DraftKings NFL picks, Week 17: Best DFS fantasy football values
By Drew DeLuca
Week 17 DraftKings NFL Values: Defense/Special Teams
Premium Tier ($4,000 and up): The Baltimore Ravens (BAL at CIN, $4,200) are the only option in this price range. They may very well finish up with the most points of any option here, but we’d rather bet against them, take a chance on the field, and save money for other positions.
Mid-Tier Values ($3,500 to $3,900): Two options here are the Indianapolis Colts (IND vs. JAX $3,900) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB vs. ATL $3,600). Both offer a high probability of respectable point totals, but better values can be had for much less, per below.
Value Tier ($3,000 to $3,400): We like the New Orleans Saints (NO at CAR, $3,400), but while the Buffalo Bills (BUF vs. MIA, $3,200) are likewise a solid choice, we prefer the Los Angeles Rams LAR vs. ARI, $3,300) if Kyler Murray is officially ruled out. Either way, we’ll save a few hundred more and take the Seattle Seahawks (SEA at SF, $3,000), who’ll be without their top two quarterbacks, their best running back (Raheem Mostert), and sensational rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Bargain Bin: The Dallas Cowboys (DAL at NYG $2,900) and New York Giants (NYG vs. DAL, $2,700) are modestly priced, respectable gambles, but we’d prefer to take our chances with the Arizona Cardinals (ARI at LAR, $2,800) against a Rams team that will be without Goff and Kupp, among others.
The Minnesota Vikings (MIN at DET, $2,600) defense, meanwhile, draws a Detroit Lions offense that’s limping to the finish line without Kenny Golladay and a banged-up Matthew Stafford. Yet, there are better, cheaper options in this tier.
For starters, the Cleveland Browns (CLE vs. PIT $2,500) are playing for their playoff lives while the Steelers are mailing in Week 17 with Mason Rudolph under center. Keep an eye on Cleveland’s COVID situation, however, which was a nebulous, yet developing story at the time of this writing.
Another cheap option we like: the Tennessee Titans (TEN at HOU, $2,200), who, in a worst-case scenario, will face a depleted Houston Texans squad led by an injured Deshaun Watson. The New York Jets (NYJ at NE, $2,300) are also in play at this price range due to the New England Patriots sketchy and uncertain quarterback play.
Next. NFL picks, score predictions for Week 17. dark
Best Buy: If the injured Deshaun Watson sits, the Titans are a slam dunk at this price. Otherwise, we’ll be tempted to take our chances with the Browns or Jets and save coin for other positions; the Seattle Seahawks, if the budget allows, are a solid option for risk-averse DraftKings enthusiasts.