FanDuel NFL DFS Thanksgiving Picks: Top Daily Fantasy Lineup Plays Include Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy

November 23, 2023

Mark Kieffer's top FanDuel NFL DFS Thanksgiving picks and DFS value plays (2023). His top FanDuel daily fantasy football sleepers and NFL DFS lineups advice.

The 2023-24 campaign rolls on. However, it won’t be just another ordinary week, as the National Football League features three games throughout Thanksgiving. The day commences with the red-hot Lions, riding a three-game winning streak, hosting the Packers in an NFC North showdown. Green Bay has struggled this year, although the team is coming off a narrow victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Next, the 4-7 Washington Commanders will travel to Texas for an NFC East battle with the Dallas Cowboys. Of course, that matchup is expected to be as one-sided as it can get. Last but not least, the Niners and Seahawks will square off in a pivotal NFC West showdown, which could have significant ramifications come playoff time.

In this article, I will be providing you with my Thanksgiving daily fantasy football lineup picks for FanDuel. These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also check out our weekly DraftKings DFS lineup picks and lots of other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big!

FanDuel Quarterbacks - Thanksgiving DFS Lineup Picks

Geno Smith - vs. SF ($6,600)

San Francisco does not have a good pass defense – just 19th-best. On top of that, Geno Smith is the least expensive QB on the slate. It might make some sense to roll him out there in load up in some other spots here. That said, there is a chance Smith does not play or is limited when he does. If you are concerned about his injuries, I would move on and look elsewhere...

Brock Purdy - @ SEA ($7,700)

With the Cowboys expected to handle the Commanders without issue, Dak Prescott may not throw as much, limiting his fantasy potential. Of course, Sam Howell can’t be trusted versus a potent Dallas defense, and Geno Smith could be dealing with the lingering effects of the elbow injury suffered in Week 11, even if he does play. As a result, Purdy’s outlook doesn’t look too bad. He hasn’t been the most consistent quarterback this season. But with Deebo Samuel back in the lineup over the last few weeks, Purdy has played well, keeping him on the radar for all DFS formats.

FanDuel Running Backs - Thanksgiving DFS Lineup Picks

Christian McCaffrey - @ SEA ($9,800)

Yeah, he is expensive but if I can find a way to roster him, I'm interested in McCaffrey more than any RB on this slate. Seattle is 19th against the run and 21st against the pass. Pairing McCaffrey with Purdy does not present an issue as this defense is bad all around. When healthy, McCaffrey is the focal point of the offense, which is more than one can say about any of the other running backs on the slate.

David Montgomery – vs. GB ($7,800)

David Montgomery missed a few games heading into the Lions’ Week 9 bye because of a rib issue. He’s been productive in the last two games, totaling 192 yards and two touchdowns. Naturally, Jahmyr Gibbs ($8,200) should continue to get more snaps, so he also warrants DFS consideration. Montgomery isn’t going anywhere, so both players could serve a purpose against the Packers. Green Bay has the 28th-best run defense and this is a great spot for Detroit's running game.

Zach Charbonnet - vs. SF ($5,800)

San Francisco has the third-best run defense in the league. Typically this would not be a defense to target. Charbonnet is somewhat interesting mostly because he is the cheapest starting running back on the slate and is someone to consider rostering not because he would provide a lot of value on the slate but rather because it might open up players in your lineup in other spots.

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FanDuel Wide Receivers - Thanksgiving DFS Lineup Picks

CeeDee Lamb - vs WAS ($9,200)

He may be hard to fit into your lineup but I love the spot Dallas is in going against the 30th best pass defense in the league. Lamb had a quiet week last week after four straight weeks of 100+ yards.

Nobody needs any help to start #CeeDeeLamb but it's worth pointing out just how good a matchup he has on Thanksgiving. The #Cowboys host #Washington, which has struggled to cover wide receivers all season long.

How will Lamb do this Thursday? pic.twitter.com/5cOUjiFyEP

— Fantasy Index (@FantasyIndex) November 21, 2023

He has scored five touchdowns in his last four games played. If I can spend up for WR, this is my top choice. It comes down to whether you'd want to roster Lamb or McCaffrey on a slate like this.

DK Metcalf - vs. SF ($7,000)

San Francisco can be beat through the air. Metcalf has had a disappointing season from a fantasy perspective having eclipsed 100 yards just once and has scored just three touchdowns on the season. Thanksgiving against an average at best pass defense might be the way to break out of the funk.

Jayden Reed - vs. DET ($5,900)

Let's be honest: this Green Bay offense has not been great. At the same time, we have to look down at some of the less expensive options and roster one or two to afford some spend-ups. With Christian Watson being disappointing, I'm willing to look at Jayden Reed at a similar price. Reed isn't a spectacular player or anything but because Watson was somewhat hyped before the season started, people will gravitate to rostering him first from the Packers passing game.

Detroit's pass defense is 16th, but the pathway to moving the ball on them is through the air as they have a top-five run defense.

FanDuel Tight Ends - Thanksgiving DFS Lineup Picks

Jake Ferguson - vs. WAS ($6,100)

Jake Ferguson has had 22 targets for 14 catches and two touchdowns in his last three games. He has scored a touchdown in three of his last four games. I'm not going to lie to you: the tight end position does not look great this week. My strategy in cash games would be to fill in pieces and plug in tight end later. I'd reserve the high-end guys for tournaments and try to find value outside of George Kittle and Sam LaPorta. I like Ferguson as a cheap way to get exposure to Dallas.

Logan Thomas- @ DAL ($5,200)

This is a price play more than anything else. Sometimes we have to spend down on someone who we don't love so that we can access more guys we love. Thomas averages 5.8 targets per game and averages 4.3 catches per game. Unfortunately, he has not found the end zone in the past three weeks, and unless you are putting up huge yardage numbers, this game is about scoring touchdowns. He has a similar floor to the other TEs but has limited upside. He is the cheapest I'd go in a cash game at TE.

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