DraftKings NFL picks, Week 16: Best DFS fantasy football values
By Drew DeLuca
Week 16 NFL DraftKings Values: Defense/Special Teams
Premium Tier ($4,000 and up): Understandably, the Baltimore Ravens (BAL vs. NYG, $4,000) are the most expensive unit on the ticket this week. The formidable Ravens defense will play host to either a hobbled Daniel Jones or his horribly overmatched backup, Colt McCoy.
Mid-Tier Values ($3,500 to $3,900): Big spenders may prefer the Cleveland Browns (CLE at NYJ, $3,700) instead, as they travel to the Meadowlands to take on Adam Gase’s laughing stock, full of confidence on the heels of their first win in what feels like a millennium. Matchup aside, the Browns defense, even with Denzel Ward at less than 100 percent, is better than most people realize.
Value Tier ($3,000 to $3,400): If we had to, we’d plug in the Indianapolis Colts (IND at PIT, $3,200) or Washington Football Team (WAS vs. CAR, $3,000). However, we’d much rather save some coin for other positions and visit the Bargain Bin instead.
Bargain Bin: Digging deeper, we find the Philadelphia Eagles (PHI at DAL, $2,900), Houston Texans (HOU vs. CIN, $2,800), and Carolina Panthers (CAR at WAS, $2,700), the latter of which notched five sacks against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers last week. Then, we come across the Seattle Seahawks (SEA vs. LAR, $2,600), who continue to get no respect from the pricing team at DraftKings.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals (CIN at HOU, $2,300) are coming off an impressive upset performance in which they shut down Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals have quietly allowed 20 or fewer points and forced at least one turnover in four of their last five games.
Last, and probably least, the Atlanta Falcons (ATL at KC, $1,900) are improbably ranked below $2,000, a rarity in the DraftKings world. Yes, they’re playing the Chiefs, but hear me out: the Falcons have allowed 21 or fewer points in three of their last four games, and tallied two or more sacks in four of their last five, including three last week against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Why not?
Best Buy: We’ll opt for the Seahawks if the budget allows. With no Cam Akers this week, a banged-up Robert Woods, and the Los Angeles Rams in disarray after their shocking loss to the hapless New York Jets, it’s hard to pass on a defense on the rise at the low price of $2,600.