If you’re looking for early Week 13 DFS bargain targets before crafting your early lineups, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve analyzed each early Sunday afternoon team’s highest-probability game scripts to assess which affordable players have great shots at outproducing expectations.
NFL DFS Week 13: Favorite Early Sunday Afternoon Undervalued DFS Targets
There are eight Sunday 1 p.m. ET contests. You don’t need to hear about big names like Saquon Barkley, Amon-Ra St. Brown, or Jalen Hurts. Are you rolling with Nick Chubb? Great, there’s nothing I can say to dissuade you. If you can afford them in your DFS slate, they have high enough ceilings to merit strong consideration.
This column is about the true bargains — players who might be priced 50% or less than guys like Barkley or Hurts. Some might even cost 90% less. Picking the right bargain could transform a competitive fantasy football lineup into a tournament winner.
David Bell
I highlighted rookie David Bell on the PFN Facebook fantasy page last Saturday, suggesting he might be a pre-hype player in an otherwise crowded offense. He then played a career-high 50 snaps on Sunday while earning a career-high six targets.
So yeah, Bell’s stock is rising, and he doesn’t cost much in DFS. The key question this week is whether a returning Deshaun Watson can elevate Bell from the get-go. After all, Watson hasn’t played in nearly two years.
But given the matchup against a Houston defense that might once again be without CB Derek Stingley Jr., Bell offers some nice touchdown upside for a cheap price.
Vikings D/ST
I cannot stress this enough. Minnesota realistically could be a top-three D/ST on Sunday — and perhaps No. 1. Pay no attention to how Mike White “shredded” the Bears’ defense. Chicago pressures QBs less than just about any other team.
We’ve heard this story before . . . last year . . . when White’s NFL starting debut culminated in 405 passing yards and three TDs against one of the league’s worst pass defenses (Cincinnati).
No doubt, Minnesota’s pass defense is relatively weak. But they pressure quarterbacks more than most teams, and their run defense is statistically better than Chicago’s based on yards per carry and rushing scores.
White will have less room for error, and I don’t believe New York’s defense can contain the Vikings’ vaunted offense — meaning the Jets might need to abandon the run early . . . and play right into Minnesota’s hands.
Olamide Zaccheaus
Olamide Zaccheaus stepped up Sunday in Kyle Pitts’ absence, and frankly, he’s been stepping up for much of the season. We simply don’t hear much about him, because Atlanta’s offense operates largely on the ground.
MORE: NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 13
But there’s value to be had with this 25-year-old, particularly against a Pittsburgh defense surrendering 22 receiving touchdowns — tied for the second most in the league. On a team with few reliable hands, Zaccheaus is a cheaper version of Drake London with comparable upside.
George Pickens
I’ll keep pushing George Pickens until his value catches up with his likely production. The second-round rookie has scored 14+ points in five of his last seven outings. He’s facing an Atlanta defense that’s giving up the most receiving yards in the NFL. Continue to fire him up as a modestly priced breakout candidate.
Quez Watkins
Four weeks ago, I came to the conclusion that Quez Watkins was poised to bust out. The little-used speedster had four catches for 19 scoreless yards in his previous five games — not exactly the kind of player people would normally recommend.
But there’s a psychology to betting that goes beyond stats. As I’ve written before, stats without context are worthless.
I believed the 8-0 Eagles were starting to look ahead at the postseason. How often do great teams collapse after a key injury? To what extent will they manage their starters’ loads in the second half of the season, particularly if they locked down the NFC’s 1 seed?
MORE: Early NFL Week 13 Predictions and Picks Against the Spread
My theory was that Watkins would be worked into the offense more so that he’d be more integrated into the game plan if A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith were to get hurt. The talent is there. He’s simply been buried on the depth chart.
When Dallas Goedert got hurt, Watkins’ value spiked — at least from my perspective. When Goedert exited, he ranked fifth in after-the-catch yards among all NFL players. This is an area where Watkins has thrived, averaging 5.7 yards after the catch for his three-year career.
For context, these past three years, YAC specialist Tyreek Hill has averaged “only” 4.4 yards after the catch.
Watkins brings an added element to an often thriving Philly offense that has needed to develop him ahead of the postseason. The world is waking up to Watkins. He should still be relatively affordable in DFS — though not nearly as cheap as when we first started recommending him in early November.