December 23rd: NFL DFS Locks First Look Week 16

Welcome NFL DFS readers of FantasyCPR, after a profitable Week 15. We take an early-look at Week 16 and where we currently play.

This slate actually sets up as a good balance of NFL DFS stars and value options and I feel like this slate could be one of the more profitable slates for us this season. Dive into this slate, and take down a tournament.

Quarterback NFL DFS Locks

Cash Games Lock:

Sam Darnold, NYJ ($4,900)  

I played Darnold last week on the NFL DFS Saturday slate, drawing him at less than 5% ownership on a two-game slate. This week we are not going to be so lucky as this match-up is likely going to drive his ownership.

Darnold’s match-up this week doesn’t get much better as the Green Bay secondary has been an absolute joke getting shredded for 1,213 passing yards and 10 touchdowns passes over their last five games. Darnold should see similar production against the struggling Green Bay secondary.

Tournament Lock:

Nick Foles, PHI ($4,700) 

In tournaments, I love paying down at Quarterback and paying up at the other positions. Houston’s defense has struggled over the past few weeks but they are forcing a lot of turnover. However, the thing about Foles, is he is really good about managing turnovers.

The Texans defense has allowed 1,352 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns over the last four weeks. Three of the last four quarterbacks have thrown over 300-plus yards against the Houston Texans defense. Foles probably will turnover the ball one time, however I do expect Foles to find the end zone a couple times and throw for around 300-yards against the Texans defense.

Running Backs NFL DFS Locks

Cash Game Lock:

Christian McCaffrey, CAR ($8,800) 

If you do not play Christian McCaffrey in cash games this weekend, you might need to quit playing Daily Fantasy Sports. No seriously though, this match-up sets up extremely well for Christian McCaffrey as Atlanta defense schemes itself to give up receptions to the running back position. In their previous match-up, McCaffrey caught 14 passes against this defense and McCaffrey has been rushing the ball better. McCaffrey has scored at least 30-plus fantasy points in four of the last five games. Lock McCaffrey into your cash games.

Tournament Lock:

Saquon Barkley, NYG ($7,900) 

Barkley price took a substantial drop of $1,500. I honestly don’t understand it all. Barkley played one bad game, we see this all the time where a team will get shutout then the following week will have a huge game.

The Colts are in must win territory, and the Giants are looking to play spoilers. Before last game, Barkley had four straight 100-plus yard games and four touchdowns in four weeks.

Barkley sets up really well for this match-up, expect the Giants to get Barkley more involved in the passing game after only catching four passes last week.

Barkley will be locked into my tournaments, probably going to a hard look at him in cash games this week as well. This is simply way too cheap.

Wide Receivers NFL DFS Locks

Cash Game Lock:

DeAndre Hopkins, HOU ($8,600) 

Hopkins is coming off his best game of the season by a large margin. The ownership is going to be sky high, but we have to play him in this matchup against the Eagles. The Eagles secondary, has struggled so far this season and Hopkins has been getting double digit targets in each of his last three games.

The spread on this game is 1-point spread and Watson’s chemistry with Hopkins is blossoming. Lock in Hopkins in your cash games, can get off tournaments if you’re feeling risky.

Tournament Lock:

Amari Cooper, DAL ($7,500) 

This should be Cooper’s game after the Cowboys struggled last week, this should be a bounce back game for this offense at home against Tampa Bay.  The last four weeks, Cooper has caught 30 passes on 37 targets for 505 yards and five touchdowns.

Tampa Bay has allowed the opposing number one wide receiver to catch at least five passes in each of the last four weeks. Cooper should be able to build off a poor performance last week against the Colts. Not a cash game play for me, but definitely in consideration for tournaments.

Tight End NFL DFS Locks

Cash Game Lock:

Chris Herndon, NYJ ($3,100) 

I do not love Herndon, this is definitely a position that I could change the lock later in the week, depending on the news. However, Herndon is safe and allows me to double stud at running back and at one wide receiver position. Herndon has caught a pass in nine straight games. Herndon should be fine and cheap enough that he pays off this tag for us this week.

Tournament Lock:

David Njoku, CLE ($3,800) 

I just keep playing Njoku, I’m hooked. Last time in this matchup, Njoku destroyed this price tag putting up 17.3 DraftKings Points. Njoku has been awful the last three games, but I am looking for a bounce back and hoping that he comes back to the five catch game with a touchdown. Njoku is not someone I am locking into my cash games, I will be playing him in tournaments.

Best of Luck this Week!