Daily Fantasy Football October 12: DFS Stock Up, Stock Down
Preparation for Week 6 of daily fantasy football has begun, so Sunday performances and Monday headlines will receive most of the early-week attention.
While a superstar running back is likely out for the season and a once-expected playoff contender might've hit rock bottom, an oft-overlooked player stood out in a losing effort.
Few notable DFS studs are on a bye during Week 6, so you should have a nearly complete selection pool when piecing together a DraftKings lineup. Use this information to get started in the right direction.
Stock Up: Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
1 of 6
Once again, Blake Bortles assembled an outstanding game outside of the national spotlight. Considering his $5,100 price, it couldn't have been much better.
The second-year quarterback tallied 303 passing yards and four touchdowns, adding 21 yards on the ground. Bortles finished with 32.22 DFS points, though the Jacksonville Jaguars did fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But, as is mentioned nearly every week, fantasy football success isn't dependent on whether a particular team wins.
Bortles has scored no fewer than 17 points in each of the last four weeks. Plus, with a Houston Texans defense that has surrendered nine passing touchdowns on the horizon, he remains a cheap, effective option who boasts appealing upside.
Stock Down: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
2 of 6
Matthew Stafford is quickly fading into fantasy irrelevance. The Detroit Lions trailed the Arizona Cardinals by 28 points during the third quarter Sunday, and head coach Jim Caldwell pulled Stafford from the game.
Although a matchup with the Chicago Bears in Week 6 certainly seems appealing on the surface, Stafford and the Lions have offered few signs of hope on offense.
Through five weeks, only Eli Manning has attempted more passes than the Detroit gunslinger, yet Stafford's 15th in passing yards and first in interceptions. Stafford has recorded single-digit DFS scoring outputs during the last two outings.
Don't expect much of a change. Stafford won't cost a lot, but he won't produce much, either.
Stock Up: Kansas City Chiefs' Starting Running Back
3 of 6
The show, rather unfortunately, must go on without Jamaal Charles. He's likely out for the season because of an ACL injury, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
Charcandrick West and Knile Davis are the leading candidates to replace the elite running back. On Sunday, West received seven touches after Charles' exit, compared to two for Davis.
Though Andy Reid confirmed West and Davis will both contribute moving forward, Kathleen Gier of the Star noted the Kansas City Chiefs coach was noncommittal about the No. 1 runner.
Monitor the situation closely to identify the starting running back, but be cognizant of the fact many other DFS players are watching, too.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Stock Down: Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens
4 of 6
Many top-scoring DFS lineups in Week 5 included Justin Forsett, since the Baltimore Ravens running back racked up 121 yards, scored his first touchdown of the year and registered a season-best 49 receiving yards.
But Forsett won't repeat anything close to that performance next Sunday.
He didn't finish the loss to the Cleveland Browns because of an ankle injury. According to ESPN.com's Jamison Henley, Forsett said he could've hurt it more by returning, so it might not be a simple twist and subsequent discomfort.
Additionally, despite Lorenzo Taliaferro being sidelined, the Ravens weren't quick to use Forsett on the goal line. Taliaferro could return for Week 6 to vulture touchdowns, and quarterback Joe Flacco should pick apart a porous San Francisco 49ers secondary.
If you're going to spend $6,400 on Forsett, he ought to be completely healthy before getting inserted into a DFS lineup.
Stock Up: John Brown, Arizona Cardinals
5 of 6
Although Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Allen Hurns will receive his deserved share of publicity, don't sleep on John Brown. He tallied a team-high 73 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
The Arizona Cardinals speedster has accrued at least five targets in every outing, which doesn't sound particularly wonderful. However, Brown is still getting that handful of looks before Arizona abandons the passing game because of a blowout on the scoreboard.
Fortunately in this realm, the four-possession victories aren't sustainable. Brown has clearly surpassed Michael Floyd as the team's second option, and Carson Palmer is a virtual lock to attempt more than 14 passes in every game moving forward.
Brown has been a reliable target, and he's due for a breakout game against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has allowed 20 receptions, 263 yards and two touchdowns to opposing No. 2 receivers.
Stock Down: Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles
6 of 6
The Philadelphia Eagles are slowly figuring out the running game, and that's excellent for Chip Kelly's job security. It's not as great for Jordan Matthews.
Matthews has struggled for most of the campaign anyway. The slot receiver edged 20 DFS points in each of the first two weeks, but he managed most of the catches in garbage time.
In addition to the running game receiving more opportunities in the red zone, Matthews' total number of targets has fallen from 13 during the 2015 opener to nine, eight, eight and seven in successive weeks.
Matthews remains an every-week play in season-long leagues, but his DFS upside is dropping by the week because the Eagles are steadily improving.
Enter the DraftKings $1.5M Play-Action Contest this weekend. Use Promo Code BLEACHER REPORT when you sign up.
Follow Bleacher Report CFB and DFS writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
