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Welcome back to our late slate Week 16 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 16 of the NFL season.
In Week 16, we have four games on the NFL DFS late slate on DraftKings and FanDuel -- Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins.
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 16 DFS Picks
Top Play: Josh Allen- NE vs. BUF (DK: $8.7K / FD: $9.4K)
Josh Allen continued his MVP campaign with a four-touchdown performance en route to defeating the Detroit Lions on their home turf. In this game, Allen threw for 362 yards and added 68 on the ground. The previous week against the Los Angeles Rams, Allen scored six total touchdowns and eclipsed over 400 yards.
Josh Allen is the best football player on the planet.
It isn't really close. pic.twitter.com/J1tGKrS2ha
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) December 15, 2024
While he does have a tougher matchup on paper this weekend facing the New England Patriots, who have allowed the teeth-fewest PPR points to opposing QBs, he will always be the top potion. His elite scoring upside and ability to use both his passing ability and legs provide him the safest floor at the position.
Contrarian Play: Tua Tagovailoa- SF vs. MIA (DK: $6K / FD: $7.6K)
My contrarian option saw his hot streak come to an end last Sunday as he threw for just 196 yards with one score and three interceptions against the Houston Texans. Tagovailoa held a 75.1% completion rate in his previous four games while averaging 325 passing yards per game with an 11:0 TD:INT ratio.
While he has a tough matchup ahead of him on Sunday against the San Francos 49ers, given his strong play earlier this month, he could have a viable path to outperform his salary and allow you to target a top option at another position.
Running Backs - Late Slate Week 16 DFS Picks
Top Play: De'Von Achane- SF vs. MIA (DK: $7.4K / FD: $8K)
The sophomore back could be in for a monster showing this weekend. Over his previous three games, Acne has seen elite usage in both aspects of the game. During this span, he has averaged 11 rushing attempts per game and has seen at least seven targets in each contest.
In these games, he has tallied at least 70 all-purpose yards in each game. During this stretch, he also faced two top-10 defensive units.
This Sunday, he has a great matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who have allowed the tenth-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season. He carries elite RB1 upside this weekend.
Top Play: Aaron Jones- MIN vs. SEA (DK: $6.4K / FD: $7.5K)
My other top option is Aaron Jones. Jones has found the end zone at least once in each of his previous four contests. During this span, he has averaged a solid 17.2 PPR points per game.
Tenemos TOUCHDOWN , Aaron Jones le anota a los Bears
📹@NFL pic.twitter.com/K1fljNZ1TO
— Primero y Diez (@Primeroydiez) December 17, 2024
He has seen at least 13 attempts and two targets in all but one game during this span. On Sunday, he will face the Seattle Seahawks, who have allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing running backs this season.
Contrarian Play: Alexander Mattison- JAC vs. LV (DK: $5.1K / FD: $5.6K)
With Sincere McCormick (ankle) hitting the injured reserve, Alexander Mattison will likely reclaim starting duties. While No. 2 option Ameer Abdullah could also see decent work, fantasy managers should expect Mattison to see the primary opportunities on the ground, especially near the red zone.
During Weeks 4 through 8, Mattison averaged 9.8 PPR points per game while operating as the slight lead in a committee. Now, being given almost complete control, he could even see a more significant uptick.
This weekend, he will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have struggled to contain opposing running backs and have allowed the third-most PPR points to them.
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Wide Receivers - Late Slate Week 16 DFS Picks
Top Play: Justin Jefferson - MIN vs. SEA (DK: $8.2K / FD: $9K)
Justin Jefferson should always be viewed as a top option when he is on a slate. Over the past two weeks, the former first-round pick has averaged an impressive 102.5 yards per game with two scores and has totaled 26.2 PPR points per game.
This weekend, he will face the Seattle Seahawks, who have allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts. While his salary is quite high, a player like Jefferson can break a small slate, and most players should opt to fit him into their lineup.
Top Play: Brian Thomas Jr.- JAC vs. LV (DK: $6.3K / FD: $7.3K)
Even with Mac Jones under center, the rookie has continued to enjoy an incredible breakout campaign. Over his previous three games, Thomas has seen double-digit targets in each contest. Last weekend, he tallied 105 yards and two scores in ten receptions.
Given his hefty target share and lack of other offensive weapons around him, fantasy managers should feel comfortable selecting him, despite who is throwing him passes.
Mac Jones (4) to Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars
3 yards
pic.twitter.com/PFfqvrtKgB— NFL Touchdown Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) December 15, 2024
On Sunday, he has a tough matchup on paper facing the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts. However, this should not deter you from viewing him as a high-end option on the slate.
Contrarian Play: Keon Coleman- NE vs. BUF (DK: $4.7K / FD: $5.3K)
After missing the previous four games, the rookie wideout surprisingly logged the most offensive snaps in the wide receiver room in his return last weekend. Coleman caught only one of his two targets for 64 yards in this game.
Coleman has rarely seen a consistent volume throughout his rookie season but has flashed big-play ability when given the ball. Over his previous six games, the Florida State product has averaged an impressive 23.7 yards per catch while only seeing 4.5 targets per game.
Facing the England Patriots, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts, could set the rookie up for a positive game outing, especially given how his quarterback has been performing lately.
Tight Ends - Late Slate Week 16 DFS Picks
Top Play: George Kittle- SF vs. MIA (DK: $6K / FD: $7.6K)
The entire San Francisco offense struggled last week in their loss to the Rams. However, tight end Travis Kelce was the lone bright spot, leading the team with 61 receiving yards. Over his previous four games, the veteran tight has seen 5.3 targets per game while averaging 75.3 yards per game.
This weekend, he has a great matchup facing the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to that position.
Contrarian Play: Brenton Strange- JAC vs. LV (DK: $3.5K / FD: $5.2K)
With Evan Engram (shoulder) out for the season, Brenton Strange stepped up to the spot on the depth chart last weekend and surpassed all expectations. In this game, Strange brought in a career-high 11 receptions for 73 yards.
While he does carry risk, given his lack of consistent showings, facing the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the fifth-most PPR points to the position, does put him in a great spot for an encore.
Defense/Special Teams - Late Slate Week 16 DFS Picks
Top Play: Buffalo Bills - NE vs. BUF (DK: $3.6K / FD: $5K)
The Bills have the best matchup on the slate, facing rookie Drake Maye and the New England Patriots.
While the Buffalo defense has struggled over the past few weeks, they have a great bounce-back opportunity against New England who have allowed six sacks and thrown three interceptions over these past two games.
Contrarian Play: Las Vegas Raiders- JAC vs. LV (DK: $2.7K / FD: $3.2K)
My budget option is the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders allowed just 15 points while tallying three sacks and an interception in their tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
They are facing Mac Jones, who is coming off a strong showing in Week 15, the previous week. He threw two interceptions without a score against the Tennessee Titans the previous week.
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