Week 17 of the NFL season is underway, and there are six matchups in an action-packed early window.
DraftKings is offering an early slate DFS contest for the chance to win $50,000. I’ve gone through all the contests and highlighted a trio of under-the-radar options that can help give you a critical edge.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $200K Early Only Rush [$50K to 1st] (Early Only)
DraftKings Value Picks
Bryce Young ($5,600)
The Bryce Young in-season resurgence has been one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent sports history. The 2023 first overall pick showed little flashes during his first year plus at the helm, wilting at the first sign of pressure and struggling even to hit a three-yard check down. After getting benched and then reinserted back into the lineup, Young looks like a different player. His poise in the pocket has allowed him to be a far more confident thrower and deliver accurate strikes to his young weapons. He’s not perfect, but the indications of a future franchise signal caller are finally prevalent.
Young is coming off his new best showing as a pro, completing 65.4 percent of his passes, tossing in a pair of touchdowns, and scampering in for one more. The 27 fantasy points are a high point of his career and put him permanently on the DFS radar. In a divisional matchup against a banged-up and struggling Tampa Bay defense, Young will be motivated to continue his impressive form and eliminate another NFC foe from postseason contention.
Kendre Miller ($5,500)
It was a less-than-ideal start to the Kendre Miller era. With Alvin Kamara on the shelf, Miller is responsible for leading the New Orleans backfield. Last week against Green Bay, he managed just 15 yards on eight carries. This uninspiring effort contributed to his squad’s shutout. The positive is it can’t possibly get worse, and it’s almost inconceivable in the modern game for a club to go scoreless in consecutive outings.
The competition on the horizon is far less steep, facing a Las Vegas bunch still tanking. Miller is a talented runner with premier vision and more in the tank than he’s shown. With more projected possessions and an easier matchup, Miller is an elite bounce-back candidate who should see another uptick in workload and could patch together enough touches for a solid performance.
Jalen McMillan ($4,600)
Jalen McMillan is a budding star. The first-year receiver was largely invisible at the start of the campaign, but Chris Godwin’s injury opened the door for an increased role. The University of Washington product has primarily operated out of the slot, showcasing impressive route running to create separation and feast in the middle of the field. Even with the dramatic improvement on the ground game, Tampa Bay still wants to air out the rock. That helps elevate McMillan’s opportunity share and makes him such an intriguing asset.
The rookie has had at least 16 fantasy points in three straight games. He’s found the end zone four times in that span and is Baker Mayfield’s second option. With impressive tight end Cade Otton scratched, McMillan’s prominence on the stat sheet will continue.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $200K Early Only Rush [$50K to 1st] (Early Only)
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is xaiver-aguiar) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
