NFL DraftKings Picks: Week 16

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 16: 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. Jared Goff, $6,300 (vs. Steelers)
2. Joe Burrow, $6,500 (at Dolphins)
3. Jacoby Brissett, $5,300 (vs. Falcons)
4. J.J. McCarthy, $4,900 (at Giants)
5. Aaron Rodgers, $5,000 (at Lions)
6. Kirk Cousins, $4,800 (at Cardinals)
7. Trevor Lawrence, $5,900 (at Broncos)
8. C.J. Stroud, $5,400 (vs. Raiders)

You have to love the Lions off a loss, and Jared Goff looks great with the Steelers missing T.J. Watt. Joe Burrow will do great if he tries this week.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, $8,500 (vs. Steelers)
2. James Cook, $7,700 (at Browns)
3. Bijan Robinosn, $8,700 (at Cardinals)
4. De’Von Achane, $8,800 (vs. Bengals)
5. Bucky Irving, $6,700 (at Panthers)
6. Quinshon Judkins, $6,000 (vs. Bills)
7. Kenneth Gainwell, $5,100 (at Lions)

The Steelers are weak to the run, so Jahmyr Gibbs has a terrific matchup. James Cook also looks good versus Cleveland’s suddenly porous defense. The two most expensive running backs also look great. Kenneth Gainwell is mispriced because this slate didn’t take Monday night into account.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Mike Evans, $6,400 (at Panthers)
2. Justin Jefferson, $6,000 (at Giants)
3. DK Metcalf, $5,400 (at Lions)
4. Nico Collins, $7,500 (vs. Raiders)
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, $8,400 (vs. Steelers)
6. Jameson Williams, $6,400 (vs. Steelers)
7. Ja’Marr Chase, $8,600 (at Dolphins)
8. Michael Wilson, $6,900 (vs. Falcons)
9. Chris Olave, $6,500 (vs. Jets)
10. Tetairoa McMillan, $5,800 (vs. Buccaneers)
11. Jalen Coker, $4,400 (vs. Buccaneers)
12. Jakobi Meyers, $5,500 (at Broncos)
13. Isaiah Bond, $3,000 (vs. Bills)
14. Jayden Higgins, $4,100 (vs. Raiders)

Mike Evans is 100 percent and looks like a great play this week. Justin Jefferson may seem high here, but he was so close to having a huge breakout game on Sunday night, and that could happen this week. DK Metcalf has a great matchup versus the Lions and looks like a strong run-back option versus the Lions.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Darren Waller, $3,500 (vs. Bengals)
2. Kyle Pitts, $5,000 (at Cardinals)
3. Dalton Schultz, $4,200 (vs. Raiders)
4. Brenton Strange, $3,900 (at Broncos)
5. Oronde Gadsen, $4,100 (at Cowboys)
6. Evan Engram, $2,900 (vs. Jaguars)

Darren Waller has the best matchup among tight ends this week. Kyle Pitts should continue his onslaught against another team weak to tight ends.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Texans, $4,000 (vs. Raiders)
2. Saints, $3,400 (vs. Jets)
3. Vikings, $2,800 (at Giants)
4. Bills, $3,500 (at Browns)
5. Cowboys, $2,900 (vs. Chargers)

The poor Raiders don’t stand a chance against the Texans. The Saints will look great if Brady Cook starts again.




Players to Avoid: Chase Brown (6900), Cowboys Receivers. Chase Brown looks like he has a positive matchup, but the Bengals are not running the ball well against anyone. … The Cowboys have a rough matchup this week against the Chargers’ No. 2 defense.

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Week 16: Rams at Seahawks Showdown Slate

Top Captains: Colby Parkinson (8100). Colby Parkinson or one of the other Rams tight ends should do well against the Seahawks, who can’t stop tight ends at all.

Top Spend-Up FLEX (in addition to Top Captains): Puka Nacua (12000), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11600). Both top receivers look great. Try to get both into your lineup.

Top Value: A.J. Barner (4400). A.J. Barner scored 17 fantasy points in the first matchup against the Rams.

Top Punt Play: Konata Mumpfield (2000). Puka Nacua talked up Konata Mumpfield as a replacement for Davante Adams.

Player to Avoid: Kenneth Walker (7200). Kenneth Walker ran for 2-yard gains throughout his previous game. The Seahawks are not running well right now.

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Week 16: 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. Jalen Hurts, $6,900 (at Redskins)
2. Jordan Love, $5,700 (at Bears)
3. Caleb Williams, $5,500 (vs. Packers)

There’s one defense far worse than the others in the Saturday slate, and that would be the Redskins. However, Caleb Williams is worth a shot because Green Bay lost Micah Parsons. “No Cookie” Jordan Love is only in play if Christian Watson is healthy.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Saquon Barkley, $7,200 (at Redskins)
2. D’Andre Swift, $5,900 (vs. Packers)
3. Kyle Monangai, $4,900 (vs. Packers)

Saquon Barkley has been a disappointment this year, but he had a big game against the Giants. This is a similar matchup. Meanwhile, the Bears runners look better with Parsons gone.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. A.J. Brown, $6,700 (at Redskins)
2. DeVonta Smith, $5,700 (at Redskins)
3. D.J. Moore, $5,300 (vs. Packers)
4. Christian Watson, $5,200 (at Bears)
5. Jayden Reed, $5,000 (at Bears)
6. Olamide Zaccheaus, $3,500 (vs. Packers)

The Bears will be missing a couple of Chicago receivers, so we have some value with the Bears. Christian Watson’s status dictates the slate.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Dallas Goedert, $4,100 (at Redskins)
2. Colston Loveland, $3,900 (vs. Packers)
3. Cole Kmet, $3,900 (vs. Packers)
4. Luke Musgrave, $2,700 (at Bears)

Of all the tight ends, Dallas Goedert has the best matchup by far.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Eagles, $3,600 (at Redskins)
2. Bears, $2,500 (vs. Packers)

The Eagles are the obvious choice, but the Bears will be intriguing if Christain Watson is out.




Players to Avoid: Josh Jacobs (7300). Josh Jacobs is banged up and has a tougher matchup this week with Chicago’s defense getting healthier.