Daily Fantasy Football October 17: DFS Stock Up, Stock Down

The ever-changing world of fantasy football requires constant oversight and attention. One breakout performance from a certain player doesn't always equate to more, and being ahead of the curve on who's breakout is coming up is critical to daily fantasy winnings.

It's easier said than done, of course. Taking into account upcoming matchups, recent trends of offenses and a player's expanded role on his team are only a few of the important factors to consider when assessing a player's trajectory.

Now that the weekend is here, there's a clearer picture about what to expect come Sunday. Let's take a glance at the stock up, stock down report for Saturday.

Stock Up

Mike Wallace, WR, Minnesota Vikings ($4,500)

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

After a tempered start to say the least in Minnesota, playmaker Mike Wallace broke out for the first time in Week 4 at Denver with eight grabs for 83 yards and a touchdown. Leading the team in receptions, he'll be featured heavily following the bye.

The Vikings will face Kansas City at home, whose weakness defensively is in the secondary. The Chiefs have given up a league-worst 13 touchdowns through the air in just five games, and Wallace is fresh off his first score as a Viking.

It's hard to see Minnesota getting way out in front against a desperate Chiefs team, to the point where they solely run the ball, and that should keep Wallace making catches and providing incredible value.

Marquess Wilson, WR, Chicago Bears ($4,000)

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

If the Chicago Bears continue to take their time with Alshon Jeffery's impending return from injury, it's likely because of the stability Marquess Wilson has provided.

The former seventh-round pick has blossomed in his last two starts, catching six balls in each game and topping 80 yards in both. He scored his second career touchdown last week and leads the team in receiving yardage.

Jeffery made a limited return to practice this week, per the team's site, but he's practiced in limited fashion before during a gameweek without playing Sunday. With a Week 7 bye looming, expect Chicago to keep Jeffery on the sideline and continue to look toward Wilson.

Antonio Andrews, RB, Tennessee Titans ($3,400)

James Kenney/Associated Press

In a revolving-door running back committee like the one in Tennessee, there's always the chance of nabbing an immensely cheap guy who's quietly putting up nice numbers.

Antonio Andrews appears to be just that for the Titans. The big-bodied back checks all of the daily fantasy boxes, from goal-line touches to catching passes to an increasing workload, as he proves himself as the most consistent all-around Tennessee tailback. 

Averaging nearly 14 DraftKings points per game at a nearly minimum-salary price, Andrews should feast against the Miami Dolphins' 32nd-ranked run defense.

Stock Down

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos ($6,600)

Ben Margot/Associated Press

It took a few weeks for Peyton Manning's statistical regression to catch up to his DK price, but at $6,600 for Week 6, it's beginning to drop to the value it should be. 

Manning has failed to surpass 10.5 DK points in three of his five outings this season, which are obviously not Manning-like numbers. He has more interceptions thrown than touchdowns and has needed incredible defensive performances to get wins.

Two Cleveland Browns cornerbacks being out for Week 6, as their team site reported, could give Manning the boost he needs to get back on track. But with how he's started the season, we have to see it to believe it.

Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles ($3,800)

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Oh, Darren Sproles. What unrealistic fantasy expectations we had for you this season.

After a great start that featured a 19.6-point DK outing and eight combined grabs in his first two games, Sproles has cooled off at an alarming rate. He's amassed just 50 yards from scrimmage in the last two games, stepping into the background as the Philadelphia Eagles' offense—led by fantasy breakouts DeMarco Murray, Sam Bradford and Jordan Matthews—gets going.

That leaves little room for Sproles. Unless you believe he'll do something magical like return a punt to the house, it's hard to make an argument to even draft him as a flier.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions ($7,300)

Opp.	FPTS
W5-Arizona	11.7
W4-Seattle	11.6
W3-Denver	15.7
W2-Minnesota	24.3

Keeping in line with some of the game's greats from yesteryear who aren't putting up their usual numbers in 2015, Calvin Johnson also scratches the list after a tough start for his Detroit Lions.

The only winless team left in the NFL, the Lions have struggled considerably through the air as Matthew Stafford was even benched last week against Arizona. Johnson has stayed consistent enough to top double-digit scoring in four straight, but his production has slowly gone down in that span.

Until the Detroit offense gets going, it's wise to steer clear of Johnson and avoid the $7,300 setback.

Follow Steven Cook on Twitter for more DFS analysis. 

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