NFL DFS Saturday Week 17 Picks, Projections & Playbook For DraftKings & FanDuel

Week 17 in the NFL brings a thrilling Saturday slate featuring three matchups loaded with fantasy potential. The Los Angeles Chargers take on the New England Patriots in a clash of contrasting styles, while the Denver Broncos face the Cincinnati Bengals in a high-stakes showdown with playoff implications. Rounding out the slate, the Arizona Cardinals battle the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC West showdown with plenty of fantasy intrigue. Whether you're targeting top-tier studs or uncovering hidden value plays, this DFS playbook has everything you need to build competitive lineups and dominate your contests. Let’s break down the action!

NFL Weather: NFL DFS Saturday Week 17 DFS Impact

Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots

• Cool temps with possible rain showers during the game

Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals

• Potential for rain showers

NFL DFS Week 17 Picks & Preview For DraftKings & FanDuel: Saturday 12/28

NFL DFS Saturday Week 17: Quarterback Picks

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

If the Bengals were in the playoff picture we'd be talking about Joe Burrow in the MVP conversation as the Cinci QB has thrown for 4,229 yards and 39 touchdowns this season.

The Broncos have a really good defense which is headlined but shutdown corner Patrick Surtain but he's going to have his hands full dealing with Ja'Marr Chase today and Burrow still has the likes of Tee Higgins capable of making big plays for him. Burrow is the most expensive QB on the board and projected to be one of the highest owned as well.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

The other top rostered QB stays in that same game as rookie Bo Nix is looking to clinch a playoff berth for the Denver Broncos.

The Bengals pass defense has really struggled this season and they will be having a tough time today dealing with not just Courtland Sutton but also the recent emergence of second-year receiver Marvin Mims as well.

From a fantasy stand point this game has a slate high 50.5 game total with just a 3.5-point spread and the DFS salary for Nix makes it easy to really build a strong lineup around him today.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Stafford is the cheapest of the QB's today which makes him very appealing in tournaments. Yes, I understand that the production of late hasn't been that great and the fact that Kyren Williams is the cover of today's playbook likely shows my hand of where I want to go today with my lineup builds but we shouldn't completely ignore the QB that gets to throw the football to Puca Nacua and Cooper Kupp today especially when Stafford has performed better in each of his last two home games while struggling on the road.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

It's a bit of a cold, wet day in New England today but Maye's rushing upside is the appeal here. Last week against the Bills the Patriots finally called some designed runs for Maye and he was solid throwing the football as well, finishing with two touchdown passes while throwing for 261 yards and rushing for another 30.

As the season winds down it looks like they may be opening the playbook a bit more and that's certainly appealing from a DFS perspective.

NFL DFS Saturday Week 17: Running Back Picks

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Cover of the playbook today and my top play of the day. The Cardinals struggle against the run and Williams is having another monster season on the ground for the Rams, totaling 1,243 yards and 15 touchdowns so far this season.

Against the Jets last week he ran for 122 yards and a score and that comes after he ripped the 49ers for 108 yards as well.

We can pretty much lock Williams in for 20+ carries today and in two of the last three games he saw 29 total rushing attempts

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Who knew the Zack Moss injury was going to turn Brown into a total bell-cow running back? The Bengals RB does not come off the field and is on his way to his first 1,000-yard rushing season.

The Broncos run defense is the soft spot to attack and Brown is capable of making plays in both the running and passing game.

With this matchup having the highest total on the board, it should be no real surprise to see how popular he is today.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Conner is trending towards playing today after suffering a knee injury that many thought would  have ended his season last week.

The trend here so far is bell-cow backs and Conner is just that, playing a ton of snaps and getting a high rate of usage in this Arizona Cardinals offense.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

The Patriots offense certainly has its shortcoming and Stevenson has had his issues fumbling the football this season but he is still the lead running back in this Patriots offense and should get double-digit rushing attempts here today as well.

The Chargers run defense is their weak spot and if the Patriots get in the red zone they will look to run it in for a touchdown given their fear of throwing an interception in the end zone.

Denver Broncos RB's

So, McLaughlin was trending towards being the lead back for the Broncos until he got hurt a few weeks ago. He then missed last week but is expected to play today. In his absence we saw Audric Estime perform well and then comments saying that Estime earned himself more playing time. We also have to deal with Javonte Williams. This three headed monster is a tough nut to crack and one I'd rather avoid. From an ownership standpoint, Estime is the highest rostsered of the three.

J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers

If you are playing on FanDuel Dobbins is a must start at min-price $4,000. The team has taken him off of the injured list and have already ruled out Gus Edwards.

The Patriots run defense is pretty horrific and even if there are some limitations for Dobbins here, he's going to be in a good spot to make some plays..

NFL DFS Saturday Week 17: Wide Receiver Picks

Bengals WR

You have Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins here for the Broncos. Chase is projected as the highest rostered WR on the board here today but he does have a tough matchup. Now, an elite WR like Chase sometimes just beats his coverage but as a tournament pivot today you could look to the much lower rostered Tee Higgins who is expected to play today despite being on the injury report all week.

Broncos WR

Again, this game has the highest total on the board so it shouldn't be too shocking that Courtland Sutton is among the highest rostered WR on the slate.

He is a solid discount today when compared to the other #1 WR's on this slate and the Bengals pass defense has really struggled this season.

For a value play, Marvin Mims is really interesting today. He's a deep threat but also beginning to get more usage overall in this Broncos offense.

Rams WR

Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp make up one of the more formidable pass catching duos in the entire NFL but they need their QB to get it going here today against the Cardinals for them to be able to fulfill their potential.

Kupp is a great leverage play today with very little ownership going his was and even Nacua is in the mid-range of expected rostership.

As I said above, if you want to be different on this short slate, the Rams passing attack is the way to go.

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd should be missing Christian Gonzalez here today which means he gets the elite matchups against the Patriots slot corners. We know the target share is going to be there as Justin Herbert is locked into his top receiver.

From an ownership stand point, McConkey is currently the third-highest rostered QB on the main slate.

NFL DFS Saturday Week 17: Tight End Picks

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

No real shock here, right? This slate isn't exactly full of elite talent at the tight end position and the Rams defense has struggled against opposing tight ends this season.

Is today the day that McBride finally catches a touchdown pass?

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

The leading receiver on the Patriots this season has a tough matchup against a Chargers team that ranks out as one of the best teams in the league against opposing tight ends. Maybe you believe in the revenge game narrative with Henry facing off against his former team that let him hit free agency a few seasons ago.

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

I'm definitely going to have some Gesicki shares here today. As I've mentioned, the Broncos have a really good pass defense thanks to their cover corners but opposing tight ends have found success up the seams against them this season.

If Surtain is shutting down Ja'Marr Chase today and Tee Higgins is still a bit gimpy, look for Gesicki to get some looks go his way.

NFL DFS Saturday Week 17: D/ST Picks

Los Angeles Chargers Defense

I'm honestly a bit shocked to see that right now the Chargers are the lowest projected rostered defense on the slate. The Patriots offensive line is horrible and Drake Maye is good for at least one turnover per game. The Patriots offense is projected to score the fewest points on the slate here today but nobody is spending up for the top priced defense. This a pretty elite leverage play if that ends up being the case.

Los Angeles Rams Defense

One of the highest rostered defenses today, the Rams are home and the Cardinals offense has really been hit or miss this season. James Conner isn't at 100% even if he suits up and if they lean on Kyler Murray to make some plays he can turn the football over.

NFL DFS Example Lineups: NFL DFS Saturday Week 17