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Week 17 FanDuel Picks

Top Plays for FanDuel Cash Games and Tournaments

Here are the guys I’m considering for FanDuel Week 17:

Cash Game Quarterback

Mason Rudolph, Titans ($6,700) at Jaguars

We’ll be spending up elsewhere, so Rudolph looks extra valuable – especially at a thinner-than-usual position.

The former Steeler has hit 16.5 FD points in each of his past four appearances. Now he draws a Jags defense that sits 29th in PFF's coverage grades; 32nd in pass defense DVOA.

Their struggles have carried over to fantasy. In fact, Jacksonville slots dead last in adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Also in my player pool: Josh Allen

Tournament Quarterback

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers ($8,200) vs. Panthers

On the year, Mayfield ranks top eight in pass attempts, yards, and TDs. He's fourth in fantasy scoring.

Next up is an undermanned Panthers defense that’s 27th in sack rate; 32nd in pressure rate.

Mayfield also supplies two excellent stackable players in WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.

Also in my player pool: Josh Allen

Cash Game Running Back

Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($9,600) at Cowboys

With Jalen Hurts likely out, Barkley could feasibly reach 25+ touches. 

He draws a beatable Dallas run D that’s allowed lead-back scores in three straight.

Aaron Jones, Vikings ($7,400) vs. Packers

Jones supplies access to a potential workhorse – at a discounted price.

He hits Week 17 with 20 touches in two straight. He notched a season-high 26 touches against his old team back in Week 4.

On the year, Green Bay presents a neutral fantasy matchup.

Also in my player pool: Bucky Irving

Tournament Running Back

Jonathan Taylor, Colts ($8,400) at Giants

The Colts are dealing with an injury to QB Anthony Richardson. Perhaps that reduces his rushing burden just a bit.

Regardless, Taylor’s in position to build off his monster Week 16 showing. The Colts are implied for a solid 23.75 points against a struggling Giants squad. They’ve allowed the fourth-most rush yards to RBs this season.

Kendre Miller, Saints ($6,200) vs. Raiders

Let’s start here: Sunday will turn up a more competitive game than we saw in Week 16. After losing 34-0 – and running only 53 plays – the Saints head home to face a Vegas squad missing star Maxx Crosby.

We know Miller isn’t short on big-play ability. And with Chris Olave looking likely to return, this offense should find it easier to move the ball. I’m also assuming Alvin Kamara (knee) will miss another week.

Just understand the low-floor risk with Miller.

UPDATE: Team insider Nick Underhill tweeted Sunday that he expects RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire to have a "real role" vs. Vegas. This only adds more risk to Miller's outlook and makes him a low-ownership, low-volume tournament option.

Also in my player pool: Saquon Barkley, Brian Robinson, Bucky Irving, Tank Bigsby

Cash Game Wide Receivers

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars ($7,400) vs. Titans

Thomas has performed as a WR1 of late, yet he’s priced in the mid-range on FanDuel.

Note: Over the past five weeks, the only players with more fantasy points per game are Davante Adams and Ja'Marr Chase. 

Solid company.

Thomas excelled against Tennessee’s secondary in Week 14, tallying 8 grabs for 86 yards.

Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers ($5,900) at Panthers

The matchup is excellent, with Tampa Bay tied for the highest implied team total of the week (27.75). The volume should remain useful with the Bucs without Cade Otton (knee) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring/foot). 

The rookie already enters with 6+ targets in three straight.

Also in my player pool: Justin Jefferson, Mike Evans, Jakobi Meyers

Tournament Wide Receivers

Davante Adams, Jets ($8,100) at Bills

Adams ranks fifth in our WR ceiling projections. He’s also fourth in dollars per point, signaling a nice combo of potential/value.

Why? Consider his recent volume surge. He’s tallied target shares of 41% and 31% over his past two outings – enormous figures. With Aaron Rodgers set to push through an MCL injury, Adams should continue seeing fantasy-friendly volume vs. Buffalo.

Calvin Ridley, Titans ($6,200) at Jaguars

Ridley continues to fill a spot here, as FanDuel’s price on him remains attractive.

The veteran owns 37 targets across four Mason Rudolph starts. Now he gets a Jags defense that surrendered 12 targets to him (38%) in Week 14.

Also in my player pool: Justin Jefferson, Mike Evans, Drake London, Tyreek Hill, Garrett Wilson, Romeo Doubs

Cash Game Tight End

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans ($5,400) 

Here’s OC Nick Holz on the recent hot streak from Okonkwo. He’s totaled 17 catches (21 targets) over the past two weeks.

“He’s done a great job of being electric when the ball gets in his hands,” Holz said via CoachSpeak Index. “The second part is being down multiple scores at the end of games and defenses are playing softer coverage and the tight ends kind of get forgotten about and they’re good checkdowns…But he’s done a really nice job, and it’s been a positive for us when he’s gotten the ball in his hands.”

The move to QB Mason Rudolph certainly hasn’t hurt, either. At $5.4K, Okonkwo is a cost-effective TE in a plus matchup. The Jags slot third-worst in adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position. 

Also in my player pool: Zach Ertz

Tournament Tight End

Brock Bowers, Raiders ($7,400) at Saints

Aidan O'Connell’s Week 16 return sparked a major rebound for Bowers. The rookie racked up 11-99 on a huge 37% target share.

The Saints supply a slightly positive matchup in terms of adjusted fantasy points allowed. Meanwhile, the Raiders are implied for a better-than-usual 19.5 points.

Also in my player pool: Jake Ferguson

Defense

Las Vegas Raiders ($3,200) at New Orleans Saints

The Raiders might be shorthanded on defense, but a cheap price and a plus matchup shoot them to the top of our dollar per point ranks.

Matchup plays a huge role. Among 44 QBs with 100+ dropbacks, Spencer Rattler ranks bottom-10 in completion rate, turnover-worthy play rate, yards per attempt, and pressure to sack rate.

Also in my player pool: Colts, Dolphins