Daniels and Likely lead Thursday night DFS picks
SportsLine expert Mike McClure identifies Washington quarterback and New York tight end as top value targets for the upcoming Giants and Commanders matchup.
By Anthony Foster ·
SportsLine daily fantasy expert Mike McClure has selected Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels and New York tight end Isaiah Likely as his primary plays for the upcoming Thursday Night Football contest. The Giants host the Commanders at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, marking the first opportunity for Week 10 daily fantasy contests. McClure, who has accumulated more than $2 million in career winnings, relies on a prediction model that simulates every snap of NFL action to identify these specific values.
Daniels offers substantial upside due to his dual-threat capabilities and New York’s defensive vulnerabilities. In his previous matchup against the Giants, Daniels rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back from an elbow injury. The Giants currently pressure quarterbacks at the lowest rate in the league. They have allowed more passing touchdowns than all but six teams and have given up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than only four other teams.
McClure also emphasizes Likely, who is ranked the third tight end in PPR leagues this season. He has already set or tied career highs in receptions with 46 and touchdowns with 6. Likely posted a career day against Washington in Week 5 with 11 catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that performance with a 99-yard receiving outing in his next game. Last Sunday, the former Baltimore Raven recorded five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
The defensive matchup further supports the case for Likely. Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Over the last 13 games dating back to 2025, the Commanders have surrendered 14 touchdowns to the position. This trend aligns with the previous meeting between these two teams last month, which ended in a 27-27 tie. In that game, the tight ends combined for 190 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Other players on McClure’s radar include Chig Okonkwo and Theo Johnson. Johnson is considered a potential sleeper pick in the player pool. The analysis also notes that both teams allowed 10 sacks in their respective games one week ago, suggesting that defensive plays may offer additional value in daily fantasy lineups.
McClure’s methodology has resulted in high placements in major tournaments, including finishing tied for first in the DraftKings Millionaire Maker twice and winning the FanDuel Million once. He shares his optimal lineups and stacks exclusively with SportsLine members. His current analysis targets an undervalued player who could provide a decisive edge in tournament play.
The Giants and Commanders will meet on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium. The matchup features two second-year quarterbacks from the 2024 draft class, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy, who are both viable options for daily fantasy lineups. Wide receivers Malik Nabers and Stefon Diggs are also part of the conversation, though running back injuries for both teams may favor a passing-heavy strategy.
