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Week 15 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

By Jared Smola | Updated on Tue, 23 May 2023 . 1:27 PM EDT

This is a week unlike any we’ve had this season – maybe ever – with COVID running rampant through the NFL. It feels a bit like a Week 17 (now Week 18), with a bunch of backups set to play key roles.

I don’t think it makes sense to really start building DraftKings lineups until Sunday morning, when we have a better idea of who will and won’t be available. But I at least wanted to get an initial player pool out to start getting a feel for the slate. I’ll refine this list and add some thoughts throughout the weekend.

QBs

Kyler Murray ($7,900)

With Rams WR Cooper Kupp off the main slate, we have plenty of money to pay up for Murray. He's posted his 2 biggest rushing totals (59 and 61 yards) the last 2 weeks and gets a plum matchup vs. the Lions on Sunday. Murray's Cardinals have a 29.75-point implied total -- highest on the week.

Also consider: Jimmy Garoppolo ($5,800) and Tua Tagovailoa ($5,700)

RBs

Myles Gaskin ($5,600)

James Robinson ($5,400)

Gaskin and Robinson look like the 2 best cash plays on the slate, considering price, matchup and projected volume.

Gaskin came off the COVID list on Friday. He'd been operating as Miami's clear lead back, averaging 17.6 carries and 3.2 targets over his last 5 games. That stretch included a 96-total-yard, 1-TD outing vs. the Jets back in Week 11. New York ranks dead last in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Everything is in place for a get-right spot for Robinson. Urban Meyer is out of the way; Carlos Hyde is out with a concussion; and he gets a matchup with a Houston squad sitting 28th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA and 26th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Also consider: Chase Edmonds ($5,100) and Michael Carter ($4,700)

WRs

Davante Adams ($8,900)

Diontae Johnson ($7,500)

DeVante Parker ($4,300)

Gabriel Davis ($3,700)

With Cooper Kupp off the main slate, we now have Adams projected for 6.6 more DK points than any other WR.

The #2 WR in our main-slate projections is Johnson, who's seen double-digit targets in 5 straight games and 10 of 12 overall. He gets the Titans' 31st-ranked WR defense.

Parker checks in as the top dollars-per-point value at WR by a significant margin. He's already averaging 8 targets per game this season -- and he could top that mark on Sunday with WR Jaylen Waddle out with COVID. Parker gets a Jets defense that Football Outsiders ranks dead last against the pass.

With RB looking shaky this week, consider using Davis at flex. He should be a full-time player vs. the Panthers on Sunday with WR Emmanuel Sanders out. In the 8 games in which he played over two-thirds of Buffalo’s offensive snaps last season, Davis averaged 5.3 targets, 3.0 catches, 46 yards and .4 TDs.

TEs

James O'Shaughnessy ($3,200)

Brevin Jordan ($2,800)

I'll be punting at TE with 1 of these 2 guys. O'Shaughnessy has seen 5, 6 and 6 targets the past 3 weeks and gets Houston's 29th-ranked TE defense. He caught 6 of 8 targets for 48 yards vs. the Texans back in Week 1.

Jordan is listed as questionable with a hand injury, so check Shark Bites around 11:30 am ET to make sure he's active. The rookie has been splitting time with TE Pharoh Brown but has 14 targets, 9 catches and 2 TDs over his last 3 games.

Also consider: Mark Andrews ($6,400) and Mike Gesicki ($5,000)

DSTs

Bills ($3,100)

Broncos ($2,900)

Panthers ($2,400)