The Week 16 DFS slate on FanDuel features plenty of great players priced up in good matchups. With players like Michael Thomas ($9000) and Lamar Jackson ($9300) eating up so much salary, finding cheap punt plays will be the key to cashing on these slates. These cheap options, known as “lineup makers,” can be found using advanced stats, metrics and analytic player profiles. With that in mind, here are some lineup makers for Week 16.
DeAndre Washington, RB: $5600
The Oakland Raiders are all but eliminated from the postseason, meaning Josh Jacobs is likely getting shut down for the season. At the very least, he is already ruled out for this Sunday’s matchup against the Chargers.
In the only game Jacobs missed this season, DeAndre Washington operated as a bell-cow, putting up 96 yards on 20 touches and finding the end zone. His passing game role was also impressive, catching six of seven targets. If his 9.7 percent (71st-percentile among qualified running backs) College Target Share is any indication, that role will continue this week.
DeAndre Washington Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Washington also has big-play ability with a 124.4 (85th-percentile) SPARQ-x score and 4.49 (80th-percentile) speed. With his athleticism and projected workload, he should exploit this Chargers defense.
Kerryon Johnson, RB: $4500
After a lengthy rehab, Kerryon Johnson is slated to return from the knee injury that cost him eight games this season. Johnson saw at least 14 touches in every game that he started and finished this season, so he should slide right back into that workload.
While he certainly isn’t a safe bet with David Blough commanding the offense, he is the stone-minimum for a running back at $4500. It won’t take much for him to hit 3x-value, so he should be in consideration for cash and tournament lineups.
Christian Kirk, WR: $5900
Christian Kirk matched his season-low in routes and targets in Week 15. He’s seen five targets in only two other games this season. In the two games following those contests, he’s totaled 21 targets, 14 receptions, 217 yards and three scores.
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Aside from those games, Kirk’s also led his team in Target Share, Total Target Distance, and Deep Targets this season. He’s the clear alpha running the slot/flanker route tree in this high-volume offense that ranks No. 2 in Pace of Play.
Seattle has given up big games in back to back weeks to Robert Woods and D.J. Moore, who play comparable roles to Kirk. Look for him to bounce back in this spot with a helicopter performance from Kyler Murray.
Greg Ward, WR: $5700
With a laundry list of injuries at wide receiver, Greg Ward operated as the alpha in Week 15. The former college quarterback exceeded expectations, hauling in seven of his nine targets for 61 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
He is now averaging seven looks from Carson Wentz over his four games as an Eagle, showing that they’ve developed solid chemistry together.
Check out Greg Ward on PlayerProfiler’s Updated Weekly Rankings and Projections:
Ward has a good chance at strengthening that chemistry this week against the Cowboys. Their biggest defensive liability has been in the slot, with Jourdan Lewis allowing double-digit PPR points in his coverage in six of his last nine starts.
Ward’s price jump to $5700 will likely turn some DFS players off, but smashing this matchup is in his range of outcomes.
Tim Patrick, WR: $5400
While Courtland Sutton is the clear alpha in the Broncos passing attack, Tim Patrick has quietly operated as the best secondary option. The 26-year-old Utah product suffered a broken hand in Week 1 and missed the majority of the season.
Tim Patrick Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Since his return in Week 11, Patrick is No. 2 on the team in targets, receptions, yards and Air Yards. He also saw seven targets last week on a season-high 33 routes against the Chiefs. He didn’t produce much, but Kansas City has actually allowed the fewest receptions to receivers on the season.
Patrick will have a much easier time getting open against the Lions this week. They just allowed Breshad Perriman to redeem his lost career with 113 yards and three touchdowns, all career-highs. Don’t be surprised if Patrick posts career-highs in this matchup.
Jacob Hollister, TE: $5700
The “flow chart” has failed us two weeks in a row, with Vance McDonald and David Njoku not able to capitalize against the Cardinals. Will Dissly smashed this matchup in Week 4, hauling in seven balls for 57 yards and a touchdown. While he found his way onto Injured Reserve, he has a suitable replacement in Jacob Hollister.
Hollister’s athletic profile makes Dissly look like Jarvis Landry. At 6-3, 239 pounds, Hollister has 4.69 (75th-percentile) speed, a 124.4 (83rd-percentile) Burst Score and an 11.46 (67th-percentile) Agility Score. He also showed the ability to turn that athleticism into production on the field with a 23.4 percent (73rd-percentile) College Dominator Rating at Wyoming. Given what Dissly did in Week 4, Hollister should smash this matchup.
