Week 16 DraftKings DFS Sunday Main Slate Breakdown
Week 16 DraftKings DFS Strategy (Main Slate)
Written by Adam Krautwurst @adam_krautwurst on X
Week 16 is shaping up as a “pay-down at QB, pay-up everywhere else” slate. Injuries, benchings, and late-season chaos have opened multiple viable quarterbacks under $6K, and the opportunity cost of paying up at QB is simply too high given the elite skill-position ceilings available.
Core Slate Themes
- Cheap QB + elite skill players is optimal
- Multiple RBs and WRs capable of 30+ DK points
- Tight end is either Trey McBride or a value pivot like Darren Waller
- Defensive pricing allows easy salary relief
Quarterback Strategy
Top Overall QB: Bo Nix
Jaguars allow top-10 QB FPPG. Denver throwing volume is massive (34–45 attempts weekly). Sneaky overall QB1 upside in a 47.5 total. Perfect for balanced builds.
Best Value / Cash QB: C.J. Stroud
Raiders weak in pressure rate. Texans offense efficient even in wins. High floor, lower ownership than ultra-cheap QBs. Ideal when stacking elite RB + WR combos.
Minshew / Ewers are viable punts, but Stroud and Nix are the safest ways to attack cheap QB builds.
Running Back Breakdown
Core RB1: Jahmyr Gibbs
Massive target share. TD equity (16 TDs). Lions will scheme touches regardless of matchup. Underpriced compared to ceiling.
Best Value RB: Aaron Jones Sr.
Giants are dead last vs the run. Jones dominates routes vs Jordan Mason. $5,200 is far too cheap for receiving role. Cash-game lock.
Other viable pivots: Bijan Robinson (leverage), James Cook III, Bucky Irving, Woody Marks.
Wide Receiver Targets
Elite WR Anchor: Ja’Marr Chase
No Tee Higgins = nuclear usage. 16 targets last week. Game-script proof. One of the safest WR floors in DFS.
Best Value WR: DK Metcalf
Lions allow most WR FPPG recently. Steelers forced to pass. Price hasn’t adjusted. High-leverage ceiling play.
Other strong options: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, Jameson Williams, Michael Wilson.
Tight End Strategy
Pay-Up Option: Trey McBride
Leads entire NFL in receptions. Matchup doesn’t matter. Worth building around even at $7,600.
Value Pivot: Darren Waller
Massive TD target share against league worst defense. Bengals bleeding points. Strong GPP alternative to McBride.
Defense Notes
Best salary-adjusted defenses: Jets (elite value), Chiefs, Texans, Bills, Giants.
Week 16 DraftKings Lineups (Main Slate)
LINEUP 1 — Balanced Build with Elite Ceiling
- QB – Jacoby Brissett
- RB – Jahmyr Gibbs
- RB – Aaron Jones Sr.
- WR – Marquis Brown
- WR – DK Metcalf
- WR – Michael Wilson
- TE – Trey McBride
- FLEX – Audric Estime
- DST – Las Vegas Raiders
Why this works: Cheap QB + elite skill players. McBride + Chase provide positional advantage. Estime is a super cheap source of touches. Raiders DST gives salary relief without punting upside.
LINEUP 2 — Stars & Scrubs with Safe Floor (Cash / Small-Field GPP)
- QB – Bo Nix
- RB – Jahmyr Gibbs
- RB – Audric Estime
- WR – Ja’Marr Chase
- WR – Justin Jefferson
- WR – DK Metcalf
- TE – Darren Waller
- FLEX – Keenan Allen
- DST – NY Jets
Why this works: Massive raw-point ceiling. Dual elite WRs. Waller provides TE leverage vs McBride chalk.
Final DFS Notes
- Do not overthink QB — the slate is won with skill players
- Prioritize volume + matchup over name value
- McBride is worth eating chalk
- Waller is the best leverage TE
- Gibbs + Jones is an elite RB pairing
