NFL Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-06-16

Welcome back to SportsPulse.com, DFS fanatics! Another thrilling NFL week is behind us, featuring games like the hard-fought Seahawks victory over the Patriots. As we turn our attention to the upcoming slate, let's dive into the prime DraftKings and FanDuel picks that will help you dominate your contests. Forget last week's results; it's all about finding the edges for this week!

Top 3 Players to START This Week

1. Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City Chiefs): Mahomes faces a Chargers defense that has bled fantasy points to quarterbacks, ranking among the bottom five in passing yards allowed per game. Coming off a 340-yard, 3-touchdown performance last week, he's in peak form. With a healthy Travis Kelce and an emerging Rashee Rice, expect Mahomes to exploit a vulnerable secondary in what projects to be a high-scoring divisional matchup. Lock him in for another QB1 finish. 2. Jonathan Taylor (RB, Indianapolis Colts): Taylor is finally getting the bell-cow treatment we've craved. He logged 25 carries for 110 yards and a score last week, plus three receptions. This week, he's up against the Houston Texans, who are giving up the most rushing yards per game in the league. The Colts will lean heavily on Taylor to control the clock and exploit Houston's porous run defense. His floor is incredibly high, and his ceiling is league-winning. 3. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, Detroit Lions): St. Brown has been a target hog, seeing 12+ targets in his last two games, converting them into 200+ yards and two touchdowns. This week, the Lions face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose secondary, particularly in the slot, has struggled against high-volume receivers. St. Brown's reliable hands and high snap share make him an elite play, guaranteeing a tremendous volume against a favorable matchup.

1. Najee Harris (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers): Harris's volume has been inconsistent, and his efficiency remains a major concern. He's averaging under 3.5 yards per carry and faces a formidable Baltimore Ravens run defense that has bottled up opposing backs all season. In a tough divisional matchup where the Steelers often struggle to establish the run, Harris's upside is severely capped, making him a risky play despite his name recognition. 2. Garrett Wilson (WR, New York Jets): Wilson is a talent, but his production is heavily tethered to his quarterback play, which continues to be problematic. This week, he squares off against an elite Philadelphia Eagles secondary, featuring shutdown corners. Wilson will likely draw shadow coverage from one of the league's best. With a low implied team total and inconsistent targets, it’s best to keep Wilson on your bench until his quarterback situation improves or he gets a softer matchup.

1. Tyjae Spears (RB, Tennessee Titans): Spears is more than just a backup; he's carved out a significant role in the Titans' offense, especially in the passing game. At his low salary, he offers fantastic value on both DraftKings and FanDuel, particularly in PPR formats. He sees high-value targets and red-zone looks, making him an excellent budget-friendly option against a defense that struggles with receiving backs. 2. Rashee Rice (WR, Kansas City Chiefs): Rice is quickly emerging as a favorite target for Patrick Mahomes, especially in the red zone. His snap count and target share have steadily increased over the past few weeks, yet his price remains incredibly affordable. Against

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