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Week 14 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

By Jared Smola | Updated on Sun, 08 Dec 2024 . 11:55 AM EST
Week 14 DraftKings Cash-Game Picks

 

Top Plays for DraftKings Head-to-Head and 50/50 Contests

Here are the guys I’m considering for DraftKings Week 14 head-to-heads and 50/50s:

 

Quarterback

Aidan O’Connell, Raiders ($4,800)

Headshot of Aidan O'Connell

There are a few viable cheap QB options this week – which is perfect because there are a couple of high-priced RBs to jam in.

O’Connell is the cheapest of the cheapies. He’s coming off an impressive 340-2-0 passing line vs. the Chiefs last week and has now thrown multiple TDs in four of his last six starts, dating back to last season.

With no running game to speak of, the Raiders have leaned into the pass lately. Their +6.3% pass rate over expected over the last three weeks ranks 12th highest in the league.

Expect a similar attack this weekend against a Tampa Bay defense that’s tougher against the run than the pass. The Bucs sit 24th in pass defense DVOA and 31st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. They’ve allowed the opposing QB to tally 298+ yards and/or multiple TDs in six of their last eight games.

Also consider:

  • Jameis Winston, Browns ($5,400)
  • Will Levis, Titans ($5,000)

 

Running Backs

Saquon Barkley, Eagles ($9,000)

Headshot of Saquon Barkley

We talk a lot about floor in cash games. But ceiling is important, too. And Barkley has the kind of ceiling this week that could bury you for not playing him.

Eagles-Panthers is as big of a mismatch as we get in the NFL.

The Eagles rank:

  • 2nd in rushing yards
  • 2nd in yards per carry
  • 3rd in rush offense DVOA

The Panthers rank:

  • 32nd in rushing yards allowed
  • 27th in yards per carry allowed
  • 31st in rush defense DVOA

The biggest risk with Barkley this week is that he doesn’t get much work in the second half if the Eagles have a big lead. But he needs 607 more rushing yards over the final five games to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record – and I expect the Eagles to give him a legitimate chance to get there.

Alvin Kamara, Saints ($8,000)

Headshot of Alvin Kamara

Kamara’s already-insane volume projection gets a boost with the absence of Taysom Hill, who averaged 5.0 carries and 5.6 targets over the last five games.

Kamara should pick up extra work in the rushing and passing games, particularly near the goal line. Hill had four rushing scores over the last five games; Kamara 0.

The matchup is excellent this weekend, too. The Saints are 4.5-point favorites against the Giants, who rank 20th in run defense DVOA and 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. They’ll also be without their best run defender in DT Dexter Lawrence.

Isaac Guerendo, 49ers ($5,400)

DraftKings wasn’t able to boost Guerendo’s salary after RBs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason got hurt in the Sunday nighter in Buffalo. Guerendo is at least $1,000 underpriced.

We don’t know exactly how work will be divvied between Guerendo and RB Patrick Taylor. But we have a hint. After Mason exited in the second quarter of Week 8, Guerendo tallied 13 carries and four targets to Taylor’s two carries and 0 targets.

Guerendo is a total smash if the split looks like that this weekend. But Guerendo should pay off even if he’s down closer to 50% of the backfield work. 

He gets a run-funnel Bears defense that ranks 10th in pass defense DVOA and 30th against the run. Chicago has allowed the sixth most rushing yards and 5.0 yards per carry to RBs.

Also consider:

  • Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($7,500)
  • Tony Pollard, Titans ($6,400)
  • Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks ($4,800)

 

Wide Receivers

Jerry Jeudy, Browns ($5,700)

Headshot of Jerry Jeudy

Here’s where Jeudy ranks among WRs in the five games since QB Jameis Winston took over:

Targets 2nd
Catches 4th
Yards 1st
TDs15th
Expected PPR Points Per Game5th
Actual PPR Points Per Game2nd

Jeudy is way underpriced for his usage and production, even in a tough matchup vs. the Steelers’ sixth-ranked WR defense. Jeudy, of course, just posted a 6-85-0 receiving line in a snow game against Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago – and then smoked a good Broncos defense for 235 yards last week.

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders ($5,600)

Headshot of Jakobi Meyers

As he’s been for a couple of months now, Meyers is an excellent target bet at his price tag. 

He drew 11 targets last week, giving him double-digit looks in three of his last four games. Meyers is up to 9.9 targets per game in seven outings without WR Davante Adams this season. He’s averaging 6.4 catches and 75 yards in those contests.

Sunday brings a Bucs defense that ranks 26th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.

Jauan Jennings, 49ers ($5,200)

Headshot of Jauan Jennings

Jennings has scored just 9.0 and 8.6 DK points the last two weeks. The first was with QB Brandon Allen; the second a snow game in Buffalo.

QB Brock Purdy has been a full-go in practice this week, and weather shouldn’t be an issue in San Francisco this Sunday.

Jennings still drew a 26% target share over those last two games and is at 31% over his last four. RB Christian McCaffrey’s absence leaves more volume up for grabs.

Jennings gets a Bears defense on Sunday that ranks third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs on the season. But they’ve sagged lately, allowing 20 DK points to Christian Watson and 29.2 to Jordan Addison over the last three weeks.

Also consider:

  • Drake London, Falcons ($6,400)
  • Elijah Moore, Browns ($4,800)

 

Tight End

Juwan Johnson, Saints ($3,400)

Headshot of Juwan Johnson

Johnson set or matched season highs last week in:

  • Route rate (79%)
  • Targets (7)
  • Catches (5)

TE Taysom Hill’s absence leaves more routes and targets available.

The Giants surprisingly rank first in adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs. But the pass defense as a whole ranks 28th in DVOA. It’s not a matchup I’m worried about.

Also consider:

  • Brock Bowers, Raiders ($6,500)
  • Jonnu Smith, Dolphins ($5,300)

 

Defense/Special Teams

Saints ($2,900)

The Giants are giving up a ton of sacks, regardless of who’s under center. They rank 25th in sacks and 24th in sack rate allowed.

QB Drew Lock, who will be back under center this weekend, took six sacks on a 15.8% sack rate on Thanksgiving. He also threw a pick-six and owns a career 2.9% INT rate, well worse than league average.

The Giants’ 18.25-point implied total is tied for second lowest on the main slate.

 

Jared Smola Author Image
Jared Smola, Lead Analyst
Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.
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