In a week with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, and so many others off the main slate, nailing those Cash picks is more crucial than ever. But with all those players out, who are we going to play? Let’s dig into our NFL DFS Week 16 Cash plays.
Cash is in session.
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NFL DFS Week 16
Teacher’s Pet
Justin Fields (DraftKings: $7,100 / FanDuel: $8,300)
With most of the big names off the main slate, we have to look past our usual suspects for rushing quarterbacks with huge upside. Thankfully, the schedule makers at least kept Justin Fields on the slate. Fields faces a struggling Arizona Cardinals defense, which has allowed the eighth-most points to opposing quarterbacks since Week 12. I particularly like Fields on FanDuel, where his rushing ability provides a solid floor and plenty of upside.
Honor Roll
Derrick Henry (DraftKings: $6,800 / FanDuel: $7,900)
It is honestly wild for me to look back on this season and remember how little we have wanted to play Derrick Henry in our DFS Cash lineups. With the likes of Christian McCaffrey off the main slate, we have to look elsewhere for high-volume running backs with upside. While we haven’t seen one of those vintage 30-touch King Henry games in many moons, his volume has remained consistent in the 18 to 20 range. For a running back facing the Seattle Seahawks, who are allowing 24 DraftKings points per game to the position since Week 12, that is all we need.
Bijan Robinson (DraftKings: $6,300 / FanDuel: $7,100)
Look, I get it. Last week was maddening. But don’t worry. I used my connections to call up Arthur Smith and talk him off the ledge with Bijan Robinson. He and I had a nice long talk about the basics of football, such as utilizing your best players. Jokes aside, as much as Smith burned me by benching Robinson last week, Atlanta has another plus matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. And now that Smith’s job may be in question, I expect him to quit messing around and use his best players.
Tyreek Hill (DraftKings: $9,600 / FanDuel: $10,000)
After missing a week that could cost him the first-ever 2,000-yard season, Tyreek Hill should be back in an important matchup that will shape how we view the Miami Dolphins’ postseason chances. Obviously, if Hill does not play, we’re pivoting. At that point, Jaylen Waddle would become a must-have in DFS Cash lineups. Worried about the matchup? Dallas has allowed the eighth-most points to wide receivers since Week 12. Plus, it’s a road game for Dallas, where they have struggled throughout the season.
D.K. Metcalf (DraftKings: $6,700 / FanDuel: $7,600)
While the Tennessee Titans have been less of a pass funnel than they were to start the season, they have continued to struggle against opposing receivers, particularly number-one receivers. DK Metcalf has continued to shine, seemingly regardless of who is playing quarterback. Metcalf is always a big play waiting to happen, and for a team facing playoff elimination, they need their star player to shine.
Check the Chalkboard
Rachaad White (DraftKings: $7,400 / FanDuel: $7,700)
Rachaad White has become a staple of any DFS Cash lineup. He continues to demand amazing volume, coming off three straight games with over 20 carries. It may not always look the best because many of his touches are inefficient, but the volume means he can always get there in Cash. Plus, he faces a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has struggled against running backs, despite the big-name talent in the trenches.
Participation Grade
Cade Otton (DraftKings: $3,300 / FanDuel: $5,200)
Not only have the Jaguars struggled against running backs, but they have also struggled against tight ends. They have allowed the sixth-most points to the position since Week 12, positioning Cade Otton for another week as a DFS Cash star. Otton ranks fourth among tight ends in total routes run (PFF), demonstrating his role in the passing game. Tampa Bay is one of the highest volume offenses in the league in terms of plays per game, giving their offense a chance to support both Otton and White this week.
Back of the Classroom Studs
Joe Flacco (DraftKings: $5,500 / FanDuel: $7,100)
I am as shocked as you are that Joe Flacco is back in our lives. Not only is he back, but he is passing the ball over 40 times per game! That is Sam Howell-type volume. Which, at this price, means he is a solid DFS Cash play, particularly on DraftKings. The Houston Texans have struggled in recent weeks to quarterbacks, allowing the tenth-most points to the position since Week 12. Additionally, they may be without their star rookie pass rusher, Will Anderson, for the second straight week, giving Flacco more time in the pocket to find his receivers.
Kenneth Walker (DraftKings: $6,200 / FanDuel: $6,800)
Last year, I never would have considered a running back playing the Titans as Cash viable. But here we are, it’s 2023, and the Titans are allowing the ninth-most points to running backs over the past four weeks. Additionally, Kenneth Walker seems to have reclaimed his role as the number-one running back in Seattle after coming off an oblique injury. Walker received 79% of the running back snaps on run plays. He maintained a smaller role in the passing game, taking the field for 43% of the Seahawks’ dropbacks. That usage lends itself to a solid fantasy performance, and against a weak opponent, he is a lineup lock.
