The A List at DFS Academy | NFL DFS Week 17

The end of the regular season is quickly approaching, and the NFL has granted us a week where most of our favorite players are on the main slate. And if you’re like me, you’ve accepted your favorite team is unlikely to make the playoffs. Fortunately, DFS provides us an avenue to get a stake in the game, even when our fantasy teams and actual teams are out of contention. Let’s dig into our NFL DFS Week 17 Cash plays.

Cash is in session.

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NFL DFS Week 17

Teacher’s Pet

Kyler Murray (DraftKings: $6,300 / FanDuel: $7,800)

There is an abundance of solid quarterback options this week, including Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Brock Purdy, to name a few. However, as we will discuss later, I prefer to jam Christian McCaffrey in my lineup, so I want to save some money at quarterback. Kyler Murray is my favorite mid-tier option. Since returning from injury, he only has one game with under 15 DraftKings points. He has rushed for over 30 yards in four of his six starts and has a rushing touchdown in half of them. Murray’s performance demonstrates his floor, and the matchup provides a ceiling opportunity, with the Philadelphia Eagles struggling against opposing pass games down the stretch. 

Honor Roll

Bijan Robinson (DraftKings: $6,600 / FanDuel: $7,100)

If you decide to go a different route than Christian McCaffrey this week, Bijan Robinson provides the salary savings options you need. Robinson is particularly underpriced on FanDuel, especially considering that McCaffrey has hit the $11,000 threshold. The Falcons are underdogs to the Chicago Bears, who are bottom-ten against running backs on the season. When the Falcons are in a negative or neutral game script, they tend to ride Robinson. With Arthur Smith playing to keep his job, expect the Falcons to utilize their best player to stay competitive. 

Nico Collins (DraftKings: $7,200 / FanDuel: $7,300)

C.J. Stroud returned to practice this week and is trending towards starting, which brings Nico Collins back into play for DFS Cash games. Stroud’s return coincides with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans’ pass funnel defense. In this divisional matchup that has playoff and division championship implications on the line, expect a competitive matchup that favors the Texans pass-catchers. 

Trey McBride (DraftKings: $5,900 / FanDuel: $6,800)

The DFS sites might as well change Trey McBride’s position designation to wide receiver, as he is functionally the Cardinal’s WR1. Simply put, McBride is the most consistent receiver on this team. He has only one game with fewer than six targets in his past nine starts. Need I say more? From a strategy perspective, I’m treating him as a wide receiver in terms of salary, warranting spending more at tight end.

Check the Chalkboard

Christian McCaffrey (DraftKings: $9,600 / FanDuel: $11,000)

I could honestly talk about Christian McCaffrey every week. His absolute dominance is hard to ignore. This week he gets the Washington Football Team, who have been absolutely terrible against running backs in recent weeks, averaging 40 DraftKings points per game allowed to the position since Week 13. As for the 49ers, the number one seed in the NFC is still up for grabs, so they have plenty to play for. Not to mention, they are likely extra motivated after the Monday night loss. Could McCaffrey hit 50? Easily.

Participation Grade

Wan’Dale Robinson (DraftKings: $4,000 / FanDuel: $5,600)

Time to get creative with our salary savings. Wan’Dale Robinson has carved out a consistent role in the New York Giants offense. Now that Tyrod Taylor is under center, this offense should function more consistently, allowing Robinson to turn that volume into output. Additionally, the Los Angeles Rams have been getting torched by opposing pass catchers, allowing the most points to receivers over the past four weeks. It’s hard to do much better than that for a receiver at this price.

Back of the Classroom Studs

Jarrett Stidham (DraftKings: $4,800 / FanDuel: $6,100)

Okay, hear me out. Before I even talk stats, what if I told you there was a pathway to play Christian McCaffrey, Kyren Williams, and Tyreek Hill this week? The only condition is you have to play Jarrett Stidham. Okay, you could also play Jacoby Brissett or Tyrod Taylor, but I like Stidham. First off, McCaffrey, Williams, and Hill could easily combine for 100 points themselves. If Stidham gets you 15, you need your other five players to average seven points to hit 150, and all but guarantee you hit the Cash line. Also, the Los Angeles Chargers struggle against opposing quarterbacks, Stidham has seven rushing attempts in both of his NFL starts, and he and Sean Payton have something to prove. I love it.

