The Denver Broncos take on the New England Patriots tonight on Sunday Night Football. With a chance at fantasy glory and a hefty $300,000 on the line, it’s now more crucial than ever to assemble a winning DraftKings lineup that can dominate the competition. This article offers DFS picks and insights on who should take the coveted captain slot, which core player should anchor your player pool, a value gem that can boost your salary cap flexibility, a sleeper pick with breakout potential, and one player to steer clear of – the dreaded bust. Get ready for a wild DFS SNF showdown.
SNF DFS Picks For DraftKings
*Disclaimer: These picks have been constructed with the mindset of building a single lineup. When building large field/multi-entry tournaments, if the player sees the field you’ll want to have a piece of him somewhere, my “busts” included.
Captain
Ezekiel Elliott
DraftKings Captain Salary- $15,300
The usual Patriots starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) has already been ruled out of tonight’s SNF matchup. That means that Ezekiel Elliott will once again operate as the number one running back for the Pats. In his first time out as the starter Elliott rushed 22 times for 68 yards, adding 7 receptions for an additional 72 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots would end up victorious, beating the Steelers 21-18. Unfortunately, last week’s game against the Chiefs was not nearly as competitive so Elliott’s usage took a significant hit. Last week Zeke was afforded half the carries which he took for 25 yards, catching 5 passes for 21 more scoreless yards. The Denver Broncos are not known for being an offensive powerhouse, so Zeke should stay highly involved.
Core Play
Javonte Williams
DraftKings Salary- $9,400
There isn’t a whole lot of game-breaking talent in this SNF game, so it figures that both teams will be in it until the end. In all likelihood, both squads will be able to stick to their respective game plans. Coincidence or not, the Denver Broncos have won every game this season where Javonte Williams gets at least 15 rushing attempts. Williams is averaging about 3 receptions per game in the last 4 contests, which is a welcomed change. This is especially true on DraftKings where each reception is counted a whole point. Williams had been facing competition from Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin, but since returning to full health it is clear that the team views him as the lead ball carrier.
Value
Demario Douglas
DraftKings Salary- $6,800
No JuJu Smith-Schuster, no Hunter Henry, no problem? Probably. The duo of Demario Douglas and Devante Parker figure to be the focal points of the Patriots passing attack. Douglas represents the safer play in this case. He has proved that he can be a reliable target for which ever quarterback the Patriots decide to deploy under center. The offense as a whole seems to move a little smoother when Bailey Zappe is at the helm, as will be the case tonight on SNF. With 23 targets in his last three appearances, Douglas is virtually a sure thing to stay involved in this one.
Sleeper
Mike Gesicki
DraftKings Salary- $1,600
I know that Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry are not the same players. Mike is actually more athletic. Gesicki ran a 4.54 40-yard dash compared to Henry’s 4.68. Gesicki also tested in the 98th percentile in both the vertical jump and the three-cone drill. With all of the measurables and abilities, ideally, Gesicki just needs the targets to start producing. With Henry ruled out tonight, those opportunities may come Gesicki’s way tonight. Zappe has shown an affinity for the tight ends, targeting the position as a whole 16 times in the last two games. Tonight on SNF Gesicki has the chance to show his worth and earn more looks moving forward.
SNF Bust
Russell Wilson
DraftKings Salary- $17,100
In the last 5 games only one quarterback has thrown for at least 200 yards AND at least one passing touchdown against the Patriots DST. That quarterback just happened to be Patrick Mahomes, arguably the best QB in the NFL, and even he was intercepted twice. Russell Wilson has a daunting SNF football matchup ahead of him. Most QBS have not had much success and Wilson himself does not have the supporting cast to overcome this obstacle. This is why I am a fan of Williams and the running game tonight. I believe that as long as the scoreboard dictates that they can, the Broncos will keep the football on the ground, controlling the game and the clock. Wilson is the highest-priced player on the slate tonight. A bust from him torches your entire lineup, approach with caution.
Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty