As you sit down to enjoy your holiday meal, think back on all the things for which you are thankful. For me, it’s a veritable feast of options to choose from that includes potentially having six above-average QBs and five legitimate TEs. Unfortunately, that means Sunday’s leftovers are gonna suck.
Thanksgiving Day Slate: recommended DFS lineups
DK Lineup: QB Dak Prescott ($6.8k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($8.7k), RB AJ Dillon ($5.4k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($8.7k), WR Michael Gallup ($3.7k), WR Curtis Samuel ($3.6k), TE George Kittle ($6.0k), FLEX Jake Ferguson ($3.9k), DST Detroit Lions ($3.2k)
FD Lineup: QB Dak Prescott ($8.5k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($9.8k), RB Zach Charbonnet ($5.8k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($9.2k), WR Romeo Doubs ($6.2k), WR Brandin Cooks ($5.7k), TE Jake Ferguson ($6.1k), FLEX Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($5.4k), DST Seattle Seahawks ($3.3k)
FB Lineup: QB Dak Prescott ($6.9k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($8.8k), RB AJ Dillon ($5.0k), WR CeeDee Lamb ($8.2k), WR Romeo Doubs ($4.7k), WR Brandin Cooks ($4.1k), TE George Kittle ($6.3k), FLEX Jake Ferguson ($4.3k), FLEX Brock Purdy ($6.2k)
Quarterback
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Dak Prescott | $6,800 | $8,500 |
| Jared Goff | $6,300 | $7,800 |
| Sam Howell | $6,200 | $7,300 |
| Brock Purdy | $6,100 | $7,700 |
| Geno Smith | $5,600 | $6,600 |
| Jordan Love | $5,500 | $7,200 |
| Drew Lock | $5,000 | $6,600 |
Weekly strategy – Dak Prescott gets the easiest matchup. He is the easy QB1 choice. That said, only Sam Howell‘s matchup concerns me. Whoever starts for Seattle would be my favorite punt play.
Pay to Play
Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. WAS ($6,800 DK, $8,500 FD) Washington just allowed Tommy DeVito to throw for three TDs. When that happens, you should just fold your franchise. The Commanders also have allowed multiple scores to “studs” like Desmond Ridder, Geno Smith, and Tyrod Taylor. Over his last four games, Prescott has 14 TDs. He will add four more here.
Stay Away
Sam Howell, Commanders @ DAL ($6,200 DK, $7,300 FD) Many articles have highlighted that Howell has more passing yards than any other QB. These articles artificially inflate this number since he has not yet had his bye, and since many QBs have missed games because of injury. Still, he has seven games with greater than 250 passing yards. That will be his ceiling this week as only one QB has topped that mark versus Dallas. He will still account for a pair of TDs, but he is the worst option on this slate.
value play
Brock Purdy, Niners @ SEA ($6,100 DK, $7,700 FD) The return of Trent Williams has coincided with back-to-back three TD performances for Purdy. Seattle’s pass defense ranks in the middle of the pack, but the only competent QBs that they have faced are Jared Goff, Sam Howell, and Lamar Jackson. Purdy will chew them up.
Running Back
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | $8,700 | $9,800 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | $6,800 | $8,200 |
| Tony Pollard | $6,700 | $7,200 |
| David Montgomery | $6,300 | $7,800 |
| Kenneth Walker III | $6,200 | $6,500 |
| Aaron Jones | $6,000 | $6,600 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | $5,900 | $6,700 |
| AJ Dillon | $5,400 | $6,600 |
| Zach Charbonnet | $5,300 | $5,800 |
| Chris Rodriguez Jr. | $4,600 | $4,700 |
| Rico Dowdle | $4,600 | $5,100 |
| Antonio Gibson | $4,600 | $5,200 |
| DeeJay Dallas | $4,400 | $4,800 |
| Elijah Mitchell | $4,200 | $4,900 |
Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey is expensive, but he is a must-own RB1. Both Detroit backs are the pivots. You may just want to choose one of them for RB2. The only other options to consider for RB2 are AJ Dillon and Brian Robinson, Jr. This is clearly the weakest position on the slate, so spend up here.
Pay to Play
Christian McCaffrey, Niners @ SEA ($8,700 DK, $9,800 FD) McCaffrey took only one week off on his TD streak. Last week, he returned to the end zone against an elite Tampa defense; Seattle is not an elite defense. They are barely a competent defense. Over their last three games, the Seahawks have allowed six RB scores. This is not a, “Will CMAC score game?” This is a, “How many times will CMAC score game?”
Stay Away
Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks vs. SF ($5,300 DK, $5,800 FD) At a discount price, many owners will flock to Charbonnet. He will see a lead back’s volume with Kenneth Walker III (knee) likely out, but good luck running against this defense. Charbonnet’s best hope is that he continues to get peppered with targets.
