Before we get to NFL Week 15, let’s take a look back. Last week was potentially the most brutal week I’ve had in DFS Cash this season. It’s one thing when you completely whiff on the week. But last week, I missed the Cash line by half a point. Absolutely brutal.
The upshot? While I missed in my big double-up, I cashed in 60% of my head-to-heads which helped lessen the blow. Additionally, the process was clearly correct; we just had one ball bounce the wrong way. So it goes.
But it emphasizes the importance of playing in those head-to-head contests, taking advantage of the higher variance and the fact that there are many players in the double-up you still beat.
Onward!
Let’s dig into our NFL DFS Week 15 Cash plays.
Cash is in session.
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NFL DFS Week 15
Teacher’s Pet
Bijan Robinson (DraftKings: $6,800 / FanDuel: $8,600)
Let’s be clear, you should play Christian McCaffrey in your lineups. I’m taking that as a default and instead focusing on other options to start around McCaffrey. Bijan Robinson is a great running back mate for your Week 15 DFS Cash lineups. He faces off against the Carolina Panthers, who have struggled against running backs all season long, allowing plenty of touchdowns to the position. Additionally, Robinson has continued to be an explosive player, despite getting fewer opportunities than many would hope. Per PFF, he is tied for third in the league for the most number of rushes that go for 10 or more yards, behind only Christian McCaffrey and Raheem Mostert. Incredible.
Honor Roll
Brock Purdy (DraftKings: $6,800 / FanDuel: $8,400)
The San Francisco 49ers just keep rolling over every team they face. This week, they get another dream matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, whom they crushed in Week 4. Brock Purdy has continued to succeed, scoring at least 20 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. As mentioned, Christian McCaffrey is still in play this week. Typically, we would avoid playing a quarterback and his running back in the same lineup. However, McCaffrey is just as likely to get a receiving touchdown as a rushing touchdown, and both Purdy and McCaffrey can get there even if the other goes off. Week 4 provided the best example, where McCaffrey scored over 50 DraftKings points, and Purdy scored 20. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
Kyren Williams (DraftKings: $7,500 / FanDuel: $9,600)
If you’re wanting to spend up from Bijan Robinson or save money from Christian McCaffrey, look no further than Kyren Williams. His role is as consistent as they come. Since returning from injury, he has at least 20 touches per game and last week matched his season-high record of 28 touches. Now he gets the best matchup for running backs over the past four weeks. The Washington Football Team has allowed 35.4 DraftKings points per game to opposing running backs since Week 11. You can’t go wrong with Williams.
Brandon Aiyuk (DraftKings: $7,200 / FanDuel: $7,800)
Want exposure to San Francisco without playing Christian McCaffrey? Brandon Aiyuk continues to be a vital part of the 49ers offense. Even while Deebo Samuel has hit a couple of ceiling weeks, Aiyuk has been consistent, scoring 15.6 and 20.6 DraftKings points in each of his past two games. That is still solid, given that he is now cheaper than Samuel on DraftKings. Additionally, his floor is much safer than Samuel’s, who could easily get overlooked if McCaffrey pops off on Sunday. McCaffrey will take preference in my lineups, but if you just can’t make the salaries work, Aiyuk is a great fallback option.
Cooper Kupp (DraftKings: $7,800 / FanDuel: $8,200)
After several down weeks, while struggling with injury, Cooper Kupp has come on in the past two weeks, averaging nine targets per game and 22 DraftKings points. And yet, his salary is still too cheap for the ceiling we know Kupp can bring. He has WR1 upside on any given Sunday, particularly against a Washington defense that has no pass rush and gives it up to opposing receivers. If you want to save money with Puka Nacua, I don’t blame you, but I prefer Kupp this week for the sheer upside.
Check the Chalkboard
Ezekiel Elliott (DraftKings: $5,800 / FanDuel: $6,500)
What year is it? 2023? And Ezekiel Elliott is Cash viable? With Rhamondre Stevenson out for injury, Elliott moved right into the starting role, bringing in over 20 touches in Week 14. The volume alone warrants considering Elliott given his salary. Plus, the Kansas City Chiefs have been beatable on the ground in recent weeks. While not a dreamy matchup, they are allowing the 12th most points to running backs since Week 11. But given Elliott’s volume, I don’t need the best matchup.
Participation Grade
Tucker Kraft (DraftKings: $3,000 / FanDuel: $4,700)
With Christian Watson, Luke Musgrave, and Aaron Jones all out of the lineup, Tucker Kraft continued to shine on Monday night, bringing in four catches for 64 yards. For a tight end, that is about as much as we could ask for. Watson and Musgrave are both expected to miss Week 15. Jones is still struggling to come back from injury. Plus, A.J. Dillon and Dontayvion Wicks picked up injuries on Monday night, so the Green Bay skills players have been depleted. Kraft has been getting targets down the field, and with less competition for targets, he is an easy punt play.
Back of the Classroom Studs
Sam Howell (DraftKings: $6,300 / FanDuel: $7,700)
With several elite quarterbacks off the main slate or in tough matchups, you may be inclined to spend down at quarterback this week. If so, Sam Howell is there for you. He continues to have a ton of passing volume, with over 40 pass attempts in six of his last seven games. Additionally, he hasn’t had a game with fewer than 20 DraftKings points since Week 7. The matchup and game environment are favorable to him in Week 15. Los Angeles has allowed the sixth-most points to quarterbacks since Week 11, and the game has the highest total on the slate at 50.5 points. Need I say more?
