Happiest of Holidays to all and welcome to the final week of the NFL regular season. Week 17 NFL DFS offers 15 games on the main slate. We have to treat week 17 just a bit different. Keep in mind teams are still vying for playoff seeding, while others have solidified their position. Teams will be resting players for the playoffs, Lamar Jackson has already been ruled out. However, there are some players that will be playing for incentives and records. Christian McCaffrey is 67 receiving yards from reaching 1,000 to give him three straight seasons of 1,000 rushing and receiving yards. These are just a few things to keep in mind as I dive deep to find those players, in week 17 NFL DFS that are going under the radar.
Players and pricing are taken from DraftKings, Sunday main slate.
Week 17 NFL DFS: Under the Radar Plays
Quarterback: Carson Wentz $6,100
Wentz is way underpriced this week going against one of the worst pass defenses. The Philadelphia Eagles have to win to secure their spot in the playoffs as the representative of the NFC East. However, if both the Giants and Cowboys win, the Cowboys win the East. Wentz has easily hit for 20 fantasy points in the past four games against underachieving defenses. He posted 23.9 points against these same New York Giants three weeks ago. Additionally, Tom Brady is priced at $6,000. He hasn’t lit it up this year. But, the New England Patriots host the sieve known as the Miami Dolphins. The Pats need to win in order to secure the number two seed and I get the feeling he wants to go into the playoffs making a statement. He’s currently tied with Peyton Manning on the all-time touchdown list and five behind Drew Brees. You can play both in GPP’s (guaranteed prize pool) and cash games.
Week 16 under the radar play: Ryan Tannehill, 23.68 fantasy points. Outcome: Solid!
Running Back: Patrick Laird $4,300
This week Laird will handle the bulk of the running back duties. The Dolphins placed Myles Gaskin on injured reserve earlier this week. Laird’s specializes as a pass-catching back and Ryan Fitzpatrick will have no choice but to air it out against the New England Patriots. And, at $4,300, Laird can easily hit value with his passing game usage. Keep in mind that this is a divisional match-up and the Dolphins would like nothing more than to provide a speed bump in the Patriots path in the playoffs.
Week 16 under the radar play: Alvin Kamara, 29.0 fantasy points. Outcome: Boom!
Wide Receiver: Allen Lazard $4,000
The Detroit Lions can not cover number two wide receivers. Plain and simple! Take a look at my week 16 under the radar play listed below. Additionally, Lazard’s coming-out party was against these same Detroit Lions, albeit without Davante Adams on the field. Lazard’s ownership should be very low. The Lions can be attacked by both the run and the pass. Aaron Jones should see a fair percentage of roster ownership especially with Jamal Williams nursing an injury and the possibility of being ruled out. Although Aaron Rodgers continues to pepper Adams with targets, Lazard continues to see nearly 80 percent of the offensive snaps and has earned the trust of Rodgers. Additionally, the Green Bay Packers will secure the number two seed and a first-round bye, in the NFC playoffs with a win.
Week 16 under the radar play: DaeSean Hamilton, 18.0 fantasy points. Outcome: Boom!
Tight End: Hunter Henry $4,500
There is little savings to be had at the tight end position week 17. Although, you could make an argument for Noah Fant, $3,600, versus the Oakland Raiders. With that being said, the reason I think Henry flies under the radar week 17 is that Dallas Goedert is priced just $400 dollars more. And, with Zach Ertz dealing with injured ribs, I can see most of the ownership going towards Goedert in a must-win game for the Eagles. However, the Los Angeles Chargers face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that is targeted by the tight end position more than any other team. Surprising, given the way the Arizona Cardinals have performed against tight ends. Again, this is another divisional game in which one team is playing for seeding and the other is playing for pride. And, perhaps, Philip Rivers‘ last game as a Charger.
Week 16 under the radar play: Kaden Smith, 21.5 fantasy points. Outcome: Boom!
Defense: Pittsburgh Steelers $3,000
I’m going right back to the Steelers. There are a few factors weighing into this decision. First, the Baltimore Ravens will sit Lamar Jackson in favor of Robert Griffin III. Second, the Steelers still have an outside chance at getting the last wildcard playoff spot. This is yet another game involving fierce divisional rivals with something on the line. DFS players may overlook the Steelers due to last week’s lackluster performance against the struggling New York Jets. However, the price tag is reasonable and it’s quite conceivable Griffen is forced into making mistakes.
Week 16 under the radar play: Pittsburgh Steelers 5.0 fantasy points. Outcome: Bust!
Under the Radar
Week 17 NFL DFS will be sure to surprise. However, don’t get too cute with roster construction. Popular players in good spots just might be the under the radar play that will get you to the green. Who do you think is flying under the radar?
Thanks to all for checking out my weekly NFL DFS under the radar article. And, as always, good luck and good DFS!
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