DraftKings NFL Picks, Week 13: Best bargains in DFS play

With three NFL games this Thursday, DFS enthusiasts have much to be thankful for in Week 13. Consult our weekly positional analysis to help you set the table for success on DraftKings.

Just as a Thanksgiving feast challenges us to fit a cornucopia of delectable culinary offerings on one plate, DFS success on DraftKings requires us to stuff our fantasy football lineups at every position through skillful salary cap maximization.

With so many teams in action, we approach this week differently than most. Therefore, we kick off our breakdown with a Thanksgiving special for those playing Thursday-only slates.

Thanksgiving Games

Drew Brees (NO at ATL, $6,800) Is the highest priced Thanksgiving quarterback, but Dak Prescott (DAL vs. BUF, $5,700) is the smart play at home. Doubters can take a long look at his track record this season, then blame last week’s clunker on the weather and top-rated New England Patriots defense. Stack him with Michael Gallup (DAL vs. BUF, $5,500), as Amari Cooper (DAL vs. BUF, $6,000) should see plenty of Tre’Davious White. When recalling Cooper’s meager stat lines against Stephon Gilmore and Marshon Lattimore earlier this year, it’s clear that Cooper tends to struggle against top corners.

Mitchell Trubisky (CHI at DET, $5,300) is not a play for the faint-of-heart. Yet, he represents solid value against a Detroit Lions defense that allowed three passing touchdowns the last time the second-year signal-caller from North Carolina took them on. Pair Trubisky with Allen Robinson (CHI at DET, $6,700 ), who should see plenty of opportunities, given his rank among the league leaders in targets.

Last week, Alvin Kamara (NO at ATL, $8,100) recorded his second straight game with 20 or more touches and 100 or more yards from scrimmage. He’ll look to find the end zone for the first time since Week 3 against an Atlanta Falcons defense that has played better in recent weeks, yet still ranks in the bottom five in points allowed per game.

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL vs. BUF, $7,400) is actually a bargain at this price. He’s scored 16 or more fantasy points in eight of his last nine games. Expect him to run over and through Buffalo’s middle-of-the-road defense and play a role in the passing game if the Dallas Cowboys somehow find themselves trailing at home on Thanksgiving.

David Montgomery (CHI at DET, $5,400) has largely been a disappointment this year, but should feast on a Lions defense that ranks 31st in fantasy points allowed to the running back position. The projected game script calls for a ton of volume, and a touchdown or two wouldn’t be a surprise.

Michael Thomas (NO at ATL, $9,100) is in a smash spot in a dome game against a Falcons that ranks 28th in points per game allowed to wide receivers. Other enticing wide receivers include a pair of consistent fantasy football producers from the Buffalo Bills: John Brown (BUF at DAL, $6,300) and Cole Beasley (BUF at DAL, $4,700). Meanwhile, Calvin Ridley (ATL vs. NO, $6,600), will be fed plenty of targets as Lattimore attempts to lock down Julio Jones.

Jared Cook (NO at ATL, $4,800) is the top option among Thanksgiving tight ends, but many DFS players will look for bargains here to stack their plates full at other positions. Two inexpensive speculative options we prefer are Blake Jarwin (DAL vs. BUF, $3,000) and Dawson Knox (BUF at DAL, $2,900), a pair of young talents who have flashed enough talent to earn larger roles in their offenses down the stretch this season.

Those searching for value at the Defense/Special Teams slot should look no further than the Chicago Bears (at DET, $2,500), who figure to feast on either backup quarterback Jeff Driskel, or third-stringer David Blough, who took a bunch of first-team reps in practice this week.

The Buffalo Bills (at DAL, $2,200) defense is the lowest priced unit on the Thursday slate. They’ve played well this season, and offer upside at a bargain bin price as they face a team that has struggles in recent weeks.