NFL week 16 is underway and we’re building some winning DFS lineups for Sunday’s main slate. It doesn’t matter if you’re building a lineup for cash games or a GPP tournament, finding the right DFS bargains is important. We want to be able to fit in the likes of Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb, so saving salary is vital. But not at the expense of taking a potential zero. We’re looking for DFS value picks who have a legitimate shot at not just returning value for the cost, but exceeding value. These are more than just dart-throws. Some of them are value plays to be used in cash games, not just GPP tournaments, so let’s take a look at who is saving us some money here in NFL Week 16.

 

 

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Top FanDuel & DraftKings Week 16 DFS Value Plays

Nick Mullens, QB Minnesota Vikings

We don’t need to get too cute here. Based on our NFL Week 16 DFS Ownership Projections, Mullens is expected to be the highest-rostered quarterback in large-field, multi-entry GPP tournaments. But what that also tells us is he should also be highly-rostered in cash games as well, so why not take the free square and build up the rest of your lineups with a pay-down at quarterback? And it’s not a bad play either. Sure, there is risk given Mullens status as a back-up QB, but if he is going to be so highly-owned, his overall level of performance becomes somewhat irrelevant. If he hits, you’re keeping pace with the rest of the field. If he doesn’t, you’re not getting hit as hard because most everyone else is in the same boat. But while it’s risky to expect Mullens to repeat his Week 15 performance, the stage is set for him to do just that. We expect this game to have a strong back-and-forth and given the offense Kevin O’Connell likes to run, we expect Mullens to be throwing early and often. And if the Lions jump out to a lead, he’s going to throw even more. The Lions are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, they’ve coughed up 22 passing touchdowns on the year and are allowing their opponents to score an average of 27.7 points per game over the last six weeks. The stage is set for Mullens to provide the value you need at a position you can’t miss if you want to cash.

Chuba Hubbard, RB Carolina Panthers

While no one really wants to roster any Panthers, getting Hubbard into your lineups at his current price can go a long way with how you build the rest of your lineup. But what I love about this play is something I noted in the NFL Week 16 DFS Contrarian Corner – identifying changes in an offense to which few people are paying attention. While this play doesn’t pop because of injuries, it does because of the recent coaching changes we’ve seen in Carolina. Since the Panthers fired their entire coaching staff, interim head coach Chris Tabor is using a heavy rushing attack to put together longer, more-sustained drives that chew up the clock. Hubbard has seen at least 22 carries in each of his last three games and has amassed 278 rushing yards and two touchdowns in that span. And what’s best is that he’s done it against some pretty tough run defenses like Tampa Bay, Atlanta and New Orleans. Now he gets Green Bay, a team that ranks 26th in DVOA against the run and allows the third-most rushing yards per game. Hubbard’s salary, especially on DK, puts him in a fantastic spot to be your value play running back.

Parker Washington, WR Jacksonville Jaguars

While most people look to dismiss the Jaguars receivers until they get word that Trevor Lawrence (concussion) will play, you can still look to Washington as a strong value play even if C.J. Beathard is under center. With Christian Kirk on IR and Zay Jones continuously questionable with a variety of injuries, Washington has stepped into a much larger role. After spending the first 10 weeks on the B-squad, catching passes from Beathard at practice, Washington has now seen close to a 60-percent snap share over the last three games with an average of five targets per game. He’s got the speed to stretch the field vertically, but he’s actually taken the majority of his snaps out of the slot where he will be matched up with Christian Izien, the corner who has “helped the Buccaneers to a DVOA ranking of 28th against the opposing slot receiver. Last week against the Ravens was a tough one for him, but in the two games prior, he posted a combined eight catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Your budget will benefit using Washington as your WR3 or flex play this week.

Cade Otton, TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While the majority of people use Chigoziem Okonkwo and his suspect QB situation as their value tight end, I’m going to pivot to Otton who is in an even more favorable match-up and has a comparable cost. Otton plays roughly 95-percent of the snaps and sees about four or five targets per game, but what is most exciting is how often he is targeted inside the red zone. Over the past seven games, he’s seen eight red zone targets and has three touchdowns to show for it. The Jaguars’ secondary has been super-soft throughout the season, they rank 19thin DVOA against the tight end and allow the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position. If he sees his usual target share and gets into the end zone this week, you’re way ahead of the value game.