Digging In The Crates Daily 2018 week 17 DraftKings

By Justin Lonero
Justin Lonero


Digging In The Crates (DraftKings)

Main Slate ( 15 Games)

 

Quarterbacks

 

Kirk Cousins vs. Bears ($5,500)

The Vikings handed Kirk Cousins a blank check this past offseason specifically for moments like Sunday against the Bears. He fared decently week 11 when the Vikings traveled to Soldier field. Cousins was 30-of-46 for 262 yards and two touchdowns. It’s a game that has major playoff implications. The Vikings are a favorite and Cousins has zero reason for excuses given the offensive weaponry he has at his disposal. It was also nice to see Kyle Rudolph finally decide to show up this season. His price makes him a viable cash game option and his ceiling will make him a terrific contrarian tournament quarterback. Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph are all affordable. Pick your poison.
 

Derek Carr @ Chiefs ($5,100)

Derek Carr hasn’t thrown an interception since week 5. Impressive and sad at the same time because the Raiders have become the epitome of a dumpster fire. He was stellar at home week 13 against the Chiefs going 29-of-38 with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Raiders are huge underdogs but the game itself has the highest point total week 17 (52.5). Arrowhead is a tough place to play and despite a ton of talent of offense for the Raiders, Carr should be slinging the ball, playing catch up. The Chiefs are 31st in pass defense and are allowing 280 yards per game. I’ll roll the dice at his cost. He’s Shaky for cash games but a “naked” Derek Carr could in store in tournaments.

 

 

Running backs

 

 

Royce Freeman vs. Chargers ($3,500)

Phillip Lindsay is sidelined with a wrist injury and is expected to have surgery opening the door for a late arrival of Royce Freeman. The Chargers have a top ten run defense but are still allowing 107 yards per game on the ground. We don’t know exactly what he is yet and the Broncos are probably a bit curious at this stature as well. Week 17 is a clear cut example of us paying for volume on the cheap with Freeman. He should have close to 20 touches and he’s a free square. His upside is unknown but he’s a solid cash game play, allowing us to spend up at wide receiver or tight end.

Lamar Miller vs. Jaguars ($4,600)
Speaking of paying for volume on the cheap, Lamar Miller is another name that pops us frequently. He missed week 16 with an ankle injury but is expected to handle his usual work load against the Jaguars week 17. Miller had 22 carries for 100 yards and touchdown the first game these two teams met week 7. The Jaguars are a middle of the road run defense that is allowing 115 yards per game. Without a healthy Lamar Miller the Texans are one dimensional. The Texans rank eighth in the league in rushing but the numbers have tapered off as of late. Fire up Miller in cash games or tournaments. The Texans will want to get back to running the ball if they’re going to win come playoff time.

 

 

Wide receivers

 

 

Larry Fitzgerald @ Seahawks ($4,900)

Despite the Arizona Cardinals going through 2018 growing pains all over the field, the great Larry Fitzgerald still managed has managed to piece a respectable season together. He’s had 27 targets over the last three weeks and he’s now throwing touchdown passes. It feels like a week to pay up at wide receiver with affordable running backs on the slate. I think we can use Fitz in cash games with a decent amount of confidence given his price point. It is still unclear whether or not this will be Fitzgerald’s final game and if it is he could go out with a bang.
 

Jordy Nelson @ Chiefs ($4,900)

I mentioned Derek Care hasn’t thrown an interception since week five and now i’ll be mentioning that Jordy Nelson hasn’t scored since week five. Nelson has 36 targets over the last four games and caught 10-of-11 targets week 13 against the Chiefs (19.7 FPTS). He’s safe enough to use in cash games and also can be used in tournaments if we’re paying up at running back this weekend. His days of looking like one of the best wide receivers in the league are behind him but he still delivers production on a bleak Raiders offense. The Raiders will be playing from behind and Nelson could easily have another 10 target afternoon.
 

Tight End

David Njoku @ Ravens ($3,700)

The Ravens have been an incredible defensive unit this season but have had their struggles against tight ends. Njoku caught 6-of-10 targets for 69 yards in his week 5 match up against Baltimore and appears healthy. He’s a physical specimen that has made an instant connection with Baker Mayfield. His price is perfect and people will be scared off by the Ravens defense. I think he is a viable option in cash games and tournaments. The sea of mediocrity is deep and the results are unknown but Njoku will get better and better.
 

Chris Herndon @ Patriots ($3,400)

Chris Herndon caught six of his seven targets week 16 for 82 yards and a touchdown (20.2 FPTS). The Patriots have not been great at covering tight ends this season and Sam Darnold and the Jets will be trailing on the road at Gillette Stadium. He’s second amongst rookie tight ends in receiving yards and PFF has him ranked as the fifth best so far this season. He’s getting better each week becoming Sam Darnold’s favorite target outside of Robbie Anderson. Fire Herndon up in tournaments, he’s a Crate favorite week 17.

 

 

Defense/Special teams

 

 

Bears @ Vikings ($2,800)

The Bears have been equally as good on the road as they have been at home so far in 2018 on defense. They have more touchdowns on the road than they do at home (4). When they played the vikings week 12 he was picked twice, and sacked twice. The Bears also scored a touchdown in that game. It’s a must win for the Vikings and i’m still going to be using the Bears defense.