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Welcome back to our late slate Week 17 DFS picks article here at RotoBaller! In this piece, I will examine my top daily fantasy football lineup plays for the late slate in Week 17 of the NFL season.
In Week 17, we have two games on the NFL DFS late slate on DraftKings and FanDuel -- Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
If you have any questions on how to navigate the slate and other fantasy sports questions, feel free to follow me on X @A_Smith_FS and send me a message. In addition, be sure to use code "SMITH" to get a 10% discount on any premium package.
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Quarterbacks - Late Slate Week 17 DFS Picks
Top Play: Jordan Love - GB vs. MIN (DK: $6.2K / FD: $7.8K)
My top QB on the slate is Jordan Love. Love will face a Minnesota defense that has struggled to defend the pass, as they have allowed the 14th-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.
i’m sure it will be forgotten by most, but i will not forget this play by jordan love
this is special special stuff holy hell pic.twitter.com/6uagMTq2HV
— Sam Richmond (@samrichmondBR) December 6, 2024
While Love had a quiet showing last weekend due to a poor game script (13.3 PPR points,), he should be primed for a bounceback in a game that carries a hefty 48.5-point total.
During Weeks 12 through 15, he averaged 18.6 PPR points per game. Sam Darnold is also a solid top option as he would also benefit from a high-scoring affair.
Contrarian Play: Tua Tagovailoa- MIA vs. CLE (DK: $5.8K / FD: $7.5K)
While the other game on this slate is projected to be a defensive matchup, Tua Tagovailoa could be a sneaky play, given his lower salary cost.
Prior to the previous two weeks, where he averaged just over 200.0 passing yards per game, Tagovailoa was enjoying a nice stretch of outings during Weeks 11 through 14 where he tallied a stellar 27.5 PPR points per game.
The risk is there, but he could be worth the risk given that there are not many options and could allow you to target multiple top flex options instead.
Running Backs - Late Slate Week 17 DFS Picks
Top Play: De'Von Achane- MIA vs. CLE (DK: $7.7K / FD: $8.2K)
Achane is coming off his best outing of the season, where he tallied 120 rushing yards with 70 receiving yards. He logged 17 carries and six receptions and was the focal point of the Miami offense.
🎥 De'Von Achane calls game with the biggest touchdown run of the season 💨 (@NFL) #GoFins https://t.co/z1QEhfhURe pic.twitter.com/oP9oHKuVu0
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) December 23, 2024
Despite a tough matchup against a Cleveland Browns defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season, he should be put into all lineups given his high volume as a rusher and receiver and game-breaking speed.
Top Play: Aaron Jones- GB vs. MIN (DK: $6.2K / FD: $7.4K)
My other top running back is Aaron Jones. Jones ran the ball 18 times for the second straight weekend and saw five targets in their victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Even though he did not score a touchdown, he found the back of the end zone once in his previous four contests entering Week 16.
Over his past five games, Jones has logged at least 18 rushing attempts and seen at least four targets in all but two games. While he may not have the elite upside Achane carries, he is a fine alternative, given his workhorse role in a potent offense.
Contrarian Play: Jerome Ford- MIA vs. CLE (DK: $5.9K / FD: $6.6K)
My contrarian option is Jerome Ford. With Nick Chubb (foot) on the IR, Ford was given the lead role last weekend and did not disappoint. He tallied 92 yards and a score on 11 attempts and added 39 yards on five receptions.
Even though he is facing a tough Miami defense that has allowed the 13th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs, Ford is a high-floor play at an affordable salary that can outperform his cost if he can capitalize on his red zone opportunities.
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Wide Receivers - Late Slate Week 17 DFS Picks
Top Play: Justin Jefferson - GB vs. MIN (DK: $8.3K / FD: $9K)
It is hard to avoid putting Justin Jefferson in your lineup on a small slate. The superstar wideout is coming off a monster ten-catch, 144-yard showing against the Seattle Seahawks. He found the end zone two times during this victory.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON TOUCHDOWN AND GRIDDY 🕺 pic.twitter.com/c6k2Tdks4R
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 22, 2024
Over his past three games, Jefferson has scored five touchdowns and averaged 116.3 yards and 8.0 receptions per game. In a potentially high-scoring affair, Jefferson is a must-roster.
Top Play: Jordan Addison - GB vs. MIN (DK: $6.3K / FD: $7K)
My other top option is his teammate, Jordan Addison. Since Week 11, the sophomore wideout has been on an impressive run, averaging 20.3 PPR points per game while tallying 84.7 yards and 5.8 receptions per contest.
During this stretch, he has found the endzone six times in six games and averaged a strong 14.5 yards per reception. Similar to Jefferson, on a small slate, it is crucial to target the game that is more conducive for an offensive explosion. With a high point total, the Packers and Vikings can light up the scoresheet and could support two wideouts on the same team.
Contrarian Play: Romeo Doubs- GB vs. MIN (DK: $5.1K / FD: $5.6K)
My two contrarian options are also in this contest but on the other sideline. Romeo Doubs has seen consistent usage throughout the season and slowly emerged as the top wideout in the Green Bay passing attack before suffering a concussion. During Weeks 7 through 12 he saw 5.8 targets per game.
However, in his two most recent games, he has seen a slightly lower 4.0 targets per game. I am willing to bet on a bounce-back, especially given the potential high-scoring environment in this contest.
In addition, he will face the Minnesota secondary, which has allowed the most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
Contrarian Play: Dontayvion Wicks- GB vs. MIN (DK: $3.9K / FD: $5.2K)
While it is crucial to target the top options on a small slate and not “get cute,” the one high-risk target I am willing to include is Dontayvion Wicks.
Last Monday, Wicks saw an impressive seven targets and brought in three of them for 13 yards and a score. However, over his previous four games (Weeks 12 through 15), he saw just 3.5 targets per game.
Operating as the No. 4 WR on the depth chart makes him hard to trust weekly, but in a potential shootout, he could be worth the risk.
Tight Ends - Late Slate Week 17 DFS Picks
Top Play: Jonnu Smith- MIA vs. CLE (DK: $5.7K / FD: $6.8K)
My top tight end has been one of the most reliable options at the position this season, especially in PPR formats. Since Week 11, Smith has seen 8.5 targets per game and even saw double-digit targets in three of these six contests.
Given his high target share, Smith is not only the safest option on the slate but also carries a very high upside, as he does have a viable path to a 7+ reception game. He will face a Browns defense that has allowed the eighth-most PPR points to the position this season.
Contrarian Play: Tucker Kraft - GB vs. MIN (DK: $3.9K / FD: $5.2K)
My alternative tight end is Tucker Kraft. Over his past four games, Kraft has posted an impressive 15.4 yards per reception while averaging a total of 54.0 yards per game. However, during this span, he has only seen five or more targets in two of these games.
While he has shown great YAC ability, he carries some risk, given his low target share.
What a catch by Tucker Kraft for the TD!
📺: #HOUvsGB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/5cpzRJLlEj— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
However, he can save you some salary and still provide a high upside if given enough opportunities.
Defense/Special Teams - Late Slate Week 17 DFS Picks
Top Play: Miami Dolphins - MIA vs. CLE (DK: $3.2K / FD: $4.7K)
The chalk option on this slate is the Miami defense. They will face the Dorian Thompson-Robinson-led Cleveland Browns, who scored just six points last weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In this game, Robinson was sacked five times and threw two interceptions.
Contrarian Play: Cleveland Browns- MIA vs. CLE (DK: $2.4K / FD: $3.5K)
The alternative could be the other defense in this matchup. Over his past two games, Tua Tagovailoa has thrown three interceptions, sacked three times, and averaged just 205.5 passing yards per game.
While many expect the Browns offense to struggle, there is an outcome where Miami (outside of De'Von Achane) struggles just as much.
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