With only two weeks remaining in the NFL’s regular season, teams continue to deal with injuries to starters, as other players attempt to clear COVID-19 protocols. As a result, Week 17 will see more opportunities for reserves to shine in starring roles.
Here are five players under $5,000 on DraftKings to study for roster consideration this week.
Boston Scott, Eagles RB ($4,900)
Philadelphia’s running back corps continues to deal with injuries in Week 17. Miles Sanders will miss the tilt against Washington with a broken hand, while Jordan Howard continues to recover from a stinger. It will likely be Scott and rookie Kenneth Gainwell getting most of the reps against the Football Team’s middling rushing defense.
Cole Beasley, Bills WR ($4,900)
The new COVID-19 policy between the NFL and the players association will allow Beasley to return in Week 17 although he’s unvaccinated. Good timing, too, since Buffalo will face the atrocious Falcons pass defense this Sunday. No. 11 stands a good chance of well surpassing his 10.6 fantasy points-per-game average on DraftKings against Atlanta.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens WR ($4,800)
The rookie finally got the monkey off of his back with his first touchdown catch last week. Since his first game in Week 6, Bateman has put up respectable numbers and he could be buoyed this Sunday for two reasons: Marquise Brown may miss the game with an illness, and quarterback Lamar Jackson could return. Jackson is suffering from a sprained ankle and a lack of mobility could yield fewer rushes and more pass attempts against the Rams.
Braxton Berrios, Jets WR ($3,700)
Despite catching five of six targets for 37 yards against the Jags last week, Berrios remains cheap in Week 17. That could be because the fantasy sites expected the Jets’ pass-catchers to return this Sunday, but both Elijah Moore and Jamison Crowder are still dealing with injuries, and one or both could still miss the game. That could open up more opportunities for Berrios again this week.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys TE ($5,000)
It’s hard to ignore Schultz after two consecutive monster games that saw him catch 16 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. The only concern is the fact the Week 17 opponent, Arizona, ranks second-best against tight ends in DFS.