This piece will identify some of my favorite NFL DFS stacks of the weekend. Be sure to use our Stacking tool within our Player Models to find the highest projected stacks, the stacks that figure to be chalky, and more. Our Correlation Dashboard is also an excellent resource for finding hidden edges in stacking positions and games.
You can also plug these stacks into our Lineup Builder to hand-build the rest of it, or you can optimize it with our projections. And if you like to create multiple lineups, our Lineup Optimizer allows you to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups.
The Lineup Optimizer has endless customization opportunities.
Oh yeah! And our SimLabs Lineup Generator gives you the ability to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.
You can check out our in-depth SimLabs guide here.
Week 17 NFL DFS Stacks and Picks
Sam Darnold + Aaron Jones + Justin Jefferson + Tucker Kraft
- Sam Darnold ($6,400 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel)
- Aaron Jones ($6,200 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel)
- Justin Jefferson ($8,300 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel)
- Tucker Kraft ($3,900 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel)
There are only three games with a total over 41 points for this eight-game NFL Week 17 slate. Leading the trio is this massive NFC North battle between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers with a 48.5-point total with the Packers being one-point favorites. This game features two teams lobbying for playoff position in the NFC with the Vikings still having a chance at the No. 1 overall seed if they win out.
Despite being a slight home underdog, the Vikings look much more appealing from a fantasy perspective. The Vikings have won eight straight games, and their 13-2 record is tied for the second-best in the entire league. They beat the Packers on the road in Week 4 and are looking for the season sweep. In that victory at Lambeau Field, Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns and 275 yards for 22.5 DraftKings points.
Darnold comes into this game with career-highs in every passing statistic. He has thrown for 32 touchdowns, which is the fifth-highest in the league, with only 11 interceptions. The Packers defense has been elite recently with the only shutout of the season last week, but Darnold has this offense clicking on all cylinders. For the Vikings to keep their momentum, they will need another big game from Darnold.
Darnold is projected for the third-highest ownership at the quarterback position at 10%. His No. 1 option and arguably the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson has also been playing at an elite level recently. In his last three games, Jefferson has averaged 116.3 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He has recorded back-to-back games with 13 targets and a 37.5% average target share.
Jefferson leads all position players in projected ceiling and is drawing nearly 20% ownership. Given his last three games, it is difficult to ignore his upside. There is plenty of value on this eight-game slate to make it reasonable to pay up for Jefferson in this matchup. In Week 4 against the Packers, Jefferson caught six of his eight targets for 85 yards and one touchdown. Let’s get a repeat performance this week.
Aaron Jones is the second position player who looks enticing to pair with Darnold and Jefferson. Jones has received 18 carries in back-to-back games and is still a factor in the passing attack. He has scored a touchdown in four of his last five games and has scored double-digit DraftKings points in each contest. Jones’ consistency makes him a strong play in all formats at his relatively cheap price across the industry.
This matchup for Jones pairs well for him to be active through the air. The Packers are tied for the biggest target boost to opposing running backs out of the backfield. Catching passes is the easiest way for running backs to capture fantasy production. In a revenge matchup against his former team, I love this spot for Jones to get fed the ball in a multitude of ways, leading to a ceiling all-around performance.
Packers’ running back Josh Jacobs ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards per game and has been one of the best pure running backs this season. However, the Vikings rank second in the league, allowing just 87.1 rushing yards and 16.5 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. With a likely tough test on the ground, it is Jordan Love and the passing attack that is best to target for a bring-back.
Tight end Tucker Kraft is my favorite bring-back for this Vikings stack. In his second year in the league, Kraft has been a staple in the Packers’ aerial attack. He leads the team with seven touchdowns while ranking second in receptions and third in targets. Priced under $4,000 on DraftKings in this game environment is a steal. He is questionable with a hip injury, so keep an eye on his status. It is doubtful, but if Kraft was unable to play, Luke Musgrave at minimum price would be a phenomenal value option.
Don’t forget to check out our SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
Baker Mayfield + Bucky Irving + Mike Evans + Jalen Coker
- Baker Mayfield ($6,900 DraftKings, $8,200 FanDuel)
- Bucky Irving ($6,700 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel)
- Mike Evans ($7,500 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel)
- Jalen Coker ($4,300 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to win their next two games and get a loss from the Atlanta Falcons to make the playoffs. They are eight-point favorites over the Panthers, implied for a slate-high 28.25 points. The Buccaneers have won four of their last five games and are in line for another ceiling performance.
Over the last three games, Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield has been dialed in. He has averaged nearly 300 passing yards per game with nine touchdowns. His 25.8 DraftKings points per game during that time was more than enough to produce a positive Plus/Minus. Even with his salary rising across the industry, Mayfield is a strong play in all formats due to his recent play and this Panthers matchup.
In his second year with the Buccaneers, Mayfield has averaged a career-high 103.5 quarterback rating and 70.6% completion percentage with 37 combined touchdowns (34 passing and 3 rushing). Despite his interception total being up recently, that forces the Buccaneers to play from behind and at a faster pace. The Panthers are allowing a league-high 29.9 points and 18.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Even though Mike Evans has a boom or bust fantasy profile, he is still the No. 1 option in the Buccaneers’ passing game. Evans also needs 182 receiving yards over the next two weeks to capture 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th straight season, and Mayfield is well aware. Expect Evans to be force-fed over these next two weeks. He also leads the Buccaneers with nine receiving touchdowns.
The Panthers have only generated 29 sacks this season, which is tied for the fourth-fewest in the league. That will give Mayfield plenty of time to find Evans downfield. Since Chris Godwin was injured in Week 7, Evans has posted a team-high 27% target share. Projected for 20% ownership on DraftKings and FanDuel makes him a valuable pay-up option in both cash games and tournaments this week.
Even with a nagging injury, Bucky Irving has turned into the lead running back for the Buccaneers. He took a season-high 70% of the rushing attempts last week and played nearly 60% of the offensive snaps. Rachaad White still seems to be the primary receiving back, but in a leading game script, expect Irving to be in for a major workload this week, making him a great play in all formats.
Irving will not only be given a big workload, but this is the best running back matchup to target. The Panthers have allowed a league-high 175.2 rushing yards per game, which is over 30 more yards than the next closest team. Their 27.5 fantasy points allowed per game to running backs is also a league-high. This is a fantastic spot for both White and Irving, but the latter has been given more opportunities.
For a Panthers bring-back, keep an eye on their receivers’ status. Currently, Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette are both listed as questionable to play. With their status in doubt, Jalen Coker is drawing the second-highest ownership on DraftKings for receivers and third-highest on FanDuel. However, make sure to keep an eye on Thielen and Legette, as they would be the preferred bring-back options.
Be sure to check out all the pick ’em Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Daily Fantasy Football Week 17 NFL DFS Stacks and Picks on DraftKings and FanDuel
Week 18 NFL DFS WR Picks Breakdown: Ja’Marr Chase is a Stud
NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer Rules and My Favorite Angle for Sunday’s Wild Card Round
NFL Wild Card Round DFS Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel
