DraftKings Consensus Rankings Week 16

Jeff Haseley's DraftKings Consensus Rankings Week 16 Jeff Haseley Published 12/22/2016

Ten members of the Footballguys DraftKings staff compiled value-based rankings for Week 16 of the NFL season. Those results are shown below with the highest ranking at the top. Each position is ranked as follows: (A dash indicates that player was not ranked). 

Quarterback - Top 8
Running Back - Top 12
Wide Receiver - Top 12
Tight End - Top 8
Defense - Top 5 

To determine the average ranking, any player not ranked received a value of the lowest rank for that position, plus 1 (LR+1). For example, the Top 8 quarterbacks are ranked by each staff member. If one staff member did not rank a particular quarterback, but others did, the ranking for that quarterback is 8+1 or 9. Instead of displaying a 9 in the table, a dash is used to show that player was not ranked, after average rank was obtained. 

The value-based, collaborative results provide a window into which players are the best options for this week's slate of games. I'll explain why certain players are ranked as they are and also provide additional commentary volunteered by various staff members.

DRAFTKINGS CONSENSUS RANKINGS: QUARTERBACK

Player Matchup Opp Price Haseley Wood Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Drew Brees NO TB 7400 1 1 2 2 1 - - 2 1 1 2.9
Andrew Luck IND at OAK 7000 2 6 1 3 2 2 6 - 2 2 3.5
Aaron Rodgers GB MIN 6700 3 3 7 1 5 3 - 1 3 3 3.8
Dak Prescott DAL DET 5900 - 2 - - - 1 4 - - - 7.0
Matt Ryan ATL at CAR 7200 - 5 - 7 3 - - 6 - 4 7.0
Blake Bortles JAC TEN 5000 - - 3 6 - - 1 - - 7 7.1
Kirk Cousins WAS at CHI 6800 8 4 5 8 8 4 - - - 8 7.2
Russell Wilson SEA ARI 6300 - - 6 4 4 - 8 5 - - 7.2
Jameis Winston TB at NO 6500 6 7 8 5 - 7 - - 6 6 7.2
Cam Newton CAR ATL 6600 - - - - - 5 5 7 - 5 7.6
Matt Barkley CHI WAS 5000 4 - - - - - 3 - - - 7.9
Ben Roethlisberger PIT BAL 6700 - - - - - - - 3 5 - 8.0
Philip Rivers SD at CLE 6900 5 - - - - - - 4 8 - 8.0
Tyrod Taylor BUF MIA 5400 - - - - - - 2 8 - - 8.2
Andy Dalton CIN at HOU 5300 - - 4 - - 6 - - - - 8.2
Tom Brady NE NYJ 7700 7 - - - - - - - 4 - 8.3
Colin Kaepernick SF at LA 5700 - - - - 7 - - - 7 - 8.6
Marcus Mariota TEN at JAC 6000 - 8 - - - - 7 - - - 8.7
Robert Griffin III III CLE SD 5100 - - - - 6 - - - - - 8.7
Joe Flacco BAL at PIT 5800 - - - - - 8 - - - - 8.9

The consensus is back on the Drew Brees bandwagon. Brees erupted for 389 yards and 4 touchdowns vs. Arizona last week after two consecutive weeks of zero touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Brees will get another crack at Tampa Bay (one of the teams who kept him out of the end zone). The thought process here is that Brees ($7,400) has an affordable price and he's at home in the dome, where he has proven to be a solid fantasy producer. At home Brees averages 352 yards passing and 2.7 touchdown passes. Tampa Bay has allowed two touchdown passes in the last four games and four in the last six - and that includes the Saints. While the odds look good for Brees, it's difficult to look over how good Tampa Bay has played recently. 

Andrew Luck ($7,000) and Aaron Rodgers ($6,700) are both at a good price this week and are considered the second and third best value options.

Luck had a surprisingly good day against Minnesota in Week 15, despite dealing with shoulder, elbow and thumb injuries - and he was without Donte Moncrief (hamstring) who should return to the lineup this week. Luck has a decent matchup at Oakland that could see him reach over 250 yards and two touchdowns. That's not super numbers, but that's essentially what Oakland is giving up on average. The Raiders have not allowed more than two touchdown passes in a game since Week 4. 

Aaron Rodgers will host the Vikings, who Andrew Luck had success against last week. Rodgers and the Packers have won four straight games heading into this divisional matchup. There are some whispers suggesting Rodgers has struggled in the cold weather and his performance (zero touchdown passes) at Chicago last week backs that up. In the last seven home games where the weather was 25 degrees or lower, five of those games Rodgers threw just one touchdown pass. This week the weather is expected to be in the low-mid 30's, which falls outside of those conditions. It's still something to remember for future reference. The Vikings defense looks like a shell of their earlier season self and without their all pro safety Harrison Smith, they appear to be more vulnerable. This is a good matchup for Rodgers and the Packers, even if Randall Cobb isn't expected to be 100%. Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams are more than capable of picking up the slack. 

A word of caution on Dak Prescott who was rated high by three rankers, but not ranked by the other seven. Detroit has been impressive against quarterbacks lately. Since Week 11 only Denver has allowed less DK points to opposing quarterbacks than the Lions. Detroit has allowed just five touchdown passes since Week 11 and have six interceptions in the same range. 

Blake Bortles ($5,000) played a horrible game in his last meeting with Tennessee, but he managed to put together a strong fantasy game with an entire second half that was filled with garbage yards and garbage points. At the minimum price, he's someone to consider. Tennessee has allowed three 300-yard games in the last five games and have given up 8 touchdown passes in that span. 

Matt Barkley ($5,000) is also at minimum price, but he's played much better recently and Washington's defense has been vulnerable lately. In his four starts, Barkley has topped 30 pass attempts three times with the one time being the snow game against San Francisco. He has 300 yards passing in two of those four games with six total touchdown passes. He has a good matchup this week and is someone to consider as a cheap option at quarterback who can put up a two-score game with yardage to boot. 

Wood

Drew BreesI know Brees has hurt some people down the stretch, but after last week's resurgence and back at home, I expect a great week

Dak PrescottPrescott shrugged off the Romo rumors and is set to lead the Cowboys into the NFC's top seed

Marcus MariotaA bit out of consensus, but think he can shred a defeated division rival on a push for the AFC South title

Mamula

Drew BreesSaints/Bucs game expected to shootout with a game total of 52.5 points.

DRAFTKINGS CONSENSUS RANKINGS: running back

Player Matchup Opp Price Haseley Wood Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Jordan Howard CHI WAS 6300 1 3 8 1 8 2 8 4 1 1 3.7
Spencer Ware KC DEN 5300 3 7 1 4 1 1 2 10 - 5 4.7
LeVeon Bell PIT BAL 9400 12 2 2 5 2 4 - 2 4 2 4.8
Ezekiel Elliott DAL DET 7900 8 1 4 3 3 5 12 - 3 6 5.8
LeSean McCoy BUF MIA 9000 7 6 3 9 4 10 - 3 5 4 6.4
David Johnson ARI at SEA 9200 6 4 - 7 5 9 - 1 6 3 6.7
Jeremy Hill CIN at HOU 5300 4 8 9 - 9 - 1 11 11 7 8.6
Todd Gurley LA SF 6500 2 11 5 - - 7 - - 2 8 8.7
DeMarco Murray TEN at JAC 7000 - 5 - 2 6 - 7 - 7 9 8.8
Bilal Powell NYJ at NE 6000 9 9 7 6 12 3 - - - 11 9.6
Mark Ingram NO TB 4400 5 - 10 10 - - 4 - 9 - 10.3
Rob Kelley WAS at CHI 5200 - - 6 - - 6 6 - 12 10 10.5
Frank Gore IND at OAK 4800 - - - 11 - 8 5 9 - - 11.1
Carlos Hyde SF at LA 5800 - - 11 8 7 - 9 - - - 11.3
Ty Montgomery GB MIN 5900 10 10 12 - - - - 7 - - 11.7
Latavius Murray OAK IND 6200 - - - - - - 11 5 - - 12.0
Isaiah Crowell CLE SD 4100 - - - - - - 3 - - - 12.0
Jay Ajayi MIA at BUF 5600 - 12 - - - - 10 - 10 12 12.2
Devonta Freeman ATL at CAR 7100 - - - - - - - 6 - - 12.3
Jonathan Stewart CAR ATL 5200 11 - - - - - - 8 - - 12.3
LeGarrette Blount NE NYJ 5600 - - - - - - - - 8 - 12.5
Kenneth Dixon BAL at PIT 4200 - - - - 11 - - 12 - - 12.7
Lamar Miller HOU CIN 5700 - - - - 10 - - - - - 12.7
T.J. Yeldon JAC TEN 3800 - - - - - 11 - - - - 12.8
Kenneth Farrow SD at CLE 5000 - - - - - 12 - - - - 12.9
Dion Lewis NE NYJ 4100 - - - 12 - - - - - - 12.9

The stud running backs of LeVeon Bell ($9,400), David Johnson ($9,200), LeSean McCoy ($9,000), Ezekiel Elliott ($7,900) and Devonta Freeman ($7,100) all have tough matchups this week, but the majority of the consensus is still high on them to produce. Sneaking up to the #1 spot is Jordan Howard ($6,300) who will host Washington in a favorable matchup for the Bears offense. Washington struggled to contain Jonathan Stewart last week with two of their top linebackers and top pass rusher injured. Howard has been on fire lately and is deserving of this top ranking. He has seven consecutive games of 100 total yards or more, with five touchdowns. Only the aforementioned Top 4 have more DK points than Howard since Week 10. 

Another option to consider is Bilal Powell ($6,000) who has come on strong lately replacing the injured Matt Forte. The early consensus believes that Forte will miss this week's game, thus solidifying Powell's involvement in the offense. In his last two games, Powell has topped 140 total yards with 16 catches combined. He's being used as the Jets go-to offensive weapon and his price hasn't fully caught up to his performance level yet. 

There's some interest in Mark Ingram ($4,400) this week due to contract incentive escalators in his deal that could see him reach an additional $400,000 bonus. The escalators are mostly yards-driven but it also includes touchdowns. He was pulled from a goal line situation for Tim Hightower in last week's game and apparently Ingram wasn't too happy about it. The media got wind of the ordeal and put some pressure on the Saints for treating Ingram in this manner. It would not be surprising to see them give Ingram more opportunities and chances to reach his bonus escalators, especially after the negative feedback they received last week. He needs 150 yards to unlock his first escalator and it's believed that a touchdown would unlock a $100,000 scoring escalator. It would not surprise me to see Ingram heavily involved in the offensive game plan this week. 

I'm surprised at the lower ranking (#8) of Todd Gurley, ($6,500) who will host the 49ers. San Francisco has allowed 100-yard rushing games to running backs in 11 of their 14 games. Surely Gurley, a player who has handled 88% of the Rams running back carries can take advantage of this situation. The Rams offense has struggled to find any rhythm at all, but this matchup could be what the doctor ordered. 

Wood

David Johnson - I don't love the matchup, but DJ has proven to be matchup proof

DeMarco MurrayWould be higher if Derrick Henry wasn't starting to get major touches

Ty Montgomery - Don't want to overvalue last week's monster game, but worth some GPP exposure at price

Todd GurleyIf he can't get right versus the 49ers, when can he?

Jay AjayiForgotten of late, but Dolphins are still solidly in playoff hunt and need a big game from him

Hindery

Jordan HowardThis is a potential let down spot for Washington, who travels to Chicago on a short week after an upset Monday night loss badly hurt their playoff chances. Howard has seen at least 18 touches + targets in five straight and averaging over 5 yards per carry and 10 yards per reception.

Mamula

Todd Gurley49ers are allowing 176.3 rush/yards per game. It's now or never for Mr. Gurley.

DRAFTKINGS CONSENSUS RANKINGS: wide receiver

Player Matchup Opp Price Haseley Wood Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Michael Crabtree OAK IND 6100 2 4 11 2 4 1 2 5 1 1 3.3
Jordy Nelson GB MIN 7000 1 3 3 1 3 7 10 2 5 2 3.7
T.Y. Hilton IND at OAK 7800 4 1 9 3 1 3 - 1 2 3 4.0
Antonio Brown PIT BAL 8200 7 2 1 5 2 6 - 4 3 4 4.7
Mike Evans TB at NO 8500 12 6 5 11 8 2 - 10 8 8 8.3
Brandin Cooks NO TB 6800 - 8 8 - - - - 3 6 5 9.5
Odell Beckham NYG at PHI 8600 9 7 6 12 - 8 9 - 10 9 9.6
Larry Fitzgerald ARI at SEA 6100 - 5 4 7 - - - - - 6 10
Rishard Matthews TEN at JAC 4900 3 - - - - 10 3 - - 10 10.4
Michael Thomas NO TB 6000 8 - - 4 10 - - - 4 - 10.4
Julian Edelman NE NYJ 6900 - - - - 5 9 - - 7 7 10.6
Demaryius Thomas DEN at KC 6400 - - 10 - 6 4 - - - 12 11.0
Robby Anderson NYJ at NE 4800 - 11 - 6 - 5 - - - - 11.3
Ted Ginn Jr CAR ATL 4500 - - - - - - 4 6 - - 11.4
Deonte Thompson CHI WAS 3500 - - - - - - 1 11 - - 11.6
DeAndre Hopkins HOU CIN 5200 10 10 12 9 - - 11 - - - 11.7
Corey Coleman CLE SD 3900 - - 2 - - 12 - - - - 11.8
Davante Adams GB MIN 5400 - 9 7 - 11 - - - - - 11.8
Allen Robinson JAC TEN 4600 - - - 10 - - 6 - - - 12.0
Anquan Boldin DET at DAL 4100 - - - - - - 5 - - - 12.2
Emmanuel Sanders DEN at KC 6000 - - - - 7 11 - - - - 12.2
Cameron Meredith CHI WAS 4700 5 - - - - - - - - - 12.2
Jarvis Landry MIA at BUF 5500 - - - - - - 12 7 - - 12.3
Malcolm Mitchell NE NYJ 5200 6 - - - - - - - - - 12.3
Golden Tate DET at DAL 6600 11 - - - - - - - 11 11 12.4
Dez Bryant DAL DET 6500 - - - - - - 7 - - - 12.4
Doug Baldwin SEA ARI 6000 - - - - - - 8 - - - 12.5
Tyreek Hill KC DEN 5900 - - - - - - - 8 - - 12.5
Marqise Lee JAC TEN 4300 - - - 8 - - - - - - 12.5
Dontrelle Inman SD at CLE 6000 - - - - - - - 9 - - 12.6
Amari Cooper OAK IND 6500 - - - - - - - - 9 - 12.6
Terrelle Pryor CLE SD 4900 - - - - 9 - - - - - 12.6
Tyrell Williams SD at CLE 5800 - 12 - - 12 - - - - - 12.8
Kenny Britt LA SF 5700 - - - - - - - 12 12 - 12.8

