RotoBallers, welcome to Week 17 of the daily fantasy football season. In this column, you will find my recommended DraftKings DFS Lineup Picks to target for Week 17 of the NFL season.
The goal is to identify players to start on DraftKings this week based on various factors including the opponent, the player's opportunity, analysis of the game's matchups, and the DraftKings price.
Let's find some DFS lineup sleepers, and win on DraftKings. Good luck in Week 17!
DraftKings Quarterbacks - Week 17 DFS Picks
Landry Jones - PIT vs CLE (DK - $4,700)
The Steelers announce that Ben Roethlisberger will not be playing in the final game of the season, and that Jones will be under center. Week 17 is crazy in the NFL, as many starters don't play, or get pulled early. So if we know a backup is in the starting role, we want to take that playing time security as an advantage. He is only $4.7K on DraftKings, so he really only about 14 fantasy points in order to reach 3x value, which is what you want for cash games. A nice cheap option/punt play, who will allow you to get big name players into your lineup.
Philip Rivers - LAC vs OAK (DK - $6,600)
Rivers and the Chargers are in a spot where they need to win in order to have a chance at making the playoffs. This means that all of their starters will be playing, and they won't be shy at pushing the ball downfield. Rivers has plenty of multi touchdown upside, and also helps that he is up against the Raiders, who have the 27th vs the pass. This puts him in a very favorable spot, and is good for any format. He has 15 or more DraftKings points in six of his last seven games.
DraftKings Running Backs - Week 17 DFS Picks
LeSean McCoy - BUF @ MIA (DK - $8,000)
The Bills are in a spot where if they win, they have a chance at the playoffs. In Week 17, we want to take players who are playing for something, and McCoy is one of the only high end running backs in that situation. He has 24 or more DraftKings points in two of his last three games, and is up against the Dolphins, who have the 15th DVOA vs the run, and the 18th DVOA vs running backs in the passing game. These two teams played just two weeks ago, where McCoy put up 25 DK points in a dual effort in the rushing and passing game.
Derrick Henry - TEN vs JAX (DK - $5,500)
Henry is in a spot to see a ton of playing time if DeMarco Murray is ruled out. Right now, Murray is listed as a game time decision with an MCL injury, so his status is very unclear. The Titans need to win this game, and the best way to attack the Jaguars is on the ground. We know they have a great pass defense, but they have the 29th DVOA against the run. Henry is fully capable of 20 or more carries, we just need to know if Murray is playing or not.
DraftKings Wide Receivers - Week 17 DFS Picks
Doug Baldwin - SEA vs ARI (DK - $6,400)
Bladwin and the Seattle Seahawks need to win, and a bit of help to make the playoffs. They have to start by taking care of their own business, and we know it will be done mostly through the air. They don't have much of a running game, so we want to target Russell Wilson and his receivers. Baldwin has six or more targets in three of his last four games, and is up against the Cardinals who have the 10th DVOA against the pass. Not the best match up, but they have to lean on their top receiver to help get them the win.
Jamison Crowder - WAS @ NYG (DK - $5,800)
Crowder has four or more receptions in seven of his last eight games and is up against the Giants who have the 26th DVOA vs the pass. There is plenty of talk going around that Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, is going to put up a big performance this week, as a last effort to show why he deserves that big contract. Crowder is their top receiver, so he will see plenty of volume. He makes a good GPP option this week, as many DFS players may look to teams that have something to play for.
DraftKings Tight End - Week 17 DFS Pick
Greg Olsen - CAR @ ATL (DK - $5,600)
The Panthers still have potential to win their division, so no reports of them resting any starters. Olsen has 18 targets over the past two weeks, for a total of 12 receptions. The Panthers are dealing with a number of injuries at wide receiver, making Olsen one of Cam Newton's favorite targets. He is good for any format, and in a game with an over under of 45 points, he is in a good spot to put up points.
DraftKings Defense - Week 17 DFS Pick
Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys (DK - $2,700)
The Eagles are at home, and seem a bit to cheap this week. We know that the Cowboys are going to be playing both starters and some backups, so we want to take advantage of this, and go for the turnover potential with the young players. When these teams played previous this season, the Eagles defense put up 22 DraftKings points.