Below are the players that I am considering as my cash game core for this week’s main slate. I value consistency of volume and opportunity combined with potential upside when putting together my cash game lineup. Have a solid process, be sure to have FantasyPros notifications set up for Sunday morning, and remember to have fun!
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Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (GB): $6,800 vs. PHI
In his 12 games this season, he has thrown for multiple touchdowns in 11, reached 300 passing yards in five, and earned 20+ DKFP in nine of those games, including seven in a row. His last two performances have resulted in 31.9 DKFP and 29.4 DKFP. He is looking like the Aaron Rodgers of old.
Mitch Trubisky (CHI): $5,400 vs. DET
This is a gross play and probably more of a GPP option, but I will be considering him in cash. Fantasy is different than real life, and Trubisky has been a decent option in DFS. He had 24.3 DKFP earlier this season again the Lions and is coming off a 21.8 DKFP fantasy performance last week against the Packers. His floor is pretty decent (provided he doesn’t get benched), and he has won a couple of people a million dollars through the years. The Lions give up the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks (23.8).
Others Considered:
- Deshaun Watson (HOU): $7,500 vs. IND
- Ryan Tannehill (TEN): $6,200 vs. CLE
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA): $6,000 vs. CIN
Running Backs
Derrick Henry (TEN): $9,200 vs. CLE
He is pricey, but then again, this is December, and Henry absolutely smashes in December each year. He is coming off a 41.5 DKFP performance (which was his second 40+ game of the year). All three running backs that have rushed at least 20 times this year against the Browns have eclipsed 100 yards on the ground (James Conner, Josh Jacobs, and James Robinson). Henry has 18+ carries in every game this year.
Austin Ekeler (LAC): $7,100 vs. NE
He had 25 touches last week (14 carries and 11 receptions) in his first game back from IR. There was no question what the game plan was for Ekeler. He picked up where he left off. He earned 23.9 DKFP last week despite not scoring a touchdown.
David Montgomery (CHI): $5,500 vs. DET
I completely faded him in Sunday night showdown since you have to take stands to make money on those slates. That didn’t work out so well as he went for 28.3 DKFP. It is not what we think should happen but what will happen and the Bears like Montgomery. He has been getting decent volume in the passing game with at least five targets in six of his last seven games. Overall, he is averaging 14.0 DKFP on the year and now gets a Lions team that gives up the most fantasy points and touchdowns to the running back position. He has a certain role in the offense, has a great matchup, and is priced right, so he becomes a good cash option this week.
Others Considered:
- Dalvin Cook (MIN): $9,600 vs. JAC
- James Robinson (JAC): $7,300 @ MIN
- Alvin Kamara (NO): $7,000 @ ATL
- Wayne Gallman (NYG): $5,600 @ SEA
Wide Receivers
Davante Adams (GB): $9,000 vs. PHI
There isn’t a slam dunk play to pay up for this week, and Adams has a safe floor and can break a slate as well as anyone. Only Keenan Allen averages more targets per game (11.1) than Adams’s 11.0. Aaron Rodgers loves him, as evidenced by the targets but also the fact that Adams has a touchdown in six straight games. Overall, Adams is averaging 26.9 DKFP and has four games of 30+ fantasy points. The Eagles just allowed DK Metcalf to go off for 177 yards on 10 catches.
Keenan Allen (LAC): $8,100 vs. NE
If you are not going to play Austin Ekeler, you need to get Keenan Allen in your cash lineup. These are the target hogs for Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense. Allen leads the league with 11.1 targets per game. He has reached double-digit fantasy points in every game since the opener, including two 30+ performances.
Allen Robinson (CHI): $6,700 vs. DET
His 27.4 DKFP last week was his fourth game of the year with at least 20+ fantasy points. Yes, he caught two touchdowns, which can’t be relied upon week after week, but his 13 targets were no fluke. Mitch Trubisky likes targeting him. Overall, he is averaging 17.3 DKFP this season. In his six career games against the Lions, he has 30 catches for 434 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Tyler Boyd (CIN): $4,700 @ MIA
Last week’s game was just plain ugly with Brandon Allen under center. Hopefully, they have gotten a few of the kinks worked out for this week. I don’t expect this Bengals offense to light it up this week, but Boyd is just way too cheap for his talent and his production level (last week not considered). He had earned double-digit fantasy points in eight of his previous 10 games before last week. He has three games this season in which he’s had 20+ DKFP. He came into last week 11th in the league with 8.7 targets per game but only saw six. I will bet on talent and roll the dice that he won’t have two poor weeks back-to-back.
Others Considered:
- Adam Thielen (MIN): $7,300 vs. JAC
- Robert Woods (LAR): $5,900 @ ARI
- Marvin Jones (DET): $5,700 @ CHI
- Brandin Cooks (HOU): $5,500 vs. IND
- Sterling Shepard (NYG): $5,300 @ SEA
- Michael Pittman (IND): $4,900 @ HOU
- Darnell Mooney (CHI): $3,400 vs. DET
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry (LAC): $4,800 vs. NE
Last week’s 10 targets was the fourth game in a row he’s received at least six targets (ninth in his last 11 games). If you are not playing Allen or Ekeler in cash, then you must play Henry. He is the third option on the Chargers team. Henry has also earned double-digit fantasy points in seven of his 11 games this season, including each of the last three. Overall, he is averaging 10.6 DKFP on the season.
Jordan Akins (HOU): $2,900 vs. IND
Last week once again reminded us that in cash games, paying up at tight end is a risky proposition as the two studs both failed (Kelse and Waller). I have made money this year punting the position, which brings us to Akin. He has reached double-digit fantasy points in three of his seven games this season. That is not comforting, but he has shown that he can return value if you’re punting the position. Overall, he is averaging 7.0 DKFP per game. He is a talented player, and with Will Fuller out, it opens up some possibilities.
Others Considered:
- TJ Hockenson (DET): $5,000 @ CHI
- Jonnu Smith (TEN): $4,100 vs. CLE
- Robert Tonyan (GB): $3,700 vs. PHI
Defense/Special Teams
Atlanta Falcons DST: $2,400 vs. NO
This is almost embarrassing to play the Falcons defense, especially against the vaunted Saints offense. However, it has been working to punt DST in cash, and I plan on doing it again since the position is so unpredictable. Taysom Hill has been sacked three times in each of the last two weeks. He has also fumbled four times (losing two of them). I don’t expect a big number here (though Atlanta had 28.0 DKFP last week), but a couple of sacks can make this punt more manageable.
Others Considered:
- Miami Dolphins DST: $4,400 vs. CIN
- Seattle Seahawks DST: $3,300 vs. NYG
- Chicago Bears DST: $3,100 vs. DET
- NY Jets DST: $2,100 vs. LV
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Jamy Bechler is a regular contributor to FantasyPros for NBA, NFL, and PGA. You can send him questions and follow him on his DFS twitter @WinningDFS101. When he is not playing DFS, Jamy is an author, host of the “Success is a Choice” podcast, and a leadership consultant, working with businesses and teams across the country (including the NBA). Even though he offers his advice on players and contests, he may end up using different players and strategies after additional information and consideration than what he recommended in this article.
