Like any healthy market, price fluctuations are expected for players in daily fantasy football. Exploring those fluctuations can often reveal bargain players to target after down weeks or players that are rising too high in price above future expectations.
Each week, we will analyze one player at each position that has notably increased and decreased in price.
Notable NFL DFS Price Increases
Kirk Cousins, QB (Minnesota Vikings) Week 15 DraftKings Price $6,000; Week 16 DraftKings Price $6,300
Now the quarterback of the largest comeback in NFL history, Cousins’ late-game magic continues to return impressive fantasy numbers.
He has two straight 400+ yard passing games and six touchdowns in that span. Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook’s screen abilities give Cousins two dangerous weapons, and third-receiver KJ Osborn came on strong this week.
The Vikings’ “bend, don’t break” defense continues its super-flexibility by allowing 30+ points in four of the last six games. Cousins faces a difficult test in the Giants’ defense this week, with Kayvon Thibodeaux flying around offensive linemen at will.
David Montgomery, RB (Chicago Bears) Week 15 DraftKings Price $6,300; Week 16 DraftKings Price $6,500
The Bears may not be headed to the playoffs, but their offense has shown some life in the second half of the season. They’ve scored 19 or more points in each of their last eight games.
Without Khalil Herbert on the field, Montgomery has seen the lion’s share of the work as of late at the running back position. He has finished in the top 20 at the position in each of the last four weeks, with at least 12 carries and three receptions each game.
Buffalo may be the most difficult defense they’ve faced in over a month, but Montgomery’s consistent workload should still produce a strong fantasy output.
Justin Jefferson, WR (Minnesota Vikings) Week 15 DraftKings Price $9,100; Week 16 DraftKings Price $9,300
Jefferson has remained at or near the top of wide receiver salary charts all season…and for good reason. The star wideout leads the league with 1,623 receiving yards and 23.4 fantasy points per game.
We know he is incredible but is he worth the No. 1 receiver price tag? Lately, the answer has been a resounding yes.
Jefferson has finished inside the top four of fantasy-scoring wide receivers in five of the last seven games. He is averaging 25.5 points per game in that stretch. He gets one more indoor home game this week against the Giants before finishing with two cold road games in Green Bay and Chicago.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE (Tennessee Titans) Week 15 DraftKings Price $3,100; Week 16 DraftKings Price $3,500
Most fantasy owners probably had never heard of Okonkwo before this season, but he has turned into a relatively consistent low-end tight end option for lineups.
Over the last three games, Okonkwo has at least five targets and double-digit fantasy points each week.
Okonkwo could certainly burn you, but he has a good matchup against the Houston Texans. His upside remains fairly limited.
Notable NFL DFS Price Decreases
Justin Herbert, QB (Los Angeles Chargers) Week 15 DraftKings Price $7,200; Week 16 DraftKings Price $7,100
We often think of Herbert as a top-tier NFL quarterback, but he has not lived up to that billing in 2022. Out of 14 games this season, Herbert has nine negative Plus/Minus performances.
Injuries to his offensive line and receiving weapons have not helped. Herbert has his lowest QB Rating and Yards/Attempt of his three NFL seasons. He has also been sacked 33 times already this year, the most in his career.
Herbert faces a Colts defense this week that allowed 36 points in the second half to the Vikings on Saturday. The slight price drop may seem appetizing with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams back in the lineup but tread carefully.
Jamaal Williams, RB (Detroit Lions) Week 15 DraftKings Price $5,600; Week 16 DraftKings Price $5,200
The complimentary tailback in Detroit has cooled off over the past two weeks.
After an incredible run of 14 rushing touchdowns in his first 12 games of the season, Williams has totaled just 70 yards and zero scores in the last two weeks. He has finished outside the top 35 of fantasy running backs in both games.
With teammate DeAndre Swift earning all the running back targets and sharing carries, there is no longer much upside to Williams’ fantasy potential without touchdowns. He could certainly have another blow-up performance at any time but expect his downtrend in pricing to continue.
Chris Olave, WR (New Orleans Saints) Week 15 DraftKings Price $6,500; Week 16 DraftKings Price $6,100
The Ohio State rookie wideout has shown glimpses of his extraordinary talent this season but has only topped 14 fantasy points once in the last seven games.
Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill behind center seem to have capped his potential. He has just three total touchdowns on the season and has a high of 65 yards receiving over the last three games.
The weather will be bitterly cold in Cleveland as the Saints take on the Browns. Expect a diminished passing attack and low-floor game for Olave.
Dalton Schultz, TE (Dallas Cowboys) Week 15 DraftKings Price $4,400; Week 16 DraftKings Price $4,200
Schultz was a non-factor in the Cowboys’ loss to the Jaguars last week. Despite the offense putting up 34 points, he managed just 15 yards receiving on two receptions.
Over the last six games, Schultz has alternated between top five tight end fantasy finishes and disappointing weeks. With his struggles against the Jaguars, the pattern would point to a bounce back this week against the Eagles.
If you are foregoing the top tier of tight ends, Schultz is a value option with some upside potential the week.
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