Zamir White (DraftKings: $5,100 / FanDuel: $6,100)

If Josh Jacobs plays, just ignore this. My advice here is to pay attention to the injury reports for Las Vegas and Kansas City. If Jacobs sits, Zamir White is a smash play against the Indianapolis Colts, who continue to struggle against running backs. If Jacobs plays, check out the Kansas City running back room, as Clyde Edwards-Helaire may be the lead back, with Isiah Pacheco potentially missing time again. Particularly if you decide to spend up for Jalen Hurts at quarterback, these running backs could provide the salary savings you need to have a successful DFS lineup.

Rashee Rice (DraftKings: $6,900 / FanDuel: $7,400)

This man got how many targets on Monday? Look, I don’t care how much the Kansas City Chiefs offense struggles, 12 targets is no joke. Rashee Rice is becoming the ideal DFS Cash player, bringing high volume in an offense that has the potential to pop off on any given Sunday. It doesn’t get simpler than that.

Rondale Moore (DraftKings: $3,600 / FanDuel: $5,200)

Want a guaranteed five to nine points that allows you to squeeze Christian McCaffrey in your lineup? That’s what Rondale Moore will get you. While other Arizona receivers have risen and fallen, Moore has remained steady with around three touches per game. His duds are fairly predictable, coming against stout pass defenses. The Philadelphia Eagles struggle against receivers, allowing the sixth most points to the position since Week 13. 

Chigoziem Okonkwo (DraftKings: $3,600 / FanDuel $5,400)

I guess the fantasy playoffs are Chig season because Chigoziem Okonkwo got in the endzone last week and continues to maintain a solid target share. Now, he matches up against a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the fourth most points to tight ends on the season. Okonkwo has at least five targets in four of his last five games, which should continue in this divisional battle against Houston.

Denver Broncos (DraftKings: $2,900 / FanDuel: $3,700)

The fun thing about the “year of the backup” is that we have so many defensive options for DFS. The Los Angeles Chargers have got to be begging for the season to be over, as their offense has struggled to do anything in recent weeks. The Denver Broncos continue to be a frisky defense and will be playing for their life as their playoff chances hang in the balance. If you have the salary space, the Broncos are the clear option this week.

Carolina Panthers (DraftKings: $2,700 / FanDuel: $3,400)

If you’re playing McCaffrey, Hill, and Kyren Williams, you likely need to save money everywhere. The Carolina Panthers face a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that is struggling down the stretch. Trevor Lawrence is banged up and may not even play this week. Plus, Lawrence basically has Daniel Jones’ hands, ranking third in fumbles this season. 

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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
Justin Fields	$7,100	25.5	A
Derrick Henry	$6,800	21.38	A
Bijan Robinson	$6,300	19.2	A
Tyreek Hill	$9,600	18.9	C
DK Metcalf	$6,700	15.6	B
Rachaad White	$7,400	19.7	B
Cade Otton	$3,300	1.7	F
Joe Flacco	$5,500	29.82	A
Kenneth Walker	$6,200	6.6	C
Elijah Moore	$4,200	3.9	F
Brandin Cooks	$4,900	10.3	B
Chigoziem Okonkwo	$3,100	18.3	A
Minnesota Vikings	$2,500	4	C
Seattle Seahawks	$3,200	7	B
Overall	$62,900	155.02	B
Season Long	$1,047,600	2794.5	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
Justin Fields	$8,300	25.5	A
Derrick Henry	$7,900	20.88	A
Bijan Robinson	$7,100	15.7	A
Tyreek Hill	$10,000	14.4	C
DK Metcalf	$7,600	13.6	B
Rachaad White	$7,700	16.7	A
Cade Otton	$5,200	1.2	F
Joe Flacco	$7,100	26.82	A
Kenneth Walker	$6,800	6.1	F
Elijah Moore	$5,500	2.9	F
Brandin Cooks	$6,100	9.3	B
Chigoziem Okonkwo	$5,000	15.3	A
Minnesota Vikings	$3,600	4	C
Seattle Seahawks	$3,500	7	A
Overall	$75,200	133.02	B
Season Long	$1,274,600	2399	B

 

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And don’t forget to check out our Week 17 DFS Matchup Report before you submit those lineups!