Week 16 Flex Targets DraftKings 2017

By Armando Marsal

Using the flex position wisely can allow you to differentiate and create unique lineups. Every week calls for different situations, sometimes pricing favors having a receiver at the flex, while other times it favors having a running back. Then there are weeks where playing two tight ends makes sense. It is really dependent on how you construct your rosters, but as usual, I will talk about players from each position that can be plugged into your flex spot.

Running Back

Dion Lewis $6,000 vs. Buffalo Bills

With Rex Burkhead sidelined due to a knee injury, Lewis is expected to receive the bulk of the workload. He draws a very good matchup against a Bills defense who is yielding 109.7 rushing yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry. They have also surrendered 16 rushing touchdowns, which is the most in the league. Since Week 9, the Bills have allowed three 180+ rushing yard games and four multiple rushing touchdown games to opposing backs. Lewis rushed for 92 yards on 15 carries against the Bills just a couple weeks ago. The Patriots are heavy favorites in this game, so the game script should favor Lewis in this contest. So long as he receives the workload in this game, he should have his way with this generous Bills defense and have a nice day.

Christian McCaffrey $6,400 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

McCaffrey is coming off of a big game against the Packers where he totaled 136 yards and scored a touchdown, while catching 6-of-7 targets. He draws another great matchup against the Bucs who are yielding the seventh most fantasy points per game to running backs, while giving up 98.2 rushing yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. In their last four games, however, they have been far more generous, allowing 130+ rushing yards in three games and seven rushing touchdowns during that four-game stretch. The Bucs have also given up 71 receptions for 631 yards and two receiving touchdowns to running backs, which bodes well for McCaffrey who is averaging 7.2 targets per game. McCaffrey typically goes overlooked and that could be the case once again this week, which would be a mistake. He offers a nice floor due to his pass catching abilities, as well as a nice ceiling, making him a viable option in all formats.

Wide Receiver

Robert Woods $6,500 at Tennessee Titans

Jared Goff wasted no time getting Woods the ball in his first game back after missing three games with a shoulder injury. Woods caught 6-of-7 targets for 45 yards and a touchdown in last week’s game against Seattle. This week he gets a far better matchup against the Titans who really struggle against opposing receivers, yielding the seventh most receptions and fourth most receiving yards, while also giving up the ninth most fantasy points per game. In addition, they have surrendered 15 receiving touchdowns which is tied for fourth most in the league. Woods is second in the Rams in targets and receiving yards, third in receptions, and second in receiving touchdowns despite missing three games. This is a great spot for him to have another productive outing and it is very clear that he is Goff’s favorite target on this offense, so the volume should continue to be there.

Jarvis Landry $6,300 at Kansas City Chiefs

Landry continues to be a target monster on a weekly basis and gets a favorable matchup this week against Kansas City. The Chiefs are yielding the third most fantasy points per game to wide outs, while giving up 16 receiving touchdowns to the positon which is tied for third most in the league. Being that DK is a point per reception format, Landry holds even more value because he sees a lot of high percentage targets that turn in to receptions more often than not. He is third in the league with 144 targets this season and he accounts for 30.8 percent of the Dolphins red zone targets, so aside from the high volume, there is touchdown equity here. There is a lot to like about him in this matchup, which is why he makes for a fine play in all formats. He also comes at a fair price when considering the matchup, as well as his abilities.

Tight End

Eric Ebron $3,700 at Cincinnati Bengals

Ebron has played well in his last couple of game, catching 15 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. During that stretch, he has seen 18 targets. He remains very affordable and draws a favorable matchup against the Bengals who have allowed a touchdown in each of their last two games to tight ends. Ebron could redeem himself with a couple more solid performances to end the season, after disappointing fantasy owners for the majority of the year. Getting him into your lineups, really helps you go balanced with the rest of your roster, which appears to be the best way to approach this slate. He does come with risk, but also with nice upside for someone at this price tag.

Good luck to all this week. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal