NFL Week 16 is already here and it’s time to get those DraftKings lineups in place. So, let’s look at some NFL DraftKings value plays and some overrated picks that are not worth your time this week.
For starters, some backup quarterbacks could be in line to score more DraftKings fantasy points in Week 16 versus some overpriced, name-brand quarterbacks. Aside from this, a couple of NFC North fantasy WRs could exploit their favorable matchups this Sunday, making sparks fly. There is also a rookie running back who could look to take advantage of playing a defense giving up the most DraftKings fantasy points to his position.
From these value picks to an overrated fantasy wide receiver who has been on a downhill slope to a rookie running back losing touches to a veteran, you might be surprised about our best DraftKings Week 16 picks and some players slated to come up short.
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NFL DraftKings Week 16 picks: Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $6,000
Priced $1,900 less than the top QB option in Week 16, Mayfield is an extreme value play facing a suspect Jaguars’ defense. The Jags currently give away the third-most QB fantasy points, setting Mayfield up for another very lucrative fantasy payday.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns, $5,500
A Week 16 DraftKings value play, Joe Flacco could be on course for another elevated fantasy performance. Spitting out fantasy stats better than some highly drafted quarterbacks this season, Flacco has a nice matchup at Houston. The Texans have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs this year.
Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings, $5,300
Mullens — a hot waiver wire pickup in Week 16 — impressed in his NFL debut, making him a cheap DFS play for Sunday. Going up against the Detroit Lions, who have yielded an average of 21.4 DraftKings QB points per game, Mullens should once again deliver the fantasy goods for a cheap price.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2023: See where all 32 starting QBs rank
DraftKings Week 16 picks: Running Backs
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins, $7,300
Mostert’s 20 touchdowns scored over 14 games are just incredible. As such, he practically commands a start every week in DFS formats. With a home matchup against a Dallas defense that just allowed James Cook to combine for 221 yards and two touchdowns, Mostert stands to take advantage.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, $6,800
Frustrating some weeks, Derrick Henry has the opportunity to reward big time in Week 16 DraftKings lineups when the Titans host Seattle. To date, the Seahawks have given up 25.4 DraftKings fantasy points per clash to opposing RBs. This marks the most in the NFL.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers, $6,400
Less expensive, Jones is a Week 16 value play in DraftKings heading to face the Panthers — currently surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to the running back position. We can probably expect the game script to allow for a heavy dose of the ground attack with the Packers heavily favored by five points to win.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears, $4,800
Johnson is a sleeper play in DraftKings in Week 16 if he can take advantage of his limited opportunities. The Bears host the Cardinals, who absolutely got rolled by Christian McCaffrey last week. CMC recorded a massive 187 total yards and scored three times against the Cards. The potential is there for Johnson, facing the worst fantasy running back defense in the league.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans, $4,700
Those not wanting to spend on Henry might want to start Spears in Week 16 DFS lineups. If this game goes lopsided one way or the other for Tennessee, Spears will be on pace for plenty of garbage time touches. The Seahawks are fifth-worst against fantasy running backs and giving away the most points in DraftKings formats.
DraftKings Week 16 picks: Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, $8,200
Priced third-highest at WR on the Week 16 DraftKings slate, St. Brown still makes for a value play this Sunday. The Lions head to Minnesota, where the Vikings have given up the most DFS fantasy points to their opposing wide receivers. ARSB should provide a sweet fantasy return.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $6,200
Godwin lit up the field in his last game, and he could be primed to reward once again in DraftKings in Week 16. The Bucs host the Jags, whose defense has yielded the eighth-most WR fantasy points. Baker Mayfield last targeted Godwin a team-high 12 times this past Sunday.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings, $6,000
Priced $2,100 less than Justin Jefferson, Addison is an excellent DraftKings value play hosting Detroit, whose defense gives up the 10th-most WR fantasy points. Nick Mullens and Addison were plenty productive together last week when Addison scored 32.1 points in DraftKings. Hopefully, this trend continues.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks, $4,500
Last scoring a game-changing touchdown against Philadelphia, Smith-Njigba makes for a sneaky value play in Week 16 DraftKings lineups. At this salary, he’s worth a flyer heading to play the Titans, who are giving up a whopping 39.4 WR DraftKings points per game.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers, $4,300
Wicks is a smart DFS play in Week 16 if Christian Watson and/or Jayden Reed are limited or out on Sunday. Both receivers are banged up and Wicks could see a major uptick in workload, just like he received last week (seven targets, six catches, and 97 yards). Even facing a stiffer Panthers defense, the volume for Wicks to produce should be there.
Related: 2023 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating all 32 teams
DraftKings Week 16 picks: Tight Ends
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals, $5,700
McBride has just been too productive to sit in weekly DFS lineups. This makes him a smart DraftKings play heading to Chicago in Week 16. The Bears are currently giving away the seventh-most TE fantasy points and McBride has been an absolute beast.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars, $5,400
Engram should get back on course in DraftKings lineups and is a smart play heading to square off against the Bucs in Week 16. The Tampa defense has given up the third-most DraftKings fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns, $5,300
After scoring 56.5 DraftKings fantasy points and three touchdowns over his last two games, Njoku is a tremendous Week 16 value play. The Njoku/Joe Flacco connection looks to be for real and their next matchup is a favorable one in Houston. The Texans have surrendered the ninth-most TE fantasy points.
DraftKings overrated plays Week 16
Quarterbacks:
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders, $6,200
Not priced too badly, Howell still makes for a risky start and an overrated play in DraftKings in Week 16. Howell’s fantasy stats have been on the decline and he could be benched again if the Commanders somehow fall behind, or get way ahead, heading to meet with the unpredictable NY Jets this Sunday.
Running Backs:
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins, $7,100
Overrated and priced at only $200 less than Raheem Mostert, Achane’s DraftKings points have been trending down. Mostert looks to have a strong hold as the preferred rusher, with Achane taking a backseat over their last two games. There are better DFS options at RB that offer more upside for a lower salary.
Wide Receivers:
Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars, $6,300
Ridley has come up short in DFS points the last three weeks in a row. This makes him quite overrated heading into Week 16 with Trevor Lawrence’s status (concussion) to play up in the air. Even against the Bucs’ soft passing defense, Ridley’s 40% catch rate over his last three games makes him a scary DraftKings play.
Tight Ends:
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans, $4,600
With the Texans QB situation undecided and Houston hosting Cleveland, Schultz is not an ideal start in DraftKings lineups for Week 16. The Browns have yielded the second-fewest TE fantasy points all season, to make matters worse.
Related: 2023 NFL defense rankings: Best and worst NFL defenses