NFL DFS Week 17 Example Lineups: Top Picks for DraftKings & FanDuel Contests

Updated: Sunday, Dec. 31 at 12pm ET

Here we go – NFL Week 17 DFS! How are we feeling about our lineups? Are you playing cash games? GPP tournaments? Both? Regardless of what contests you are playing, we've got plenty of work still to do to turn those DFS lineups into winning DFS lineups. The news was rolling out fast and furious the other day as we learned Trevor Lawrence, Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle were recently ruled out and yet we are still left sweating the likes of Kyler Murray, Isiah Pacheco, Raheem Mostert and Cole Kmet. At least the Las Vegas Raiders threw the doubtful tag on Josh Jacobs which means it's wheels-up for Zamir White once again. But all this craziness means we're going to have one heck of a Sunday morning. Build your lineups early and then look to make pivots once the NFL injury report is finalized and we know who is doing what.

We will have our example lineups posted at the usual time but be sure to check back for late changes that could drop 30 minutes before the slate locks.

Just a few notes here about the lineups below...

The cash lineups were built solely off the players I put in the Playbook. These are the guys who, unless I have indicated otherwise, offer up the higher floor and will help you cash in your Double-Ups and 50/50s. For GPP tournaments, particularly the large-field ones, you need to find alternative routes to the cash line. I will utilize players from the Playbook and the DFS Dart Board to fill in the gaps, but what I am looking for are some lower-owned stacks that make sense based on expected game flow and other news. You may also see in the GPP lineups, there may be some names I haven't discussed this week on the site, but have talked about during the week on the Fantasy Alarm Show or even on the Fantasy Alarm Sunday Gameday Show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. You will also notice, though, that others on the site have mentioned some of these players in places such as the position coaches, so it's not like we're trying to hide anything from you. The only time, and I mean the only time you will see a player in a GPP lineup who hasn't been discussed is if we are using a stack and need a player from the other team coming back. But it's rare when that happens.

Again, these lineups are meant to serve as examples for you; a sounding board, as I said. They are not meant for you to plug in as your own. That's the lazy way and we don't condone it. We are trying to teach you how to be a better DFS player; we aren't lineup-sellers. You should be creating your own lineups using all the information we provide you throughout the week and then coming here to see if there is anything you may have missed or simply for an alternative perspective.

**Be sure to check the Playbook and Dart Board for late changes

Best of luck to you this week and let's make some money!

SUNDAY MORNING NOTES:

According to Adam Schefter:

Chiefs’ running backs Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), both listed as questionable for Sunday, both are expected to play vs. the Bengals, per source.

Seahawks’ RB Kenneth Walker, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a shoulder injury and illness, is expected to play vs. the Steelers. But the team is also has some concerns about a shoulder injury that was aggravated last Sunday at Tennessee.

Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara, listed as questionable for Sunday due to an illness, is expected to play vs. the Buccaneers.

Bengals’ WR Ja'Marr Chase, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a shoulder injury, plans to test it pregame to see how it feels, but there’s optimism he will play vs. the Chiefs – and he does have some strong words about the KC defense to try to back up.

Rams’ WR Puka Nacua, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hip injury, is expected to play vs. the Giants

Broncos’ WR Marvin Mims, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury, is not expected to play vs. the Chargers.

Broncos’ WR Jerry Jeudy, listed as questionable for Sunday due to an illness, is expected to play vs. the Chargers, per source.

Players who missed practice time due to injury but are expected to play Sunday include C.J. Stroud, Brock Purdy, Trent Williams, Brian Robinson, Michael Pittman, Mecole Hardman and Jayden Reed.

Other News:

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is out for Week 17 against the Panthers.

49ers QB Brock Purdy (stinger) was removed from the injury report and will start Week 17 against the Commanders.

Kyler Murray (illness) is questionable for Week 17 against the Eagles.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Jacoby Brissett (hamstring, questionable) is expected to a game-time decision for Sunday’s 1PM ET matchup with the 49ers.

Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle) isn't expected to play Sunday at Baltimore, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (quad) is doubtful for Week 17 against the Colts.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play in Week 17 against the Bengals.

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane (toe) was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 17 against the Ravens.

Kenneth Walker (shoulder, illness) is questionable for Week 17 against the Steelers.

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (ankle) was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 17 against the Ravens.

