Fantasy Football Week 13: Early FanDuel, DraftKings Optimal Lineup Picks

It's never too early to start setting your FanDuel and DraftKings lineups, or at least digging in and really getting into your strategy for the week. To help you get a head start, I've compiled five players I think could be excellent options for your one-week leagues this week.

For the purposes of this article, I've focused on the Sunday games, so you won't see any players from one of Thanksgiving's three games here. As always, good luck and happy holidays!

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

FanDuel Price: $8.6k

DraftKings Price: $6.9k

Analysis: It's hard not to love Ryan Tannehill against the New York Jets. 

For starters, Tannehill has had 15 or more points on FanDuel and DraftKings in seven of his last eight games. The New York Jets, meanwhile, have given up two or more passing touchdowns in 11 of their 12 games and have one of the league's worst secondaries. 

You do the math. You may want a more traditional starter for your fantasy lineup, but Tannehill is a good bet to get you 20 or more points this week.

Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals

FanDuel Price: $7.7k

DraftKings Price: $6.2k

Analysis: Sure, Andre Ellington is coming off of a rough week. The Seattle defense will do that. But the Cardinals running back still has gone for double-digit points seven times in FanDuel leagues and 15 or more points in DraftKings leagues six times. 

And the Atlanta Falcons are not the Seahawks. Far from it. The Falcons have given up touchdowns to opposing running backs in seven games and more than 100 rushing yards to opposing backs six times.

Oh, the Falcons don't have a very good pass defense, either, so Ellington could do plenty of damage through the air. It wouldn't be surprising to see Ellington explode for a top-three performance at running back this week.

Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants

Al Bello/Getty Images

FanDuel Price: $7.1k

DraftKings Price: $6.7k 

Analysis: You have to love that Rashad Jennings had 27 touches against the Dallas Cowboys, or that eight of them were receptions, adding valuable points to his total in FanDuel and DraftKings leagues.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have given up four touchdowns to opposing running backs in the past three games and just allowed Dan Herron and Trent Richardson to combine for 30 touches for 138 yards and a touchdown. It wouldn't be shocking to see Jennings post similar numbers on his own against them.

Mike Wallace, WR, Miami Dolphins

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

FanDuel Price: $7.1k

DraftKings Price: $4.6k

Analysis: If I like Tannehill, it stands to reason I would like Mike Wallace, too.

While Tannehill and Wallace have struggled to get on the same page down the field, Wallace has remained consistently solid for fantasy owners this year, and the Jets secondary has remained consistently poor. 

And yes, I think if you are really looking to save some bucks, you can target Jarvis Landry, who has been quite good out of the slot in recent games and has developed a nice chemistry with Tannehill. But in terms of pure upside, I still think Wallace is the play.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants

FanDuel Price: $8.5k

DraftKings Price: $6.8k

Analysis: Yes, yes, we all saw his amazing catch. It was unbelievable. But Odell Beckham Jr. doesn't make this list for that highlight, he makes this list because in his last four games he's accumulated at least 90 yards in every contest and is coming off of a 10-catch, 146-yard and two-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys.

The rookie is the real deal, folks.

The Jacksonville Jaguars secondary isn't the real deal, however. The Indianapolis Colts receivers just caught 12 passes for 184 yards and a score on the unit, and the Jags have given up six receiving touchdowns to opposing wideouts in their last four games.

It's hard to imagine Beckham won't join in on the fun. You aren't getting him at an amazing value like in weeks past, but he still represents plenty of bang for your buck this week.

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

FanDuel Price: $5.3k

DraftKings Price: $4.3k

Analysis: Travis Kelce has been a bit inconsistent this year, yes, but he gets a nice matchup this week against a Denver Broncos defense that has given up six touchdowns to opposing tight ends on the season. In one-week leagues, you are either paying for an elite option and sacrificing money in your budget elsewhere or you are rolling the dice. 

I'm willing to roll the dice on Kelce in a nice matchup this week.

New York Giants, D/ST

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

FanDuel Price: $4.9k

DraftKings Price: $2.8k

Analysis: The New York Giants defense has been miserable from a fantasy perspective this year. Just miserable. So why start them this week?

Because they play the Jacksonville Jaguars, that's why. No team has been more accommodating for opposing defenses this season. Even the shoddy Giants should benefit from this matchup, and save you some serious bucks in your budget along the way.

Randy Bullock, K, Houston Texans

Jason Miller/Getty Images

FanDuel Price: $4.9k

Analysis: Bullock isn't the cheapest of kickers on FanDuel this week, but he's only $400 more expensive than the cheapest kicker, so I think he's worth the extra bucks against a really poor Tennessee defense this week. For a player seventh in points scored in FanDuel formats this year, that's a fair price.

All statistics via ESPN standard scoring leagues, FanDuel or DraftKings leagues. Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than a catching drill with Odell Beckham Jr.