The consensus likes Michael Crabtree ($6,100) as the top value ranking this week. The thought process around this is that he will face a lesser talented cornerback, probably Darryl Morris, while Amari Cooper will primarily see coverage by Vontae Davis. The Colts are dealing with injuries in the secondary which has lead to positional and player moves that are a change from their optimal defensive strategies. Indianapolis was able to thwart the Vikings receiving corps last week, but Oakland's offense is much better than what Minnesota brings to the table. Look for Crabtree to see a high number of targets this week in what could be a high scoring game - Vegas game total is 53 points, the highest of Week 16.

Jordy Nelson ($7,000), T.Y. Hilton ($7,800), Antonio Brown ($8,200) and Mike Evans ($8,500)  make up the rest of the Top 5 value rankings. You can make a case for all four. All have good team matchups and individual corner matchups. All four have capable quarterbacks who can get them the ball. All four are their team's top target option and all are fighting for a playoff berth. Take your pick. I ranked them Nelson > Hilton > Brown > Evans in terms of value, but I'm not going to argue about another order. 

Two other wide receiver matchups I like that the consensus also have interest in is Michael Thomas ($6,000) and Cameron Meredith ($4,700). According to coverage charts, Thomas should see a lot of coverage from Tampa Bay corner Vernon Hargreaves who has had his share of disappointments this year. Meredith can play slot and the X receiver, but the expectation is that Josh Norman will cover Alshon Jeffery or the X,Z wideout. Look for Meredith to lineup in the slot often this week, making him someone Matt Barkley should target often. Meredith has 15 catches for 176 yards and 1 touchdown in the last two games, being targeted a team high 21 times. 

Other lower priced options include Rishard Matthews ($4,900), Robby Anderson ($4,800) DeAndre Hopkins ($5,200) and Malcolm Mitchell ($5,200). Mitchell did not have a favorable matchup last week vs. Denver but this week's slate against the Jets favors the perimeter receivers like Mitchell. Even Chris Hogan is someone to consider as a result.

Hopkins may be reborn now that Brock Osweiler has been replaced by Tom Savage. Savage targeted Hopkins often last week, which should continue this week against Cincinnati. At $5,200 Hopkins is a great value for someone who could top 10 targets in the game. 

Wood

T.Y. HiltonMore of a gut call but think he goes crazy this week given lack of healthy alternatives

Antonio BrownRavens have a good defense, but Steelers need this win in a major way

Hindery

Michael ThomasThomas has a 5 inch height advantage over both of Tampa's starting cornerbacks. He should continue to be the go-to guy for Brees in the red zone.

Marqise LeeTennessee has allowed five 100-yard receiving games to opposing recievers over the past five weeks. Despite the struggles of Bortles, this is a prime spot for Lee and Allen Robinson.

