Daily Fantasy Football December 1: DFS Stock Report

Another week, another wild trip to the stock market for daily fantasy football owners.

As the calendar turns to December, few would argue that this has been one of the wildest seasons to date for the daily fantasy realm. Peyton Manning's riding the pine, breakout players such as DeAndre Hopkins give owners new high-priced options and it looks like more than a few divisions could send sub-.500 teams to the postseason.

With Week 12 in the rear view mirror along with November, let's dive right into the latest stock updates owners must know before crafting those lineups.

The information within includes, but is certainly not limited to injuries, breakout players, coaching changes and fading stars.

So, in other words, another crazy week.

Stock Up: DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins ($3,300)

Brad Penner/Associated Press

DeVante Parker should see increased playing time.

The idea of leaning on a rookie this late in the season isn't always the most appealing, but when a spot opens up it's something owners have to consider.

Look at DeVante Parker of the Miami Dolphins. The team lost Rishard Matthews to broken ribs this past weekend, according to NFL Network's Rand Getlin, and in his place Parker posted four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, good for 18 points.

It's the first notable production for the rookie all year and if Matthews has to miss time it isn't hard to see it becoming a week-to-week floor. Folks drooled over Parker's tape in college, but he's dealt with injuries and the depth chart so far this year.

What makes this all the more attractive is a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, a wobbly unit Parker can run wild on, especially with a full set of reps as starter this week.

Stock Down: Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles ($3,200)

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Ryan Mathews has yet to receive medical clearance.

It might be time to let go of the idea of Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews representing a high-value punt play.

Mathews has had great outbursts this year of 21.1, 18.6 and 22.8 points while never cracking more than $4,000 while spelling DeMarco Murray.

But Mathews has now been in the league's concussion protocol for more than two weeks, and as CSNPhilly.com's Reuben Frank pointed out, he has yet to receive clearance: "Chip said Mathews still not cleared through concussion protocol. Said Ertz has advanced but not cleared yet."

It's yet another blow to Mathews' stock, especially with Murray beginning to run so well.

When Mathews returns he's worth a look, but don't expect it to be this week.

Stock Up: David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals ($3,400)

It's next-man up time for the Arizona Cardinals, which is almost always a good thing for fantasy owners on the hunt for value.

The Cardinals lost both Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington to injury this past weekend, opening the door for explosive backup David Johnson to handle the load on his own.

Which is what will happen, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com: "There is no official timetable for either’s return, coach Bruce Arians said Monday, but rookie David Johnson looks like the starter for now and 'I have all the confidence in the world in him starting,' Arians said."

Owners should have plenty of confidence, too. Johnson took eight carries for 21 yards and a score, totaling 10.9 points—one week after going for 10.6.

Now Johnson's going to see an uptick in work as a starter, meaning his explosive ways could produce some monster lines.

Already with the coach's endorsement, it's impossible to ignore Johnson at this price.

Stock Down: Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts ($4,300)

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

It doesn't sound like Frank Gore will be a viable option in Week 13.

While in a quiet fashion, Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore has been rather consistent this year when it comes to his floor.

The reliable veteran's been the personification of the term for cash games such as 50/50s, though he's been a dud in tournaments most weeks, averaging 12.1 fantasy points per game.

This reliability in cash might change moving forward though, based on a note by Mike Chappell of Fox59: "Pagano: Is Gore healthy? 'He's beat to crap. Took some shots (vs. Bucs)'"

"Beat to crap" isn't exactly a ringing endorsement for a veteran going into an encounter with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Those Steelers allow just 93.6 rushing yards per game, so the idea of a wobbly Gore going against the unit isn't appealing whatsoever, no matter how nice the price looks or how consistent he's been all season.

Stock Up: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins ($5,800)

Brad Penner/Associated Press

Lamar Miller should benefit from a coaching change.

A coaching change always alters things when it comes to fantasy football production.

Expect it to with the Dolphins and lead back Lamar Miller now that the team let go of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor in favor of Zac Taylor, according to ESPN.com's James Walker.

Walker didn't waste any time boosting Miller's stock, either, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald captured: "Jay Ajayi said Zac Taylor told players they will establish run game. Lazor didn't do that enough to Campbell's liking."

In other words, coach Dan Campbell wasn't happy with Miller's usage.

Neither were fantasy owners.

Miller's been wildly inconsistent this year, posting highs such as 41.6 and 33.1 points, only to post 4.3 and 7.5 points other times out. With any luck, this coaching change boosts Miller's production, making him quite the steal at this price.

Stock Down: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints ($6,900)

Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press

Drew Brees heads into a nightmare matchup off a down performance.

It might be time to jump ship on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. 

Brees posted 14.36 points in Week 10 against Washington and followed this past weekend with just 8.12 points, in the process breaking a 45-game streak with at least one touchdown thrown in each.

In reality, Brees might start a new streak as he next has to encounter the undefeated Carolina Panthers. It's a home game, but these Panthers didn't allow Brees' backup Luke McCown to throw any scores in a 27-20 Week 3 win. On the season, they happen to surrender just 223.8 passing yards per game.

Just like Manning, it's never fun to see a legend take this sort of turn. But this price, making Brees the third-costliest quarterback this week, is downright silly when owners can get Carson Palmer ($6,700), Andy Dalton ($6,400) and a host of others much cheaper.

Brees might regain form before his season ends, but he's a must-avoid play in Week 13.

Stock Up: Brock Osweiler, QB, Denver Broncos ($5,200)

Owners who rolled the dice on Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler this past weekend watched as the Peyton Manning understudy almost tripled his value, going for 14.2 points at a $5,200 asking price.

Bargain-bin shoppers have another chance to roll with Osweiler in Week 13, too, at least based on this note from ESPN's Kevin Seifert: "Per @mortreport, Peyton Manning not expected to be healthy 'anytime soon.' Maybe a month from a real Manning-Osweiler decision."

While unfortunate for Manning, this places Osweiler in quite the favorable matchup as he encounters the San Diego Chargers. This is a premier matchup for the backup against one of the league's struggling defenses that coughs up 27.9 points per game on average.

Owners who want to save at quarterback have to consider Denver's new lead man, especially as he continues to get his feet under him in the offense.

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Pricing information and scoring data obtained from DraftKings. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus unless otherwise specified.