As the calendar year and football season wind down, playoff spots are still up for grabs. This is great news for us DFS degenerates. However, weather is going to play a major factor this weekend in a handful of games so be mindful of that with roster construction. Speaking of lineup building, Week 17 will be interesting as there are only eight games on tap. Nevertheless, I have done the research to identify my top three cash and GPP plays at the skilled positions, top positional fade, and top stacks to help YOU win big. Without further ado, let’s go over my Week 17 NFL DraftKings picks for the main slate.
Week 17 NFL DFS Picks for the Main Slate
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen (QB – BUF): DK $8,500 vs. NYJ (GPP)
From the research I have done for this slate, not too many people are willing to pay up for Josh Allen. The reasons why are because of the huge spread (Bills are 10-point home favorites), heavy rain is expected, and Allen is coming off his third-worst DK output of the season last week (12.2). It is always a scary thing when Josh Allen is lower-rostered because of his weekly slate-breaking capabilities. Allen’s matchup with New York is not ideal as their defense gives up the 10th fewest DK points to QBs with 16.6 per game (per Pro Football Reference). In the previous meeting between the Bills-Jets, Allen scored 24.4 DK points. Count me in on an Allen bounce-back week.
Jordan Love (QB – GB): DK $6,200 at MIN (Cash)
Things are beginning to look up for the Green Bay Packers, winners of two straight games. Led by star QB Jordan Love, this weekend is going to be a big test facing off against division rival Minnesota Vikings. Love is due for a blowup game. He has not scored over 20 DK points since Week 11. That is because Green Bay has leaned on Josh Jacobs and the run game. Expect Love and the passing game to get going against the Vikings run funnel defense. By the numbers, Minnesota ranks fifth in fewest points allowed to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). That does not concern me. I believe Love can resemble what he did the last time he played Minnesota. Back in Week 4 Love was QB2 on the week with 34.16 DK points.
Bryce Young (QB – CAR): DK $5,600 at TB (Cash)
Man, it is so awesome seeing Bryce Young figure things out after his early season benching. Against Arizona Young finished as the QB3 on the week completing 17 passes for 158 yards/two touchdowns and rushing five times for 68 yards/one touchdown. Although rain and wind gusts are expected in this game, this is an amazing spot for Young. Tampa Bay, schedule adjusted allows the third most DK points to QBs with 21.6 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Furthermore, the Bucs defense has conceded 243.5 passing yards per game in the last two weeks. Wheels up for Mr. Young.
Cooper Rush (QB – DAL): DK $5,400 at PHI (Fade)
Last week on Sunday night football Cooper Rush looked solid versus Tampa Bay. Rush completed 26 of 35 passes for 292 yards and one touchdown. As fun as that matchup was Philadelphia is a much harder challenge to overcome. The Eagles give up the fifth fewest DK points⁷ to QBs (per Pro Football Reference). To make matters worse, Dallas has shut down CeeDee Lamb for the season. I am in no rush to roster Cooper.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND): DK $7,900 at NYG (Cash)
After Jonathan Taylor’s infamous touchdown debacle two weeks ago in Denver, he bounced back in a big way for Week 16. Taylor was the RB1 with 29 carries for 218 yards and three touchdowns. In the last two weeks, Taylor is averaging 26 opportunities, 162.5 yards, and 28.45 DK points. Expect another big game from Taylor against a porous Giants defense. New York, schedule adjusted gives up the fourth most DK points to RBs with 26.5 per game (per Pro Football Reference). Get Taylor in your lineup.
Bucky Irving (RB – TB): DK $6,700 vs. CAR (Cash)
If there is one player that should be max-rostered this week, it is Bucky Irving. Irving’s matchup against Carolina is the gift that keeps on giving. Before James Conner left the game last week he was over 30 DK points versus the Panthers. With Tampa being (-8) point home favorites, I expect Todd Bowles to run the ball a lot. If that happens Irving could very well be this week’s top-scoring RB.
Ameer Abdullah (RB – LV): DK $5,100 at NO (GPP)
Since Sincere McCormick got hurt a couple of weeks ago, Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah have picked the slack. Abdullah has been slightly more productive averaging 4.0 yards per carry compared to 2.6 for Mattison. This is a plus matchup for Abdullah going against a Saints defense that is allowing the fifth most DK points to RBs (per Pro Football Reference). With New Orleans not having the services of Derek Carr or Alvin Kamara, Las Vegas should be able to control this game. Abdullah has sneaky top 15 upside this week.
