DRAFTKINGS NFL DFS CASH PLAYS WEEK 16 2022

DRAFTKINGS DFS NFL CASH PICKS - WEEK 16

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Patrick Mahomes, KC ($8400)
This is an obligatory post, as opportunity cost does not dictate paying up for QB this week. However, Mahomes is in a tier of his own, and if things shift, he’s the payup option against a soft Seattle team that has allowed the fifth most PPG this season.

Other options - Josh Allen, Joe Burrow

Mid-tier options - Kirk Cousins, Dak Prescott

VALUE PLAY

Geno Smith, SEA ($5800)
Geno Smith had one down game against the 49ers (arguably the best defense in the NFL), and DraftKings dropped his price back to $5,800. I’m all over him this weekend at that price. Seattle is in absolute must-win mode at 7-7, and the game script favors the pass, as KC is favored by 9.5 points early on. The Seahawks have the seventh-highest pass rate in the NFL, and KC has allowed the fourth most FPPG to opposing QBs. The loss of Tyler Lockett hurts, but the game plan shouldn’t change.

Other options - Daniel Jones, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Derrick Henry, TEN ($8600)
The agony has already begun between choosing between Henry and Christian McCaffrey as the top RB, and I’ll make every opportunity to roster both in cash. However, if we’re picking one, I have to lean Henry at $200 less. Over his last four games against Houston, Derrick Henry has averaged 223 rushing YPG and has nine TDs. I know “past narrative” doesn’t always suit, but keep in mind that Houston is just as bad against the run this year. They’ve allowed the most FPPG to opposing RBs, and have also given up 5.0 YPC.

Other options - Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Dalvin Cook

Mid-tier options - Rhamondre Stevenson, Tony Pollard, Alvin Kamara, Kenneth Walker

VALUE PLAY

Jerick McKinnon/Isiah Pacheco, KC ($5900/$5700)
Pacheco would seem to be the safe choice, with the game script being what it is (KC -9.5). He’s the early-down banger and rushed for 5.7 YPC last week in a similar spot against Houston. Pacheco’s downside is that he’s TD-dependent to hit a ceiling since he’s not involved in the passing game at all. This is where Jerick McKinnon comes in. Over the past two weeks, he has had 17 targets, and ten carries last week at 5.2 YPC. Seattle has allowed 5.1 YPC and the second-most FPPG to opposing RBs, so both will be viable in all formats this weekend. As of this writing, McKinnon is coming in a bit higher rostered than Pacheco, but both are viable in cash.
Other options - JK Dobbins, D’Andre Swift, Devin Singletary

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY
Justin Jefferson, MIN ($9300)
Jefferson has an unbelievable 53 targets over the past four weeks, and he should absolutely feast on the Giants’ secondary that will be missing Adoree Jackson once again. Jefferson leads the NFL in targets, catches, receiving yards, YPC, and routes run, and is third in air yards. There is no more bankable player in fantasy football, even among the RBs.
Other options - Ja’Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb
Mid-tier options - DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin

VALUE PLAY
Chris Moore, HOU ($4700)
If both Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins sit, Chris Moore is still WAY too cheap for his expected role. Moore has 19 targets over the last two weeks (33% target share), and Tennessee is the new “nuts matchup” for passing games. They’ve allowed the most FPPG and the highest YPC to opposing WRs, and seven of their starters are once again questionable. If Cooks and/or Collins do play, this blurb can apply to them as well.
Other options - DJ Moore, Adam Thielen, Jakobi Meyers, Darius Slayton, Richie James

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY
Travis Kelce, KC ($8000)
Same idea as Patrick Mahomes. Worth it if you can afford him.
Other options - None
Mid-tier options - TJ Hockenson, George Kittle, Dallas Goedert

VALUE PLAY
Dalton Schultz, DAL ($4200)
Schultz’s game logs are all over the place which makes him a risky cash play, but the price has dropped to a very friendly level for someone who has played 97% of snaps since returning from injury. Philadelphia’s elite perimeter CBs should open up the middle (as is the Eagles’ MO), and Schultz looks to have a higher-than-usual floor in this one.
Other options - Noah Fant, Daniel Bellinger, Jordan Akins

TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH
Dallas Cowboys ($2600)
Baltimore Ravens ($3200)
Houston Texans ($2500)
Kansas City Chiefs ($2900)
New Orleans Saints ($2800)