RADIO
Happy Holidays RotoBallers! In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 16 slate. These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
In a bit of a departure from their normal setup, Yahoo's main slate covers just the 12 games being played on Sunday. That leaves a few intriguing offenses, namely the Pittsburgh Steelers, off of the slate. As usual, the focus here isn't to point out that Rob Gronkowski and Le'Veon Bell are great plays because you already know that. Instead, the goal is to point out some good value plays along with some underpriced stars.
Good luck this week, hopefully Santa leaves a bag of cash in your account at the end of Sunday's action!
Quarterback Picks for Yahoo DFS
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs. TB, $39
Newton turned in a huge game against the Packers in Week 15, slicing their defense for 242 yards and four passing touchdowns. The former league MVP is playing his best football since his MVP season back in 2015 and draws a fantastic matchup against a Tampa Bay pass defense that is one of the worst in the league. The Buccaneers are allowing 278 passing yards per game this season and their pass defense ranks 29th in the league in DVOA. Newton should have no trouble moving the ball in Week 16. As an added bonus, he has been rushing the ball more frequently lately, having taken 25 carries over the past two weeks.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys vs. SEA, $28
Prescott is in play for those who want to pay down at quarterback in cash games on a slate where there isn't a ton of value at the position unless you like Jameis Winston or trust Marcus Mariota against the Rams (I don't). Prescott will take on a banged up Seattle defense in a game that will see Ezekiel Elliott return to the offense. Prescott was playing MVP-level football earlier in the season before Elliott was suspended for six games. While the absence of Zeke can't fully explain Prescott's struggles, it will help to have the star runner back on the field. The Seahawks have allowed opposing quarterbacks to pass for either 268 yards or two touchdowns in three straight games.
Running Back Picks for Yahoo DFS
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots vs. BUF, $26
The injury to Rex Burkhead thrusts Lewis into a prime spot against what has been one of the worst run defenses in the league. While he may lose some passing work to James White, Lewis should operate as the Patriots' lead back in Week 16 against a Buffalo run defense that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns and the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. While the Patriots haven't used Lewis as a pass-catcher very frequently, he did show the ability to catch passes back in 2015 before he tore his ACL. At just $26, Lewis shapes up as an excellent option who would presumably see all the clock-killing carries when the Patriots inevitably get out to a big lead against Buffalo.
Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins @ KC, $21
Drake remains an excellent running back option who you will want to have plenty of exposure to this weekend. The second-year running back has operated as a true bell-cow back since Damien Williams got injured, having played in 93% of his team's offensive snaps over the past two weeks. Even if Williams returns this week, Drake has certainly shown enough to remain locked in as the team's starting running back. Yahoo has been slow to adjust Drake's price, meaning you can get a borderline RB1 at a significant discount. The Chiefs have struggled against the run this season, ranking 31st in run defense DVOA.
Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo DFS
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. ATL, $29
Thomas is significantly underpriced on Yahoo, checking in at a full $10 below Keenan Allen, the most expensive receiver on the slate. While we haven't seen a ton of ceiling games from Thomas in this new run-first New Orleans offense, he has been one of the most consistent receivers in the league this season. Thomas has seen at least eight targets in nine straight games while dipping below 70 receiving yards just twice over that span. The Falcons had no answer for him two weeks ago when these two teams met, allowing him to catch 10 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Thomas is one of the receivers who I am building cash lineups around this weekend.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. NYG, $26
Fitzgerald is another rock-solid cash game option who possesses enough upside to use in tournaments as well. Similar to Michael Thomas, Fitzgerald's target share is one of the most consistent in the league. The veteran pass catcher has seen at least seven targets in seven straight games while topping 60 receiving yards in five of those contests. He draws a tasty Week 16 matchup against a Giants defense that mailed it in a long time ago. New York's pass defense is allowing the second-most passing yards per game this season and ranks 25th in DVOA according to Football Outsiders.
Tight End Picks for Yahoo DFS
Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans vs. LAR, $17
Walker brings overall TE1 upside to the table but at a fraction of the cost of Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce. While the Titans' pass offense has struggled at times this season, Walker has remained one of the more consistent options at a tight end position that can be tough to find players to trust. The matchup against the Rams isn't an easy one but the Titans will likely have to abandon their "exotic smash mouth" run-first offense early to keep up with an explosive Rams offense.
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ CAR, $11
Brate stands to see a huge increase in target share with rookie tight end O.J. Howard landing on injured reserve earlier in the week. Without Howard around to steal targets from him, Brate should be on the field running pass routes for most of the game against the rival Carolina Panthers. He isn't a sure thing, but we know Jameis Winston likes to target him in the red zone. At just $1 over the minimum salary on Yahoo, Brate opens up plenty of funds to use on studs elsewhere when setting lineups.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo DFS
Carolina Panthers vs. TB, $17
The Panthers are a strong play this week in a home game against a turnover-prone Jameis Winston. Tampa Bay's offense has been a huge disappointment this season. On the year, the Buccaneers have 21 giveaways, seventh-highest in the league. The Panthers are massive 10-point home favorites against a Buccaneers team that has an implied team total of 18.25 points. They are a strong play in both cash games and tournaments.
