Heading into Week 17, many NFL teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, while others have secured their post-season berth altogether. This creates a tricky situation, where teams may rest their players for most, if not all of their Week 17 game. With a potentially reduced player pool, focusing on Week 17's competitive games should lead to profitability. Here are a few notable plays on this week's DraftKings' main slate.
Blake Bortles (@ Houston) - $4,400
Named the starter earlier this week, Blake Bortles has one last chance to prove himself as Jacksonville's future quarterback. Bortles has largely disappointed this season, but he draws a soft matchup against the Texans' secondary allowing the most passing yards over the past four weeks (1,520). Bortles also ranks 8th in quarterback rushing yards (350) despite missing three games this season. At a mere 4.4k Bortles deserves a strong look in cash games.
Saquon Barkley (v Dallas) - $8,200
With many of the league's top studs sitting or injured, the Giants have shown no signs of resting Saquon Barkley. Barkley has at least 18 touches in every game since Week 4, averaging 22.25 touches in his last 4 games. Dallas normally plays stout run defense, but they cannot change their playoff seed. With Dallas likely to rest starters, Barkley should see a softer Cowboys' defense than normal, putting him into cash consideration.
Jeff Wilson (v Los Angeles) - $4,400
With Matt Breida ruled out for San Francisco's season finale, Jeff Wilson will again step in as the team's starter. When Breida missed Week 14, Wilson played 86% of the team's snaps, while recording 24 touches. With an additional 9-target game under his belt, Wilson should play in all game scripts, putting him in play for GPPs.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (v Cincinnati) - $8,300
Playing in a must-win game for the Steelers, JuJu Smith-Schuster should play his normal role on Sunday. Smith-Schuster currently ranks 4th in the NFL in targets (155) and has averaged just over 12 targets per game in his last six contests. The Bengals have allowed the sixth-most yards to receivers this season (2,594) and should struggle to contain both Antonio Brown and JuJu. Coming in $400 cheaper, JuJu offers a direct pivot off Brown in GPPs.
Robert Woods (@ San Francisco) - $6,900
Needing a win to lock up a first round bye, Robert Woods and the Rams should play competitive football in Week 17. Since Cooper Kupp's injury, Woods easily leads the Rams in targets (49) and air yards (526). The 49ers have allowed the league's most touchdowns to receivers (23), creating an avenue for Woods' success. Woods warrants cash and GPP consideration in this spot.
Chris Godwin (v Atlanta) $4,300
After returning from a three-game absence, DeSean Jackson injured his Achilles and again looks unlikely to play in Week 17. In three games without Jackson this season, Chris Godwin averaged 83% of the Bucs' snaps. In this span Godwin saw 21 targets, but only secured 6 of them. Godwin finds himself in a bounce-back matchup against the Falcons' defense that has allowed the tenth-most catches to receivers over the past four weeks. Surely to carry low ownership, the second-year receiver should mix into GPPs.
Chris Herndon (@ New England) - $3,400
Breaking out in his rookie season, Chris Herndon has shown reliability with Sam Darnold down the stretch. Herndon has played at least 65% of the Jets' snaps each of the last four weeks, averaging 4.75 targets in that span. Playing the league's most volatile position, paying down for Herndon could prove beneficial in cash and GPPs this week.
