DraftKings Week 16 Cash Game Picks and Strategy

Dec 24, 2020

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Below you'll find my Week 16 DraftKings cash game picks and strategy. By offering a general approach to the week, along with a player pool to consider, you should walk away feeling well-equipped no matter your bankroll strategy or game selection process.

In general, my cash game strategy revolves around the running back position. My main focus is to roster three running backs with workhorse-type roles that simultaneously allow me to build a high-floor lineup at the other positions. Certain weeks, we'll be able to jam in multiple high-priced running backs because of the value that presents itself at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end.

Other weeks we may have to dip into the mid-range at running back because value hasn't emerged at the other positions. Because quarterback is a position with a narrower range of outcomes, it often makes sense to pay down for a signal-caller. As always it will depend on the makeup of the entire lineup, but I'll usually favor spending down at quarterback.

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I'm not opposed to paying up at wide receiver or tight end if the constraints of the week dictate that it's the most prudent lineup construction. However, with the propensity to allot the most salary to the running back position, I usually attempt to roster the most targets per dollar at wide receiver. It often results in rostering mid-tier wide receivers and tight ends. Given the volatility and variance week-to-week in pass-catchers, it makes sense to not use a ton of salary there as a general rule of thumb. Defense/special teams usually comes down to the cheapest defense with a respectable matchup and a relatively high sack rate, as pressure is what creates the plays defenses need to score fantasy points.

UPDATE: Sunday (10:30am)

Melvin Gordon is probably my favorite play on the slate with a full workload with Philip Lindsay out.
Tee Higgins vaults to a top value as well with Tyler Boyd out
Donald Parham - With LAC short on tight ends and Keenan Allen likely to be ineffective or out, a punt tight end that is an end zone monster opens a lot up for our lineups
Marvin Hall and Cam Sims - The Browns have lost all their receivers making hall their theoretical #1. Cam Sims will also step into a larger role with Terry McLaurin out.

Quarterback

There is enough value on this slate to get Patrick Mahomes ($8,500) in our lineups. Each week that I go into cash games without a Chief in my lineup is pretty unnerving. We know that the offense is so explosive that Mahomes and his two favorite targets can smash a slate to pieces. In a home matchup against a Falcons defense that funnels action to the pass, Mahomes should have his way throwing the football. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire out, I find it highly unlikely that the Chiefs pound Le'Veon Bell up the middle all game. With no stud backs on the slate in the $9K range like we've had virtually all year, it's easy to make room for Mahomes if you're so inclined. The Falcons give up over 300 yards passing per game and 3xing his salary is Mahomes's bare-minimum floor.