Elijah Moore (DraftKings: $4,200 / FanDuel: $5,500)
Despite a down week in Week 15, Elijah Moore remains a solid punt play. During Joe Flacco’s tenure as the Browns quarterback, Moore has run a route on over 95% of pass plays and ranks second on the team in terms of pure routes run (PFF). As Flacco looks for another 40 pass attempts, Moore is a solid option to soak up some of that volume.
Brandin Cooks (DraftKings: $4,900 / FanDuel: $6,100)
Sunday’s game of the day has to be the Dallas Cowboys at the Miami Dolphins, who have the highest over/under on the slate at 50 points. The sportsbooks are expecting a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair, which should benefit the pass catchers on both teams. Brandin Cooks has sneakily been a key part of the Cowboys’ offense, averaging over five targets per game. While that volume isn’t outstanding, it is plenty for a player priced below $5,000 on DraftKings. Additionally, many of his targets come near the endzone, increasing his value in DFS Cash settings.
Chigoziem Okonkwo (DraftKings: $3,100 / FanDuel: $5,000)
Need to save a ton of money at tight end? Chigoziem Okonkwo was the fantasy darling of Best Ball lovers coming into the 2023 season. While he had a slow start to the season, he has started to increase his role in this offense, averaging five targets per game over the past four weeks. That volume is about all you could ask for with your punt option at tight end.
Minnesota Vikings (DraftKings: $2,500 / FanDuel: $3,600)
Brian Flores is a madman, and I love it. The Minnesota Vikings have blitzed on over 50% of their plays, per PFF. We talk about chasing volume for offensive players, but we can do the same for defenses. The Detroit Lions have been turnover-prone in recent weeks, giving this aggressive Vikings defense opportunities to make splash plays.
Seattle Seahawks (DraftKings: $3,200 / FanDuel: $3,500)
As of the release of this article, we still don’t know the official starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The good thing is that it doesn’t matter. The Seattle Seahawks have consistently been creating sacks and turnovers, positioning them well to take advantage of a struggling Titans offense.
Report Card
DraftKings
Scoring System
- A: Scored over three times their price
- B: Scored over two times their price
- C: Matched their price
- F: Scored lower than their price
| Player | Price | Points | Grade |
| Bijan Robinson | $6,800 | 1.4 | F |
| Brock Purdy | $6,800 | 25.68 | A |
| Kyren Williams | $7,500 | 29.5 | A |
| Brandon Aiyuk | $7,200 | 6.7 | F |
| Cooper Kupp | $7,800 | 28.1 | A |
| Ezekiel Elliott | $5,800 | 9.6 | C |
| Tucker Kraft | $3,000 | 15.7 | A |
| Sam Howell | $6,300 | 9.28 | C |
| Jayden Reed | $4,900 | 17.2 | A |
| Jerome Ford | $5,500 | 7.1 | C |
| Elijah Moore | $4,500 | 3.7 | F |
| Cade Otton | $3,200 | 6.4 | B |
| New York Giants | $2,700 | 1 | F |
| New England Patriots | $2,300 | 7 | A |
| Overall | $60,700 | 141.28 | B |
| Season Long | $984,700 | 2639.48 | B |
FanDuel
Scoring System
- A: Scored over two times their price
- B: Scored over one and a half times their price
- C: Matched their price
- F: Scored lower than their price
| Player | Price | Points | Grade |
| Bijan Robinson | $8,600 | -0.1 | F |
| Brock Purdy | $8,400 | 25.68 | A |
| Kyren Williams | $9,600 | 22 | A |
| Brandon Aiyuk | $7,800 | 5.2 | F |
| Cooper Kupp | $8,200 | 21.1 | A |
| Ezekiel Elliott | $6,500 | 7.1 | C |
| Tucker Kraft | $4,600 | 13.7 | A |
| Sam Howell | $7,700 | 9.28 | C |
| Jayden Reed | $6,100 | 14.2 | A |
| Jerome Ford | $6,400 | 5.1 | F |
| Elijah Moore | $5,700 | 2.7 | F |
| Cade Otton | $5,200 | 5.4 | C |
| New York Giants | $3,500 | 1 | F |
| New England Patriots | $3,200 | 7 | A |
| Overall | $74,500 | 113.78 | B |
| Season Long | $1,199,400 | 2265.98 | B |