DraftKings NFL 2017 : Week 16 Lineup

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Tom Brady
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Tom Brady /
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Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams ($9100) – The best fantasy performance of Week 16 goes to Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley. He finished the game against the Seahawks with 180 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. Gurley is the highest scoring running back on the season and a legitimate MVP candidate for a surging Rams team.

With the Rams traveling to Tennesse to play the Titans, a tough week could be ahead for the third year super star. Tennessee ranks in the bottom third of the league in points allowed to running backs and has only allowed four rushing touchdowns on the season. Given the Titans weak secondary I’d expect to see more from the Rams passing attack, which Gurley is a part of. I’d still opt for a cheaper option that Gurley in a tough matchup with the Titans run defense.

Kareem Hunt – Kansas City Chiefs ($8400) – One of the cheaper yet still elite options to plug in place of Gurley is Kansas City Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt. The early season favorite for rookie of the year has found his form after some mid-season struggles. Over the last four weeks he is the NFL’s seventh highest scoring running back. He is also coming off of back-to-back 100-yard performances.

This week the Dolphins come to Kansas City which could make it three straight big games for Hunt. The Dolphins rank eighth in points allowed to running backs on the season. Kansas City is back to the early season success on offense and that starts with Hunt.

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Alvin Kamara ($8400) & Mark Ingram ($8300) – New Orleans Saints – Both of the New Orleans Saints running backs are going to the Pro Bowl. They are both also top ten scoring fantasy running backs. Mark Ingram has been the lead back getting a ton of attention on the ground. Alvin Kamara has been the most impressive rookie running back this season and is the perfect compliment to Ingram. Kamara seems tailored made for this Saints offense with his versatility.

The Saints play the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. Kamara was knocked out of the last matchup between the two teams after an impressive opening drive. Ingram took the load but was stifled with 12 carries on only 49 yards. With both back in the fold I could see a big day for either. It is tough to choose which but I would go with Kamara over Ingram given the Falcons weakness against pass catching running backs.

Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys ($8000) – After serving a six game suspension, the 2016 NFL’s leading rusher will be back on the field for the Dallas Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott returns to the lineup for the Cowboys critical Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Elliott has to be licking his chops after watching what Todd Gurley did to this Seahawks defense a week ago.

The Cowboys have been reluctant to state how much work Elliott will see but with the playoffs on the line I would not be surprised to see him immediately back to 20+ touches. If he gets that work load there should be no problem plugging him into your lineup. Seattle has surrendered the fifth most rushing yards over the last four weeks and Elliott is a pair of fresh legs ready to roll.