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Week 17 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

Top Plays for DraftKings Head-to-Head and 50/50 Contests

Here are the guys I’m considering for DraftKings Week 17 head-to-heads and 50/50s:

Quarterback

Sam Darnold, Vikings ($6,400)

On an eight-game slate with weather concerns in most of the outdoor games, Darnold gives us safety in:

• An indoor game
• A 25-point implied total (third-highest on the slate)

Darnold has scored 19.4+ DraftKings points in five of his last six games.

Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Colts ($7,900)

Taylor got a projections boost when QB Anthony Richardson was ruled out. Richardson won't steal goal-line work from JT, and QB Joe Flacco helps Taylor's target potential.

He's in an ideal spot on Sunday with the Colts 7.5-point favorites over a dead Giants team.

Aaron Jones, Vikings ($6,200)

Jones’ role is back on the rise. Check out his snap rates and carry shares over the last four weeks:

Minnesota can still win the division if they beat Green Bay this weekend and Detroit in the finale. If they lose to the Packers, they could fall to the No. 6 seed in the NFC.

It’s a huge game on Sunday, so I expect the Vikings to lean into Jones – especially in a revenge game against his former team.

The Packers rank a middling 13th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Tyjae Spears, Titans ($5,400)

Spears is the clear top value at RB with Tony Pollard ruled out. Spears will continue to dominate passing-game work after totaling nine catches on 11 targets over the last two weeks. And he'll get a significant boost in rushing volume, with only RBs Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley behind him.

Spears draws a Jaguars defense that ranks 31st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Also consider:

• Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($8,600)
• Bucky Irving, Buccaneers ($6,700)

Wide Receivers

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars ($6,800)

DraftKings can’t raise Thomas’ price fast enough. He’s up $1,000 from just a couple of weeks ago but still checks in as a top-3 WR value on this slate.

The Jaguars have fed Thomas 49 targets over the last four weeks – tied for second most in the league. He’s turned that volume into:

• 31 catches
• 399 yards
• 4 TDs
• 25.5 DK points per game

Thomas gets a Titans defense on Sunday that ranks third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs on the season. But they’re down to 10th over the last five weeks.

It’s a doable matchup for Thomas. But we’re really playing him for the combination of volume and talent.

Adam Thielen, Panthers ($5,700)

Thielen popped up on Thursday's injury report with a hamstring but practiced on Friday and is good to go for this weekend's game vs. the Buccaneers.

It's a great spot. Tampa Bay ranks 28th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. And Carolina's passing volume should be elevated in this one.

The Panthers are eight-point underdogs to the Bucs, who rank second in pass rate over expected against. Carolina already projected to throw it a bunch in this one – and RB Chuba Hubbard’s absence should push them even further toward the pass.

Young threw it a season-high 46 times in an overtime loss to the Bucs a few weeks ago. Thielen hauled in eight of 10 targets for 99 yards and a score in that one. He’s totaled 24 targets in the three games since.

Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers ($4,600)

The rookie is rolling, with DraftKings scores of 21.9, 18.5, and 16.7 over his last three. He’s been boosted by four TDs – but McMillan has averaged 6.7 targets and 4.7 catches per game over that stretch.

It looks like WR Sterling Shepard and TE Cade Otton will miss Week 17, which could push even more volume in McMillan’s direction. There’s nothing to worry about with the matchup against Carolina. And the Bucs’ 28.75-point implied total is highest on the slate.

Also consider:

• Josh Downs, Colts ($4,800)
• Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants ($4,400)
• Dontayvion Wicks, Packers ($3,900)

Tight Ends

Chig Okonkwo, Titans ($3,600)

Okonkwo has become a focal point of Tennessee’s passing game lately, racking up 21 targets and 17 catches over the past two games. Just as importantly, he registered a season-high 83% route rate last week. 

Chig has a chance to stay hot this weekend against the Jaguars' 30th-ranked TE defense. He’s easily the top dollars-per-point value at TE on this slate.

Defense/Special Teams

Dolphins ($3,200)

This is more than we usually pay for a DST in cash. But Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a special case. Here are the results of his three full games in the NFL:

Also consider:

• Raiders ($2,600)
• Browns ($2,400)

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.