DraftKings NFL picks, Week 16: Best bargains in DFS play
By Drew DeLuca
Running Backs
The running back position is once again headlined by Christian McCaffrey (CAR at IND, $10,100), fresh off another superhuman performance (175 total yards and two touchdowns). For that price, 30 or more points are a must, a mark McCaffrey reached only once in his last three games.
As gamescript-proof as McCaffrey is, he still carries a bit of risk at that price, given he’s lining up behind a rookie quarterback in his first-ever NFL game. Chris Carson (ARI at SEA, $8,500) is a more affordable option who’s in a smash spot against the Arizona Cardinals.
Saquon Barkley (NYG at WAS, $8,300), as we predicted last week, finally had the kind of week his season-long shareholders expected when taking him first overall. He should build on those astronomical numbers against a Washington Redskins defense that’s as resilient against the run as a wet paper towel.
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Mark Ingram (BAL at CLE, $6,800) is one of my favorite Week 16 starts at any position. Ingram has logged 23 or more fantasy points in three of his last five games and should enjoy similar success against a Browns team that ranks 31st against the run over the past three weeks.
Joe Mixon (CIN at MIA, $6,600) should be one of the chalkier plays of the week, given his strong second half and super-soft opponent. Mixon has finally been featured more in the passing game in recent weeks, so he should have a significant role regardless of game script, and is likely to produce top-10 fantasy RB numbers in Week 16.
Miles Sanders (PHI vs. DAL, $6,400) continues to improve his vision as a runner, and comes into Week 16 as arguably the most dangerous weapon in the Philadelphia Eagles passing game.
Kenyan Drake (ARI at SEA, $6,300) captured our attention with a four-touchdown behemoth of a game last week against the Browns. He won’t repeat those numbers against the Seahawks, but he’ll see enough volume to serve as a worthwhile RB2/Flex option.
Many are boarding the Marlon Mack bandwagon this week, but I find him too hard to trust given how poorly he’s played, and the presence of peripheral role players should further limit his touches. Give me Devonta Freeman (ATL vs JAX, $6,000) for $200 less, please.
Earlier this week, as a guest host on The Fantasy Football Guys podcast, I went on record saying that Freeman will score at least 20 points in PPR formats this week against a terrible Jacksonville Jaguars run defense. I stand by that bullish prediction, and continue to recommend Adrian Peterson (WAS vs. NYG, $5,000) as a Week 16 start as well; Peterson has logged 75 or more yards from scrimmage in three straight contests.
Mike Boone (MIN vs. GB, $4,900) is every fantasy football analyst’s waiver wire wonder du jour, and for good reason. Boone steps into a major role vacated by the injuries to Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Few NFL players offer more DFS value.
DeAndre Washington (OAK vs. LAC $4,000) is a possible exception. With Josh Jacobs back on the shelf in Week 16, look for Washington to resume lead back duties against the Los Angeles Chargers and assert himself as a fantasy factor, just as he did in Week 14 with Jacobs out. In that game, Washington amassed over 90 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches against a solid Tennessee Titans defense.