NFL Week 16 DFS lineup advice feat. Michael Penix Jr, DJ Moore and more

The holiday season means a few things: family, football, and we all could use a few extra bucks. No better way to win that cash than playing daily fantasy contests like the ones on DraftKings and FanDuel. This article uses Fantasy Points projections to highlight my favorite tournament plays for the Week 16 DraftKings slate.

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NFL DFS Lineups Week 16

Quarterbacks:

Michael Penix Jr ($4500) - The rookie QB makes his first start for Atlanta, replacing the inefficient Kirk Cousins. He’ll face a Giants defense that just gave up five passing touchdowns to Lamar Jackson a week ago. With the weapons at Penix’s disposal, it’s easy to see a multi-touchdown game on the horizon. Fantasy Points has him projected at 16.8 points (QB 16). For that price, you can easily create any sort of lineup you want. I’d add stacks with Drake London and Darnell Mooney as the Giants get beaten deep with ease.

Aiden O’Connell ($5100) - It’s crazy to think we missed AOC on the field, but that’s how awful Desmond Ridder was. O’Connell is capable of sustaining drives and getting the ball out to his playmakers Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. His matchup couldn’t be any better. Jacksonville allows the most points to opposing quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers smoked them for 289 yards and three touchdowns last week. AOC can match those numbers at a value price point. As mentioned, I’d stack with Meyers and Bowers. Use Brian Thomas Jr. as a bring back option for your other WR spot.

Running Backs:

Jahmyr Gibbs ($7500) - This will be a popular play and for good reason. Gibbs should see close to 25 touches Sunday in Chicago. No longer sharing the backfield thanks to David Montgomery’s injuries, it’s wheels up for slate-breaking performance. In three career starts without Montgomery, Gibbs averages 23 carries and 132 yards. He’s absolutely a cash play (50/50 games). There’s a thought of being contrarian and not playing Gibbs in case he falters. I don’t know if I want to be on that side of a guy with an easy 30-point week within reach.

Syndication: Detroit Free Press - Source: Imagn

Jerome Ford ($5600) - Assuming a three-down role for the Browns, I like Ford to get 15 touches against the Bengals. Fantasy Points projects Ford with 11.8 points. I think he can surpass that. Ford is a very capable receiver out of the backfield. That’s how you beat the Bengals. Last week, Tyjae Spears lit them up for 6-87-1 as a receiver.

Patrick Taylor Jr. ($5200) - A starting 49ers running back for this bargain price? Yes, please. Taylor knows the Shanahan scheme from his days in Green Bay, where Matt LaFleur ran a similar offense. Taylor’s price actually came down $700 from last week when we thought he had a chance to start, but Issac Guerendo surprised us all by starting. Now, as the identified starter, he’s cheaper. OK, let’s do it. Don’t go overboard with expectations, but Fantasy Points is projecting 13 PPR points.

Wide Receivers:

Jaxon Smith-Ngjiba ($6000) - JSN is WR 6 in total points, and he’s priced like a midtier option. To me, this is a smash play, especially considering that Geno Smith is likely to play for Seattle. Seeing 12 targets a week ago isn’t a fluke. The second-year WR has five games with double-digit looks. He also hasn’t gone under 70 receiving yards since Week 8 (when he had 69). What’s not like to like about a WR facing a potential passing game script and his opponent allowing the most fantasy points to receivers?

DJ Moore ($5800) - Another mispriced WR we can get in our lineups. Fantasy Points projects him at WR 14 (15.9 points), yet he’s WR 22 on DK. Let’s get him in there against the Lions' defense which is decimated by injuries. Just three weeks ago, Moore roasted this Detroit defense for receptions, 97 yards, and a touchdown. I’m going back to Moore this week for round two.

Malik Washington ($3700) - Deep play for those who need to save money on their builds. Washington would be the direct replacement for Jaylen Waddle (knee) if he can’t go. Washington collected five of six targets last week for 52 yards. At $3700, you’ll take those 10 points all day. Monitor the Sunday inactive report to make sure Waddle is out before sliding Washington in.

Tight Ends:

Brenton Strange ($3500) - This is the chalk tight end play of the week. An incredible value for someone who just caught 11 of 12 balls last week. I’m not saying he’s going to do that again, but if he’s on the field for another 82% of the Jaguars snaps, he’s going to be viable for DFS. I can see him being heavily owned at this price. Great cash option. In large field GPP, I could see pivots off of him to hedge against him not coming through.

Ben Sinnott ($2800) - Zach Ertz has a concussion, opening the door for the Commanders rookie to play a major role. Washington will have to find options in the passing game to compliment Terry McLaurin, who will battle defensive rookie of the year candidate Quinyon Mitchell on the outside. The Eagles have been had by tight ends of late. Philly has allowed tight end touchdowns in three of their last fou,r including a Week 11 matchup with these Commanders. I like Sinnott as a low-cost tournament option to help you find your lineup ten points.

NFL: Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals - Source: Imagn

Defenses:

Jaguars ($2900) - So in walk the Raiders, who just gave up 20 points to the Falcons DST last week. Vegas can’t run the ball at all. This game should see 40 Aiden O’Connell dropbacks. A few of those could land in Jaguars’ defender's hands.

Colts ($3000) - I don’t care who the Titans quarterback is. This line can’t protect anyone. I’m confident that Mason Rudolph can be pressured into some bone-headed turnovers and a handful of sacks.