RADIO
Dennis Clausen highlights the top FanDuel NFL DFS lineup picks for Sunday, December 29, 2019 (Week 17), and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Week 17 has historically been one of the most confusing, unpredictable, and chaotic times as it pertains to building DFS lineups. With some teams having already locked up their places in the postseason, some players may not see as much action or even see the field altogether. Other teams, however, have one final shot at advancing to the playoffs, making players from these clubs even more valuable. As guys sit for whatever reason, the door is open for an abundance of value plays, with the potential for some efficient performances possibly coming from players who will sneak in from nowhere. Things will be tricky as there are a lot of variables to consider, but I will try my best to help navigate you through this mess.
In this article, I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks in FanDuel for Sunday, December 29, 2019 (Week 17). These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also consult the NFL Depth Charts and Snap Counts for more critical information this week.
Follow me on Twitter @Den_Clausen. Good luck.
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FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 17 Picks
Patrick Mahomes - QB, vs. LAC ($8,600)
The Chiefs have made the playoffs, clinching the AFC West title back in Week 14, but there is still a lot at stake in regards to Sunday's matchup with the Chargers. With a victory against Los Angeles and a Patriots' loss to Miami, Kansas City will secure a first-round bye. Since both of these teams will start playing at 1pm (eastern), both squads will have no choice but to deploy their starting units, meaning Mahomes should be on the field for a full 60 minutes. After injuring his knee against the Broncos in the middle of October, Mahomes didn't look quite the same but has since started to return to form over the last two weeks by averaging 24.57 fantasy points. The Chargers Defense has done a decent job from a fantasy perspective against opposing quarterbacks. Still, there is no reason to believe that Mahomes won't be able to log at least 20 fantasy points in Week 17 based on how well he has played recently.
Jameis Winston - QB, vs. ATL ($8,100)
Winston is a tough one to figure out. For a guy who throws so many interceptions, he has been one of the most productive fantasy quarterbacks this year. Though this game between the Falcons and Buccaneers is relatively meaningless, at least on paper, the 25-year-old will enter the offseason as a free agent, so you can be assured that it means something, at least to him. Looking to avoid being the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 30 touchdowns and at least 30 interceptions, Winston has an ideal matchup against a Falcons Defense that allowed him to record 26.32 fantasy points back in Week 12. He won't have Mike Evans or Chris Godwin this time, but Breshad Perriman has done an excellent job taking over as the team's No. 1. Winston does carry a questionable tag heading into the regular season finale, so make sure he is playing.
Dak Prescott - QB, vs. WAS ($8,000)
To make the playoffs, the Cowboys need to beat the Redskins, and the Eagles need to lose to the Giants, plain and simple. To do that, Prescott has some making up to do after logging a miserable performance against Philly in Week 16, where he finished without throwing a touchdown. There is potentially light at the end of the tunnel, nonetheless, as Dallas will have the luxury of going up against one of the worst teams in the entire league. The 26-year-old had one of his best performances of the year against Washington in Week 2 by tossing for 269 yards and three scores for a total of 28.66 fantasy points, so keep him in mind if you don't want or can't afford someone like Patrick Mahomes.
Also Consider: Drew Brees ($8,400), Aaron Rodgers ($8,300), Ryan Tannehill ($7,900), Matt Ryan ($7,800), Carson Wentz ($7,700), Tom Brady ($7,600), Derek Carr ($7,300), Robert Griffin III ($7,000), Andy Dalton ($6,900)
FanDuel Running Backs - Week 17 Picks
Derrick Henry - RB, @ HOU ($8,800)
To continue with our playoff theme, the most direct path to the postseason is for the Titans to beat the Texans. In order for that to happen, the team will need to get a strong performance from Henry, who wasn't able to play in the loss to the Saints in Week 16 due to an injured hamstring. With a week of rest, he should be in line for a full workload in a critical outing in Houston. In classic Henry end of the year form, he has turned up the volume, hitting at least 22.1 fantasy points in five of his last six games. Make sure he is in your lineup at all costs.
