S Hunter Report Week 17 2018

As I mention every week, I’ll be basing my weekly write-ups off DraftKings salaries, keeping in mind all suggestions are not equal and some players I like more for tournament or cash lineup builds over others.

QUARTERBACK

Top Level

Patrick Mahomes, KC vs. Oakland Raiders ($7,100) – With the AFC West still up in the air, the Chiefs will be starting and playing Mahomes with the intention of winning the West. Mahomes draws a great matchup against the Raiders and is a perfect cash play, although there will be many a DFS owner locking him in as their QB. Certainly, something to think about. I see no other QB on the DFS docket that is better than Mahomes on paper.

Other Choices: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($7,000); Philip Rivers, LAC @ Denver Broncos ($6,400); Matt Ryan, ATL @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,300); Aaron Rodgers, GB vs. Detroit Lions ($6,200); Jared Goff, LAR vs. San Francisco 49ers ($6,200)

Value

Derek Carr, OAK @ Kansas City Chiefs ($5,100) – I sense a high-scoring affair, don’t you? The Raiders would love nothing more than to spoil the Chiefs seeding in the playoffs by beating them, although a loss would position the Raiders for a better draft slot in the 2019 NFL Draft. Even so, the Raiders won’t lay down for this one. The matchup is good for Carr and I won’t be surprised to see him rack up 300-plus yards and 2-3 TD passes. Carr is definitely more suited for tournament play considering his volatility from week-to-week.

Other Choices: Tom Brady, NE vs. New York Jets ($6,000); Matthew Stafford, DET @ Green Bay Packers ($5,200)

Over-Value

Nick Foles, PHI @ Washington Redskins ($5,900) – I’m not underestimating the Redskins defense in a game that really means so much to the Eagles. If the Eagles win and the Vikings lose, it would mean a playoff berth for the Eagles, but the Redskins are tougher than they portray on paper. This will be a tight divisional matchup game and Foles will have difficulty moving the ball up the field. Foles is a hard pass for me.

Other Choices: Mitchell Trubisky, CHI @ Minnesota Vikings ($5,700)

RUNNING BACK

Top Level

Saquon Barkley, NYG vs. Dallas Cowboys ($8,200) – Expect Barkley to go out with a bang. Dude is putting up remarkable numbers for a rookie RB, considering his running and receiving skills. The TD scores alone put Barkley in DFS glory and I expect at least 100 combined yards with a TD or two. The price is reasonable considering what Barkley can do for a lineup. Lock him in!

Other Choices: James Conner, PIT vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($7,500); Chris Carson, SEA vs. Arizona Cardinals ($6,500)

Value

David Johnson, ARI @ Seattle Seahawks ($5,700) – The price tag on Johnson is tough to ignore. I like DJ for tournament play especially, but he’s a great option to fill in for your RB2 spot in cash play too. The matchup isn’t great by any means, so DJ will likely have tough yards gained. I’m okay with that though, considering he’ll be the Cardinals TD scoring source and receiver out of the backfield for PPR points. If you’re looking for value at RB, DJ is your guy.

Other Choices: LeSean McCoy, BUF vs. Miami Dolphins ($4,800); Adrian Peterson, WAS vs. Philadelphia Eagles ($4,500); Royce Freeman, DEN vs. Los Angeles Chargers ($3,500)

Over-Value

Ezekiel Elliott, DAL @ New York Giants ($9,000) – The Cowboys don’t benefit in the playoff picture by winning this game; however, if Elliott is playing he’s a good play in all league types this week. The price tag is a bit hefty though, and there is a chance that Elliott sits the second half if the Cowboys get an early lead. The risk of Elliott sitting some of this game outweighs the point potential he’d put up. I’m passing.

Other Choices: Todd Gurley, LAR vs. San Francisco 49ers ($8,600)

WIDE RECEIVER

Top Level

Antonio Brown, PIT vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($8,700) – I’ve got Brown reaching down, fighting his knee injury, and finding a way to get on the field this week. The Steelers will need a win against the Bengals, with a Ravens loss, to get to the playoffs. Brown is the one to lead them to victory, finding the end zone. It will be difficult for him to match last week’s numbers against the Saints, but I see no Bengals defender stopping him this week. Start Brown in all formats.

Other Choices: Tyreek Hill, KC vs. Oakland Raiders ($8,400); JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($8,300); Julian Edelman, NE vs. New York Jets ($7,600)

Value

Jordy Nelson, OAK @ Kansas City Chiefs ($4,900) – Nelson has been performing well over his last few games played, he just hasn’t had a boom game in quite some time. I like his chances for a big game facing the Chiefs secondary, while providing a 5X value which is what you need to take down a tournament contest. With the Raiders having no one aside from tight end Jared Cook to throw to, I see Nelson netting a ton of targets.

Other Choices: Dede Westbrook, JAC @ Houston Texans ($4,700); Josh Reynolds, LAR vs. San Francisco 49ers ($4,600); D.J. Moore, CAR @ New Orleans Saints ($4,500); John Ross, CIN @ Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,000)

Over-Value

Michael Thomas, NO vs. Carolina Panthers ($8,400) – I’m not expecting Thomas to play much if it all, so it’s a simple deal for me. Stay away since the Saints have the No. 1 seed locked up in the playoffs.

Other Choices: Julio Jones, ATL @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($8,500)

TIGHT END

Top Level

Travis Kelce, KC vs. Oakland Raiders ($7,200)

Zach Ertz, PHI vs. Houston Texans ($6,700)

Value

David Njoku, CLE @ Baltimore Ravens ($3,700)

Ian Thomas, CAR @ New Orleans Saints ($3,300)

Over-Value

George Kittle, SF @ Los Angeles Rams ($6,300)


Good luck in Week 17!