START: MARTAVIS BRYANT, WR, OAKLAND RAIDERS
MATCHUP: vs. Indianapolis Colts
PRICE – $3,700 (DraftKings) l $3,500 (FantasyFactor) l $5,300 (FanDuel)
Goodbye Amari Cooper, enter Martavis Bryant. With Cooper now a Dallas Cowboys, Bryant will try to capitalize on the major hole that Cooper left behind at wideout in Oakland. While the Raiders are currently in the midst of a fire sale, Bryant is one of the few players Jon Gruden has actually traded for since taking over the team. It’s evident why Gruden would be so intrigued with Bryant’s talent. He is a physical specimen, who, at one time, was believed to be the guy that would take the torch from Antonio Brown as the Steelers number one option in the passing game.
Bryant and his team-leading 15.7 ypr will be thrust into the starting lineup on Sunday vs. Indianapolis and their 24th ranked defense. Bryant is dirt cheap in daily fantasy, carrying a cheaper salary than underwhelming wideouts such as Paul Richardson, and Antonio Callaway. While Pierre Desir will likely shadow Jordy Nelson, Bryant will get a mouth-watering matchup with Nate Hairston who currently ranks as the 99th best cornerback on pro football focus. Bryant has a chance to solidify himself as the number one option in the Oakland pass game, and it all starts this week.
SIT: DOUG MARTIN, RB, OAKLAND RAIDERS
MATCHUP: vs. Indianapolis Colts
PRICE – $4,400 (DraftKings) l $3,500 (FantasyFactor) l $6,000 (FanDuel)
Marshawn Lynch has been placed on the IR, and his return to the field this season, or ever again, is cloudy at best. To replace Lynch and his 4.2 YPC Oakland will be leaning on Doug Martin, or so many would think. Martin, who is certainly a name in fantasy circles, (although his 2.9 YPC over the past two seasons may make you wonder why) has been a popular plug and play in daily lineups this week. The thing is, he may not even be the best DFS play in Oakland’s own backfield.
Even when Lynch was healthy, fellow running back Jalen Richard was the preferred option in the passing game. Richard currently ranks second on the team in receptions with 31, only one reception away from Jared Cook’s team-leading 32. While Martin will likely serve as the lead back in obvious run situations, Oakland has been known to abandon the run game when down, which, as you would believe, happens more often than not.
Andrew Luck and his Indianapolis Colts have averaged nearly 33 points a game since week 4. Luck should have no problem putting up points against an Oakland defense who ranks 29th in PPG on the season. This means it will be Richard, not Martin, in the Oakland backfield for the majority of Sunday’s game.
