NFL Week 13 is already here and it’s time to get those DraftKings lineups in place. So, let’s take a look at some NFL DraftKings value plays as well as some overrated picks that are not worth your time this week.
For starters, there is a nicely-priced DraftKings QB who has a Week 13 matchup against one of the NFL’s worst passing defenses. Aside from that, will an AFC North fantasy RB continue to thrive after he last torched his previous opponent? Which Eagles wideout makes for a better DFS start in Week 13?
From these value picks to a pricey DraftKings wide receiver facing a brutal passing defense to a QB who threw only one TD last week, you might be surprised about our best DraftKings Week 13 picks and some players slated to come up short.
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DraftKings Week 13 picks: Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins, $7,900
At his DraftKings salary, Tagovailoa is an extreme Week 13 value play on the road against the Washington Commanders. Look for Tagovailoa to hit some major home runs facing the NFL’s defense giving away the most DraftKings QB fantasy points per game (24).
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, $6,100
Those wanting a cheaper option at quarterback may want to gamble with Purdy in DFS for Week 13. He makes a great start in Philadelphia facing an Eagles defense that has been second-worst in defending opposing fantasy quarterbacks.
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos, $5,700
Russ has been cooking lately, producing consistent QB fantasy points. At this affordable salary — $2,500 less than the top QB option — he is a DraftKings value play in Week 13. Wilson and the Broncos head to play the Texans, a team that has awarded the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2023: See where all 32 starting QBs rank
DraftKings Week 13 picks: Running Backs
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams, $7,200
Williams is coming from a scorching hot, over 200-yard performance and is the fifth-highest-priced RB in Week 13. So take advantage of starting him in DraftKings while this affordability exists. Williams next takes on a Browns defense that gave up 169 rushing yards and two rushing TDs to Denver last week.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, $6,800
Henry found his wheels as we predicted he would last week and has another excellent DFS matchup on tap for Week 13. At this price, Henry is a great DraftKings value play squaring off against the Colts. Indianapolis has yielded the seventh-most DraftKings fantasy points (25.2) to running backs.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots, $6,000
As the lone bright spot on a tanking Patriots team, Stevenson is a smart play in DraftKings in Week 13 when the LA Chargers come to town. The Chargers have allowed the eighth-most RB fantasy points and running the ball seems to be the only way the Patriots can attempt to make any headway these days.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers, $5,200
Coming from his second-best performance to date, fire up Harris, who sports excellent value at this cheap DraftKings salary. He’s got a dream Week 13 matchup at home against the Cardinals, who have surrendered the most DraftKings RB points (30.3).
Related: Week 13 fantasy rankings: Best, QB, RB, WR and TEs to start, sit
DraftKings Week 13 picks: Wide Receivers
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins, $9,600
Just like Tagovailoa, Hill offers tons of DraftKings value in Week 13, even as the highest-priced WR on the slate. Hill should absolutely exhaust a Commanders defense that is offering up the most WR DraftKings points (43.5). You definitely do not want to be playing against Hill in any format in Week 13.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $7,700
Even against a tougher Panthers’ passing defense, Mike Evans is hard to pass up in DraftKings at this salary in Week 13. Baker Mayfield has targeted Evans 31 times over his last three games, resulting in 256 yards and four TDs. We don’t see any reason for this fantasy production to suddenly drop off.
Devonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles, $7,300
Smith has scored a total of 42.5 DraftKings fantasy points in his last two games compared to A.J. Brown’s 16.5 combined. This makes Smith much more of a value play priced $1,500 less than Brown for Week 13. The Eagles host the 49ers, whose defense should continue to focus on Brown. We can hope.
Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts, $7,100
Start Pittman in DraftKings in Week 13 while he’s hot! He last caught 10 of his 13 targets for 107 yards and heads to Tennessee this Sunday. The Titans should have a tough time fighting off Pittman, who should take advantage of a defense allowing 39.2 WR DraftKings points per game.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers, $6,200
Stack Samuel with Brock Purdy and watch the fantasy points pour in for Week 13. Samuel is a sweet value here going up against the defense that has generously allowed 48.4 DraftKings points to wide receivers this year. Yes, the Eagles lead the league in this statistic.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders, $4,100
On the super cheap, Samuel may be poised again for a nice DraftKings payday playing the Dolphins in Week 13. The Dolphins have been tenth-worst in defending wide receivers. And with the Washington offense likely having to throw a bazillion times to keep up with Miami, Samuel should remain a key cog.
Related: 2023 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating all 32 teams
DraftKings Week 13 picks: Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions, $5,600
LaPorta, who last had the second-highest target share for the Lions in Week 12, should continue to reward in DraftKings. The Lions play the Saints, who have allowed six TE TDs (tied for highest in the NFL) and the 10th-most fantasy points to the position. LaPorta is practically a must-start.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints, $5,200
In this same game, Hill makes for a Week 13 start at TE in DraftKings, with the Saints extremely thin at receivers. Hill can do it all, and he should be plenty busy making plays on offense to keep his Saints moving the chains.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints, $3,400
Even cheaper yet is Juwan Johnson, who boasts tons of fantasy upside at his DraftKings salary. He’s certainly a cheap DFS lineup start who also should be involved more on offense, with the Saints hurting in the receiving department. Detroit last gave up a TD to Packers’ rookie TE Tucker Kraft, for what it’s worth.
Related: 2023 NFL defense rankings: Best and worst NFL defenses
DraftKings overrated plays Week 13
Quarterbacks:
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers, $8,000
Coming from a dismal one-TD game, Herbert enters Week 13 as overrated, priced third-highest at QB in DraftKings. The Chargers head to frosty New England to face a defense that has surrendered the ninth-fewest QB fantasy points and a mere 13 passing TDs across 11 games.
Running Backs:
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers, $8,300
Producing an underwhelming total of 18.4 DraftKings fantasy points over his last two games, Ekeler is a risky spend priced second-highest at his position in Week 13. The Patriots have yielded only nine total RB touchdowns on the season. There are better DraftKings value plays at RB as covered above.
Wide Receivers:
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams, $7,800
Kupp has been one of the biggest DraftKings ripoffs since his return, and in Week 13 things don’t look to turn around. He’s extremely overrated at this salary, facing a Browns defense that has allowed the fewest WR fantasy points. On average, Cleveland has given up only 120.8 WR per game and just seven WR touchdowns.
Tight Ends:
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams, $3,700
Another DraftKings player for Week 13 who may disappoint despite his salary, is Higbee. He’s an overrated play if you’re thinking he is going to have a repeat two-TD performance against Cleveland. The Browns’ defense is No. 1 against tight ends, and it’s allowed only three scores this season and 20.6 yards per clash. Not to mention, Higbee’s two touchdowns last week were his only scores of the year.
Related: Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings 2023: Week 13 fantasy K rankings, best and worst NFL kickers