NFL Week 14 DFS lineup advice feat. Baker Mayfield, Braelon Allen, TJ Hockenson and more

Whether you play DFS weekly or are just starting to dabble because your season-long team is dead, it’s a fun and challenging game for us fantasy football-obsessed players. Week 14 on DraftKings provides some interesting choices thanks to six byes and several injuries to key players. This article will showcase some of my favorite picks for the Sunday main slate. As always, if you want us to do the work for you, use Sportskeeda’s DFS Lineup Optimizer and play our lineups.

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NFL DFS Lineups Week 14

NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers - Source: Imagn

QUARTERBACK

Baker Mayfield (TB, $6400) - I love his matchup against the Raiders, who are allowing the seventh-most points to QBs on the season. This defense just gave up 298 yards and a touchdown to Bryce Young. The QB tier drops off significantly after Josh Allen ($8000) and Jalen Hurts ($7800). Mayfield projects as a top-5 scoring option this week and his price reflects it.

Will Levis (TEN, $5000) - We’ll never confuse Levis for an elite option, but his price and matchup will draw interest from DFS players. Playing the Jaguars secondary always perks up the ears of fantasy players. Jacksonville allows the most points to opposing quarterbacks during the season. The Jags are the only team that averages 2.0 touchdown passes per week. Per Fantasy Points Data, the Jags allow the second-highest completion percentage over expectation at 5%. Combine that with the league's highest passer rate allowed and you’ve got a potential big day for Levis on hand. It wouldn’t be bad to pair with his Nick Westbrook-Ikhine at $4700.

Aiden O’Connell (LV, $4800) - Simple idea here. The Raiders can’t run, so O’Connell drops back 35 times and throws for 300+ and a few TDs. It’s exactly what Vegas drew up last week against the Chiefs and what I believe we will see versus Tampa Bay. The Bucs secondary is beat up and not stopping anyone. Allowing the second-most points to QBs, this is a no-brainer pay-down option for those looking to save money. Tampa Bay has given up at least 275 yards passing in five of six games.

RUNNING BACK

Issac Guerendo (SF, $5400) - A starting RB at this price is outstanding. I’m projecting Guerendo for a workhorse role. That means 15+ touches on Sunday. His opponent, Chicago, is ripe for the picking as they allow the fourth most yards per carry (4.88). The Bears also rank in the top-5 of most runs over 10 yards allowed at 14.2%. When I look at Guerendo’s athletic profile and burst, everything here screams he’s in for a big day. Throw in a sore shoulder for Brock Purdy, and I can see the Niners' offense run through this electric rookie all day.

Braelon Allen (NYJ, $5000) - News broke on Friday that Jets starting back Breece Hall is doubtful for Sunday. That leaves the rookie from Wisconsin as the lead back versus the Dolphins, who are no pushover against the run. Miami has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season. The play here is volume at a cheap price. We know the Jets are dysfunctional. What you’re hoping for here is at the $5k price, a 13-15 point day, and the savings will help you pay up elsewhere.

Kyren Williams (LAR, $7300) - It’s simple with Williams: if he scores, he comes through. On Sunday, he faces a Bills team that has given up a score to an opposing back in four straight weeks. The mighty Bills do allow backs to go off on them. On the year they are third worst in terms of RB points allowed. In perfect weather on Sunday, I expect the Rams to feed Williams in an effort to slow the pace of the game down. With touchdowns in two straight, I’m on Williams to get it done again and pay off at $7300, which is the second lowest price we’ve seen him since Week 4. He’s my lean if I play a back priced among the top 10 at the position.

WIDE RECEIVER

Darius Slayton (NYG, $4300) - With news of Malik Nabers being downgraded on Friday, thanks to a hip injury, the door is open for Slayton to step into a big role. In two games missed by Nabers (Weeks 5 & 6), Slayton played 90% and 86% of the NY snaps and saw 11 targets both weeks. Battling a Saints team that is gutted by defensive injuries, it’s a great spot for the speedy veteran.

Marques Valdes-Scantling (NO, $4600) - Same position, same game as Slayton. Nice way to get some action on both sides at very affordable costs. MVS is a one-trick pony, but he’s very good at that one trick. With three straight double-digit DraftKings points weeks, he’s a great buy for the price. Remember, New Orleans just lost Taysom Hill for the season, and MVS operates as their defacto number-one receiver. With only ten targets in three weeks, it’s hard to click his name, but the upside versus the Giants defense, which is seemingly losing players by the hour, is tantalizing.

Darnell Mooney (ATL, $5500) - He’ll face a Vikings defense without cornerback Stephon Gilmore on Sunday. As most of the focus shifts to his teammate, Drake London, I like Mooney as a play to get 15 points. Mooney has been a target machine this season. He’s only dipped under six targets once since Week 7. The issue last week with Atlanta was Kirk Cousins's inability to drive the ball downfield. In a revenge game for Cousins, I love Mooney as a target to put up big numbers.

TIGHT END

T.J. Hockenson (MIN, $4300) - I don’t think Hockenson catches much ownership vs the Falcons. Atlanta is middle of the road against TE’s but with the focus on Jefferson and Addison, I’m feeling Hockenson and his expanding role in this one. Hock is playing well over 60% of the snaps in his last two outings. Better yet, in those two games, his 15 targets tie for the team-high.

DEFENSE

Jaguars ($2600) - Playing vs. Will Levis and the team that allows the single-most points to defenses on the year is a no-brainer. Levis is a turnover machine, even if the Jags aren’t any good themselves.

Bears ($2400) - The Bears are facing a 49ers team without it’s best offensive lineman (Trent Williams). Brock Purdy has a shoulder injury, and I’m not sure how much of a zip he can put on the football at this point. For this price, it’s worth a shot for a handful of sacks, and the possibility the Niners depleted offense just gives up.