Value Play
Brian Robinson, Jr., Commanders @ DAL ($5,900 DK, $6,700 FD) The injury to Antonio Gibson (toe) allowed Robinson to post a second-consecutive 100-yard game. His bell-cow role will probably continue in the short week. You probably think that Dallas is strong against the run. They are, but they have slipped as their linebacker injuries continue to mount.
Wide Receiver
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| CeeDee Lamb | $8,700 | $9,200 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | $7,000 | $7,800 |
| DK Metcalf | $6,500 | $7,000 |
| Tyler Lockett | $6,000 | $6,600 |
| Deebo Samuel | $5,900 | $6,700 |
| Terry McLaurin | $5,400 | $6,500 |
| Romeo Doubs | $5,000 | $6,200 |
| Jahan Dotson | $4,600 | $5,700 |
| Brandin Cooks | $4,500 | $5,700 |
| Christian Watson | $4,300 | $5,600 |
| Jayden Reed | $4,200 | $5,900 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | $4,100 | $5,400 |
| Michael Gallup | $3,700 | $5,200 |
| Curtis Samuel | $3,600 | $5,600 |
| Josh Reynolds | $3,500 | $5,500 |
| Jameson Williams | $3,400 | $5,300 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | $3,300 | $5,000 |
| Jauan Jennings | $3,300 | $4,800 |
| Jamison Crowder | $3,200 | $4,600 |
| Jalen Tolbert | $3,100 | $4,700 |
| Byron Pringle | $3,000 | $4,700 |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | $3,000 | $4,300 |
| Dyami Brown | $3,000 | $4,700 |
| Jake Bobo | $3,000 | $4,600 |
| Kalif Raymond | $3,000 | $4,600 |
| KaVontae Turpin | $3,000 | $4,500 |
Weekly strategy – CeeDee Lamb is the top WR1 option. The only other WR1 option is Amon-Ra St. Brown. Unfortunately, it will be hard to afford both of them. WR2 is much deeper. Choose between Romeo Doubs, Brandin Aiyuk, DK Metcalf, or Brandin Cooks. You also may want to use one of them at WR3. If not, you can use Jaxon Smith-Njigba or one of the reserve Commanders or Packers.
Pay to Play
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys vs. WAS ($8,700 DK, $9,200 FD) Even on a down week, Lamb posted his ninth double-digit PPR game of the year. He also added his fifth TD in his last four games. Stack this powerhouse duo and run it back with either Curtis Samuel or Jahan Dotson at WR3.
Stay Away
Terry McLaurin, Commanders @ DAL ($5,400 DK, $6,500 FD) WR1s have struggled vs. this defense. Only five have reached double-digit PPR points against Dallas. Despite a ton of targets, McLaurin has failed to reach that plateau in his last two games. There are better options at this price point.
Value Play
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks vs. SF ($4,100 DK, $5,400 FD) Smith-Njigba has five or more targets in eight of 10 games. This week, the Seahawks will need to throw the ball. Expect JSN to rack up short-yardage receptions as they realize they can’t move the ball on the ground. He may see even more dump-off passes if Drew Lock starts.
Tight End
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| George Kittle | $6,000 | $7,200 |
| Sam LaPorta | $5,200 | $6,500 |
| Jake Ferguson | $3,900 | $6,100 |
| Logan Thomas | $3,500 | $5,200 |
| Luke Musgrave | $3,300 | $5,000 |
| Noah Fant | $2,700 | $4,700 |
| Colby Parkinson | $2,500 | $4,400 |
| Josiah Deguara | $2,500 | $4,300 |
| Tucker Kraft | $2,500 | $4,300 |
| Will Dissly | $2,500 | $4,500 |
Weekly strategy – George Kittle has been white hot. He is the top option here. Luke Musgrave and Jake Ferguson are the top pivots. Sam LaPorta feels like a trap.
Pay to Play
George Kittle, Niners @ SEA ($6,000 DK, $7,200 FD) Over his last four starts, Kittle is averaging 6-108-0.5. Last week, the Seahawks kept Tyler Higbee in check. That said, over their prior three games, they allowed an average of 8.6-89 to the position.
Stay Away
Sam LaPorta, Lions vs. GB ($5,200 DK, $6,500 FD) LaPorta has posted back-to-back duds. He also has topped five receptions only three times. Typically, at a thin position, he is a TE1. However, on a loaded slate, his performance doesn’t match his price. Let other owners overpay for his eight points while you pivot elsewhere.
Value Play
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys vs. WAS ($3,900 DK, $6,100 FD) Last week, Ferguson was vultured of a TD by Luke Schoonmaker. This was a fluke as Ferguson has more targets over the last two weeks than Schoonmaker has on the year. Prior to last week, Ferguson had scored in three straight. He gets back on the horse here.