RADIO
Welcome Rotoballers to Week 17, always one of the weirder weeks of the season. I'd love to be able to tell you that Week 17 GPP DFS Value Plays include players on teams who are all playing for either a potential play-off berth or better seeding. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
But I caution all of you in believing too much in that narrative that teams with little to play for don't have players who will put forth the maximum effort. Players still want to win. Furthermore, even if they might be playing for a new coach or a new team next year, it's better to have additional game film on yourself than to be seen dogging it simply because it is a meaningless game in week 17.
It's why I could not believe the number of people saying the "Jets are so dumb" when they won not only one but two games the last two weeks, gift-wrapping the Jaguars the first pick. If you are a NYJ player, there is no reason to make things easier for the team to find your potential replacement. Even if you are a free agent looking to sign with a different team next year, why not give your agent as much ammunition as possible? That is part of the reason why I like Sam Darnold this week. But I'm not going to give it all away up top here. See below for why I like Darnold and the rest of my Week 17 GPP Value Plays below.
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Week 17 Quarterback DFS GPP Value Play
Sam Darnold at Patriots (DraftKings $4900, FanDuel $6600)
Darnold is starting to looking very competent and has not thrown a pick in his last three games. While Darnold improves, it would also help if his WRs were a little more dependable.
#JetsTwitter Sam Darnold is the guy. Nothing better he can do on this play but time and time again he gets let down by his teammates. Barrios drops a perfectly thrown ball for a TD and instead Jets drive ends in 3. Get #darnold some receivers! pic.twitter.com/MSn0l9iXwE
— JetsFanPage (@NewYorkJetsGuy) December 24, 2020
Furthermore, while Adam Gase will be coaching his last game as the Jets head coach this week, I would not be surprised if we see a bit of a "dead cat bounce" with the players knowing that Gase is gone, and that extends to Darnold. The Patriots meanwhile are giving up the tenth highest completion percentage and the ninth highest yards per attempt so far this season. If Darnold can once again see 30+ pass attempts like he did last week, he should manage to put up reasonable stats this week. And with the Jets out their top two RBs, I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen.
And priced outside of the top 25 options on both sites, Darnold has the potential to be one of the profitable QB plays in week 17.
Week 17 Running Back DFS GPP Value Play
Malcolm Brown vs Arizona (Draftkings $4300, FanDuel $5600)
Take a look at the Rams current depth chart:
Rams current depth chart:
QB:
John Wolford
Blake Bortles
Bryce PerkinsRB:
Malcolm Brown
Xavier Jones
Raymond CalaisWR:
Robert Woods
Josh Reynolds
Van Jefferson*RB Cam Akers has high-ankle sprain, possible to return.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 29, 2020
With both Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers likely out due to injuries, the Rams backfield will default to Malcolm Brown. And with Cooper Kupp also out, I would not be surprised to see the Rams go with a run-heavy offense. Furthermore, the matchup is a decent one as Arizona is in the bottom half of the league in preventing RB fantasy points.
Finally, we know Brown can be a viable fantasy asset. I remind you back in week 1 when we thought he was "the guy" after running 18 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns. So the potential is there. And especially on DraftKings, he makes for a great Week 17 value.
Week 17 Wide Receiver DFS GPP Value Play
Dez Bryant at Cincinnati (DraftKings $3100, FanDuel $5200)
Talk about value, you're getting three for the price of one this week! I like Dez Bryant on DK this week, but his price is a little high on FD for my tastes. Therefore I'm also going to recommend the super-low priced Richie James (SFO) and Van Jefferson (LAR) at $4600 on FanDuel this week. Both teams might be without their top WR this weekend, opening up some additional opportunities for each. Both are talented young rookies that their teams will likely want to see more game tape of heading into the offseason.
But back to Bryant. He has not been heavily targeted but at $3100 he doesn't need to be if he continues to score touchdowns like he has done the last two weeks. With only six teams giving up more passing TDs than the Cincinnati Bengals, I suspect we will see a few passing touchdowns out of Baltimore this weekend. Is there any reason why the WRs higher up the Ravens depth chart should see more targets? Not one. The Dez Bryant Comeback Tour rolls on this week.
Week 17 Tight End DFS GPP Value Play
Donald Parham at Kansas City (DraftKings $2900, FanDuel $4200)
There is so much to like here. First off, Kansas City is not good in defending TEs. They have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. And unlike any other team, their defense has their luxury of not ever having to face the best TE in Travis Kelce in an NFL game!
Secondly, recall that Hunter Henry is still out. The usage of Stephen Anderson last week might be a reason to tap the brakes, but Parham still over 80% of the Chargers offensive snaps including 20 snaps either out wide or in the slot. At 6'8, I think Parham should see a red zone target or two, especially against the Chiefs' shorter corners. At this low price, one red-zone TD gives us a profit and I foresee him doing even more than that.
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