DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH PLAYS NFL WEEK 17 2021

DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH PICKS - WEEK 17

It’s week 17, which would usually be a sad moment for us fantasy footballers, but the NFL has granted us with yet another week of games after this one, so there will be more cash and GPP articles coming from me (we have the playoffs as well to tackle, which is always fun for DFS). The COVID rules have changed, so it’s highly possible that some of the players who were originally set to be out will actually be on the field, so act accordingly and be sure to tune into our GameDay breakdown this Sunday at 10 AM EST on www.youtube.com/footballdiehards! On to the picks…

 

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Josh Allen, BUF ($8000)

A theme that will be rampant throughout the DFS week is that each position seems to have a player that is in a tier of his own above the rest (I bet you can guess the RB and WR without scrolling down). For quarterback, it’s Allen, who is coming off an MVP-caliber performance against a Patriots defense that has owned him throughout his career. This week the matchup couldn’t really get much better, as the Falcons have allowed the fourth most FPPG to QBs while also ranking last in pressure and sack rate, and 30th in QB hit rate. Allen is getting his full complement of WRs off the COVID list, so I think we could conceivably project him for a full TD more than whoever you have ranked at #2. Unless something crazy happens, we have a clear cash value at QB, but Allen is absolutely the one to pay up for if that’s the route you take.

Other options - Matthew Stafford, Lamar Jackson

Mid-tier options - Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson

VALUE PLAY

Trey Lance, SF ($4800)

Jimmy Garoppolo has a torn UCL ligament in his thumb, so there’s a real chance he doesn’t play this Sunday (although the recent coachspeak is pretty optimistic on his chances - take that for what you will). If Lance is indeed the starter, it’s pretty difficult to pass him up at $4800. He has the rushing floor that we really look for in a DFS quarterback (he carried the ball 16 times for 89 yards in week five when he started), so even an inefficient passing game doesn’t kill his floor or ceiling. He’s also facing the Texans defense who is 30th in yards per play allowed and has given up the 12th most FPPG to opposing QBs.

Other options - Taysom Hill, Nick Foles

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Jonathan Taylor, IND ($9000)

This is shaping up to be another “Jonathan Taylor or Cooper Kupp” week, as both are having MVP years and are in smash spots this week. As of this writing I lean Kupp since there seems to be more value at RB than at WR, but we can’t deny what Taylor has done, and what he can do this week. The Raiders have now allowed 20 all-purpose TDs to RBs (only the Jets have allowed more), and have also given up 5.33 YPC and the third most FPPG to the position. Taylor is averaging an amazing 5.47 YPC this season, and has taken over as the main passing back as well.

Other options - Austin Ekeler, Alvin Kamara

Mid-tier options - David Montgomery (top value), Ronald Jones, Josh Jacobs

VALUE PLAY

David Montgomery, CHI ($6500)

Montgomery is an absolute lock for cash this week, and it doesn’t matter who the QB is for the Bears either. This game is UGLY for fantasy with a 37.5 O/U, but Montgomery has been an absolute workhorse lately. Over the past four games he has touch counts of 28, 23, 16, and 29, and has been featured in the passing game as well with 26 catches on 31 targets over that span. The Giants have allowed 5.1 YPC along with the seventh most FPPG to the position, and they’ve also given up the fifth most receptions out of the backfield. I would pay at least $1000 more here.

Other options - Eli Mitchell, Antonio Gibson, Sony Michel, Darrel Williams, Dare Ogunbowale

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

Cooper Kupp, LAR ($9500)

It may seem unnecessary to write given what he’s done this year, but it has to be pointed out that Kupp is still FAR too cheap at $9500. He’s averaging a shade under 29 DK PPG, which is akin to Christian McCaffrey’s magical year where his price tag was routinely pushing 11k. Kupp’s averages this year are incredible, and now we throw in a matchup against the Ravens that is rapidly becoming the premier spot to target with the passing game. The Ravens have allowed the fourth most FPPG to WRs, the second highest YPA, and the most completions over 20, 30, and 40 yards. Kupp will do anything he wants here, so I do not recommend fading.

Other options - Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Ceedee Lamb

Mid-tier options - Jaylen Waddle, Tyler Lockett, Antonio Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brandin Cooks

VALUE PLAY

Joshua Palmer, LAC ($3600)

The cheap end of the WR pool is tricky this week as there’s a lot of COVID news we’re waiting on. Under the new COVID protocols, there’s a chance both Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton could return (plus Austin Ekeler should be back). However, if any of the above miss this one, it puts Palmer firmly on the radar as the top cheap play once again. Palmer’s role was substantial last week with a 90% snap share and six targets (and a TD), so he doesn’t need to do much to pay off this tag.

Other options - Russell Gage, Darnell Mooney, Robby Anderson, Michael Gallup, Braxton Berrios, Allen Robinson (yeah yeah I know, but he’s $3800…)

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

Rob Gronkowski, TB ($6200)

Gronk’s pedestrian game was a surprise to everyone, but I’m still victory lapping the Cameron Brate TD that I called anywhere that would listen (spoiler alert - I’m going back to the Brate well in GPP again). Gronk SHOULD have gotten more than the two targets he saw, but he should be in line to bounce back big time against the Jets who have allowed the sixth most FPPG to TEs. Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette remain out, and it’s not looking good for Mike Evans again either.

Other options - Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, Darren Waller

Mid-tier options - Zack Ertz, Dallas Goedert

VALUE PLAY

Cole Kmet, CHI ($3400)

I’m not a huge fan of overloading players from this NYG/CHI game, which has the lowest total on the slate, but it doesn’t change the fact that Kmet is still the top value at the position this week. Kmet has no TDs over the past five weeks (Jimmy Graham continues to be the annoying RZ target), but he does have 37 targets over that span and the Giants’ defense cannot stop anyone.

Other options - Foster Moreau, CJ Uzomah, Brevin Jordan


TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH PRIORITY
Chicago Bears ($3200)
New Orleans Saints ($3400)
New York Giants ($2800)
New England Patriots ($3900)
Buffalo Bills ($3500)