4 daily fantasy players from the Saints and Buccaneers matchup

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 Buc that provide the most bang for your buck. (Values from Fanduel.)

WR Michael Thomas (NO) - $8,500

Thomas doesn’t come cheap, coming in only $500 cheaper than the most expensive WR available for daily fantasy. Even still, he’s absolutely worth it. He’s Drew Brees’s go-to, #1 target in the pass game, and with the running game stealing Alvin Kamara as a potential receiving option, look for the Saints to lean on Thomas even more. Gone are Willie Snead, Brandon Coleman, and Coby Fleener. Tre’Quan Smith is a rookie. Ted Ginn and Benjmain Watson are ancient. Thomas is a star.

WR Mike Evans (TB) - $7,700

Yes, Mike Evans will likely have lockdown corner Marshon Lattimore shadowing him the entire game, but last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick shows that he likes to lean on Evans in the same way Brees can lean on Thomas. At $1,300 cheaper than the most expensive WR available, even if it’s just in garbage time, Evans should have a decent game.

TE Benjamin Watson (NO) - $4,900

Most people who follow my writing know that I’m not very high on Ben Watson. He turns 38 this season, two years older than the recently-retired Jason Witten. But, with Mark Ingram out for the first four games of the season, in goal-to-go situations, Watson could be one of Brees first reads to punch it into the end zone. He’s just incredible value here, a whopping $3,000 cheaper than the most expensive TE available.

Saints DST (vs TB) - $4,600

Gone are the days of the Saints DST being a laughing stock of the NFL. They have a young and talented core that is ready to make stops, force turnovers, and pose for the camera. Facing a Tampa Bay team that will be without Jameis Winston and has a less-than-stellar running game, the Saints defense is a sneaky play in daily fantasy this week.

My full daily fantasy lineup this week:

QB Andrew Luck (IND) - $7,300

RB Dalvin Cook (MIN) - $7,300

RB Chris Carson (SEA) - $5,900

CRB ) - $7,800

WR Michael Thomas (NO) - $8,500

WR Mike Evans (TB) - $7,300

MWR ) - $6,300

WR Pierre Garcon (SF) - $6,200

TE Benjamin Watson (NO) - $4,900

FLEX Saquon Barkley (NYG) - $7,600

DST Saints (@ GB) - $4,600

Dunz’s 50/50 daily fantasy record: 0-0