NFL DraftKings Picks: Week 15

I’ll be posting NFL DraftKings picks here. I cannot post lineups anymore, but I will list some players I like each week.

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Week 15: Dolphins-Steelers Showdown Slate

Top Captains: De’Von Achane (19200), Darren Waller (6600). Miami’s offense runs through De’Von Achane, so he’s a good captain despite the salary. Darren Waller is a great cheap captain because Pittsburgh has a woeful defense against tight ends.

Top Spend-Up FLEX (in addition to Top Captains): Aaron Rodgers (9800), DK Metcalf (9400). The Dolphins allow the ninth-most production to outside wide receivers. DK Metcalf looks good, as does his quarterback.

Top Value: Pat Freiermuth (3000), Jonnu Smith (2800), Darnell Washington (2600). Pick a Pittsburgh tight end and hope you choose the correct one. The Dolphins also struggle versus tight ends.

Top Punt Play: Greg Dulcich (1600). Miami’s other tight end seems like a solid play.

Player to Avoid: Jaylen Warren (9000). The Dolphins are weak to the pass, but stout versus the run.

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Week 15: Main Slate

I can no longer post any lineups, per DraftKings rules. I will be trying something different this year, which is to rank my order of preferences by position taking price into account.


Top DFS Quarterbacks:

1. Jaxson Dart, $5,600 (vs. Redskins)
2. Matthew Stafford, $7,000 (vs. Lions)
3. Joe Burrow, $6,600 (at Bengals)
4. Josh Allen, $7,500 (at Patriots)
5. Lamar Jackson, $6,400 (at Bengals)
6. Drake Maye, $6,700 (vs. Bills)
7. Trevor Lawrence, $5,700 (vs. Jets)
8. Shedeur Sanders, $4,700 (at Titans)

Jaxson Dart is an incredible value, but if you want to pay up, Matthew Stafford is the way to go versus Detroit’s poor pass defense.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Travis Etienne, $6,500 (vs. Jets)
2. Devin Neal, $5,300 (vs. Panthers)
3. Woody Marks, $5,600 (vs. Cardinals)
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, $8,800 (at Rams)
5. Kyle Monangai, $5,200 (vs. Browns)
6. D’Andre Swift, $5,700 (vs. Browns)
7. Derrick Henry, $7,300 (at Bengals)
8. R.J. Harvey, $6,000 (vs. Packers)
9. Chase Brown, $6,700 (vs. Ravens)

Travis Etienne is the best value against a bad Jets defense. Bhayshul Tuten is banged up, so Etienne could get a majority of the work. Devin Singletary is also a great play if Tyrone Tracy is out with an injury. Devin Neal would also look good if Alvin Kamara is out.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Ja’Marr Chase, $8,100 (vs. Ravens)
2. Davante Adams, $7,200 (vs. Lions)
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, $8,600 (vs. Colts)
4. Puka Nacua, $8,700 (vs. Lions)
5. A.J. Brown, $6,800 (vs. Raiders)
6. Nico Collins, $6,700 (vs. Cardinals)
7. Wan’Dale Robinson, $5,900 (vs. Redskins)
8. Stefon Diggs, $6,000 (vs. Bills)
9. Jakobi Meyers, $5,600 (vs. Jets)
10. Darius Slayton, $4,400 (vs. Redskins)
11. Tetairoa McMillan, $6,000 (at Saints)
12. Chris Olave, $6,200 (vs. Panthers)
13. Rashid Shaheed, $4,600 (vs. Colts)
14. Jayden Higgins, $4,200 (vs. Cardinals)

Garrett Wilson is a total misprice if he plays. He’s eligible to come off IR this week, and there’s a chance he’ll be on the field. If he plays, he’s a free square. Otherwise, I’m paying up for some excellent options this week. The Giants receivers look like good values, too.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Isaiah Likely, $3,400 (at Bengals)
2. Harold Fannin, $4,000 (vs. Cardinals)
3. Dalton Kincaid, $4,500 (at Patriots)
4. Theo Johnson, $3,500 (vs. Redskins)
5. Mark Andrews, $3,900 (at Bengals)
6. George Kittle, $5,400 (vs. Titans)
7. A.J. Barner, $3,200 (vs. Colts)
8. Juwan Johnson, $3,700 (vs. Panthers)
9. Jeremy Ruckert, $2,500 (at Jaguars)
10. Dalton Schultz, $4,100 (vs. Cardinals)
11. Tyler Warren, $4,700 (vs. Seahawks)
12. Brenton Strange, $4,200 (vs. Jets)

Isaiah Likely has become a big producer again, and he has the easiest possible matchup. Dalton Kincaid is also a great play. Harold Fannin will move down if David Njoku is available.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Jaguars, $3,900 (vs. Jets)
2. Seahawks, $3,700 (vs. Colts)
3. Eagles, $3,800 (vs. Raiders)
4. Texans, $3,600 (vs. Cardinals)
5. Rams, $3,000 (vs. Lions)
6. Packers, $2,800 (at Broncos)
7. 49ers, $4,000 (vs. 49ers)
8. Saints, $2,500 (vs. Panthers)

The Seahawks are an amazing play against Old Man Rivers. The Eagles will try to bounce back versus the Raiders. The Jaguars will be the No. 2 play if Brady Cook starts.




Players to Avoid: Jonathan Taylor (9300), Brock Bowers (5900). Not only do the Seahawks have the top run defense in the NFL; Jonathan Taylor will face lots of men in the box because of the quarterback situation. … The Eagles are the No. 1 team against tight ends, so I wouldn’t play Brock Bowers.

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Week 15: Vikings at Cowboys Showdown Slate

Top Captains: Justin Jefferson (13200). We’re getting Justin Jefferson at an all-time low. Jefferson has struggled for much of the year, but this is a great matchup for him because the Cowboys allow the third-most production to outside receivers.

Top Spend-Up FLEX (in addition to Top Captains): Dak Prescott (10400), J.J. McCarthy (9000). Both quarterbacks are good plays. Dak Prescott dissects the blitz with ease, while J.J. McCarthy has a great matchup against Dallas’ weak defense.

Top Value: Jordan Addison (6600), Aaron Jones (6200). Jordan Addison is the other outside receiver. Aaron Jones is very cheap for someone who had 14 carries last week.

Top Punt Play: Jalen Nailor (3000). Jalen Nailor saw three targets last week and could randomly score a touchdown.

Player to Avoid: Javonte Williams (9400). Javonte Williams is too expensive, and the Vikings have improved against the run lately.