NFL DFS Value Plays (Cash Games) for Week 17 on FanDuel and DraftKings

December 31, 2021

Brian Entrekin analyzes optimal DFS cash game value plays for Week 17 of the NFL season. These players are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports cash games.

Week 16 of the NFL season is in the books, and what a week it was. First, we saw Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams set records for touchdowns in the Packers organization. Next, we saw the Bills get some sweet revenge on the Patriots in Foxboro. The shocker of the weekend was the Texans, led by Davis Mills, demolishing the Chargers. The Chiefs continued their dominance with a win over the Steelers, and the Cowboys finally looked explosive, taking down the Football Team. It was another wild week in the NFL, and we will have plenty more this week.

For Week 17, we will stick with the usual cash gameplan of looking for a solid floor and going from there, especially when it comes to value plays. Value this week is quite spread out. The popular moves will be paying up for Cooper Kupp and either Jonathan Taylor, an elite tight end like Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews, or maybe a high-priced quarterback like Josh Allen. With a loaded 14-game slate, we have a ton of ways to go this week. There are many mid-priced studs at wide receiver and running back with some solid punts at quarterback and even tight end. Most will punt defense; you should too, and build from there. There are a lot of solid plays that provide value this week, too many for this article, so feel free to reach out with questions. Follow the news and the roster rates on your way to building those winning cash game lineups.

This article will look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, when you look at value plays for GPP, you are somewhat swinging for the fences. Here, I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, passing attempts, targets, or carries. So, let's look at the cash value plays for Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season.

Quarterback DFS Value Plays - Week 17 Cash Games

Trey Lance, SF vs. HOU | DK: $4,800, FD: $6,400

It appears Jimmy Garoppolo will miss Sunday's game with his hand injury, which means it's Trey Lance time. We love value quarterbacks with rushing upside in cash games, and that is what Lance can do given a chance. In Weeks 4 and 5 this season, Lance received the start and scored at least 16 fantasy points while rushing for at least 41 yards in each game. Of course, the Niners will limit the passing game for Lance while they can, but if Lance has to throw, it is a great matchup versus the Texans.

Over the last four weeks, the Texans' defense allows 241 passing yards per game, a passing touchdown, and over 16 fantasy points. This is an excellent matchup for a young quarterback like Lance, and he should be able to flourish. It also helps that the Niners are 12.5 point favorites with an implied team total of 28.5. The Niners should be in line for a ton of scoring this week, and whether it be with Lance's legs or arm, he should be a part of a large part while racking up fantasy goodness.

Tyler Huntley, BAL vs LAR | DK: $5,600, FD: $7,500

It appears Lamar Jackson will be out again this week, and that means another week with a value quarterback from the Ravens. Two weeks ago, Huntley scored well over 30 fantasy points, and the week before, he scored 17 points. Last week, Josh Johnson was under center while Huntley was on the COVID IR and scored over 20 fantasy points. The moral of the story is that the backup quarterbacks for the Ravens can sling it and most importantly, run as they rack up fantasy points.

Huntley will have a sneaky matchup versus the Rams this week. A Rams defense that ranks sixth versus opposing quarterbacks over the last four weeks, but it is a bit deceiving. They are allowing nearly 250 passing yards per game and have been suspect to rushing quarterbacks all season. The Ravens should be playing from behind as their defense will have a lot of trouble stopping the Rams. Huntley should be able to rack up a ton of garbage time production. I slightly prefer Huntley over Lance, but Lance will be the more popular play, which likely makes him the cash game lock.

Running Back DFS Value Plays - Week 17 Cash Games

Darrel Williams, KC at CIN | DK: $5,800, FD: $6,200

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire out with an injury, we should see a whole lot of Williams this week versus the Bengals. Williams flourished in the lead-back role early this year with 17 and 23 fantasy point performances and should be ready to get it done once again. He takes on a Bengals defense that ranks 19th on the season, allowing over 20 fantasy points per game to opposing backs. We know the Chiefs are clicking on all cylinders. They could go pass-heavy to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce and make Williams an afterthought. That is the risk, but a risk worth taking. The Chiefs are five-point favorites with a 28 point implied team total. There is plenty to go around for everyone, and Williams is worth every bit of cash goodness this Sunday.

