NFL DFS Value Plays (Cash Games) for Week 16 on FanDuel and DraftKings

December 24, 2021

Brian Entrekin analyzes optimal DFS cash game value plays for Week 16 of the NFL season. These players are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports cash games.

Week 15 of the NFL season is in the books, and what a week it was. First, we saw an outstanding game between the Chiefs and Chargers on Thursday night, and it was tough for a COVID-filled NFL to match such a fantastic game. Next, the Patriots and Colts tried to match the Thursday night matchup with an outstanding Saturday night matchup that felt like a playoff game. On Sunday, we saw the Lions shock the world as they dominated the Cardinals and picked up their second win. Finally, Huntley and the Ravens gave it everything they got but came up just short against the Packers as they lost, going for two for the second straight week. It was another wild week in the NFL between solid fantasy action and navigating the COVID minefield.

For Week 16, 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 grabbing one of the top tight ends with Mike Andrews, Kyle Pitts, or Dallas Goedert. This will be easy with a large amount of value at running back and wide receiver. Builds should be fun this week and much more uniform as we can expect in cash games. Pay attention to the ever-changing news as well as roster rates before finalizing your cash 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 16 of the 2021 NFL season.

Quarterback DFS Value Plays - Week 16 Cash Games

Tyler Huntley, BAL at CIN | DK: $6,000, FD: $7,500

It may be another week of Huntley action for your DFS lineups. He received the start last week versus the Packers and had a monster fantasy week, even taking down some major DFS tournaments. Huntley threw for 215 yards, ran for 73 yards, and racked up four total touchdowns. Huntley went nuts, and that came off the heels of the previous week where he entered for Lamar Jackson and threw for 270 yards, ran for 45 yards, and had one touchdown. The running aspect alone keeps Huntley in play, not to mention an intriguing matchup versus the Bengals.

Huntley will take on a Bengals team that ranks 19th over the last four games versus opposing quarterbacks, and those numbers are likely helped by a bad game by the Broncos last week. The Bengals allow an average of 265 passing yards with nearly two passing touchdowns per game and almost 20 fantasy points per game. They have not faced a dual-threat like Huntley often, but they did allow 88 rushing yards to Jackson in week seven. Huntley makes for a great cash game play with his dual-threat ability, especially in cash games.

Justin Fields, CHI at SEA | DK: $5,200, FD: $7,000

If you are not rostering Huntley or Joe Burrow, then Fields makes for an outstanding cash game value. The only reason why Fields is not the lock-in cash value (he may still be) is that we rely on Nagy to utilize Fields the right way. However, assuming Fields gets used the right way, or even close to the right way, he is an outstanding cash game value. Fields is coming off what many would say is a down week and still managed 285 passing yards and 35 rushing yards and his way to nearly 20 fantasy points. Fields have scored 17 or more fantasy points in his last four games, with one game close to 30 points. Fields brings a fantastic floor as well as a lovely ceiling to your cash lineups this week against a vulnerable Seahawks defense.

Fields take on a Seahawks defense that is getting torched through the air and on the ground in recent weeks. Fields should have a field day against the Seahawks. He should find success early, and if he doesn't, he has thrived in garbage time. The Bears are near touchdown dogs to the Seahawks, and that should allow Fields to have an even more prominent role in the game this week. When Sunday rolls around, he may be the best quarterback value on the board. Do not worry about the what-ifs when it comes to Fields, but focus more on the true success he has had and put him in your lineups.

Running Back DFS Value Plays - Week 16 Cash Games

David Montgomery, CHI at SEA | DK: $5,700, FD: $6,600

Similar to Fields, Monty has a great matchup on Sunday. He takes on a Seahawks defense that ranks 28th over the last four games versus running backs and 31st on the season. They are allowing an average of 28 fantasy points per game to opposing backs over the previous four games, and a large junk of that is thanks to an average of nearly eight receptions per game. This bodes well for Montgomery, who has at least six targets and five receptions in each of the last three games. In three straight games, Monty has 12 or more PPR points and should be in line for another big game, especially in a receiving role. So lock Monty into your cash games and move right along.

