Week 16 FanDuel & DraftKings Value Plays Featuring Gardner Minshew & Xavier Worthy

Looking to uncover salary-saving DFS gems in Week 16, these FanDuel and DraftKings value plays highlight Gardner Minshew, Xavier Worthy, and other low-cost options with upside.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (17) throws a pass during the first half against the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Value shopping didn’t pay off last week in the DFS market. Kirk Cousins (30.65), Tyrone Tracy (24.70), DJ Moore (22.90), and Darren Waller (25.70) proved to be winning players in fantasy points, but two of these players weren’t on the main Sunday slate.

Gardner Minshew, Kansas City Chiefs (DK: $4,500/FD: $6,500)

It’s hard to believe the Chiefs were knocked out of the 2025 postseason last week, and they lost Patrick Mahomes for the year with a torn ACL in his left knee. Minshew has made 46 career starts in the NFL, leading to a 17-29 record. His best success came in 2023 for the Colts (7-6). He tends to be a game manager with minimal value in the run game. 

Kansas City comes into Week 16 with the second-best output in fantasy points (340.05) for quarterbacks, helped by Mahomes' value in the run game (69/416/5).

The Titans slipped to 28th in quarterback defense (322.55 fantasy points) after getting drilled by Shedeur Sanders (393 combined yards with four touchdowns) and Brock Purdy (339 combined yards and three touchdowns) over the past two weeks. Tennessee allows 8.1 yards per pass attempt with quarterbacks scoring 28 touchdowns (25 passing and three rushing), 20 of those TDs came over their last eight matchups.

Minshew has plenty of NFL experience, and the Chiefs should be motivated to end the year with a winning record. I have him projected to pass for 251 yards with two scores. His dirt-cheap salary makes him one of the better backend quarterbacks to play in Week 16. On the downside, Rashee Rice won’t play, making it more challenging for Kansas City to pass the ball.

Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers (DK: $4,300/FD: $5,500)

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Josh Jacob looks to be trending toward a scratch in Week 16, giving Watson a winning opportunity vs. the Bears. His first start this year led to an impact game (28/107/2 with two catches for 18 yards). 

The Bears allow 4.8 yards per rush to running backs, showcasing the potential of Green Bay’s run game in this matchup. Chicago sits 16th vs. running backs (308.70 fantasy points) while allowing 12 touchdowns to backs. Three offenses have been successful against the Bears with their running backs.

• Detroit (26/155/2 with four catches for 14 yards)
• Las Vegas (25/200/1 with three catches for 28 yards and two scores)
• Pittsburgh (18/160/1 with six catches for 30 yards)

Green Bay relies on its running backs to move the ball and to score at the goal line. Watson should have plenty of touches this week, with Chris Brooks also banged up. His projections will be updated Friday night after the Packers decide on Jacobs’ status. He should have a 3X floor with a winnable ceiling in Week 16, making Watson a popular play in Saturday’s two-game slate.

Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts (DK: $4,900/FD: $5,600)

Pittman lost his fantasy momentum in three (2/19, 1/13, and 3/26) of his last five starts. He scored six touchdowns over his first eight starts, with five winnable games (20.00, 19.30, 20.80, 23.50, and 20.50 fantasy points) for his current low salary. Pittman enters Week 16 as the 13th-highest-scoring wide receiver (188.50 fantasy points) in PPR formats.

The 49ers are a below-average team defending wide receivers (20th – 449.10 fantasy points) in PPR formats. They’ve allowed 51.8% of their completions to wideouts, with them scoring 12 touchdowns. They struggled vs. the position from Week 8 to Week 11 (HOU – 21/224/2, NYG – 16/137/1, LAR – 12/155/2, and ARI – 24/271/1), but no problem defending the Panthers (9/100/1), Browns (6/36), and Titans (3/10) wide receivers over the past three weeks.

The Colts have a talented receiving corps, and Jonathan Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league. Philip Rivers will be better in this matchup, leading to more long passes and more touchdowns. I expect a mid-tier showing (6/64/1), which works for his sliding salary.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (DK: $4,400/FD: $5,600)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) celebrates after a play against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

With Rashee Rice scratched this week, Worthy could have his first fantasy pulse of the year. His best showing this year came in Week 4 (5/121). Over his last four games (4/59, 4/74, 3/55, and 2/35), the Chiefs have looked his way 22 times with two rushing attempts.

The Titans rank 30th in wide receiver defense (497.30 fantasy points). Wideouts gained 13.8 yards per catch, with six touchdowns. Six offenses (NE – 14/194/1, IND – 14/195/2, LAC – 12/168/2, HOU – 18/207/1, SEA – 10/191/2, and SF – 13/186/2) have scored more than 40.00 fantasy points from their wide receivers in PPR formats.

Worthy’s only attraction is his cheap salary. His opportunity has to be better in Week 16, and a change of quarterback may ignite his best showing of the year. I view him as a low-value dart, with the talent to post an impact showing.