DraftKings NFL: Thanksgiving Day DFS fantasy football values
By Drew DeLuca
DraftKings Thanksgiving Picks: Texans at Lions (12:30 PM EST)
Quarterbacks: We prefer Deshaun Watson (HOU at DET, 7,400) over Matthew Stafford in just about any situation. It’s a slam dunk when Stafford’s playing through a torn thumb ligament in his throwing hand while Watson’s completely healthy.
Running Backs: D’Andre Swift (DET vs. HOU, $6,500) is listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging limited practices early this week. If he clears concussion protocol, he’s a must-start against a Houston Texans run defense that has given up nearly 30 fantasy points per game to running backs over the last four weeks, fourth-worst in the league over that span.
We also endorse Duke Johnson (HOU at DET, $5,700) against the league’s worst run defense over that same timeframe, though we have some reservations after last week’s disappointing 10 carry, 15-yard rushing performance against a highly suspect New England Patriots run defense. Other alternatives are future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson (DET vs. HOU, $4,700) or the super cheap Kerryon Johnson (DET vs. HOU, $4,300).
Peterson will be the primary ballcarrier in the event Swift is a scratch, and would offer tremendous value for the price in a choice matchup. Johnson could offer value in the PPR format utilized by DraftKings should Swift’s absence force the former Auburn standout to take on an expanded role as a pass-catching specialist.
Wide Receivers: In order, our favorite plays at this position are Will Fuller ($6,400), Brandin Cooks ($5,300), and Marvin Jones Jr. (DET vs. HOU, $5,500). While we don’t love his ceiling due to the state of Stafford’s thumb, Jones should see a ton of volume with Kenny Golladay once again listed as inactive.
Those looking for a cheaper option from this showdown in the Motor City should kick the tires on Quintez Cephus ($3,100) and veteran Mohamed Sanu (DET vs. HOU, $3,000). The latter was signed from the practice squad for this contest, and one or both will play an expanded role with Marvin Hall ($3,900) listed as questionable and both Golladay and Danny Amendola ruled out.
Tight Ends: Yes, we know: T.J. Hockenson (DET vs. HOU, $4,700) is hurt. We’d start him anyway before we spun the roulette wheel to see which (if any) of the Houston Texans’ 8,000 tight ends will end up as Watson’s preferred target this week; if we had to pick, we’d put a chip down on Jordan Akins (HOU at DET, $2,900).
Defense/Special Teams: We don’t like the Detroit Lions defense one bit this week, not even at their bargain-basement $2,200 price. Sign us up for the Houston Texans (HOU at DET, $2,700) instead; with Stafford hampered by a bum thumb and a plethora of injured skill position players, this unit offers by far the best bang for the buck of any of the four options remaining on the Thanksgiving slate.