The NFL season continues to Week 15 with a full slate of NFL DFS action provided by DraftKings and FanDuel. This piece will examine the NFL DFS slate early in the week to find potential NFL DFS picks that will return the most value. Based on the salaries released by both DraftKings and FanDuel, we will go over some of the best Week 15 NFL DFS picks, but keep an eye on the news as the week progresses. A value play early in the week could turn into a bust chalk play due to injury or COVID-related illness. The best way to stay plugged in for all the news and notes throughout the week is by catching all the Awesemo NFL DFS Strategy and Picks shows on the Awesemo YouTube Channel.
NFL First Look: Week 15 NFL DFS Picks
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray, ARI vs DET ($7,900 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel)
DFS has become a battle of attrition and that includes the quarterback position. As of typing this, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodger, and Jalen Hurts are all sporting the questionable tag. Previously dealing with a multi-week absence of his own, Kyler Murray is one of the few healthy studs at the position right now. Murray also benefits from a slate-leading 30.75-point implied team total. The Cardinals are 14-point favorites over the Detroit Lions in a game with a 47.5-point total. In a low projected scoring week, this 47.5 total actually ties for the highest on the board. With a healthy DeAndre Hopkins in the fold, Murray should improve on his impressing 72.7% completion percentage and elite 8.9 yards per pass attempt. Also bringing elite mobility, Murray is one of the premier pay-up options at the quarterback position.
Dak Prescott, DAL vs NYG ($6,500 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel)
Coming off back-to-back Thursday games, Dak Prescott struggled against the Washington Football Team last week. Prescott only up 211 yards passing on 39 attempts, while throwing a pair of interceptions. However, Prescott has still played efficiently this year. In total, he continues to complete 67.9% of his passes for 7.4 yards per attempt. He also has all of his primary receivers healthy, which has not been the case through most of the season. As for the game environment, Dallas is a 10-point favorite over the New York Giants in a game with a 45-point total. In total, the Cowboys have the third-highest implied team total on the board, which makes Prescott intriguing as a stacking option.
Tyler Huntley, GB vs BAL ($5,400 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel)
Unfortunately for Baltimore, Jackson had to be carted off the field early in Week 14 with an ankle injury. The Ravens would not rule out Jackson for this coming week, but seeing him play would be a surprise. In his place, undrafted quarterback Tyler Huntley played admirably. Huntley has now played the majority of two games this year. He has completed north of 70% of his passes for over 215 yards in both contests. He also adds elite mobility. Huntly has 85 yards rushing on just 13 carries in those two games. The Ravens enter Week 15 as 7-point underdogs to the Green Bay Packers in a game with a 42.5-point total. While the matchup is not ideal, the Ravens draw this game at home. Green Bay’s ability to score points, should also create an ideal game environment for Huntley’s fantasy totals as a cheap price.
Running Backs
James Conner, ARI vs DET ($6,400 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel)
Week 15 is the worst running back slate in recent memory as of writing this. None of the studs play on the main slate, making Najee Harris, Ezekiel Elliott, and Joe Mixon the pay up options. At the time of writing this, Arizona has not played their Monday night game and Chase Edmonds‘ status/potential role are unclear. With Edmonds out, Conner has handled a massive workload for Arizona. He has received at least 20 carries in three of Arizona’s last four games, while catching multiple passes in each of those outings. Prior to Edmonds’ injury, Conner functioned as the clear goal-line back, but lacked the same role as a receiver. It is possible that Conner has earned more work heading into the latter stages of the season. Conner and the Cardinals also draw a dream matchup against the horrific Detroit Lions defense. Edmonds could also become an option, depending on the outcome of Week 14’s Monday Night Football contest. This is a matchup-based situation to monitor ahead of Week 15.
Elijah Mitchell, ATL vs SF ($6,200 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel)
On a weak running back slate, Elijah Mitchell stands out as one of the top running back plays on the board. Injured repeatedly in 2021, Mitchell missed Week 14 with a concussion. Mitchell benefits from a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Currently, the 49ers are 8-point favorites in a game with a 45-point total against Atlanta. A strong game environment, Mitchell’s only concerns are injury and the return of Deebo Samuel. However, Mitchell still received at least 22 carries in three straight games for San Francisco prior to injury. He has also been used more as a pass catcher with eight catches in his two previous games as well. As long as the health holds up, Mitchell will be one of the better running back plays on this slate.