Ronald Jones II, TB at NYJ | DK: $6,300, FD: $7,000

Last week, Jones stepped into the lead-back role and flourished with 16 fantasy points. Jones racked up the fantasy production on 22 total touches, and there is no reason he should not see a similar if not more significant workload this week versus the Jets. A Jets defense that ranks dead last on the season and 30th over the previous four weeks versus opposing backs. Over the previous four weeks, they are allowing an average of 134 rushing yards, over a touchdown, and 30+ fantasy points. The Bucs are 13 point favorites with an implied team total of 29.5. Lots of Jones on tap this Sunday, making for an outstanding cash game play.

Elijah Mitchell, SF vs. HOU | DK: $6,000, FD: $7,800

Mitchell was held out of last Thursday's game when it appeared he could return and is also limited in practice this week. All signs point to Mitchell starting, and if he does, it is a fantastic spot for fantasy purposes. The Texans rank 29th on the season and 31st over the last four weeks versus opposing backs. Over the previous four weeks, they are allowing well over 30 fantasy points per game to opposing backs, which should not change on Sunday. The Niners are 12.5 point favorites with a 28.5 point implied team total. I expect a lot of Mitchell and Lance on the ground this weekend. Both bring fantasy goodness. If Mitchell is out again, then load up on Jeff Wilson Jr.

Wide Receiver DFS Value Plays - Week 17 Cash Games

Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET at SEA | DK: $6,000, FD: $6,900

Last week, I was slightly scared of rostering St. Brown with Tim Boyle at QB. Well, I shouldn't have been, as he racked up another nine receptions, a touchdown, and 20+ fantasy points. That makes four straight games with 11 or more targets and eight or more receptions. St. Brown has also scored a touchdown in three of the last four games and racked up 23 or more PPR points in three of four games. St. Brown may be QB proof at this point and has another strong matchup versus the Seahawks this week. The Lions are seven-point dogs and should be throwing a lot this week to keep the game close. Jared Goff is battling a knee injury, so that means it may be Boyle again, but who cares? Roster St. Brown in your cash lineups.

Antonio Brown, TB at NYJ | DK: $6,100, FD: $8,500

AB returned from his long absence last week and went off. He racked up 10 receptions on 15 targets on his way to 23 PPR points. Sure, it helps that Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are out, but AB has been doing this for a while when he suits up with Tom Brady. Over his last four starts, AB has seen eight or more targets (11 or more in three of four games) with seven or more receptions in each game. He has scored 23 or more PPR points in three straight games with all that success. The success should continue once again as AB and the Bucs face the Jets on Sunday. Expect a heavy workload once again on his way to plenty of fantasy goodness.

Brandin Cooks, HOU at SF | DK: $6,000, FD: $6,500

Cooks missed last week's game as he was on the COVID IL, but he is back this week and ready to pick up where he has left off. In his previous two games, Cooks was targeted 10 or more times and had seven or more receptions on his way to 20+ PPR points. This week, he has another nice matchup versus the Niners, who rank 30th over the last four games versus opposing receivers. They allow an average of 190 receiver yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and over 40 fantasy points to opposing receivers over the four-game stretch. With the Texans being such big underdogs, we should expect a lot of passing, which means a ton of opportunity for Cooks to bring back some cash game goodness once again.

Tight End DFS Value Plays - Week 17 Cash Games

Cole Kmet, CHI vs. NYG | DK: $3,400, FD: $5,000

Kmet has not had that monster GPP game that many had hoped for but does bring some excellent cash game stability. He has seen five or more targets and has three or more receptions in five straight games. He has a substantial workload and has a quarterback in Nick Foles who loves throwing to his tight ends. With Foles last week, Kmet had four receptions on five targets for nearly 50 yards. This week, they get to take on the Giants as six-point favorites. A Giants defense that ranks 17th over the last four games versus tight ends, allowing over 10 fantasy points per game. Kmet may not break the slate, but it does bring significant value and is just a touchdown away from a MASSIVE fantasy game.

Cameron Brate, TB at NYJ | DK: $2,900, FD: $4,700

If you want to go full punt at the tight end, give Brate a look. Sure, Rob Gronkowski is playing, but the loss of Godwin and Evans frees up some more looks for Brate. Last week, he saw four targets and had been targeted at least four times in five of the previous six games. He will be facing a Jets defense that ranks 25th versus tight ends, allowing over 15 fantasy points per game over the last four games. Brate could easily find the end zone and bring silly value in your cash lineups if looking to punt.

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