RADIO
We are treated to some NFL football this Saturday afternoon as we have a nice three-game slate to focus on. The slate kicks off with the Lions taking on the Bucs which is a big game for Tampa as they look to keep pace in the NFC Wild-Card race. The middle game of the slate features an NFC West matchup that Arizona needs to win in order to stay in the NFC Wild-Card race as well. The night-time game features the Dolphins taking on the Raiders and both teams are still in the AFC Wild-Card chase as well. The Raiders have a very small chance to make the playoffs, while a Dolphins win would knock the Raiders out of playoff contention completely while bolstering their own chances of making it to the postseason.
In this article, I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks on DraftKings for the Saturday NFL football slate on December 26th (Week 16). These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on DraftKings.
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Saturday Three-Game Week 16 Slate
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions (-5.5), 48.5 O/U
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals (-9), 51.5 O/U
Miami Dolphins vs. Las Vegas Raiders (-9), 51.5 O/U
DFS Quarterbacks
Tom Brady, QB - vs. DET ($6,800)
It's hard to look at this three-game slate and not want to consider rostering Tom Brady. Brady is having a solid season as he has thrown for over 3,800 yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He has flashed some ceiling games as he has eclipsed 30+ DK points in three games so far this season, and has provided a solid floor as he is averaging 21 DK points per game. Brady draws arguably the best matchup on the slate as he is facing a Lions Defense that is allowing 275 passing yards per game, 29.8 points per game, and 412 total yards per game. The Lions are also allowing opposing teams to average two passing touchdowns per game which bodes well for Brady and this Bucs passing attack. Brady is viable in all formats, and is one of the overall safer plays on the slate.
Kyler Murray, QB - vs. SF ($7,500)
If we are looking for upside, Murray could very well offer the most upside at the quarterback position on this slate. Murray has surpassed the 30 point DK mark six times already this season, and part of that is due to finding success on both the ground and the air. Murray has thrown for over 3,600 yards on the season while also throwing 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. On the ground, Murray has racked up 741 rushing yards and has amassed 11 rushing touchdowns on the season. While the matchup against San Francisco seems tough, Murray found success against them in Week 1 as he threw for 230 passing yards while throwing a touchdown pass and rushing for a touchdown as well. The 49ers are coming off a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys where they allowed 41 total points, and now have allowed over 30 points in two out of their last three games played. Even with it being a divisional game where games tend to be tighter, Murray could still find and exceed his value in all formats.
DFS Running Backs
Josh Jacobs, RB - vs. MIA ($6,600)
The Raider's offense revolves around the running game and Jacobs will continue to be a continued focal point until the end of the season. Jacobs has had a solid year, and has been named to the Pro-Bowl which is great for the second-year back. Jacobs is knocking on the door of 1,000 rushing yards this season (currently has 907 rushing yards) and 10 total touchdowns on the year. In addition, he is being more involved in the passing game as he has seen at least three targets in each of his last three games played. The matchup against the Dolphins looks to be a tough one - as they limit opponents to just 18.2 points per game, which is second-best in the league - but they do allow 120 rushing yards per game, which is the 19th best in the league. Jacobs should see a heavy volume and will be relied on to keep the Raiders in this game against Miami.
Leonard Fournette, RB - vs. DET ($5,500)
Ronald Jones II has officially been ruled out again for the Bucs this week which means we could see another heavy workload for Leonard Fournette. Fournette is coming off 14 rushing attempts against the Falcons, where he was also targeted five times in the passing game as well. Fournette was able to find the end zone twice on the ground and now draws an extremely favorable matchup against the Lions. Detroit is allowing over 139 yards per game on the ground which ranks 29th in the league. With the Bucs being heavy favorites, Fournette should be able to find success if the Bucs are able to get up early, and pound the rock in the second half of the game. Fournette has hit double-digit DK points in every game that he was able to get double-digit carries, so he looks to be viable in all formats.
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB - vs. ZONA ($5,000)
Jeff Wilson Jr. could be in line for a big-role for San Francisco against Arizona. Raheem Mostert has been placed on IR and Wilson has been a solid replacement in his absence. Wilson has gotten double-digit carries in three out of his last four games played, and has recorded a rushing touchdown in back-to-back games. When he was splitting time with Mostert, Wilson was often used in passing situations, and he has averaged four targets per game over his last three games. The 49ers like to establish the run early - and with a solid matchup against Zona (allowing 119.4 yards allowed against the run), Wilson could have a very solid outing.
