NFL Week 14 DFS: Cheap Targets and Pricey Fades on DraftKings Daily Fantasy Football

Week 14 opened with Thursday night's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. The Patriots pulled off the upset and got surprisingly good fantasy performances out of Hunter Henry, Ezekiel Elliott and Bailey Zappe (really).

Managers looking to get ahead in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) realm this weekend should have several intriguing options. This week—the last with teams on bye—only the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders will be out of action.

Below, we'll dive into some of our favorite value plays for Week 14 and examine a few pricey options to consider avoiding.

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Target: Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts, $5,300

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew has done a terrific job of filling in for rookie Anthony Richardson, and he's been a fine DFS option for budget-conscious managers in the right matchups.

Minshew went two games without a passing touchdown before tallying 312 yards and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. He should have another solid matchup this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

While the Bengals still have playoff life and did just upset the Jacksonville Jaguars, their pass defense has been inconsistent—and standout cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is on injured reserve (quad/ankle). Cincinnati allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks through Week 13.

Fade: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams, $6,000

Los Angeles Rams signal-caller Matthew Stafford has been another viable matchup-specific DFS option this season. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns.

However, Stafford will have a much tougher matchup this week on the road against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have a relentless pass rush, are coming off the bye and have had extra time to prepare for Stafford, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

Baltimore has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, making Stafford just too much of a risk in Week 14.

Target: Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans, $5,000

Dameon Pierce has been a tricky running back to evaluate because the Houston Texans split carries between him and Devin Singletary. Pierce got the bulk of the backfield work in Week 13, rushing for 47 yards and a touchdown.

This week, Houston may lean heavily on both backs because star rookie receiver Tank Dell (fractured fibula) is out for the season. The Texans will travel to face the New York Jets, who haven't been nearly as formidable against the run as they were a year ago.

The Jets have allowed the eight-most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season. Singletary ($5.7K) is still the top Texans back to roster because of his point-per-reception (PPR) upside, but Pierce is worth a sleeper start.

Fade: Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys, $7,000

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard has enough of a PPR floor that he shouldn't wholly disappoint. He had three receptions last week to go with 83 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

However, Pollard also projects as a PPR- and touchdown-dependent option this week. The Philadelphia Eagles have allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs while being much more susceptible to the pass.

Dallas' game plan will likely be centered around Dak Prescott and the passing game, and with Rico Dowdle ($4.7K) cutting into his workload, Pollard is unlikely to see a huge yardage total.

Target: Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys, $5,000

Because of the matchup and the presumed game plan. Cowboys wideout Brandin Cooks projects as a strong play in Week 14.

Cooks is the clear second option behind CeeDee Lamb ($9.0K), but he's strung together some solid outings. He had four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown last week, has found the end zone in three of the last four games and hasn't had fewer than three catches and 42 yards in that span.

Philadelphia has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, making a Lamb-Cooks stack an enticing Week 14 strategy.

Fade: Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars, $6,400

Calvin Ridley is probably a receiver who should be avoided this week. Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a high-ankle sprain last Monday night, and backup C.J. Beathard was limited this week with a shoulder injury, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) returned to practice this week, which is huge news for a Cleveland defense that sorely missed him over the last two. With Ward in the lineup, the Browns defense has been daunting for opposing passers.

Cleveland has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs this season. Given Jacksonville's quarterback situation, there's little reason to trust Ridley in Week 14.

Target: Kylen Granson, Indianapolis Colts, $2,600

Managers looking to splurge on running backs and wide receivers this week can consider Colts tight end Kylen Granson as a budget play.

Granson has not regularly produced big numbers, but his big-play potential gives him a high upside in the right matchups. Against the Titans last week, for example, he caught three passes for 72 yards and had a two-yard run.

This week, Granson has the sort of matchup that could allow him to find his ceiling. The Bengals have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends and been vulnerable to chunk plays from the position. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram had nine catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati on Monday.

Fade: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars, $4,800

Jaguars tight end Evan Engram also loses some value for Week 14, for the same reasons that Ridley does. Jacksonville's passing game will take a hit if Beathard gets the start, and Lawrence will "probably" be a game-time decision, Jaguars coach Doug Peterson told NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

This creates a lot of uncertainty on top of a less-than-deal matchup. The Browns have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Engram is normally a focal point of the Jaguars offense, and he could get even more looks with Christian Kirk (groin) on injured reserve. However, he's a boom-or-bust option this week and likely not worth the risk.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.

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