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Week 17 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

Top Plays for DraftKings Head-to-Head and 50/50 Contests

Here are the guys I’m considering for DraftKings Week 17 head-to-heads and 50/50s:

Quarterback

Mason Rudolph, Titans ($5,000)

Here are Rudolph’s DraftKings scores in four full games this season:

• 11.9
• 21.5
• 18.5
• 17.4

17-22 points is more than enough at this price tag. Even 12 probably wouldn’t kill us on this eight-game slate that figures to be lower-scoring than usual.

Rudolph gets more attractive when you consider the matchup. He gets a Jacksonville defense that ranks dead last in both pass defense DVOA and adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. The Jags have been a bit better lately but still rank 26th vs. QBs over the last five weeks

Also consider:

• Sam Darnold, Vikings ($6,400)

Running Backs

De’Von Achane, Dolphins ($7,700)

Achane’s passing-game usage hasn’t slowed down. He’s seen seven targets in three straight games and nine targets in the game before that.

In nine games since QB Tua Tagovailoa returned from his concussion, Achane has averaged:

• 6.6 targets
• 5.9 catches
• 42.8 receiving yards
• 0.6 receiving TDs

That’s 13.5 DraftKings points per game – just from receiving production.

Achane is also averaging 12.3 carries, 55.7 rushing yards, and 0.4 TDs per game over those last nine.

He’s one of the highest floor plays on the slate.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers ($6,700)

Irving went back to dominating rushing work for the Bucs last week, out-carrying RB Rachaad White 16 to 3.

Irving is off this week’s injury report. And White cost Tampa Bay a shot at a comeback win with a game-ending fumble last week.

Add it all up and I expect Irving to handle a big rushing load in Sunday’s high-upside spot against Carolina. The Panthers rank dead last in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs and have coughed up a 100-yard rusher in four straight games and six of their last seven.

That stretch includes a 25-152-1 rushing line from Irving.

Aaron Jones, Vikings ($6,200)

Jones’ role is back on the rise. Check out his snap rates and carry shares over the last four weeks:

Minnesota can still win the division if they beat Green Bay this weekend and Detroit in the finale. If they lose to the Packers, they could fall to the No. 6 seed in the NFC.

It’s a huge game on Sunday, so I expect the Vikings to lean into Jones – especially in a revenge game against his former team.

The Packers rank a middling 13th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Also consider:

• Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($8,600)
• Jonathan Taylor, Colts ($7,900)
• Chuba Hubbard, Panthers ($7,000)

Wide Receivers

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars ($6,800)

DraftKings can’t raise Thomas’ price fast enough. He’s up $1,000 from just a couple of weeks ago but still checks in as a top-3 WR value on this slate.

The Jaguars have fed Thomas 49 targets over the last four weeks – tied for second most in the league. He’s turned that volume into:

• 31 catches
• 399 yards
• 4 TDs
• 25.5 DK points per game

Thomas gets a Titans defense on Sunday that ranks third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs on the season. But they’re down to 10th over the last five weeks.

It’s a doable matchup for Thomas. But we’re really playing him for the combination of volume and talent.

Garrett Wilson, Jets ($6,100)

You could play Jakobi Meyers ($6,000) in this spot instead, but I’m opting for the higher-ceiling play.

Wilson has taken a backseat to WR Davante Adams lately. But he’s still seen 7+ targets in three of his last four games. In fact, he’s fallen short of seven targets in just one of nine games since Adams arrived.

There’s some “squeaky-wheel” potential this week after Wilson expressed frustration over his usage after last week’s loss. Interim HC Jeff Ulbrich said he wants to get Wilson the ball more.

#Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich on Garrett Wilson:

“We’ve got to find ways to get Garrett the ball more often… Putting him first in the progression as often as we can, and ultimately try and find ways to get him open to get the ball.” pic.twitter.com/bBzv2jV9kT

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) December 23, 2024

The Jets are 9.5-point underdogs in Buffalo on Sunday, so there should be plenty of passing volume from QB Aaron Rodgers.

And the Bills pass defense has been getting smoked lately. They rank 30th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs over the last five weeks.

Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers ($4,600)

The rookie is rolling, with DraftKings scores of 21.9, 18.5, and 16.7 over his last three. He’s been boosted by four TDs – but McMillan has averaged 6.7 targets and 4.7 catches per game over that stretch.

It looks like WR Sterling Shepard and TE Cade Otton will miss Week 17, which could push even more volume in McMillan’s direction. There’s nothing to worry about with the matchup against Carolina. And the Bucs’ 28.25-point implied total is highest on the slate.

Also consider:

• Jakobi Meyers, Raiders ($6,000)
• Adam Thielen, Panthers ($5,700)
• Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants ($4,400)
• Dontayvion Wicks, Packers ($3,900)

Tight Ends

Chig Okonkwo, Titans ($3,600)

Okonkwo has become a focal point of Tennessee’s passing game lately, racking up 21 targets and 17 catches over the past two games. Just as importantly, he registered a season-high 83% route rate last week. 

Chig has a chance to stay hot this weekend against the Jaguars' 30th-ranked TE defense. He’s easily the top dollars-per-point value at TE on this slate.

Defense/Special Teams

Dolphins ($3,200)

This is more than we usually pay for a DST in cash. But Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a special case. Here are the results of his three full games in the NFL:

Also consider:

• Raiders ($2,600)

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.