Mamula

Michael CrabtreeStill underpriced based on matchup vs. Colts

DRAFTKINGS CONSENSUS RANKINGS: tight end

Player Matchup Opp Price Haseley Wood Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
Cameron Brate TB at NO 3900 1 2 1 1 5 2 1 1 1 1 1.6
Delanie Walker TEN at JAC 4300 3 4 2 3 4 - 4 4 2 4 3.9
Travis Kelce KC DEN 5000 2 8 3 2 2 - - 5 4 2 4.6
Greg Olsen CAR ATL 5200 4 5 5 - 1 4 3 - 7 5 5.2
Kyle Rudolph MIN at GB 4900 6 - 4 6 3 8 - 2 3 3 5.3
Jimmy Graham SEA ARI 4500 5 6 7 4 6 7 - - 8 7 6.8
Jason Witten DAL DET 3400 - 3 - 7 - 1 5 - - 8 6.9
Tyler Eifert CIN at HOU 4800 7 7 6 8 7 5 - - 6 6 7.0
Dennis Pitta BAL at PIT 3000 8 1 - - - 3 - - - - 7.5
Zach Ertz PHI NYG 5300 - - - 5 - - - - 5 - 8.2
Jermaine Gresham ARI at SEA 2500 - - - - - - 2 - - - 8.3
Antonio Gates SD at CLE 4400 - - - - 8 - - 3 - - 8.3
Jared Cook GB MIN 3000 - - - - - - - 6 - - 8.7
Dion Sims MIA at BUF 2600 - - - - - - 6 - - - 8.7
Eric Ebron DET at DAL 3600 - - - - - 6 - - - - 8.7
Coby Fleener NO TB 3100 - - - - - - 7 - - - 8.8
Hunter Henry SD at CLE 3500 - - - - - - - 7 - - 8.8
Martellus Bennett NE NYJ 4100 - - - - - - - 8 - - 8.9
Charles Clay BUF MIA 3200 - - - - - - 8 - - - 8.9
Daniel Brown WAS at CHI 2500 - - 8 - - - - - - - 8.9

Cameron Brate is the top value ranking this week. At $3,900 he's a great value for a player who is averaging 4.7 catches since Week 9 and has five touchdowns in the last egiht games. Plus, he has a favorable matchup against the Saints this week making him a better option to consider. 

Outside of Brate, there is no glaring tight end to consider. Delanie Walker ($4,300), Travis Kelce ($5,000) and Greg Olsen ($5,200) are next on the rankings. Walker will play Jacksonville, who gave up 8-85 to Ryan Griffin last week and 4-60-1 to Kyle Rudolph the week prior. Travis Kelce has been a top offensive option for the Chiefs, but their matchup against Denver does not favor the passing game, so his production could be reduced. Greg Olsen is dealing with an elbow injury and it's not known how effective or involved he'll be as a result. 

Kyle Rudolph ($4,900) is one to consider against Green Bay. Rudolph has been the Vikings top target since Stefon Diggs injuried his knee five weeks ago and now his hip is causing him troubles. Minnesota's offense has been putrid lately, but Rudolph has been solid with 60 yards or a touchdown in five of the last six games. 

DRAFTKINGS CONSENSUS RANKINGS: defense

Player Matchup Opp Price Haseley Wood Brimacombe Hindery Knotts Grant Alexander Howe Mamula Feery Avg
New England NE NYJ 3600 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.0
Seattle SEA ARI 3700 4 - 3 3 4 2 4 5 2 5 3.8
Tennessee TEN at JAC 3400 2 2 4 5 2 - 3 - - 3 3.9
Kansas City KC DEN 3500 - - - 2 5 - 2 2 - 2 4.3
San Diego SD at CLE 3400 3 3 2 4 - 4 5 - 4 - 4.3
NY Giants NYG at PHI 3300 5 4 - - - - - - - 4 5.5
Green Bay GB MIN 3300 - 5 - - - - - - 3 - 5.6
Dallas DAL DET 2800 - - - - 3 5 - - - - 5.6
Los Angeles LA SF 3500 - - - - - - - 3 - - 5.7
Pittsburgh PIT BAL 3000 - - - - - 3 - - - - 5.7
Buffalo BUF MIA 3100 - - 5 - - - - - 5 - 5.8
Cincinnati CIN at HOU 3200 - - - - - - - 4 - - 5.8

New England ($3,600) is the chalk defense this week. They face Bryce Petty and the Jets at home, who have struggled lately, while the Patriots are clicking on defense. The Jets also have a league-leading worst turnover ratio of -19. New England is favored by 16.5 points in this game, which is another reason to be heavy on their defense this week. 

Seattle ($3,700) and Tennesee are also defenses to consider. Seattle is at home against Arizona, while Tennessee will travel to Jacksonville. The Jaguars are -16 in turnover ratio. 

Another option to consider is San Diego at Cleveland. The Browns have given up the most points to opposing defense/ST units and have been sacked a league-high 53 times. 

Wood

New England - Patriots defense isn't a juggernaut but at home vs the Bryce Petty led Jets is enticing

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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