Fantasy Football Best Bets Week 16

DFS Best Bets - Week 16
December 20, 2017
By Austin Chen
RotoQL

I know I write about how wacky every week seems to be in the NFL but guess what? Week 15 was crazy again! We had a index card determine a first down and does anyone even know what a touchdown is anymore? One strategy I like to use this time of the year is to target teams that have something to play for this time of the year.

This is probably one of my favorite times to play daily fantasy football as you can gain an edge on players who just pick players from teams with the best records. Look at Leonard Fournette or Chris Hogan who were both rested this week since they want them to be 100% by the playoffs.

If you haven’t already, you should go check out the RotoQL NFL Lineup Optimizer as it is a must when building your daily fantasy football teams.

Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson (DraftKings: 7,000, FanDuel: $9,000)

Russell Wilson is the highest priced quarterback on both daily fantasy sites which usually helps keep ownership lower especially at the quarterback position. The Cowboys secondary has been a mess all season. I expect a player of Russell Wilson’s caliber to have his way this week. Quarterbacks are having time to throw the football as the Cowboys have 0 sacks in 4 of their last 5 games. Derek Carr proved last week you can throw it right at a corner and he will still drop the easy interception. Russell Wilson has put out at least 24 DK fantasy points in 7 of his last 9 games. That kind of consistency is worth paying for.

Philip Rivers (DK: $6,400, FD: $8,100)

I think Philip Rivers is set for a bounce back game this week as the LA Chargers are in the thick of things in the playoff hunt. Either that or he is going to kill one of his team mates. He had opportunities vs the Chiefs last week but it looked like his receivers ran the wrong routes on a couple of his interceptions. Rivers plays a team that have given up the 10th most fantasy points to quarterbacks. He will be looking to put up his 4th 20 point effort in the last 5 weeks.

Other QBs To Consider: Matthew Stafford, Blake Bortles, Jay Cutler

Running Backs

Ezekiel Elliott (DK: $8,000, FD: $8,300)

Ezekiel Elliott is back this week and already has a bet with Eric Dickerson that he will rush for over 200 yards. He may not get to 200 but the Seattle Seahawks defense is crumbling to the point that they have allowed a 100 yard rushed now in back to back games. Elliott was $9,000 on Draftkings before his suspension so in a way we are getting a discount. The Dallas Cowboys offense sorely miss him and I expect them to feed him as often as they can in a must win game.

Mike Davis (DK: $4,500, FD: $6,600)

We go to the other side of the field for our other running back write up this week. Mike Davis had seen at least 15 carries in back to back games until last week’s blowout. The Seahawks were forced to play J.D. Mckissic in the second half after falling behind by over 30 points. I expect this week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys to be much closer. Mike Davis is great value as the running back position averages 24.1 fantasy points a game vs the Dallas Cowboys defense.

Other RBs To Consider: Jordan Howard, Elijhaa Penny, Dion Lewis

Wide Receivers

Robert Woods (DK: $6,500, FD: $6,600)

Other than Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins, no wide receiver has really stood out to pay $7,000 and above weekly. Spending down most of the time still gives you the same amount of targets for a cheaper price tag. Robert Woods is one such example. He returned in week 15 and proved that he was still the #1 passing option for the L.A. Rams. I expect him to be heavily involved in the offense again this week. Since week 3, Robert Woods has only posted 1 game below double digit points. That kind of consistency is hard to find. The bonus is that he comes with 2 touchdown and 100 yard upside this season.

DeVante Parker (DK: $4,700, FD: $5,700)

This is as GPP of a play you can get. DeVante Parker finally was involved in the Dolphin’s offense last week. He saw 12 targets which was a season which he turned in to 6 catches and 89 yards.. Parker’s targets have increased every since he missed a few games due to injury. He is a great pivot play off of Keelan Cole who will be popular this week. Parker will also be lined up on the opposite side of the field of Marcus Pieters which should lead to more opportunities.

Other WRs To Consider: AJ Green, Marvin Jones, Keelan Cole

Tight Ends

Eric Ebron (DK: $3,700, FD: $5,200)

Tight end is ugly again this week. I am either paying up for one of the top options or spending less than $4k a tight end. Anyone in between is just as capable of putting up a dud as a player like Eric Ebron. He is just $3,700 because he is Eric Ebron afterall. The good news is that his targets have gone up the past few weeks which has resulted in back to back games over 14 DK points.

Antonio Gates (DK: $2,500, FD: $4,500)

Hunter Henry is out for the rest of the season so Antonio Gates is back in play. At the minimum price on DraftKings, Gates gives you flexibility in your other positions. Due to his cheap price he is still worth playing even if he becomes the chalk tight end play. It will be hard to ignore the all time tight end leader in touchdowns this week.

Other TEs To Consider: Travis Kelce, Garrett Celek, Greg Olsen

Defense

Los Angeles Rams (DK: $3,600, FD: $4,600)

The Los Angeles Rams defense have scored double digit fantasy points in 4 of their last 5 road games. This week they see Marcus Mariota who has failed to pass over 250 yards 4 games and has thrown 8 interceptions in his last 5 games. It is shaping up to be a long day for Mariota as the L.A. Rams have generated 7 sacks a game in their last 2 road games.

Washington Redskins (DK: $3,400, FD: $4,700)

The Washington Redskins host the rotating carousel of Denver Broncos quarterbacks this week. It doesn’t matter if it is going to be Brock Osweiler or Paxton Lynch as both have been turnover machines. The over under is the lowest on the main slate at only 41 points. Fire up the Washington Redskins this week as a home favorite against a house of cards offense.

Other Defenses To Consider: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs