NFL DraftKings Picks: Week 17

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 17: Saturday 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. Malik Willis, $5,000 (vs. Ravens)
2. Tyler Huntley, $4,800 (at Packers)

Malik Willis is the top option on the board if he even plays, given his mobility. Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud have very difficult matchups.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Josh Jacobs, $7,000 (vs. Ravens)
2. Woody Marks, $6,000 (at Chargers)
3. Keaton Mitchell, $4,700 (at Packers)

Josh Jacobs is not on the injury report, so he projects as the top running back because Derrick Henry disappears randomly late in games. Woody Marks’ matchup has gotten easier with Denzel Perryman suspended.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Zay Flowers, $6,400 (at Packers)
2. Nico Collins, $7,400 (at Chargers)
3. Christian Watson, $5,000 (vs. Ravens)
4. Ladd McConkey, $6,200 (vs. Texans)
5. Jayden Reed, $4,500 (vs. Ravens)
6. Romeo Doubs, $4,900 (vs. Ravens)
7. Tre Harris, $3,300 (vs. Texans)

Zay Flowers looks great with Tyler Huntley because he won’t have any Lamar Jackson scrambles taking away from his target share. Nico Collins is obviously a viable option regardless of matchup. Christian Watson figures to be healthier this week.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Mark Andrews, $3,700 (at Packers)
2. Luke Musgrave, $2,700 (vs. Ravens)

The Texans and Chargers are first and second against tight ends, respectively.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Texans, $3,000 (at Chargers)
2. Chargers, $2,900 (vs. Texans)

People might be reluctant to fade Justin Herbert, making the Texans a slight contrarian play.




Players to Avoid: Derrick Henry (7200), Quentin Johnston (5200). Derrick Henry disappears late in games, and Green Bay is stout against the run anyhow. I’m not opposed to playing Henry, but I would rather go with the other running backs. … Quentin Johnston is a fade following his big game.

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Week 17: 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. Trevor Lawrence, $6,100 (at Colts)
2. Drake Maye, $6,800 (at Jets)
3. Joe Burrow, $6,500 (vs. Cardinals)
4. Tyler Shough, $5,200 (at Titans)
5. Jacoby Brissett, $5,700 (at Bengals)

Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career, and he now takes on a defense that just surrendered five touchdowns to Brock Purdy. Drake Maye and Joe Burrow are also great options, but they’re more expensive.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Ashton Jeanty, $6,100 (vs. Giants)
2. Travis Etienne, $7,100 (at Colts)
3. Rhamondre Stevenson, $5,900 (at Jets)
4. Kenneth Gainwell, $5,600 (at Browns)
5. De’Von Achane, $8,500 (vs. Buccaneers)
6. Saquon Barkley, $7,600 (at Bills)
7. Michael Carter, $5,200 (at Bengals

Ashton Jeanty just scored two long touchdowns, and now he’ll be battling the worst run defense in the NFL. Travis Etienne is a great option to pair with Lawrence. Rhamondre Stevenson is a terrific option if TreVeyon Henderson is sidelined. Kenneth Gainwell will continue to see tons of targets.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Ja’Marr Chase, $8,300 (vs. Cardinals)
2. Jakobi Meyers, $5,300 (at Colts)
3. Chris Olave, $7,200 (at Titans)
4. Mike Evans, $6,500 (at Dolphins)
5. Tee Higgins, $6,300 (vs. Cardinals)
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, $8,600 (at Panthers)
7. Mack Hollins, $4,000 (at Jets)
8. Josh Downs, $4,200 (vs. Jaguars)
9. Stefon Diggs, $5,800 (at Jets)
10. Brian Thomas Jr., $5,200 (at Colts)
11. Jalen Coker, $4,500 (vs. Seahawks)
12. Jake Bech, $3,700 (vs. Giants)

Ja’Marr Chase is the pay-up option I want, but there’s also Chris Olave, who has been on a tear ever since Tyler Shough improved his level of play. Jakobi Meyers, of course, is a great stacking option with Lawrence. As far as cheap guys, Mack Hollins and Josh Downs stand out the most. Kayshon Boutte is in concussion protocol, so Hollins could see a ton of targets against a poor secondary. Downs, meanwhile, is getting targeted a lot by Philip Rivers. There’s also Jake Bech, who stands to see more work with Brock Bowers sidelined.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Brenton Strange, $4,000 (at Colts)
2. Trey McBride, $7,500 (at Bengals)
3. Harold Fannin, $5,000 (vs. Steelers)
4. Hunter Henry, $4,500 (at Jets)
5. Darren Waller, $3,800 (vs. Buccaneers)
6. A.J. Barner, $3,600 (at Panthers)

Take note of what George Kittle just did to the Colts defense. Trey McBride is hard to pass up though, given the incredible matchup.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Patriots, $3,900 (at Patriots)
2. Saints, $3,500 (at Titans)
3. Jaguars, $3,400 (at Colts)
4. Raiders, $2,700 (vs. Giants)

Brady Cook took eight sacks last week, and there will be more of that to come. The cheapest defense I like is the Raiders because Jaxson Dart has been a disaster lately.




Players to Avoid: Baker Mayfield (5600), Jaxson Dart (5400), Emeka Egbuka (5500). Both Baker Mayfield and Jaxson Dart have great matchup, but I don’t know how they can be trusted. Emeka Egbuka has fallen off the face of the planet.