Ronald Jones II, TB at CAR | DK: $5,100, FD: $5,400

Leonard Fournette has been running and receiving wild over the last few weeks but is now injured, which means it is Ronald Jones's time. Jones has shown signs of life from time to time and gets a great matchup this week to get comfortable as the every-down back for the Bucs yet again. Jones is taking on a Panthers team that ranks 18th over the last four games versus opposing backs. They allow over 120 rushing yards per game and over 20 fantasy points. The Bucs are 10 point favorites and should roll this defeated Panthers team, leading to a significant workload for Jones. He will be chalky and brings an excellent floor to the game, two things we love for cash game goodness.

James Robinson, JAX at NYJ | DK: $5,900, FD: $8,200

Robinson was the chalk last week and got the job done. With the solid week, he received a $500 raise on DK, which leaves him a great cash game value again, but FD gave a hefty raise making him much less appealing. Robinson received 21 touches this past week and found the end zone. Now he takes on the Jets and should see another substantial workload with plenty of fantasy goodness.

The Jets rank dead last on the season versus opposing backs and 29th over the previous four weeks. They are allowing an average of 130 rushing yards, five receptions, and 30 fantasy points to opposing backs over the last four weeks. Oh, did I mention the Jets are in full COVID mode with a lot of the team now on the COVID IR? The Jets are in a world of hurt this week, and Robinson should flourish in a big way. Enjoy the value on DK, but on FD, there may be other options in the upper tier of pricing.

Keep an eye on- Damien Harris, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Samaje Perine, and a few more based on more injury news. 

Wide Receiver DFS Value Plays - Week 16 Cash Games

Russell Gage, ATL vs. DET | DK: $5,900, FD: $6,700

Since Calvin Ridley has departed, Gage has stepped in and performed exceptionally well. Gage has six or more targets, four or more receptions, and 9.9 or more PPR points in each game. In addition, he leads the Falcons with a 28% target share, 20% red zone share, and 35% air yard share. Gage has been the main target in the offense, opposite Kyle Pitts, and that should not change this week's taking on the Lions.

Gage takes on a Lions defense that ranks 25th over the last four games versus opposing wide receivers. The Lions are allowing over 37 fantasy points per game over the previous four games, and a lot of that should go to Gage this week. The Falcons are five-point favorites with a 24 point implied team total. This means they should be throwing a lot as they do not run too often, which means it's another great week for Russell Gage.

Antonio Brown, TB at CAR | DK: $4,900, FD: $7,000

The Bucs are already changing running backs due to injuries and will also be making changes at wide receivers with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans going down with an injury. Many people will be looking at Tyler Johnson, which is a decent value, but AB is an outstanding value. The concern would be how game-ready he is after missing so much time, but early reports from Tampa Bay are very positive.

AB will step into the lead receiver role for the Bucs, and he has a great matchup versus the Panthers, who rank 27th over the last four weeks versus opposing wide receivers. They allow nearly two receiving touchdowns over the previous four weeks and almost 40 PPR points per game. AB should feast versus the Panthers and is way too cheap this week. Lock him in your cash game lineups.

Laquon Treadwell, JAX at NYJ | DK: $3,500, FD: $5,300

Here is your sneaky value this week. If you do not want to use him in cash, then feel free to roster Treadwell in tournaments. Treadwell has five or more targets in four straight weeks and hauled in at least four receptions each game. With the solid workload, Treadwell has put up 9.3 or more PPR points in each of the four games with double-digit points in three straight games. He is tied with Laviska Schenault in targets over the last four games but leads the team in receptions.

Treadwell could succeed even more with the Jets suffering significant losses due to COVID this week. At worse, Treadwell should get his solid set of targets yet again with potential for much more. Treadwell is cash viable for me and opens up a lot of cash to pay up at tight end or another position. So do not get scared to roster Treadwell a lot this weekend.

Tight End DFS Value Plays - Week 16 Cash Games

Tyler Kroft, NYJ vs. JAX | DK: $2,500, FD: $4,400

I will likely pay up for Andrews or Goedert this week in cash, but there are a few solid punts, and Kroft takes the cake as the mega punt. He is the bare minimum for a tight end and should get the lion's share of the tight end workload with Ryan Griffin heading to the IR. Kroft returned to the Jets last week and caught both of his targets for 35 yards. This week he takes on the Jets in a game where the Jets will likely throw a decent amount. Most weeks Kroft and Griffin combine for five or more targets, which should now all fall to the dirt-cheap Kroft. If looking to punt at the tight end, then looks right at Kroft and looks nowhere else.

More Weekly DFS Analysis