Jayden Reed (DraftKings: $4,900 / FanDuel: $6,100)
See everything I said about Tucker Kraft. That same logic applies to Jayden Reed. The only difference is that Reed has become a feature part of the Packers’ offense. He is being used in both the pass and run game, as Green Bay is manufacturing touches for him. When a team goes out of their way to get the ball to certain players, it always catches my attention. Oh, and one thing I forgot to mention, they play Tampa Bay, who has continued to be a great matchup for opposing pass-catchers.
Jerome Ford (DraftKings: $5,500 / FanDuel: $6,400)
I will most likely build my lineup around the expensive running backs this week, which means it will be challenging for me to play Jerome Ford. But, if you are flipping that strategy and paying up at wide receiver (for, say, CeeDee Lamb), then Ford is there for you to save salary at running back. The Chicago Bears are still a good matchup for opposing running backs, despite playing better in recent weeks. Additionally, Ford continues to be used in the passing game, providing a safe floor for your DFS Cash lineups.
Elijah Moore (DraftKings: $4,500 / FanDuel: $5,700)
It’s been ugly, but the targets are still there for Elijah Moore. After a mid-week, his salary remains at $4,500 on DraftKings and actually decreased on FanDuel. And while the matchup isn’t great, we are going to chase volume with Moore, as the Joe Flacco-led Cleveland Browns are passing the ball over 40 times per game. At Moore’s salary, he only needs a portion of that volume to pay off, and Flacco has demonstrated that the connection is still there. Just maybe spare yourself actually watching the game.
Cade Otton (DraftKings: $3,200 / FanDuel: $5,200)
Honestly, I have been impressed at how steady the DFS sites have been on Cade Otton’s pricing this season. He is perpetually in the running, given his usage in this offense, particularly in a week like this one where the matchup is perfect for tight ends. That’s right, the Green Bay Packers have allowed the fourth most points to tight ends since Week 11. Plus, the Packers should be able to push the ball on Tampa Bay, forcing them to throw to keep up. All of this equates to a solid matchup for Otton.
New York Giants (DraftKings: $2,700 / FanDuel: $3,500)
A frisky defense playing against Derek Carr? Sign me up. The New York Giants have had three consecutive games with multiple sacks and have forced multiple turnovers in five of their last six games. Yes, that’s right, multiple turnovers. They have had an absurd run, and this New Orleans Saints offense is the perfect opponent to keep it rolling. Plus, they’re freaking cheap.
New England Patriots (DraftKings: $2,300 / FanDuel: $3,200)
The New England Patriots have been a fairly stingy defense in recent weeks, allowing 10 points or less in three of their past four games. Additionally, they have forced a turnover in seven of their last eight games. We have seen that when defenses can take away Travis Kelce, the Kansas City offense can struggle. Plus, with all the drops the receivers produce, there’s always a chance for a tipped pass to turn into a turnover. While I don’t like betting against Kansas City, given New England’s salary, they are a solid Week 15 DFS Cash play.
Report Card
DraftKings
Scoring System
- A: Scored over three times their price
- B: Scored over two times their price
- C: Matched their price
- F: Scored lower than their price
| Player | Price | Points | Grade |
| Michael Pittman | $7,300 | 19.5 | B |
| Justin Fields | $6,800 | 24.72 | A |
| Lamar Jackson | $7,700 | 35.64 | A |
| Joe Mixon | $6,100 | 21.5 | A |
| DJ Moore | $6,500 | 26.8 | A |
| Christian McCaffrey | $9,200 | 19.3 | B |
| Jonathan Mingo | $3,500 | 4.2 | C |
| Zack Moss | $5,900 | 9.6 | C |
| Javonte Williams | $5,800 | 18.1 | A |
| Elijah Moore | $4,500 | 7.2 | C |
| Isaiah Likely | $3,500 | 19.3 | A |
| Gerald Everett | $3,400 | 8.9 | B |
| Denver Broncos | $2,800 | 14 | A |
| Cincinnati Bengals | $3,100 | 11 | A |
| Overall | $62,000 | 195.54 | A |
| Season Long | $924,000 | 2498.2 | B |
FanDuel
Scoring System
- A: Scored over two times their price
- B: Scored over one and a half times their price
- C: Matched their price
- F: Scored lower than their price
| Player | Price | Points | Grade |
| Michael Pittman | $8,000 | 15.5 | B |
| Justin Fields | $7,900 | 24.72 | A |
| Lamar Jackson | $8,000 | 32.64 | A |
| Joe Mixon | $7,200 | 20 | A |
| DJ Moore | $7,700 | 23.8 | A |
| Christian McCaffrey | $10,500 | 15.8 | B |
| Jonathan Mingo | $5,500 | 3.2 | F |
| Zack Moss | $6,800 | 7.6 | C |
| Javonte Williams | $6,600 | 16.6 | A |
| Elijah Moore | $6,200 | 5.7 | F |
| Isaiah Likely | $5,200 | 16.8 | A |
| Gerald Everett | $5,100 | 6.4 | C |
| Denver Broncos | $3,600 | 14 | A |
| Cincinnati Bengals | $3,700 | 11 | A |
| Overall | $76,100 | 173.54 | A |
| Season Long | $1,124,900 | 2152.2 | B |