Brate (TB) - $6,100
K Patrick Murray (TB) - $4,700
DST Raiders (vs Dolphins) - $4,600
Dunz’s 50/50 daily fantasy record: 7-2