NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 16 – Quarterbacks and Running Backs

If you have advanced to the championship of your season-long fantasy football league, congratulations! If you didn’t, all hope is not lost. There is still a chance to win some money in DFS during Week 16. Let’s start out by highlighting some of the better quarterbacks and running backs to target. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NFL Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

QUARTERBACK CASH TARGETS

Lamar Jackson, BAL at CLE
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $8,000

Lamar Jackson provided another monster stat line last week, throwing for 212 yards and five touchdowns against the Jets. He also ran eight times for 86 yards. Across his last six games, he has 23 total touchdowns and 466 rushing yards. At this point, fading him in cash games might be hazardous for your health, especially against a Browns team that seems to be in turmoil in their locker room.

Drew Brees, NO at TEN
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $6,900

Brees made history Monday night when he surpassed Peyton Manning to become the all-time passing touchdown leader. He had an excellent game, overall, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been a touchdown machine of late, throwing for at least three of them in five of his last seven games. There might be no issues with him moving the ball up and down the field here with the Titans allowing the eighth-most passing yards per game, so Brees also carries a high floor into this week.

QUARTERBACK GPP TARGETS

Drew Lock, DEN vs. DET
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $5,600

Lock faced some tough weather conditions against the Chiefs last week, which likely contributed to him completing only 18 of 40 passes for 208 yards and one interception. As bad as that performance was, he had recorded five touchdowns across his first two starts. This matchup is about as good as it gets against the Lions, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game and are tied for the fourth-most passing touchdowns allowed. If you’re looking to differentiate yourself in tournament play, Lock could provide significant value.

Dwayne Haskins Jr., WAS vs. NYG
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $4,700

With nothing left to play for but a high draft pick, the Redskins have turned to their rookie Haskins to take over under center. He’s largely been underwhelming and entered Week 15 having thrown only one touchdown across his previous three games. The good news is that he showed promise against the Eagles on Sunday, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 261 yards and two scores. The Giants are inexperienced at cornerback, which has contributed to them allowing the seventh-most passing yards per game. Although I think Lock has a high floor, Haskins is another cheap option who is at least worth considering.

RUNNING BACK CASH TARGETS

Chris Carson, SEA vs. ARZ
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,500

The stars aligned for Carson to have a big game last week. Not only was he facing a Panthers team that has allowed the most rushing touchdowns per game, but Rashaad Penny (knee) was also out. Carson didn’t disappoint, rushing 24 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns. That marked the sixth time this season that he has rushed for at least 100 yards in a game and his eighth contest with at least 20 carries. With his likely heavy workload and the Cardinals allowing the eighth-most rushing yards per game, Carson is once again a stellar option.

Joe Mixon, CIN at MIA
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,600

As the Bengals continue their march towards the worst record in the league, Mixon has actually cranked up his production down the stretch. He’s been especially potent the last two weeks, rushing for 146 and 136 yards, respectively. The key is that he received at least 23 carries in both contests. The Dolphins have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game, setting up Mixon to once again be productive.

RUNNING BACK GPP TARGETS

Marlon Mack, IND vs. CAR
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,200

Mack couldn’t get anything going against the Saints on Monday, rushing 11 times for 19 yards. It didn’t help his cause that the Colts were blown out, which partially contributed to his limited workload. He hasn’t been great since returning from injury, rushing for 57 yards and a touchdown across two games. However, with the Panthers’ massive struggles to defend the run already discussed, Mack has a chance to put up gaudy stat line here.

Adrian Peterson, WAS vs. NYG
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,000

Derrius Guice just can’t catch a break. He’s back on IR with a knee injury, which has opened up the door for Peterson to once again be the Redskins’ starting running back. He played well against a tough Eagles’ run defense last week, turning 16 carries into 66 yards and a touchdown. He’s now recorded a rushing touchdown in three straight games and could extend that streak against a Giants team that is tied for the sixth-most rushing touchdowns allowed.

Devonta Freeman, ATL vs. JAC
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,000

Freeman finally broke his long rushing touchdown drought against the Panthers in Week 14, which really wasn’t a huge surprise given how poorly they have played. Freeman then had to follow that up with a matchup against the 49ers, who have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game. The end result was just 39 yards on 12 carries. Can he rebound and find his way into the end zone again this week? Well, it certainly helps his cause that the Jaguars have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game and the second-most rushing touchdowns.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.