Zay Flowers (calf) is questionable for Week 17 against the Dolphins

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said DK Metcalf (back) is expected to play in Week 17 against the Steelers.

Nico Collins (calf) was removed from the Week 17 injury report and will play against the Titans.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (neck) was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 17 against the Commanders.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (concussion) is out for Week 17 against the Chargers.

Broncos promoted WR Michael Bandy and elevated WR Phillip Dorsett from the practice squad.

Zay Jones (knee, hamstring) is questionable for Week 17 against the Panthers.

Chiefs activated WR Mecole Hardman from injured reserve.

Eagles activated CB Avonte Maddox from injured reserve.

Eagles CB Darius Slay (knee) will not play in Week 17 against the Cardinals.

WEATHER REPORT:

ATL/CHI - Decent chance that we see a snow shower or two, with at least some flurries fairly likely. Total snowfall accumulation for the entire day is less than 1/2 inch of snow, so this isn't some monster snow storm here, just a chance for a few flakes, and if we get lucky a brief bout of more moderate snow. Winds around 10mph sustained, gusting to 15-20, temps around freezing. It's not ideal weather, but there's also nothing that really jumps out as truly problematic weather.

NE/BUF - Rain/snow mix. Like Chicago we're not talking about big accumulations here (if any), but the combo of somewhat wet and certainly cold (temp around freezing) is a slight bump down to the passing attack. Winds are light, so impacts are on the lower-end of the scale.

GPP STACKS:

As a reminder, when you're stacking in GPP, you always want to run someone back from the opposing team. One-sided games often turn to a running back seeing higher-than-usual volume or the back-ups start to play. For a stack to really pop, the other team needs to keep things competitive. 

Chalk Stacks (Expect High Ownership): 

*Eagles: Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith or Dallas Goedert (Conner coming back)

Bills: Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Dalton Kincaid or Gabe Davis (Zeke coming back)

*Rams: Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua or Demarcus Robinson (Barkley coming back)

49ers: Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk or George Kittle or Christian McCaffrey (Robinson coming back)

*Ravens: Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely or Odell Beckham or Rashod Bateman (Mostert or Achane coming back)

*Texans: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Noah Brown or Dalton Schultz (Henry coming back)

Possible Lower-Owned Stacks:

*Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce or Justin Watson (Mixon coming back)

Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson (Edwards coming back)

*Saints: Derek Carr, Chris Olave, Rasheed Shaheed or Juwan Johnson or Alvin Kamara (White or Evans coming back)

*Bucs: Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans or Rachaad White or Cade Otton (Kamara coming back)

Seahawks: Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf or Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Najee coming back)

Bears: Justin Fields, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet or Robert Tonyan (Bijan coming back)

Falcons: Taylor Heinicke, Drake London, Kyle Pitts or Bijan Robinson (Herbert or Foreman coming back)

*Broncos: Jarrett Stidham, Brandon Johnson, Jerry Jeudy or Marvin Mims (Ekeler coming back)

Colts: Gardner Minshew, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs or Alec Pierce (White coming back)

Raiders: Aidan O'Connell, Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers or Austin Hooper (Taylor coming back)

Cardinals: Kyler Murray, Trey McBride, Greg Dortch or Michael Wilson (Swift or Brown coming back)

Bengals: Jake Browning, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd or Tanner Hudson (CEH or Pacheco coming back)

Commanders: Jacoby Brissett, Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas or Curtis Samuel (McCaffrey coming back)

Titans: Will Levis, DeAndre Hopkins, Chigoziem Okonkwo or Treylon Burks (Singletary coming back)

Dart Throw Stacks:

*Giants: Tyrod Taylor, Darren Waller, Darius Slayton or Saquon Barkley (Williams coming back)

Chargers: Easton Stick, Gerald Everett, Quentin Johnston or Austin Ekeler (Javonte coming back)

Steelers: Mason Rudolph, George Pickens, Diontae Johnson or Pat Freiermuth (Walker coming back)

Patriots: Bailey Zappe, Demario Douglas, Hunter Henry or Mike Gesicki (Cook or Diggs coming back)

Jaguars: C.J. Beathard, Evan Engram, Calvin Ridley or Travis Etienne (Hubbard coming back)

Panthers: Bryce Young, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo or Tommy Tremble (Etienne coming back)

*denotes favorite