DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH PLAYS NFL WEEK 12 2021

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your play in yesterday’s three games was lucrative, as the results were...interesting. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the 10-game Sunday main slate, and there are some VERY relevant injury situations to monitor. Good luck, and make sure to tune into the Diehards show on Sunday morning at 10 EST on www.youtube.com/footballdiehards!

 

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Tom Brady, TB ($7600)

There are multiple cheap options this week at QB, so paying up isn’t necessary. That, however, should not understate Brady’s floor and ceiling combo should values at skill positions open up. This game has an O/U of 53 which is the highest on the slate and the Colts have allowed the eighth most FPPG to opposing QBs. Antonio Brown is still out, but Brady has a slew of weapons and the Colts’ pass funnel D (fourth fewest FPPG allowed to RBs) should foster Brady’s output.

Other options - Jalen Hurts

Mid-tier options - Justin Herbert

VALUE PLAY

Cam Newton, CAR ($5600)

Newton’s price tag curiously did not go up after he was hyper-efficient in his first game back with 26.16 DK points, which makes him an incredibly sensible cash play with his rushing floor. Everyone on the Panthers’ offense seemed to benefit from Cam being there, and the Dolphins have allowed the fifth most FPPG to opposing QBs while also giving up the seventh most QB rushing yards.

Other options - Jimmy Garropolo, Tyrod Taylor

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Christian McCaffrey, CAR ($9000)

Until he reaches the 10k threshold, McCaffrey is too cheap and should be considered the top per-dollar option at RB. Miami has been gashed on the ground for just over 5.1 YPC, and McCaffrey has already also had 23 targets in his three games back.

Other options - Jonathan Taylor, Austin Ekeler, Dalvin Cook

Mid-tier options - Leonard Fournette, Saquon Barkley, James Robinson

VALUE PLAY

A.J. Dillon, GB ($5900)

Dillon will no longer be a cash option if Aaron Jones returns, which looks like a real possibility after logging multiple practices on a limited basis. If Jones sits again out of precaution though, Dillon is a core play at $5900. He played a 75% snap share last week and banked 17 touches, six targets, and 4.8 YPC. Dillon is also a superb receiver with a 92% catch rate and a TD.

Other options - Darrell Henderson, Myles Gaskin, Jeff Wilson, Ty Johnson, Tevin Coleman

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

Deebo Samuel, SF ($7900)

Is it a hot take for me to say the top per-dollar cash WR is neither Davante Adams nor Cooper Kupp? Adams gets the Jalen Ramsey assignment, and Kupp’s price is just not conducive to builds with McCaffrey $600 cheaper. Deebo was featured in the running game last week with eight carries (and 9.9 YPC!) which raises his floor significantly. Also, Minnesota has allowed the ninth most rushing yards and the third most FPPG to opposing WRs.

Other options - Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams

Mid-tier options - Keenan Allen, JaMarr Chase, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson

VALUE PLAY

Brandin Cooks, HOU ($5800)

What a friggin’ dud this guy was for me last week, but the masses do not seem to care as he’s currently coming in as the highest projected owned WR on the slate according to our ownership tool at Football Diehards. The Jets’ defense is simply broken on all facets, and Cooks still has a 30.4% target share from Tyrod Taylor despite taking a huge backseat last week.

Other options - DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, Jaylen Waddle, Jerry Jeudy, Tee Higgins, Jamison Crowder, Laviska Shenault

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

Kyle Pitts, ATL ($6100)

This is an obligatory “top play” option, as the move is spending down at TE in cash with neither Kelce nor Waller on the main slate. It’s a toss-up between Pitts and Kittle for me here, but I’ll take the much softer matchup against Jacksonville (eighth most FPPG allowed to TEs) than Minnesota (third fewest). Pitts is still leading the Falcons in air yards % by a wide margin, even though the Falcons’ offense is sputtering.

Other options - George Kittle


VALUE PLAY

Dallas Goedert, PHI ($4800)

Goedert is currently the highest projected owned TE on the slate, and with good reason. Since losing Jabrill Peppers and Blake Martinez, the Giants have allowed the third most FPPG to opposing TEs, and Goedert is one of very few tight ends that command the position completely (96% snap share, 7.6 targets per game since Ertz was traded).

Other options - Rob Gronkowski, Pat Friermuth, Dan Arnold, Jared Cook

TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH PRIORITY

Houston Texans ($2300)
Jacksonville Jaguars ($2200)
Atlanta Falcons ($2500)
Philadelphia Eagles ($3200)
Cincinnati Bengals ($2700)