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB): DK $8,100 at MIN (Fade)
It is never fun to fade a player, especially one who has been as white-hot as Josh Jacobs. Over the last five games, Jacobs produced 21 DK points while averaging 27.6 touches. Unfortunately, on the season Minnesota has allowed the third-fewest DK points to RBs with 18.2 per game (per Pro Football Reference). I prefer paying the extra $500 DK for Saquon Barkley in a better matchup.
Wide Receivers
Mike Evans (WR – TB): DK $7,500 vs. CAR (Cash)
Every year since entering the NFL in 2013 Mike Evans has amassed over 1,000 receiving yards. Currently, Evans needs 182 yards in the final two games to reach the goal yet again. The matchup against Carolina is favorable. Last time Evans played the Panthers he had nine receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns off of 11 targets. Good enough for WR2 on the week back in Week 13. I expect a similar result once again because no one on Carolina’s defense can stop Evans.
Jayden Reed (WR – GB): DK $5,900 at MIN (Cash)
Generally speaking, it is always a guessing game on a weekly basis trying to figure out why Green Bay WR to play. Which explains why Jayden Reed’s production has been so up and down this season. Week 17 qualifies as an “up” scenario as Reed is in the best spot for WRs. Minnesota allows the most DK points per game to WRs with 42.9 (per Pro Football Reference). The last time Reed scored over 20 DK points in a game occurred against the Vikings back in Week 4 (30.1). Spike week incoming for #11.
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN): DK $5,500 at JAC (GPP)
With the Tony Pollard injury news, many are going to look at the Titans-Jaguars game and plug in Tyjae Spears. I do not blame anyone for doing this. However, do not forget about Calvin Ridley. In their previous meeting three weeks ago Ridley had seven receptions for 59 yards off of 12 targets. Jacksonville, schedule adjusted allows the fourth most DK points per game to WRs with 38.4 (per Pro Football Reference). If Ridley can hit pay dirt with similar volume this time around he will pay off his DK salary.
Amari Cooper (WR – BUF): DK $5,000 vs. NYJ (Fade)
A few weeks ago when Amari Cooper was traded from Cleveland to Buffalo it had folks excited about his rest-of-season outlook. Sadly, Cooper has not been utilized much. Against New England last week Cooper had one catch for 10 yards. Expect more of the same versus a tough Jets secondary. New York, schedule adjusted ranks fourth in fewest points allowed to WRs (per Pro Football Reference). For $100 more DK I would pivot to Romeo Doubs in a better game environment.
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers (TE – LV): DK $6,700 at NO (Cash)
Fresh off of breaking Mike Ditka’s record for receiving by a rookie TE Brock Bowers is ready to pile on some more yardage. On paper, New Orleans ranks ninth against TEs, but they have not played against a talent like Bowers. I expect Bowers to have a strong performance yet again. Bowers may be the most expensive TE on the slate but he is well worth it.
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB): DK $3,900 at MIN (GPP)
I keep going back to this game because it is my favorite matchup on the week. If one hit on the right pieces it could be a massive payday in winnings. Which leads me to Tucker Kraft. Kraft’s matchup is not ideal with Minnesota allowing the 10th fewest DK points to TEs. However, looking back at what Seattle’s TE room produced last week (six receptions, 80 yards, one touchdown) gives me hope for Kraft. Kraft is one of my favorite leverage plays of the week regardless of position.
Chig Okonkwo (TE – TEN): DK $3,600 at JAC (Cash)
In the last two weeks, Chig Okonkwo has been awesome. Averaging nine catches, 70 yards, 11 targets, and 16.5 DK points is one making the most out of his opportunities. Okonkwo has a plus matchup against Jacksonville, allowing the eighth most DK points per game to TEs with 13.8 (per Pro Football Reference). The Titans-Jaguars over/under of 39 may indicate a run-heavy game plan, but I believe Okonkwo can have another top-five finish.
Jonnu Smith (TE – MIA): DK $5,700 at CLE (Fade)
Man, I have been a big fan of Jonnu Smith’s resurgence this season. He has won people a lot of money in DFS. Unfortunately, that streak comes to an end this week. Smith will be without the services of QB Tua Tagovailoa. From what we know, it is difficult to recommend any Miami Dolphin players when their signal caller is missing in action. I see this Dolphins-Browns game as being very methodical and slow-paced.
Top Stacks
1. Packers-Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft
2. Vikings-Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
3. Bucs-Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving, Mike Evans
4. Panthers-Bryce Young, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker
5. Colts-Joe Flacco, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs
Make sure to check out all of our Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!