Yahoo NFL DFS Picks – Week 17

Finding the best anchors for your DFS lineup is the best way to start lineup construction, so each week in this space, I’ll be taking a look at a skill-position breakdown of players who stick out on Yahoo. Whether it’s because of matchup or usage or anything else, these are players who should feature heavily in lineups.

Quarterbacks | Yahoo Week 17 picks

Matthew Stafford Is Severely Underpriced

($33, at Baltimore)

Let’s be honest – Week 16 was clearly not Matthew Stafford’s best week, throwing for only 197 yards and three interceptions. Luckily, despite those horrible mistakes from their signal-callers, the Rams were able to eke out a win. Now the good news is that this effort was easily the worst scoring output of the year, and he’s sure to bounce back against the Ravens – who were completely demolished last week by Joe Burrow. During this four-game slide by the Ravens, they’ve been similarly torched by Aaron Rodgers (268 yards, three TDs) as well. Fire up Stafford.

A Cheap Zach Wilson Could Be Interesting

($21, vs. Tampa Bay)

While there’s a lot of blame being passed around for the Tampa Bay recent struggles, one thing that’s gone a bit unnoticed is that the Tampa D has been taken to task a bit. In fact, the passing defense has been a bit in struggle mode – they’ve allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Josh Allen ripped them up for over 300 yards two weeks ago, Matt Ryan was just shy of the same mark, and Carson Wentz exceeded that mark. If you need a major pivot play, peep Zach Wilson.

Bargain options

Davis Mills ($21)
Mac Jones ($23)
Trey Lance ($20)

Running back | Yahoo Week 17 picks

It’s Darrel Williams Time

($21, at Cincinnati)

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire banged up yet again, it looks like it’s time to turn the ball over to Darrel Williams, who’s been great when he’s been the lead back. Even last week, when CEH had to leave the contest with that collarbone injury, he racked up 14 touches for 85 yards. The only concern here is vulture Derrick Gore, who rushed 12 times last week for 43 yards. But the Bengals have had a problem at times stopping opposing ground games (Nick Chubb smashed them earlier this season), so here’s to hoping Williams sees a full workload.

Ronald Jones Is Set to Explode

($24, at NY Jets)

While many fantasy pundits assumed that the career of Leonard Fournette was over following some difficult seasons in Jacksonville, the running back from LSU has risen to fantasy stardom as a member of the Tampa backfield. Sadly, Fournette is going to miss some time due to injury, and that means that Ronald Jones is now the lead ball carrier for this prolific offense. It just so happens that the Bucs face the Jets this week, who have allowed the most points to opposing fantasy running backs this year – at a clip of a whopping 30.5 per game. Fire up Jones.

Bargain options

Ezekiel Elliott ($23)
Rashaad Penny ($22)
Chase Edmonds ($20) 

Wide receiver | Yahoo Week 17 picks

Stefon Diggs is Heating Up

($31, vs. Atlanta)

The Falcons secondary is a defensive sieve – they’ve allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers so far this season, and it seems to be week-to-week they are just getting consistently roasted. Amon-Ra St. Brown (nine catches, 91 yards, and a score), Robby Anderson (7-84-1), Chris Godwin (15-143) and Mike Evans (7-99) have all enjoyed nice Sundays against this team. And with Stefon Diggs averaging 9.8 targets per game in the last five weeks, he could be next up.

Can Tee Higgins Replicate Last week?

($24 vs. Kansas City)

Look, let’s not be a prisoner of the moment here. Against a banged-up secondary, Tee Higgins caught 12 passes on 13 targets for 194 yards and two scores. Yowza. But let’s dive a little bit deeper – while Ja’Marr Chase has gotten a lot of publicity – and rightfully so – since the beginning of November, Higgins leads the team in target market share, air yards, and catches. While KC has been a good D, Higgins is a stud.

Bargain options

Keenan Allen ($24)
DeVonta Smith ($21)
Amon-Ra St. Brown ($19)

Tight end | Yahoo Week 17 picks

Noah Fant Is in a Smash Spot

($17, vs. LA Chargers)

The party line all season has been to target the Philadelphia Eagles with opposing tight ends, but that might be becoming the Chargers. Peep these recent lines – last week, little-used tight end Brevin Jordan caught four passes for 56 yards, a week after Travis Kelce went ham for 10 catches, 191 yards and 2 scores. A very reasonable priced Noah Fant could be the next to go off in this spot.

Bargain options

Gerald Everett ($15)
Tyler Higbee ($19)