FantasyDraft NFL Optimal Lineup – Thanksgiving Day

Welcome to FantasyDraft NFL Thanksgiving special edition. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you are all getting for the big games and big meal today and I am here to help you get your lineups set for the 3 game holiday slate. 

We have 3 divisional games which are always unpredictable and fun games to kick-off our FantasyDraft NFL action. In the early game the Bears visit Detroit, in the late afternoon game the Redskins and Cowboys tangle in Big D! In the night-cap we get Atlanta in New Orleans to take on the hottest team in the NFL.

FantasyDraft NFL-  Game Stack

Atlanta @ New Orleans

Drew Brees ($14.2K) and Matt Ryan ($12.6) stand out as the top two QB options on the slate especially with Mitch Trubisky being downgraded to doubtful and Chase Daniel ($10K) most likely the starter for Chicago.

Both Alvin Kamara ($15.5K) and Mark Ingram ($10.2K) are options in the backfield from this game. Ingram has out carried Kamara the previous two weeks, has touchdowns in both games, and more fantasy points then Kamara. While both are viable I prefer the savings with Ingram. I am not really interested in the running backs from Atlanta since neither of them have been productive enough fantasy wise.

There are two high-priced obvious choices at wr, Julio Jones ($15.8K) and Michael Thomas ($17.3K). With both being so high-priced I don’t see a way I roster both, so I will consider which QB I end up using and taking his #1 WR option. As far as secondary wide receivers Mohamed Sanu ($10K) has been targeted more then Calvin Ridley ($11.3K) each of the last two weeks and has also picked up more fantasy points then Ridley in those two games as well. Tre’quan Smith ($8.8K) is the Saints best secondary option taking 10 of 13 targets for 157 yards and a score last week. Smith is my favorite low-priced option on the slate. Keith Kirkwood ($6.2K) is worth a look after being targeted 5 times by Brees last week catching 3 for 33 yards.

As far as tight ends Austin Hooper ($8.1K) is the option from this game. He has seen 8 and 11 targets in the last two games

FantasyDraft NFL: Position Breakdowns

Quarterback: 

After Brees and Ryan there isn’t much to like at QB. Dak Prescott ($10.9K) has the best matchup of the remaining QB’s. Prescott has been playing well of late and is averaging 17.78 FPPG.

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Running Backs:

Chicago may rely on their running game a little more this week with Daniel probably playing quarterback. Both Tarik Cohen ($11.5K) and Jordan Howard ($9.9k) are in play, but with Howard seeing more carries the last few weeks I am leaning his way in the Bears backfield for Thursday. My favorite play though is Ezekiel Elliot ($17.8K) even though is very pricey I think he has a great game. Washington is allowing 132 rushing yards per game the previous three weeks and I think Dallas could blow this game open seeing as they are a 7 point favorite.

With Kerryon Johnson ruled out it looks to be LeGarrette Blount ($7K) is also an option at RB this week, but Theo Riddick ($8.3K) is the best option from the Lions backfield and he may even see more than 1 carry this week.

Wide Receiver/Tight End:

Amari Cooper ($11.2K) has been utilized a lot more since he came to Dallas after wasting away in Oakland this season. In 3 games in Dallas Cooper has 14 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown and he gets to play against the 21st ranked defense against wide receivers. My favorite option out of the Chicago is actually tight end Trey Burton ($9.4K). Burton was not too involved last week but did catch 6 balls the previous 2 weeks and averaged over 10 FPPG. Burton might be more viable this week with a backup QB under center. With Marvin Jones still out Kenny Golladay ($11.3K) is the only real option for the Lions in the passing game. Golladay had his best two ames of the season the last two weeks going over 19 FP in both games.

Both Jordan Reed ($9.1K) and Josh Doctson ($8.8K) are options today. Doctson caught 3 of 7 targets and seems to have surpassed Maurice Harris as the top WR option. Reed had 11 targets thrown his way and caught 7 for 71 yards and a score. Also if Jamison Crowder is out again Trey Quinn is a great option since he will most likely see the snaps in the slot for the Redskins.

DST:

For me there is only really 2 options on defense today, Dallas and Chicago. Both reams have middle of the pack defenses with matchups against extremely poor offenses.

Thanks for checking out my special article for the holiday NFL action!! Make sure you stay connected and check out @FantasyCPR for all the late breaking NFL info!