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Jamie's DraftKings NFL DFS Week 17 picks, value plays, DFS sleepers for the main slate (2025). His top DK plays and value picks for daily fantasy football lineups.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our wonderful RotoBaller readers! Thank you for taking the time to give this DFS read some attention, and hopefully you've been able to pad your bank account a little in the process! This week we have an abbreviated nine-game NFL slate with multiple games happening on Thursday and Saturday, so ownerships will be a little skewed.
At this point in the season, it's critical to take into account which games are meaningful and which ones are not. Tanking/eliminated teams could pull the rug out at any time, so keep that in mind as you're reading below (there are a number of Raiders and Bengals mentioned). Side note: I'm still very much in the rankings contest!
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DraftKings Quarterbacks - Week 17 DFS Picks
TOP PLAY
Drake Maye, NE @ NYJ ($6,800)
Drake Maye should have an opportunity to light up the Jets this week after he rose up against Baltimore last week. New England is still fighting with Denver for the #1 seed, so this game is incredibly important. There's a downside if Maye isn't forced to throw much in the second half, but New England is more likely than not to keep their foot on the gas to ensure it wins.
The Jets have allowed 28.4 PPG this season (third-most in the league), along with the seventh-most FPPG to the QB position. New England is likely missing some key weapons in TreVeyon Henderson, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas, but this matchup is so unimposing that Maye should be his efficient self.
A COUPLE OF PATS PRO BOWLERS 🥳@DrakeMaye2 | @chrisgonzo28 pic.twitter.com/mwAnAap6x0
— x - New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 23, 2025
VALUE PLAY
Jacoby Brissett, ARI @ CIN ($5,700)
The weekly question of "to Brissett or not to Brissett" is upon us again. If you "Brissett-ed" last week, you were left wanting, as he only threw 31 passes and one TD en route to a disappointing 11.6 fantasy points. Prior to this performance, however, Brissett had thrown 40+ passes in six straight games with double-digit TDs in five of them.
Brissett should have his full complement of pass-catchers for this one, and the Bengals' defense has been one to attack all season. They've allowed 30.5 PPG this season (worst in the league), and have given up the fifth-most FPPG to opposing QBs. Any success from Michael Carter may ding Brissett (CIN is terrible against the run as well), but there should be enough to go around.
Other options - Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield, Tyler Shough
DraftKings Running Backs - Week 17 DFS Picks
TOP PLAY
Saquon Barkley, PHI @ BUF ($7,600)
I'm taking an active stand here, as the field is currently more interested in Jonathan Taylor at $200 more. Taylor has petered out as the season has ended, and Jacksonville sports a stout run defense. Barkley, on the other hand, is thriving. Over his last three games, Barkley has averaged 110.7 rushing YPG on 5.3 YPC and has scored in each game.
The Bills are one of the most run-funnel teams in the league, and have allowed 144.3 rushing YPG (fourth-worst in the league). Expect the Eagles to fully attack them in this fashion, as seeding is still up for grabs in the NFC. Barkley should be the focal point of the offense, and his discount over the three guys above him is significant.
VALUE PLAY
Ashton Jeanty, LV vs NYG ($6,100)
It's anyone's guess what's going to happen in the Raiders-Giants game this weekend. The two teams each boast a 2-13 record, and the loser is almost certainly going to come out of this with the #1 overall draft pick. The field does not fear Ashton Jeanty after he lit up the Texans for 188 all-purpose yards and two TDs last week, and you shouldn't either.
With Brock Bowers on IR, Jeanty is the only weapon they have left. The Giants have the bottom-ranked rush defense in the league, have allowed almost 6.0 YPC, and have given up the second-most FPPG to the position. Jeanty had 25 touches last week and should flirt with that again.
A glimpse of the Ashton Jeanty the #Raiders drafted. pic.twitter.com/YXvLz87C62
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 22, 2025
Other options - Jonathan Taylor, Travis Etienne Jr., Rhamondre Stevenson, Tyrone Tracy Jr.
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DraftKings Wide Receivers - Week 17 DFS Picks
TOP PLAY
Ja'Marr Chase, CIN vs ARI ($8,300)
Ja'Marr Chase is easy to fit into any contest this weekend, and I highly recommend making him a focal point of your builds. In the four games since Joe Burrow has returned, Chase has 31 catches on 49 targets for 395 yards. He's the WR8 in total fantasy points in that span despite having zero TDs.
The Cardinals have been an absolute sieve defensively over the past seven games, allowing 34.7 PPG and giving up the fourth-most FPPG to opposing WRs. Eliminated teams always come with a bit of nervousness, but Chase should be able to absolutely feast here. Until he approaches a $9k price tag, he needs to be prioritized.
VALUE PLAY
Jakobi Meyers, JAX @ IND ($5,300)
Are the Jaguars a legit contender this year? I don't think it's stupid to think so, the way they've been playing on both sides of the ball recently. Jakobi Meyers has been a key part of it, as Jacksonville has scored 33 PPG since trading for him. Trevor Lawrence has also been fantasy's QB1 in that span, so it's no coincidence what an impact Meyers has had.
Meyers has 43 targets over his last six games, and gets to face a crumbling Colts defense that will be without their top two corners. Indianapolis has given up the second-most FPPG to opposing WRs, and the Jaguars still need to play for the AFC South title. $5,300 is an egregious price tag for his floor and ceiling combo.
Other options - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Tee Higgins, Mack Hollins
DraftKings Tight Ends - Week 17 DFS Picks
TOP PLAY
Trey McBride, ARI @ CIN ($7,500)
This is an obligatory "Trey McBride is going to be the week's TE1" blurb, but there's no need to pay up for him in anything but large-field GPP contests. It's not a knock on McBride at all, but we're gifted with a min-priced tight end (see below) to help fit other skill position studs in.
It's impossible not to have McBride in your player pool, though. The Bengals have allowed the most FPPG to TEs, and it's not close. McBride could absolutely terrorize them if this game turns into a shootout, and Brissett could return to his 40-50 pass ways.
VALUE PLAY
Michael Mayer, LV vs NYG ($2,500)
The Raiders fully committed to the tank earlier in the week by placing Brock Bowers on IR, and the timing of the move came after DraftKings released its pricing. This means we get Michael Mayer at the minimum salary of $2,500, which is infinitely valuable for lineup construction.
Mayer is no slouch either. In the three games Bowers missed earlier in the year, Mayer was on the field for over 90% of snaps and had one game where he led the Raiders in targets. The Giants are decent against the TE position, but any risk Mayer brings is baked into his price tag and then some. We can push the lock button on him.
Other options - Harold Fannin Jr., Hunter Henry, Tyler Warren
DraftKings D/ST - Week 17 DFS Picks
Top Five Defenses For Cash Games
- Cleveland Browns ($2,500)
- Pittsburgh Steelers, ($3,300)
- New England Patriots ($3,900)
- Las Vegas Raiders ($2,700)
- New York Giants ($2,900)
Thanks for reading, and good luck in your contests this weekend!
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