NFL DraftKings Picks: Week 13

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 13: 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. Josh Allen, $7,500 (at Steelers)
2. Sam Darnold, $5,600 (vs. Seahawks)
3. Jacoby Brissett, $5,800 (at Buccaneers)
4. Cam Ward, $4,600 (vs. Jaguars)
5. Tua Tagovailoa, $4,900 (vs. Saints)
6. Trevor Lawrence, $5,400 (at Titans)

Josh Allen is coming off a loss, so you have to like his outlook against Pittsburgh’s injury-ravaged defense. Sam Darnold, meanwhile, has a revenge game. Jacoby Brissett figures to remain hot against a pass-funnel defense.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Breece Hall, $6,000 (vs. Falcons)
2. Devin Neal, $5,000 (at Dolphins)
3. Jaylen Warren, $6,300 (vs. Steleer)
4. Travis Etienne, $6,500 (at Cardinals)
5. James Cook, $7,600 (at Steelers)
6. Kenneth Walker, $5,300 (vs. Vikings)
7. Kyren Williams, $6,600 (at Panthers)
8. Bijan Robinson, $8,500 (at Jets)
9. De’Von Achane, $8,300 (vs. Saints)
10. Christian McCaffrey, $9,300 (at Browns)

Devin Neal seems like a free square if Alvin Kamara is sidelined. Breece Hall has an outstanding matchup, as do Travis Etienne and Jaylen Warren. It seems as though the top players have the hardest matchups, while the opposite is true for the cheaper guys.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, $9,500 (vs. Vikings)
2. Davante Adams, $7,500 (at Panthers)
3. Chimere Dike, $4,400 (vs. Titans)
4. Jayden Higgins, $3,900 (at Colts)
5. Michael Wilson, $5,900 (at Buccaneers)
6. Khalil Shakir, $5,500 (at Steelers)
7. Chris Olave, $6,400 (at Dolphins)
8. Ladd McConkey, $6,300 (vs. Raiders)
9. Darnell Mooney, $5,300 (at Jets)
10. Greg Dortch, $4,600 (at Buccaneers)
11. Jerry Jeudy, $4,100 (vs. 49ers)
12. John Metchie, $3,800 (vs. Falcons)

Jaxson Smith-Njigba is the best play at receiver despite being the most expensive player at his position. Davante Adams has been a touchdown machine. Chimere Dike sticks out like a sore thumb at his price tag, but there are lots of other quality cheap options at receiver.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Brock Bowers, $5,800 (at Chargers)
2. Brenton Strange, $3,700 (at Titans)
3. Dalton Schultz, $3,800 (at Colts)
4. Juwan Johnson, $4,200 (at Dolphins)
5. Kyle Pitts, $4,000 (at Jets)
6. A.J. Barner, $3,200 (vs. Vikings)
7. Dawson Knox, $3,000 (at Steelers)
8. Chig Okonkwo, $3,600 (vs. Jaguars)

I’m not paying nearly $8,000 for a tight end. If you want to pay up for a tight end, Brock Bowers is the way to go this week. Brenton Strange is a great option, given that he’s Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target. If you play Josh Allen, pairing him with Dawson Knox makes sense unless Dalton Kincaid returns.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Seahawks, $3,900 (vs. Vikings)
2. Rams, $3,800 (at Panthers)
3. Chargers, $4,000 (vs. Raiders)
4. Browns, $3,000 (vs. 49ers)
5. Bills, $3,400 (at Steelers)
6. Raiders, $2,500 (at Chargers)

The two NFC West teams are the best options. The Browns are a good middle-price option against Brock Purdy, who threw three interceptions. The Raiders are the best cheap option; they’ll get pressure on Justin Herbert behind his poor offensive line.




Players to Avoid: Justin Herbert (6500), Jonathan Taylor (9800), Nico Collins (6700). Justin Herbert gets no time to throw, so it’s difficult to justify this price tag. … Jonathan Taylor is too expensive considering the matchup. … DraftKings lists Nico Collins as having a good matchup, but he’ll have to deal with Sauce Gardner.

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Week 13: Thanksgiving 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. Patrick Mahomes, $6,500 (at Cowboys)
2. Lamar Jackson, $6,800 (vs. Ravens)
3. Joe Burrow, $6,000 (at Ravens)

Jalen Hurts just torched Dallas’ secondary, so you have to like Patrick Mahomes’ chances. Lamar Jackson would be my top choice if he were healthy. Joe Burrow is a possibility, but it’s unclear how healthy he is either.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Derrick Henry, $7,300 (vs. Bengals)
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, $8,800 (vs. Lions)
3. Josh Jacobs, $6,800 (at Lions)
4. Chase Brown, $6,500 (at Ravens)
5. David Montgomery, $4,800 (vs. Packers)

Derrick Henry is the best running back option against the NFL’s worst ground defense. Jahmyr Gibbs will always be a great play, but he’s a bit too expensive. David Montgomery is a cheap player you can use.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Ja’Marr Chase, $8,000 (at Ravens)
2. Rashee Rice, $7,500 (at Cowboys)
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, $7,800 (vs. Packers)
4. Jameson Williams, $4,800 (vs. Packers)
5. Christian Watson, $4,700 (at Lions)
6. CeeDee Lamb, $6,800 (vs. Chiefs)
7. George Pickens, $7,000 (vs. Chiefs)
8. Zay Flowers, $6,100 (vs. Bengals)

I would try to play two studs and two cheap guys. Jameson Williams has been far more involved with Dan Campbell calling the plays, while Christian Watson is way too cheap.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Mark Andrews, $3,600 (vs. Bengals)
2. Travis Kelce, $5,000 (at Cowboys)
3. Mike Gesicki, $3,100 (at Ravens)
4. Isaiah Likely, $2,600 (vs. Bengals)

The Bengals are the worst team against tight ends, so play Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Packers, $2,600 (at Lions)
2. Lions, $3,000 (vs. Packers)

The two teams in the first game are the best choices unless you believe Joe Burrow is decrepit off the injury.




Players to Avoid: Jared Goff (5800), Xavier Worthy (4500). Jared Goff doesn’t cost much, but he may struggle with Green Bay’s pressure. … Xavier Worthy is cheap, but he’s also banged up.

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Week 13: Bears at Eagles Showdown Slate

Top Captains: Saquon Barkley (15900). We’re getting Saquon Barkley at a discount because of his struggles this year. Barkley should have a strong performance in this matchup, given that the Bears are down their top two linebackers. Ashton Jeanty, who also has had no blocking this season, was able to have his best rushing performance of the season against Chicago.

Top Spend-Up FLEX (in addition to Top Captains): Jalen Hurts (11600). There’s nothing wrong with playing both Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley together, especially against a poor Chicago defense.

Top Value: Dallas Goedert (5200), Luther Burden (3800). Blake Corum has gotten 12, 13, 13, and eight carries in his previous four games. He’s doing a lot for a backup. Luther Burden has seen an uptick in snaps recently.

Top Punt Play: Tank Bigsby (2000). In the one game in which the Eagles put together a great rushing attack, Tank Bigsby rushed for 100-plus yards.

Player to Avoid: D’Andre Swift (6600), Colston Loveland (4400). A revenge game for D’Andre Swift, but he’s been losing touches to Kyle Monangai. The Eagles are great against tight ends.