Let’s take a look at notable salary changes as we head into Week 14 of the NFL season.
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Quarterbacks
Alex Smith (KC): $8,200 vs. OAK (+$700)
Smith is coming off of a monster outing in Week 13’s loss to the Jets. The veteran quarterback threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns and even added a 70-yard run in the second quarter. This was a welcome sight for fantasy owners as Smith and the entire Chiefs’ offense had been scuffling heading into Week 13.
On tap is a Week 14 divisional showdown against the Raiders, who have allowed an average of 247 passing yards and two touchdowns over their last three games. In their matchup on October 19, Smith scored 25.68 FDP so there could be another big outing looming.
Eli Manning (NYG): $6,000 vs. DAL (-$600)
What a mess. If you buy into narratives, this might be one of the best opportunities to ride the train if Manning is indeed named the starter for Week 14. Of course, Manning could go right back to being the mediocre quarterback that he’s been all season, but I think you have to roll the dice on him in at least one tournament lineup. His price is down, which allows you to spend elsewhere and what better way to bounce back than with a big outing against a division rival given the circumstances.
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy (BUF): $9,000 vs. IND (+$800)
Despite scoring just 11.2 FDP last week, McCoy’s price spiked heading into Week 14. I’m guessing this has something to do with the matchup awaiting as the Colts arrive having allowed an average of 92 rushing yards and 0.7 touchdowns over their last three games.
To further the case for McCoy, Tyrod Taylor is uncertain to play this week with a knee injury. If the Bills are forced to turn back to Nathan Peterman in Week 14, you can bet McCoy gets force fed the ball all game long.
Le’Veon Bell (PIT): $8,800 vs. BAL (-$600)
Anytime you can snatch up Bell below $9,000 you need to do so. He scored 26.7 FDP in Week 13, and he figures to continue seeing a heavy workload in yet another primetime divisional showdown. The Ravens have been tough against the run, but this is all about talent and price so be sure to take the discount this week when constructing lineups.
Wide Receivers
Josh Gordon (CLE): $6,700 vs. GB (+$900)
Well, that didn’t take long. On the field for 76.2% of the offensive snaps in Week 13, Gordon returned to action to see 11 targets against the Chargers. He hauled in four for 85 yards, and it’s clear that the Browns intend to utilize their talented weapon right away. He figures to be very popular in tournaments this week, especially with a decent matchup awaiting.
The Packers have allowed an average of 275 passing yards and two touchdowns per game over their last four. Gordon should be poised for a big game in his first home game in quite some time.
Demaryius Thomas (DEN): $6,300 vs. NYJ (-$400)
Thomas saw 10 targets in Week 13 against the Jets, and while he caught just two for 27 yards, the volume is encouraging. Trevor Siemian was a mess against the Dolphins, and it trickled throughout the entire offense. The Broncos return home to face the Jets, who were just shredded to the tune of 366 passing yards and four touchdowns. Take the modest decrease in salary and fire up Thomas as an excellent GPP play this week.
Tight Ends
Cameron Brate (TB): $5,400 vs. DET (+$400)
Finally! Brate caught just two of six targets in Week 13, but both of those just so happened to be touchdowns. The red zone looks are encouraging for Brate, and the return of Jameis Winston certainly shouldn’t hurt moving forward.
While it’s tough to use just one game after a series of disappointing outings, the output is still encouraging. The Lions have allowed four touchdowns to tight ends over their last three games, so there’s some upside to be had in tournaments this week.
Evan Engram (NYG): $6,600 vs. DAL (-$300)
Engram caught seven of eight targets for 99 yards and a touchdown last week, yet his price dropped by the second-most this week. The Cowboys are in town for Week 14, and they have allowed a touchdown to the tight end position in two out of their last four games. It also shouldn’t hurt that Eli Manning is likely back under center, so don’t be afraid to use Engram this week.
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Adam Sutton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Adam, follow him @DraftStars_Adam. You can find more of Adam’s work at DraftStars.net.
