NFL DFS is a game of conviction, and below you’ll find a list of flag plants that our panel of DFS analysts are high on for Week 13.
Don’t forget to check out our Lineup Builder if you like to hand build your lineups or our Lineup Optimizer for those of you that like to enter multiple lineups into tournaments.
Let’s get right into it.
Week 13 NFL DFS Flag Plants
Sean Koerner: Director of Predictive Analytics for Action Network
Kenny Pickett ($5,200 DraftKings; $6,700 FanDuel) (GPP)
Kenny Pickett is a solid option for GPPs this week. Pickett has had an up-and-down rookie season, but he’s started to tap into his rushing upside on a more regular basis, topping 30 yards in three of the past four games. That could potentially open things up for him in the passing game, where he has a ton of upside with Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Pat Friermuth at his disposal.
Pickett is yet to put it all together for a ceiling game yet, but it could be coming soon. He has a plus matchup against the Falcons this week and is way too cheap on most sites.
He has a few quality stacking options in Diontae, Pickens, and Friermuth.
Nick Giffen: Predictive Analytics for Action Network
Allan Lazard ($5,400 DraftKings; $6,400 FanDuel) (GPP)
In the last three weeks, Christian Watson has been the go-to guy in the Packers’ receiving game, leaving Lazard as a bit of an afterthought.
However, Lazard has still been on the field for 96.6% of Green Bay’s offensive plays.
In those three games, Watson has only garnered two more targets than Lazard, so it’s not like their passing game usage is all that different.
Lazard and Watson are somewhat interchangeable, too, as both line up on the outside between 55-65% of the time and drift into the slot otherwise. They also have similar aDOTs, with Watson coming in only 0.6 yards farther downfield than Lazard.
The difference comes down to efficiency. Watson has caught 64.8% of his passes despite a slightly longer depth of target to Lazard’s 58%. It’s possible this is a reflection of talent between the two, but more likely, it’s just noise. After all, Lazard started the year hot, finding the end zone in five of his first seven games.
Watson projects for significantly higher usage in DFS lineups, but I love pivoting to Lazard here. Their scoring shouldn’t project as far apart as their rostership will be in tournaments.
Beer: RotoGrinders Analyst
George Pickens ($5,100 DraftKings; $6,700 FanDuel) (Cash/GPP)
I love this spot for the Steelers offense against an awful Atlanta defense ranked 30th in overall DVOA and 29th against the pass. Kenny Pickett looks more comfortable/confident with each passing week, and while we have yet to see the massive ceiling game, Pickens has all the looks of a volcano ready to explode.
He has scored double-digit fantasy points in six of his last eight games and now gets to match up with the Falcons, who have allowed the most receptions to wideouts this season and are bottom five in receiving yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed.
We’ve seen many flashes/big plays from Pickens, think we finally see the volcano erupt, and he puts a big number on the board this weekend in his return to Georgia.
Dan Gaspar: RotoGrinders Analyst
Jerick McKinnon ($4,500 DraftKings; $4,900 FanDuel) (GPP)
McKinnon did not practice early in the week with a “hamstring injury,” but it sounds like the Chiefs were just being cautious with him as he was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is expected to be active on Sunday. I typically won’t dive as deep and recommend a fringe play like McKinnon but I do like him quite a bit for a couple of different reasons this week.
First, he provides you with inexpensive exposure to the highest team total on the slate. Isiah Pacheco will still get early-down work, but I expect McKinnon to be on the field for all passing situations and the guy most used down the stretch if this game stays close.
Second, he provides leverage off the similarly priced Zonovan Knight, who is likely to see his ownership rise into the 20% range with news that Michael Carter is doubtful for Week 13. While many view Knight as a “safer” play than McKinnon, I’m in favor of taking the back with a defined role on a better offensive team, especially at greatly reduced ownership.
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