A.J. Dillon, GB vs BAL ($5,700 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel)
For those looking at potential value running back GPP options, A.J. Dillon could be worth a look on the other side of the Baltimore game. Green Bay has a 24.75-point implied team total as 7-point favorites over the Ravens. The Ravens have done a solid job containing rushers for the most part, but Dillon continues to see elevated opportunity in Green Bay. Even with a healthy Aaron Jones in Week 14, Dillon still carries the ball 15 times for 71 yards. Jones carried five times himself and saw the only three catches to the position. However, this backfield has clearly shifted down the stretch for Green Bay. Again, this position requires the most monitoring throughout the week, but right now, Dillon could be a solid option in tournaments.
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp, Sea vs LAR ($9,000 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel)
Unlike running back, receiver has an abundance of legit options in Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel and Stefon Diggs. Unlike the other three mentioned, Kupp has the perfect blend of volume and opportunity on this slate. On the year, Kupp has a 31% target share and 32% air yards share in the Rams’ fifth-highest scoring offense. The Rams also enter Week 15 as 6.5-point favorites over the Seahawks in a game with a 47.5-point total. This is tied for the highest on the board. Seattle has also struggled to defend opposing passing attacks, ranking in the bottom 10 of yards allowed per pass attempt to opposing offenses. While Kupp is a phenomenal play, Van Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. also deserve mention as beneficiaries to this elite matchup and game environment.
Amari Cooper, DAL vs NYG ($6,400 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel)
Amari Cooper put up five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. Interesting, Cooper was out-targeted by both CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, but he finished with the best efficiency. Cooper has now been held to single digit targets in each of his last four games. However, injury and a battle with Covid-19 can rationalize away the limited production. For those looking at receiving options to target in GPPs, Cooper and the Cowboys draw the Giants as 10-point favorites in a Week 15 division rivalry. Dallas’ third-highest implied team total is worth chasing in tournaments and Cooper could provide leverage in a lower owned spot.
Devante Parker, NYJ vs MIA ($4,300 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel)
After making his return from a multi-week absence in Week 13, Devante Parker received extra rest over Miami’s Week 14 bye. Avoiding setback, Parker caught all five of his targets for 62 yards in Miami’s Week 15 game. Parker played on 71% of the teams snaps and received an 11.8 average depth of target. With the potential to work his way into more opportunity, Parker draws an elite matchup in Week 14. The Dolphins come out of their bye as 8.5-point favorites over the Jets in a game with a 43.5-point total. The Jets are tied with the Detroit Lions, allowing 7.8 yards per pass attempt. This ranks dead last in football and gives Parker the opportunity to put up a big game at a cheaper price.
Tight Ends
George Kittle, ATL vs SF ($7,500 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel)
The only elite tight end option on the slate, George Kittle is now coming off back-to-back monster outings. Over the last two weeks, Kittle has 151 and 181 yards on 13 and nine catches. Even Samuel returning in Week 14, Kittle still led the team in targets and yards receiving. This week, the 49ers draw the Atlanta Falcons at 8-point favorites, making this a healthy game environment. While Kittle’s price continues to rise, this slate also lacks elite pay up options at the running back position. The only legitimate difference maker at the position on this week’s slate, Kittle still deserves consideration at an elevated price.
Dawson Knox, CAR vs BUF ($5,100 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel)
After two games to forget, Dawson Knox finally fit value in Week 14. Knox caught seven of nine targets for 60 yards in and a touchdown in Week 14’s shootout against Tampa Bay. Importantly, Knox continues to play every snap, often flexing into the slot during clear receiving formations. Potentially helping his volume down the stretch, Emmanuel Sanders also left this game with an injury and did not return. Buffalo draws a decent Carolina defense in Week 15, but the Bills are still 11-point favorites in a game with a 45-point total. Knox looks like a strong mid-priced option at tight end for Week 15.
C.J. Uzomah, CIN vs DEN ($3,100 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel)
Brevin Jordan‘s seven targets in Week 14 look intriguing, but 35% of the snaps simply won’t cut it. While Uzomah is a distant fourth target in Cincinnati’s passing game, but 80+% snap share gives him a better chance of winning the touchdown lottery between the cheap tight ends. On the year, Uzomah has a 11.3% target share, which leaves much to be desired. However, without any other clear punt options at the position as of writing this, Uzomah deserves consideration for those looking to save salary.
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