By Robert Sanchez
I’ll admit, last week’s DFS lineup options did not perform well. But, a wise man once said: it doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, it matters how many times you get back up. Which is exactly what I’m doing today.
Back with the night slate (9 games to choose from), here are three options at each position that I think are must starts. As always, I’m using a budget of $50,000.
Quarterback
Jayden de Laura, Arizona ($6,700) — The sophomore de Laura broke on to the scene after an insane performance against Colorado last week, one where he threw for six touchdowns and zero interceptions in an eventual 43-20 win for the Wildcats. He accounted for every touchdown scored for Arizona while throwing for nearly 500 yards with a 71.7 completion percentage. For the season, de Laura has thrown for 1,633 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Those numbers shouldn’t take much of a hit this week when he takes on Oregon and their leaky pass defense which ranks 231st in the nation. Through five games, the Ducks have allowed 11 touchdowns through the air and in two road games so far this season they’ve allowed 49 and 41 points. Although, a lack of defense has never really fazed Oregon who has put up at least 41 points in every game this season except their season opener against Georgia where they scored just three points. I actually expect the Ducks to continue that trend against an Arizona defense that isn’t great, but instead of taking somebody like Bo Nix ($8,900), I’d much rather go with de Laura who will likely be playing from behind a lot in this one and forced to air it out. The total is set at 70.5 and I do think this game will be a shootout of sorts and with most of the other quarterbacks in this slate of games costing an arm and a leg, I think de Laura is a phenomenal buy low, sell high candidate.
Running back
Will Shipley, Clemson ($6,900) — Shipley has been incredibly skilled at finding the end zone this season with the Tigers, already scoring seven times which ties him for ninth in the country. What’s even more impressive is that he’s done that on only 66 carries. But Shipley has always had a nose for scoring touchdowns as he notched 11 last season as a freshman. On Saturday, the North Carolina native will face Boston College as Clemson rolls into town as massive 21-point favorites. And coming off a game in which he didn’t score a touchdown (for the first time this season), I expect head coach Dabo Swinney to utilize his stud running back a lot in a game where the Tigers will surely be up for most of the game. Shipley has also shown his catching abilities lately, corralling in nine catches for 80 yards this season with six of those catches coming in the last two games. Clemson looks to continue their perfect start to the season so I don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas pedal at all, especially after a close game against NC State last week. Look for Shipley to run early and often and have himself a night on national television.
Wide receiver
Zay Flowers, Boston College ($5,700) — Staying in Newton, Massachusetts for the Boston College-Clemson game, Flowers figures to have a good game for the Eagles. Much like Clemson’s Will Shipley will likely be running the ball for most of the night, I expect Flowers to be targeted all game. Clearly quarterback Phil Jurkovec’s favorite target, Flowers has led his team in receptions and receiving yards in every game so far this season and I don’t see that changing any time soon. The senior has accumulated 481 yards and five touchdowns on 34 catches and has even lined up in the backfield a few times with six carries for 50 yards. Hey, every little bit helps. Anyway, now Flowers will go up against a Clemson Tigers pass defense that’s been a weakness for them this season. It’s been tough sledding once again for the Eagles this season but the emergence of Flowers has been a bright spot. It’s also important to mention that the Florida native has played much better at home than on the road this season. In fact, the two games that he didn’t find the end zone and had his lowest receiving yards total this year were on the road. He’s coming off a monster game against Louisville where he caught five passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in a narrow 34-33 win. If Boston College has any chance to win this game, Flowers is going to have to be involved in a big way once again.
