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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 two Saints and two Panthers that provide the most bang for your buck. (Values from Fanduel.)
QB Drew Brees (NO) - $8,100
Let’s be honest: as the third most expensive QB ($1,200 cheaper than Tom Brady) this week in daily fantasy, it’s almost name-value along that is keeping Brees this expensive. While his stats this year haven’t been superb, he’s shown flashes of the Hall of Fame skills that Saints fans hope haven’t eroded just yet. The Panthers secondary has struggled against the pass, so look for Brees to have a big bounce-back game this week after a rough showing against Los Angeles.
RB Christian McCaffrey (CAR) - $7,300
Especially now after the Saints lost Alex Okafor for the season, the Saints will continue to struggle against lateral runs. McCaffrey is only $1,500 cheaper than the most expensive RB available this week, but he could still provide decent value against a defense that struggled to contain Todd Gurley at times. McCaffrey is far more elusive and shiftier out of the backfield, even more so catching passes, so he might have himself a big game.
WR Michael Thomas (NO) - $7,600
Thomas has been incredibly consistent this season, putting up solid numbers week-to-week, even in weeks where Brees seemingly struggles. He’s only $1,000 cheaper than the most expensive WR available this week, but with the Panthers aforementioned struggles against the pass, look for Thomas to continue his superb play both on quick slants and down the field.
K Graham Gano (CAR) - $4,900
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times - Kickers and Defenses are great places to find sneaky value as the drop-off between the best and worst is just not the same as it is with the offensive skills positions. Gano has been solid his whole career, and is only $400 more expensive than the cheapest Kicker available this week.
My full daily fantasy lineup this week:
QB Drew Brees (NO) - $8,100
RB Christian McCaffrey (CAR) - $7,300
RB Jordan Howard (CHI) - $7,500
WR Michael Thomas (NO) - $7,600
WR Adam Thielen (MIN) - $7,800
WR Davante Adams (GB) - $6,500
TE Jack Doyle (IND) - $5,700
K Graham Gano (CAR) - $4,900
DST Broncos (at Dolphins) - $4,600
Dunz’s 50/50 daily fantasy record: 10-3