A massive 13-game slate in the NFL on Sunday, as the 2023 NFL regular season comes towards a conclusion with just week 18 remaining. It’s been another great year for the NFL and Draftstars, so let’s try and find some hidden gems this week to top up those accounts. The NFL schedule makers were obviously high when making the schedule, as we have a 10-game early window, followed by just the 3-game late window. With some high totals expected, there should be plenty of value plays this week.
Draftstars has a $15,000 contest, with a $1,133 first prize. There are plenty of other contests for everyone to get involved. And if you’re really keen on a chance to win big, there’s a $20 contest with the winner gaining entry into the $150k NFL Star Final. Bring it on! Let’s kick things off.
NFL 2023-24 Daily Fantasy Tips: Week 17
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen - $17,830
Whilst the Patriots defence has continued to play at a decent enough level this season, Josh Allen appears to have their measure. In their earlier matchup this season, in which the Patriots won, Allen still managed to pump out 25.3 points, on the back of 265 yards throwing, 17 yards rushing, and three total touchdowns. I expect more production in this game, where the Bills are 14-point home favourites. A 30+ score here for Allen is something that can realistically be expected, against a Patriots defence that is no doubt looking forward to the off season.
Brock Purdy - $15,390
We didn’t quite get the discount I was hoping for on Purdy this week, after his four-interception performance last week, however I still believe this is a great spot for Purdy and the 49ers to get right. This week, they take on a Commanders defence that has given up since it’s two beast edge defenders (Sweat and Young) were traded before the deadline. Since week 11, they have given up the fifth-highest yards per attempt, the sixth-most passing yards, the second-most passing touchdowns, and the seventh-highest completion percentage over expected. A huge get right spot here for Purdy.
Running Backs
Kyren Williams - $17,070
Whilst Christian McCaffrey is the obvious RB1 this week, Kyren Williams continues to mount his case for a top 3 running back in the league. And he is getting it done in fantasy through not only volume, but his play making ability, ranking 24th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 19th in yards after contact per attempt. This week, he will be taking on a Giants run defence that since week 11 have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game, the third-highest explosive run rate, and the second-lowest stuff rate. With rankings of first in snap share, fifth in opportunity share, ninth in carries, and fourth in red zone touches, Williams should eat.
Tyjae Spears - $8,400
Spears is slowly taking over the backfield at the Titans, as he has seen more snaps than Derrick Henry in 3 of the last 4 games (equal in the other game). With Henry almost certainly leaving at the end of this season, Coach Mike Vrabel will want to see if Spears can handle the workload of an every-down back. With his rushing snaps increasing, Spears is a solid option at the price, who will also get you production in the passing game, averaging 4.1 targets per game, and just over 5 per game in his last four games. The only concern for Spears is that the Texans completely shut down this Titans offense two weeks ago. Can they do it again though?
Zamir White - $8,000
Easy selection here at the price, as White continues to be the RB1 at the Raiders, with Josh Jacobs (doubtful) highly unlikely to play again this week. In his two games as the leader in the backfield, White has managed to play 73% of snaps, averaging 21 touches and 125 total yards per game. Since week 11, the Colts have allowed the 12th-highest explosive run rate, the eighth-most rushing yards per game, and the seventh-most missed tackles per attempt. White should once again offer excellent value for money as an RB2/FLEX option.
Wide Receivers
Deebo Samuel - $14,470
Loving a Purdy/Deebo stack this week against the Commanders. After a down week last week, this week the 49ers get a Commanders defence that, since week 11, rank fifth in the NFL in two-high coverage. Against two-high, Deebo commands a 28.6% target share, a 24.9% air-yard share, a 38% first-read share, and 2.73 yards per route run. Deebo should bounce back nicely here, and with a score or two could easily be the WR1 in this slate, with huge upside.
Rashee Rice - $13,790
Since week 12, Rice has become Patrick Mahomes’ favourite target, averaging a whopping 10 targets per game. I see no reason for that to change this week, as the Chiefs take on a Bengals defence that has been horrible of late. Since week 11, the Bengals have allowed the fifth-most PPR points per target and the seventh-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Since week 12, Rice ranks 8th in fantasy points per game amongst wide receivers, and second in red zone targets and yards after the catch amongst all receivers.
Demarcus Robinson - $8,550
Where has this guy come from? After being an afterthought for the first 12 weeks of the season, Robinson has turned into a legit weapon for the Rams and this evolving offense, averaging 6 targets over the past four games. Not only is he seeing decent volume, but he’s also a legit touchdown threat every week, with a touchdown in each of his past four games. With scores of 15.5, 13.6, 14.7, and 20.2 over the past month, Robinson has done enough to earn a spot in your team as a WR3/FLEX option with decent upside.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts - $7,570
Pitts hasn’t got much love this season in fantasy, but he has quietly been solid over the past month, averaging 5.5 targets per game and 11.1 fantasy points per game. He gets a tremendous matchup this week, taking on a Bears defence that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game, and the second-most receiving touchdowns per game to opposing tight ends. The Bears also play Cover 3 at the fourth-highest rate in the league, a defence scheme that Pitts excels against, leading the team with a 19.1% target share, a 31.8% air-yard share, a 22.7% first-read share, and 1.94 yards per route run.
Juwan Johnson - $5,560
Johnson owners and streamers will be hoping of more of the same for Johnson, after a solid past fortnight of fantasy production, with scores of 14.8 and 11.8. This week, Johnson and the Saints take on the Bucs, who allow the sixth-most receptions and fifth-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends this season. With a touchdown in each of his past two games, Johnson is a low-priced option who can be a top 5 tight end with a touchdown this week.
D/ST
Indianapolis Colts - $6,600
The Colts take on a Raiders offense this week that has been weak, having scored the 7th-fewest points of any team this season, and if you discount the 63 they scored against the Chargers a few weeks ago, their offense would be bottom 3 in the league. The Raiders have also conceded the 8th-most turnovers this season, whilst the Colts have created the 7th-most turnovers. The Colts should wreak havoc on the Raiders at home this week.
Carolina Panthers - $4,610
Bit of a speculator this one, however with the Panthers sitting as the fourth-cheapest D/ST option against a back-up quarterback, it could be a nice way to save some money this week. The Jags are middle-of-the-road when it comes to protecting their quarterbacks from sacks, however a lot of that is to do with Trevor Lawrence’s ability to scramble. Whilst the Panthers’ defence has struggled to get to the quarterback or force turnovers this season, this could be a big game for a team that has rallied since the firing of Head Coach Frank Reich.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
