I hope everyone continues to be profitable playing NFL DFS even if the math says that’s impossible. Regardless, last week is in the past and we have a new week of action in front of us. I intend to help you make Week 17 of NFL DFS a week to remember as you finish in the green. With that being said, let us jump right into my top Week 17 DFS picks.
Each week, I will take a look at one option at each position that can be a nice piece in your lineup. Additionally, I will provide one stud and one value option to target along with one expected bust.
NFL Week 17 DFS Picks
Quarterback
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints, $5,500
It is no secret that I like Derek Carr this week. After all, I did highlight him as QB sleeper for Week 17. So back to him for our Week 17 NFL DFS picks we go.
Carr is coming off a strong performance last week against the Los Angeles Rams. He threw for 319 yards, and for the second straight week, Carr had three touchdown passes. With two games left in the season, there is an outside chance Carr will get to 4,000 yards on the season. It has taken most of the season, but Carr finally appears comfortable passing downfield with New Orleans. The building chemistry with Rashid Shaheed doesn’t hurt. Chris Olave also continues to develop as a major weapon here. Statistically, it is also a great matchup against Tampa Bay.
Running Back
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders, $5,100
It is all about opportunity here. For the second straight week, it appears that Josh Jacobs will be out. That means another full workload for Zamir White. What initially catches our attention, is that it comes against an Indianapolis Colts team allowing the third most DraftKings points to opposing running backs.
Last week in Kansas City, White showed that he has the ability to carry the load. While he was only targeted once in the passing game and didn’t score a touchdown, it was still a strong day. White carried the ball 22 times and gained 145 against the Chiefs. We should expect to see a similar volume this week, with the strong potential for him to score a touchdown.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints, $6,800
Let’s get that stack going. After targeting Derek Carr above, Chris Olave should fit perfectly into your lineup for the same reasons. He too comes in a very fair price, so beginning your lineup this way shouldn’t leave you strapped too much from a salary cap perspective.
Heading into a great matchup, Olave is coming off a phenomenal game. While he didn’t catch a touchdown last week, that should change in Week 17, Olave was a great source of production. He was targeted 13 times, and that turned into nine receptions 123 yards. That put Olave at 81 catches for the season while he also broke the 1,000-yard mark (1,041).
Tight End
Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans, $3,600
When it comes to tight ends, it’s all about that touchdown. Yes, it does mean we are in the position of chasing, but at least we know the rules.
We have been waiting all season for Chig Okonkwo to find the end zone, and last week he did. The Tennessee Titans offense has been up and down this season, but Okonkwo has been solid as of late. Of course, other than his inability to find the end zone. Last week, that changed as one of Okonkwo’s six catches was for his first touchdown of the year. He caught all six of his targets for 63 yards. It was the third time in four weeks that Okonkwo was targeted six times, so there is a clear role for him. This week, he faces a Houston Texans team allowing the third most DK points to opposing tight ends, so that helps as well.
Defense
Los Angeles Chargers, $2,900
Yes, this is the same team the Las Vegas Raiders went to town on two weeks ago. However, sometimes you have to have a short memory.
It’s not like Denver was an offensive powerhouse prior to this point, but now they have made a switch under center. Going from Russell Wilson to Jarrett Stidham is a clear downgrade, and that puts the Chargers in position to have a solid week. With 45 sacks, the Chargers have proven that they know how to get to the quarterback. Their defense also has more than one takeaway per game, so it’s shaping up to be a solid week for Los Angeles.
DFS Stud
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers, $9,600
Is it even fair? Christian McCaffrey has been insane this season and you can just about write it in ink that he will score a touchdown.
All McCaffrey has done this year is score 21 touchdowns; 14 rushing and seven receiving, with 1,395 rushing yards and 537 receiving yards, McCaffrey should break the 2,000-yard threshold this week. Washington has one of the worst defenses in the league, and McCaffrey is in a great spot to take advantage of it.
DFS Value
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $7,600
While Rachaad White has had a great year and likely won people a fair amount of money, this is not the week to go hunting for it.
Last week, White did carry the ball 20 times, but it only resulted in 39 rushing yards. It is a great sign to see White’s workload at that level as he is the clear number-one running back in Tampa Bay. With just 3.6 yards per carry, White hasn’t exactly been efficient overall this year. For Week 17, it is a tough matchup against a tough New Orleans run defense for White, and I’m looking in another direction.
DFS Bust
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks, $4,800
It often takes rookie wide receivers a bit to get accustomed to action at the NFL level, and Jaxon Smith-Nijgba has been no different. Over the past few weeks though, his level of play has certainly been illustrative of his upside.
In three of the last four weeks, Smith-Nijgba has been targeted at least seven times. Last week, he turned that into six receptions for 61. The rookie is also a threat to break off a big play, and the Seahawks haven’t been shy about involving him in the offense.
Week 17 Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End