DraftKings NFL picks, Week 17: Best bargains in DFS play
By Drew DeLuca
Wid Receivers – All In
DeAndre Hopkins (HOU vs. TEN, $7,800) sees a target volume as consistent as anyone in the NFL. He has seen eight or more balls thrown his way in every game except Week 3, in which he caught 6 balls for 67 yards. That floor is a decent ceiling for most DFS plug-and-play flex options.
The former Clemson Tiger is a steal this week, given that he’s priced $2,100 less than Michael Thomas (NO at CAR $9,900), who’s questionable with a hand injury. I’m not doubting Thomas, but it’s hard to recommend the NFL’s single-season receptions leader at his price, given that Davante Adams (GB at DET, $8,000) can also be had for nearly $2,000 less, and could end up as the WR1 given his extremely soft Week 17 matchup against the Lions.
AJ Brown (TEN at HOU, $7,000) was held largely in check by Marshon Lattimore last week. He has a much more favorable matchup in this week’s must-win game, so another upper echelon stat line is more likely than not.
Tyreek Hill (KC vs. LAC, $7,700) should see plenty of run as the Chiefs aim to lock up a first-round bye. If the game script goes as expected, he could be rested in the second half, lowering his ceiling somewhat.
Wide Receivers – Raise
Sterling Shepard (NYG vs. PHI, $6,200) was highly productive in Daniel Jones’ return, as he was the week before with Eli Manning under center. The Eagles’ secondary has been suspect all season, so riding a hot hand against them is always a smart play in DFS.
Courtland Sutton (DEN vs. OAK, $6,400) received 10 or more targets for the second straight week. In the season finale, he lines up against a beatable secondary that he torched in Week 1 to the tune of seven catches (on eight targets) for 120 yards.
Steven Sims (WAS at DAL, $4,700) has received 10 or more targets in two straight weeks. Either he or Terry McLaurin (WAS at DAL, $6,100) will be an excellent play, and it all depends on how quickly McLaurin passes through the concussion protocol.
Danny Amendola (DET vs. GB, $4,500) has seen eight or more targets in three of his last four games and should be on the receiving end of a number of high-percentage passes, given the likely game script. Likewise, Keenan Allen (LAC at KC, $6,100) could end 2019 with a bang for the same reasons.
Mike Williams (LAC at KC, $5,000) is only 88 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season. He offers a high enough floor at this price to warrant a start in DraftKings lineups. His 10 touchdown season from a year ago seems like a distant memory, but who knows: if he manages to find the end zone again, his Week 17 ceiling might be higher than we think.
Wide Receivers – Call
Michael Gallup (DAL vs. WAS, $5,400) and Amari Cooper (DAL vs. WAS, $6,500) would both appear in the next level up if not for Dak Prescott‘s shoulder injury, which limits the upside of all three players. Gallup gets the nod over Cooper here for offering similar production at a discount.
Hunter Renfrow (OAK at DEN, $4,500) should see room to operate underneath with Tyrell Williams likely to draw Chris Harris, Jr., so the Clemson legend once again offers the best value in the Raiders’ receiving corps. Renfrow could be relied on heavily in Week 17, given the health of Josh Jacobs, not to mention the attention Darren Waller is sure to draw.
Greg Ward (PHI at NYG, $4,700) enjoys a soft matchup and has been the Eagles best wide receiver in recent weeks. His yardage total has risen for three straight weeks, and he’s seen five or more targets in four of five games since being added to the roster from the practice squad.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT at BAL, $5,500) continues to take the field at less than 100 percent, but he’s got a lot to play for this week and lines up against a hated division rival. The Ravens are resting their starters, but with the playoffs on the line, expect a superhuman effort from JuJu that should translate into respectable numbers in DFS lineups.
Golden Tate (NYG vs. PHI, $5,100) saw 12 targets last week, so he’s clearly on Daniel Jones’ radar. For Tate, this Week 17 revenge game offers an opportunity to bounce a division rival from the playoffs, the same wide receiver-strapped team that wouldn’t offer him a favorable contract extension last season.
Lower priced bargain bin options begin with Allen Lazard (GB at DET, $4,000), who asserted himself as the number two option for Aaron Rodgers in the passing game. Lazard logged nine
targets last week, and he’s in line for a big day in a favorable matchup vs the Lions.
Mecole Hardman (KC vs. LAC, $3,700) carries a bit of risk in PPR formats, but he’s an outstanding “studs and scrubs” play. The electric rookie is hardly a bad dice roll, and could see extensive playing time if the team chooses to rest Tyreek Hill in the second half.
The Patriots offer a couple of low-risk options in a soft matchup against the Patriots. Mohamed Sanu (NE vs. MIA, $4,100) played nearly 100 percent of his team’s snaps last week and should see an increase in targets if Edelman is a scratch. N’Keal Harry (NE vs. MIA $4,200) could also see plenty of looks, especially in the red zone.