Daily Fantasy Football November 15: DFS Stock Up, Stock Down

Daily fantasy football isn't immune to the wrath of injuries. 

Sure, no DFS players are stuck with Andrew Luck for the rest of the season, but they've spent all of 2015 monitoring his status, which directly controls his teammates' stock. After enduring another batch of ailments, most notably Dion Lewis' season-ending ACL tear, DraftKings contestants must again alter their Week 10 plans.

Making matters worse, two stars suddenly enter Sunday uncertain to suit up. Despite rebounding in recent weeks, their late additions to the injury report should scare fantasy players away.

Stock Up

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins ($5,200)

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

The Pop Warner team Sean Payton coached during his 2012 suspension probably played better defense than this year's New Orleans Saints. Over the past three weeks, New Orleans has allowed 1,054 passing yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. According to the Elias Sports Bureau (h/t ESPN.com's Mike Triplett), their 112.0 opposing quarterback rating would become the worst mark ever.

If you're Kirk Cousins, who plays those Saints at home, you like that.

No team has surrendered more DraftKings points to opposing quarterbacks. In their last five games, only Matt Ryan (295) fell shy of 300 passing yards. Anyone short of Blaine Gabbert or Michael Vick warrants a long, hard look against the Saints.

The Washington quarterback wouldn't make this list otherwise, averaging a paltry 16.2 DraftKings points per contest with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Still, he has thrown at least 40 passes in each of the last three games, including a 317-yard, three-touchdown Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He's also getting his big-play receiver back into the mix. DeSean Jackson returned from a near two-month absence last weekend, but he only recorded 15 yards. Per the team's Twitter page, offensive coordinator Sean McVay believes the explosive wideout is ready to step on the accelerator in Week 10:

A healthy Jordan Reed, who has collected 38 catches through six games, gives Cousins a full complement of receivers to exploit the league's most advantageous matchup.

Danny Amendola, WR, New England Patriots ($4,000)

Steven Senne/Associated Press

With Lewis sidelined, fantasy players have reopened the arduous mystery of figuring out the New England Patriots backfield. Rather than lose sleep deciding whether James White or Brandon Bolden will get more playing time, turn to wide receiver Danny Amendola.

Lewis missed time earlier this year, leaving Week 6's game early and missing all of Week 7. Amendola absorbed many of his touches, ascertaining 15 catches, 191 yards and a score on 18 targets. He hasn't registered more than five catches or targets in any other game this season.

The oft-injured 30-year-old has made the most of his fleeting opportunities, accruing 30 receptions in only 37 looks. If Lewis' injury causes Tom Brady to look Amendola's way another nine times, he'll have a big day against the New York Giants' No. 31 passing defense.

Then again, the Patriots could easily score 40 points without looking his way. Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell are poised to torch New York's banged-up secondary, and LeGarrette Blount should get plenty of chances to exploit a rushing defense missing defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. But for $4,000, Amendola carries immense upside in DraftKings' point-per-reception (PPR) system.

Shane Vereen, RB, New York Giants ($4,300)

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Two weeks ago, the Giants' entire backfield received a negative endorsement due to their lack of consistency. While the situation remains cramped, Shane Vereen can escape the mess against his former team.

Don't worry, this isn't a revenge-game prediction. Instead, it's an acknowledgment of the Patriots getting ready to pummel the daylight out of Big Blue. Before lazily recalling those Super Bowl upsets, both of New York's unlikely champions possessed strong pass rushes. These guys have an NFL-low nine sacks.

When facing a large deficit, the Giants will need to pass, ensuring more playing time for their pass-catching running back. His usage has fluctuated drastically, but Vereen has recorded a dozen catches over the past two games, presenting scores in each bout.

Even if they're all dump-offs in prevent defense, he'll get a point for reach reception. They'll add up, giving him the perfect scenario to string together his fourth eight-catch outing of the season.

He won't get much to do in the running game, but the promise of a heavy receiving involvement makes Vereen an intriguing flex play in cash contests for $4,300. 

Stock Down

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks ($6,700)

Roger Steinman/Associated Press

Following a quiet start, Marshawn Lynch bounced back to register 258 yards and two touchdowns over the Seattle Seahawks' last three games. Just as fantasy players regained trust in Beast Mode, a late injury puts his Week 10 status in jeopardy.

According to ESPN's Sheil Kapadia, the running back is questionable for Sunday night's game versus the Arizona Cardinals:

After missing two games with a calf injury, Lynch started to look like a workhorse again, handling 65 carries over the last three tilts. Now the 29-year-old, who received 1,060 handoffs over the last three years, is suffering a separate ailment.

Ranked No. 24 in rushing defense while allowing 4.5 yards per carry, the Cardinals represent a strong matchup for a healthy Lynch. Seattle is especially equipped to eschew a tougher secondary and pound the ball regularly, making Thomas Rawls a solid play if Lynch sits.

Unfortunately, everyone might have to wait until Sunday night before Seattle reaches a decision. Only three running backs cost more than Lynch ($6,700), so rework all lineups built around him before the afternoon games commence.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears ($7,100)

Alshon Jeffery rightfully belongs in the "Stock Up" section. Averaging 8.25 catches and 123 receiving yards per game, his 25.8 DraftKings points per contest leads all receivers playing this weekend.

If only he could stay upright. The Chicago Bears wideout, who has already missed four games this season, is in danger of sitting out again, per the team's official Twitter page:

Unlike Lynch, Jeffery is fighting to face the St. Louis Rams, who surrender the fourth-fewest points to opposing receivers. Despite a 69.2 opposing completion percentage, they have relinquished an NFL-low five passing touchdowns this season.

Matchup aside, DraftKings was slow to adjust his price. An elite contributor when healthy, he costs less than 10 of his position's peers at $7,100. Without the injury flare-up, he'd make a great bargain despite the foe. Now gamers must monitor the situation carefully before the early-afternoon game.

The questionable label will diminish his status as a chalk play, making him a sneaky gamble if active. He's also, however, a far riskier choice, especially when Allen Robinson, Randall Cobb and Jarvis Landry are all available for $6,700 with mouthwatering matchups.

Follow Andrew Gould on Twitter for more daily fantasy analysis.

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