It’s a new year, but the same me in the sense that I’m still grinding out NFL DFS cash game contests. Hopefully, the new year serves all of us well, and together, we can stumble upon some green screens. With that said, let’s bring in the new year the right way by crushing the Week 17 slate.
The goal of the cash game article is to outline some of the safer plays while also providing options that will help you create optimal builds. The whole point of it all is to make some money. Sometimes we won’t, but the most important part is putting ourselves in the best position to do so. That goes without saying, but it can sometimes get overshadowed by the results on a week-to-week basis.
People only want to know how many points a guy scored, not necessarily the route they took to get there. DFS is not only a science but a math equation. Let’s dive in, put the pieces together, and try to solve it.
If you’ve been riding with me all along, you know the drill. There will be a lock emoji next to a few of my favorite options. All the players mentioned in the article are viable for Cash Games, but those with that lock emoji will be fixtures in my main lineup(s).
Here are the DFS Cash Game Plays for Week 17.
Quarterback
Trey Lance ($4,800 DK, $6,400 FD) – 🔒
Indeed, this can be a scary proposition to many fantasy footballers. Trey Lance has only started one game this season and hasn’t played since Week 11 when he carried the ball three times. In his lone start against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, the rookie showed why he wasn’t named the starter out of training camp. However, he scrambled 16 times for 89 yards while chipping in 192 passing yards, albeit with zero touchdowns and one interception. That performance was good enough for 15.6 DK points even without a touchdown. One would think a touchdown or two in order here against the lowly Houston Texans, who are allowing the fourth-most points per game (26.7). Furthermore, they are tied for the most rushing touchdowns allowed to opposing quarterbacks (five).
Other Options: Dak Prescott, Taysom Hill, Jalen Hurts
Running Back
David Montgomery ($6,500 DK, 7,200 FD)
The Chicago Bears have been a mess offensively, and Matt Nagy refuses to use him as much as he should. Montgomery has been a solid running back all season but hasn’t been popping as much as he could numbers-wise because of his situation. However, he’s been getting peppered as a receiver out of the backfield lately. Over his last four games, Montgomery averages 5.8 catches for 40.4 receiving yards per game.
Also, the weather won’t be all that great at Soldier Field, which could lead to more check-down throws from Andy Dalton and more rushing attempts. As for the matchup, the New York Giants are sixth-worst in rush defense DVOA.
Sony Michel ($5,800 DK, 7,100 FD)
Darrell Henderson was placed on IR with a knee injury. There was hope that Cam Akers might suit up and play, but he wound up getting ruled out. That means Sony Michel will do the heavy lifting again for the Los Angeles Rams. He gets set for a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, which features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Rams are riding a four-game winning streak while the Ravens have lost each of their last four.
Speaking of the last four, in two of Michel’s previous four games, he’s rushed for over 120 yards with one touchdown. I would not be shocked to see the Rams jump out to an early lead and hammer the ball on the ground with Michel. As comfortable six-point favorites, Michel is a great value option.
Other Options: Jonathan Taylor (best RB option on the slate if you want to pay up), Darrel Williams, Ronald Jones
Wide Receiver
Antonio Brown ($6,100 DraftKings only 🔒)
Brown is playable on FanDuel, but he’s pricier on that site. He’s an absolute must-play on DraftKings after what we saw last week. Maybe, DraftKings fell asleep at the wheel. I’m not sure why he’s so cheap on DraftKings. When Chris Godwin got hurt, he left a big vacancy in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving game. Brown hadn’t played in a game since Week 6 but returned last week and caught 10 of 15 passes for 101 yards. The New York Jets rank dead last in pass-defense DVOA. Tom Brady and Brown should have no trouble connecting again this week.
Christian Kirk ($5,800 DK, $6,400 FD) – 🔒
With DeAndre Hopkins out since Week 14, Kirk has seen his most single-game targets of the season over the past two games. In the past two games, he’s averaging 10.5 targets, eight catches, and 71 receiving yards. Despite not scoring last week against the Indianapolis Colts, he still produced 11.8 DK points. At this point, that feels like his weekly floor moving forward. Facing the Dallas Cowboys this week, this game sets up as the highest projected scoring affair on the slate, and it’s projected the be the fastest-paced game. I love Kirk on both sites.
Other Options: Cooper Kupp, Tyreek Hill, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, Braxton Berrios
Tight End
Zach Ertz ($5,200 DK, $5,500 FD)
Much like Kirk, the absence of Hopkins has meant an uptick in usage for Ertz. Over the last two games, he has 11 targets and 13 targets, respectively. With those targets, he’s been able to produce exactly 13.4 DK points in each game. The Cowboys have been susceptible to big plays allowed to opposing tight ends at times this season. In a game with a 51.5 Vegas total, in which the Cardinals are 6.5-point underdogs, Ertz could be in store for a blowup game. I will use him on FanDuel, and I’m debating putting him into my lineup on DraftKings.
Cole Kmet ($3,400 DK, $5,000 FD)
Kmet has started every game and played at least 72 percent of the offensive snaps in every game. Yet, somehow, he has gone all season without scoring a touchdown. How is that possible? Jimmy Graham, that’s how. Graham is the preferred option when the Bears get down in the RedZone. With that said, Kmet has averaged 6.6 targets and over four catches per game since Week 7. I don’t want to load up with a ton of Bears, but his salary is too cheap to ignore at a position that’s hard to find value. For now, Kmet is my DraftKings tight end.
Other Options: Dallas Goedert, Dalton Schultz
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins ($2,800 DK, $3,600 FD)
This isn’t the sexiest option or the team with the best possible matchup this week, but they kind of make things work salary-wise. Additionally, the weather looks nasty in Tennessee. It will be cold and wet with rain, which could eventually become snow later in the game. The Titans have had their fair share of struggles on offense since losing Derrick Henry to injury in Week 8. The Dolphins’ defense has been a big part of their current seven-game win streak. They have allowed just under 12 points per game during this seven-game stretch, and they’ve forced at least one turnover in each game. Ryan Tannehill and the gang could be in trouble on their home turf.
Other Options: Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks
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