Ezekiel Elliott - RB, vs. WAS ($8,700)
Just like in Dak's case, Zeke's performance against the Redskins is a large factor in determining whether or not the Cowboys make it beyond Week 17, as well as whether or not head coach Jason Garrett remains employed. Elliott was a stud against Washington in his second game of the year, rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown on 23 attempts. Washington has been consistent at horribly defending the run by giving up a third-worst 28.65 fantasy points on the year, which also includes a league-worst 46.30 fantasy points to his position over the last two weeks.
Also Consider: Christian McCaffrey ($11,000), Aaron Jones ($8,000), Alvin Kamara ($7,900), Joe Mixon ($7,300), Kenyan Drake ($7,300), Devonta Freeman ($6,700), Damien Williams ($6,400), Adrian Peterson ($6,300), Mike Boone ($6,200), Ryquell Armstead ($4,500 - if Leonard Fournette is out)
FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 17 Picks
Michael Thomas - WR, @ CAR ($9,200)
Thomas has seen less than nine targets in only one game on the year, while also recording double-digit looks in 75 percent of his appearances. Just like the Chiefs, the Saints are also looking for a first-round bye, meaning Thomas should get plenty of chances to accumulate some serious fantasy points against Carolina. He was listed as questionable after practicing sparingly on Wednesday and Thursday, but after participating in a full session on Friday, he will be good to go.
Breshad Perriman - WR, vs. ATL ($7,600)
Perriman has been one of the most impressive wideouts to arrive on the scene this season, without a doubt. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have missed some time after both have dealt with hamstring injuries, which subsequently has left a massive amount of targets to claim. The 26-year-old, who is playing for his third team in his fourth season, has established himself as a legit option for Jameis Winston, who continues to have a career-year, at least in terms of passing yards. Entering Week 16, Perriman had four touchdowns in his previous two outings, and though he didn't find the end zone against the Texans, he still pulled in seven of his 12 looks from Winston for 102 yards. The Bucs don't have many options left on the offensive side of the ball, so look for him to continue to see a lot of action in a game that could easily be the highest-scoring contest of the weekend.
Also Consider: Julio Jones ($8,500), Davante Adams ($8,400), Tyreek Hill ($8,200), Amari Cooper ($7,500), A.J. Brown ($7,200), Jarvis Landry ($6,800), Tyler Boyd ($6,600), Sterling Shepard ($6,200), Justin Watson ($6,100), Steven Sims Jr. ($6,000), D.J. Chark ($5,900), Greg Ward ($5,600), John Ross ($5,200)
FanDuel Tight Ends - Week 17 Picks
Tyler Higbee - TE, vs. ARI ($6,900)
Higbee has been one of the best fantasy tight ends over the last month. In each of his previous four games, the former fourth-round pick has seen at least eight targets, caught at least seven passes, and has at least 107 receiving yards. Though the return of Gerald Everett, who was out for a few weeks with a knee issue, scared off many fantasy managers, Higbee still produced at a high-level, with Everett relegated to just one target. The Cardinals Defense is infamous for being lousy against opposing tight ends this year, so Higbee could be useful for one final ride before heading off into the sunset until next season.
Dallas Goedert - TE, @ NYG ($6,400)
The Eagles are in a must-win situation against the Giants but will have to find a way to do it without top receiving option Zach Ertz. Ertz busted a rib last Sunday against the Cowboys, leading the way for Goedert to take on a more substantial role on offense. He finished by catching nine balls and racking up 91 yards and a score. Be advised, he is a sexy pick for the week, with many having the same idea at the tight end position, so if you are looking to fade, this could be the place to make a move if things don't work out for Goedert like they did for him in Week 16.
Also Consider: Travis Kelce ($7,500), Jared Cook ($6,800), Austin Hooper ($6,000), O.J. Howard ($5,500), Hayden Hurst ($4,700 - if Mark Andrews is out)
FanDuel Defenses - Week 17 Picks
Bears Defense - DEF, @ MIN ($3,900)
Whether the Vikings win or lose, it makes no difference in terms of playoff seeding. As a result, Minnesota may opt to rest key offensive players, with Kirk Cousins, Stefon Diggs, and Adam Thielen likely playing limited minutes, or not playing at all. Let's not forget that the Bears Defense held the Vikings to only six points in Week 4, while also recording a season-high six sacks.
Also Consider: Patriots Defense ($5,000), Ravens Defense (4,900), Chiefs Defense ($4,300), Jets Defense ($3,200)