DFS Wide Receivers
DeAndre Hopkins, WR - vs. CAR ($8,300)
Hopkins is the best wide receiver on the slate and while he does carry a high price tag, he is certainly worth paying up for. Hopkins has seen 35 targets over his last three games played, and has eclipsed 130 receiving yards in two out of three of those games. Nuk has hit the double-digit DK mark in six straight games played, and has hit the 20 point DK mark in three of those games. Hopkins had a monster game against the 49ers in Week 1, as he hauled in 14 receptions on 16 targets for over 150 yards, so he can certainly get it done in this matchup.
Antonio Brown, WR - vs. DET ($5,300)
The Bucs need to start hitting on all cylinders down this stretch of games as they make a charge towards the playoffs, and it could all start with a big performance from Antonio Brown. AB finally hauled in his first receiving touchdown against Atlanta last week while also hauling in a season-high of 93 yards receiving. Brown is seeing the third-highest snap count over the past several weeks for all Bucs receivers, and has actually seen the second-most targets on the team over his last four games played. The price point on Brown is just too good to pass up, especially if you're wanting to pair him with Brady for a Buccaneers mini-stack.
Marvin Jones, WR - vs. TB ($4,900)
With Kenny Golladay out again and with the Lions most likely trailing from behind in this game, Marvin Jones could certainly see a large target number this game. He is under 5k on DK which seems like a mis-pricing, given the fact that he is coming off of a 10-catch performance for 112 yards and a touchdown. Jones has seen 12 targets in three out of his last four games played, and with the Lions most likely trailing from behind, he should be in line for another solid performance which makes him viable in all formats.
Lynn Bowden Jr., WR vs. LV ($3,900)
There are not too many revenge narratives on this slate but if you're looking for one, this could be it. Lynn Bowden Jr. was initially drafted by the Raiders in the third round in the 2020 NFL draft but was shipped off to Miami a few months later. Bowden has been thrust into the lineup over the past several weeks due to injuries, but has actually thrived as a slot receiver for them. Bowden has seen 20 targets over his last three games and has turned out to be a reliable target in the passing game. If DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant are unable to go, Bowden could be viable in all formats. But if they return, he could lose some snaps and targets which makes him viable only in tournament builds.
DFS Tight Ends
Darren Waller, TE - vs. MIA ($7,000)
If you are wanting a player that carries a high floor, look no further than Waller. Just like Travis Kelce for the Chiefs, Waller is a top target in the Raider's passing offense and still carries a slight discount on the slate. Waller has seen 39 targets over his last three games played and has racked up 425 receiving yards during that span. While the matchup is tough against a stingy Dolphins Defense, Waller will be needed and called upon to make plays for the Raiders to remain competitive in this matchup.
Jordan Reed, TE - vs. ZONA ($2,900)
Value could be needed on this slate and with a player that is sub 3k, Jordan Reed could certainly be in play. Reed is averaging five targets over the last five games played and while he doesn't offer the highest of ceilings, he has carved out a solid role in this 49ers offense. Reed has hauled in two receiving touchdowns in his last three games played and while he doesn't rack up the yardage like other tight ends, his upside lies in the end zone as a touchdown target in the passing game. Reed would be more of a low-priced cash game play which would allow you to spend up at other positions.
Update: My value play was going to be Jordan Reed as seen above - but since I wrote this, the 49ers activated George Kittle from IR and he is expected to play against Arizona. Kittle is priced down at 5k which is ridiculous considering the upside that he has shown. If Kittle does play, he could be the best point-for-dollar play on the slate and would be viable in all formats.
DFS Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, D/ST - vs. DET ($3,800)
This is too good of a matchup for the Bucs. The Lions could have key offensive players missing, while also missing half of their coaching staff due to being placed on the COVID-19/ reserve list. Detroit has one of the worst rushing attacks in the league (averaging 92 yards per game) and is middle of the pack when it comes to scoring points, as they average 23 points per game. The Bucs defense has been stout against the run as they allow 77 rushing yards per game, which is best in the league, and hold opponents to just 22 total points per game. The Bucs defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 37 times this season, while the Lions have allowed their own quarterback to be sacked 43 total times. If the Bucs defense can generate pressure, they will get to whoever is under center for the Lions on Saturday.
Good luck, RotoBallers, and remember to mix it up and don't be afraid to be different in these large field GPPs!
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